Aurora Association of REALTORS® inducts new leaders, gives top member awards at September Inaugural Celebration
facebook Photo Gallery of the event
Realtor® of the Year
David Barber is surprised onstage by his wife Tammy, daughter Ashley and son D.J. after being named REALTOR of the Year at the 2011 Inaugural. The crowd showed their appreciation to the exceptional leader with a standing ovation; Barber's service to AAR has included a term as president, a place on the Board of Directors, membership on numerous committees, and unwavering support and continued hard work as an AAR volunteer. Barber assumed his new post as the 2012 Metro District Vice President Oct. 1.
Affiliate of the Year
Sandy Plaven (center, with plaque) is surrounded by her husband and a group of friends who surprised her at the AAR Inaugural Sept. 24 as she was named the Association's Affiliate of the Year. "I am so excited that my family and friends are here," said Plaven, who served in 2010-2011 as the Affiliate Chairwoman. The strength of family and friends serve as her support and are at the center of her life, said Mico Smith, who introduced Plaven as this year's award winner. Plaven has dedicated hours of her time to organize events and activities at AAR.
The oath of office
2010 CAR REALTOR® of the Year and longtime AAR member Bob Brown leads the Association's new Board of Directors in the oath of office. "Be proud of who you are and what you do," he told the incoming leaders before asking them to raise their right hands and promise to uphold the tenets of leadership and professionalism required as a member of the BOD.
The passing of the gavel
Outgoing president Terry Wenze puts the president pin on Nancy Griffin, who assumed her new leadership role Oct. 1. "The Board is a warm, welcoming place," Griffin told nearly 200 guests at the Inaugural in her presidential address. "With defined leadership and member willingness, success starts now."
Honored for their service
Outgoing President Terry Wenze gives the Presidential Distinguished Service Award to Bob LeGare, who he said in 2010 and 2011 took on the challenging task of helping to ensure the financial stability of the Association. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor AAR's outgoing president can give at the Inaugural. In addition to LeGare, Wenze gave the Award to retired AAR Bookkeeper Vonda Sieber, Affiliate Neil Fancher and Metrolist Director Ed Hardey.
Honored by his presence
The Association was honored to have 1964 Association President Jim Miller attend the Inaugural Celebration, highlighting the lifetime commitment some of its members choose to make to AAR. Miller helped lay the foundation upon which the Association has grown, leading the membership as its seventh president when this year the Association inducted its 55th. Miller, who was joined by his daughter Barbara Feist, was given a standing ovation and was warmly welcomed by the leaders and members in attendance.
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| Inaugural Committee member Clay Fell introduced Lisa Hidalgo to Association members at the event Sept. 24. Hidalgo, who is the morning meteorologist on 7News, served as emcee, charming the crowd with stories of her reporting experiences and introducing the many honored guests in attendance. |
Incoming President Nancy Griffin shows off the rose corsage created for her by Desiree Banka, North American Title. Banka and her company contributed the lovely floral centerpieces and decorations, also presenting outgoing President Terry Wenze with a rose boutonnière and Griffin with a matching wrist corsage. |
Bonnie Smith, who is NAR Director and a PSF Chair for 2012, joins Don and Sunny Banka for fun and conversation at the Inaugural. Smith, whose real estate business is in Breckenridge, attends AAR's Inaugural every year to see longtime friends who are members here. |
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| "This is for Nancy," said longtime member Jim Neely as he sang the Star Spangled Banner to open the Inaugural program. Neely and Griffin have been friends for many years; Neely's rendition of our national anthem was one of the most stirring portions of the evening's events. |
AAR's Legal Counsel Oliver Frascona joined his friend and AAR member David Barber for dinner at the Association's Inaugural Celebration. |
Linda and Ralph Papineau were among nearly 200 guests who attended the elegant Inaugural at the Wildlife Experience. Ralph Papineau is a former member of AAR's Board of Directors. |
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| Susan Sechrist (second from right) and Aaron Ravdin (far right) were among the AAR members who took the oath of office at the Inaugural to begin their terms on the BOD. They mingled with incoming President Nancy Griffin and Ravdin's brother David during cocktail hour. |
Metrolist President and CEO Pat Bybee (left) joins AAR Past President David DeElena and 2011 Metro District Vice President Sandy Trujillo during the cocktail hour on the mezzanine above the Wildlife Experience's Globeology Exhibit. Metrolist was a major sponsor of the Inaugural. |
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The Association salutes its Inaugural Sponsors
Red Rose Sponsor ~ $1,000
Pat Bybee and Greg Anderson
Metrolist, Inc.
(303) 850-9576
Yellow Rose Sponsors ~ $500
First American Title Insurance Company
(303) 305-1300
Tish Gaddy
Heritage Title Company
(303) 437-4143
In Kind Contributors
AAR Affiliate Committee
Patty McCollum
Aurora Sentinel
(303) 750-7555
Neil Fancher and Tammy Klasinski
Complete Digital Image Solutions
(720) 949-0829
Desiree Banka and Shelley Hiller
North American Title Company
(303) 521-5966; (303) 475-9292
Special thanks to Desiree Banka for creating the beautiful
centerpieces and floral arrangements for the stage and registration area.
Peach Rose Sponsors ~ $250
Ann Bagwell
Colorado State Bank & Trust Mortgage Group
(303) 669-5656
Clay Fell and Kelli Klein
Fidelity National Title
(720) 351-0370
Terri Whitley
FirstBank
(303) 574-3461
Debra Green
Home Pride Realty
(303) 246-8406
Deb Gustafson
Navy Federal Credit Union
(720) 748-5209
Bud Lewis
RE/MAX Unlimited, Inc.
(303) 696-0606
Jeff Henke
Roof Brokers, Inc.
(303) 750-1900
Stacey King
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
(303) 332-8384
Tom Gould
WIN Home Inspection
(303) 752-9400
White Rose Sponsors ~ $100
Donald Glenn Peterson
Attorney at Law
(303) 758-0999
Jo Schofield
Bank of America Home Loans
(303) 916-9342
Ann Bartels
EmbroidMe - Denver South
(303) 880-8489
Ryan Urbach
Fairway Independent Mortgage
(303) 784-9933 ext. 316
Sandy Plaven
First American Title Insurance Company
(303) 305-1355
Fathi Hanish
Lennar Homes
(303) 766-0405
Deb Seeber
Universal Lending
(303) 332-8139
Pink Rose Sponsors ~ $50
David Hays
All Points Home Inspections
(720) 670-0366
Ronny Marshall
America Home Key Inc.
(303) 946-6750
Emmanuel Bible
American Family Insurance
(303) 680-7495
Ray Kauffman
C/T Home Services
(303) 475-1962
Jerry Burns
Colorado Carpet Care
(303) 808-4238
Meah Sarina
Land Title Guarantee Co.
(303) 358-8637
Mico Smith
Metamorphing Interiors
(720) 810-9429
Paulette Wisch
Reverse Mortgage - Universal Lending Corporation
(303) 759-7354
Linda Philpott
Westwind Realty
(303) 369-3201
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