Kent Washington Association of Realtors holds annual recognition night

The Kent Washington Association of Realtors held its realtors choice annual recognition night to honor members of the association who made outstanding professional and personal contributions to their communities in 2012. The event was held on March 28, at the Crowne Plaza Inn at the Crossing. Winners were chosen from nominations placed by members of the association. For the Outstanding Co-Broke Award, members were asked, "Who stands out in your mind as a preferred co-broke? Who do you love to work with in a transaction?" From an extensive list of nominees, Greg Dantas of RI Real Estate Services in East Greenwich was chosen by the membership for outstanding professionalism in the industry. The Brokers' Choice Award was presented to Jay Readyhough, principal broker of Bay Realty, Ltd. Nominations were sought from the association's broker members, who were then asked to vote on who they respect in the industry, as a fellow broker, owner, or DR, and who embodies overall leadership, professionalism and dedication to the industry. Rebecca Moniz, of Weichert, Realtors Cress and Company in East Greenwich, was awarded the Good Neighbor Award for her work with the RI Troop Support Task Force, which serves the military community of the Rhode Island Army National Guard and Reserves, and the Rhode Island Air Force Reserves through the Military Family Life Center. Immediate past president Angela Dupouy presented the President's Choice Award to Margy Thurber of Rhode Island Housing. The award was given in recognition of a member who supported the Association at the highest level in 2012. Margy was also the winner of the Affiliate of the Year Award, given to an Affiliate member who stands out in the Association for generous contributions of time and energy. The Educator of the Year Award went to Alyce Kleczek of Bay Realty, Ltd in Narragansett. As an instructor for the Kent Washington Real Estate School, Alyce was honored for her depth of knowledge, her patient teaching style and her passion for educating others. Alyce was also the recipient of the Realtors Lifeline Award, given to a member who can always be trusted to give knowledge, direction and guidance to others, who is a real "go-to" person in the industry, and who is always willing to help others. Joe Caprara of Keller Williams Realty Central RI in Cranston took top honors for the Rising Star Award, given to recognize outstanding production by a new licensee. Kenneth Parrilla of Coldwell Banker Cahoone in Westerly and Jean Brackenbury of Phillips Post Road Realty in North Kingstown were each honored as Realtors Emeritus for forty years of membership in the National Association of Realtors. Accepting the award on behalf of Jean Brackenbury was her Broker, Dana Phillips. Pawtucket Credit Union was recognized as the Sponsor of the Year, an award given in honor of a sponsor who has risen above all other sponsors with regard to the most money donated in support of events held by the Association in 2012. Accepting the Award was PCU vice president Bill Dawson. The RPAC Involvement Award was given to Cely O'Brien of Randall Realtors Real Living in Charlestown for her overall involvement and support of the Realtors political action committee, her hard work in promoting the Realtors designation and her work in protecting the industry. On a lighter note, the Outdated Business Photo Award was given to Helen Coupe of RE/MAX Metro in Warwick, and Greg Dantas of RI Real Estate Services was the recipient of the Most Outspoken Member Award.