Kiker named Realtor of the Year/ Swanbeck elected president of Realtor group
Beach resident Paula Kiker, Broker/Owner of Lahaina Realty, was recently honored with the 2013 REALTOR of the Year Award at the The REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach’s Annual Installation and Awards event at the Pink Shell Resort last Friday.
Kiker was among the 2013 award winners that were recognized. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Association, she was the Chair of the Knowledge Service Committee, where she worked to identify new courses to aid in developing agent skills as well as knowledge. She has also helped to set the Association’s professional standards by developing workshops and orientation programs for broker members.
Additionally, Kiker’s Lahaina Realty is one of eight offices that has achieved the Core Plus certification -the highest level of professionalism- by completing a series of voluntary actions beyond and above Realtor required professional compliance.
Kiker is a graduate of the Association’s Leadership Academy and represents the Association at the state level as a Florida Realtors Director.
“I am totally surprised and honored by this award,” said Kiker. “We have a lot of really hard-working folks at The Association.”
JJ (Jonette) Jones, Jones & Company Realty, was recognized with the Association’s Faye Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been active in the Association since 1999, and has earned the CRB, SFR, PMN and AHWD designations. In addition to being recognized as the Hat Lady of SWFL and a Calendar Girl, Jones is broker/owner of Jones and Company Realty. She has served as President of the Association, as a Florida Realtors and National Association of Realtors Director, and also served the Women’s Council of Realtors on both state and national committees. She has contributed numerous hours on behalf of the membership serving on the Professional Standards, Knowledge Services and Finance Committees as well as being involved in member Orientation, Communications and Affordable Housing. She helped to develop the Association’s broker program and her office has also achieved the Core Plus certification. She is dedicated to keeping members involved in the Association by continuing to meet their needs through education and by promoting and supporting professionalism.
Other Award winners included Affiliate of the Year, Dawn Carvotta The Real Estate Book; New Member Participant, Bill Steinke Sellstate Achievers Realty Network; and Humanitarian of the Year, Al Giacalone Sun Country Realty of Florida.
The President’s Award was presented to Christie Knight of Elite Florida Realty and Nancy Williamson of Realty World C-Bagans 1st for their efforts in meeting the Association’s 2013 RPAC goals. Also receiving a President’s Award were: Joanne Chando FL Gulf Coast Property Group, Deb Cullen RE/MAX Realty Team, Sharon Jenkins MLS Director, and Chene Thompson Pavese Law Firm, for their work to move the Florida Gulf Coast MLS to a common database on the Matrix MLS platform.
Beach resident Karen Swanbeck, the managing partner of VIP Realty Group office on Estero Island, was recently elected as the 2014 president of the REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach.
The association and the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service recently made the announcment as well as the election of its 2014 Board of Directors. The installation of the Officers and Directors took place at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on Friday, Dec. 13.
Swanbeck holds five professional designations as well as graduating from the Association’s inaugural Leadership Academy class in 2009. This past year, she completed the Florida Realtors Leadership Academy and is now participating in the Leadership Lee County program. Her service to the association is extensive.
Since 2000, Swanbeck has participated on Affordable Housing, Business Partners, Communications, Core Biz, Grievance, Finance, MLS, Professional Standards, Public Policy and Chaired the Global Alliance this past year. She has been a Board Director, Secretary, President-Elect and serves as a Florida Realtors Director.
In addition, Jason Jakus was elected as 2014 President-Elect. He is the broker/owner of Platinum Elite Realty. After obtaining his real estate license in 2009, Jakus joined the Association and graduated from the association’s Leadership Academy in 2010; in 2011, he graduated from the Florida Realtors Leadership Academy. In 2012, Jakus received the Association’s Realtor of the Year Award. He serves on the Knowledge Services, Public Policy and Technology Committees and is Chair of the Young Professionals Network locally. In addition, next year he will serve on seven state committees including Leadership, Technology and Communications; Jason is also a Florida Realtors Director.
The other officers of The REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach for 2014 are James Williamson, who was chosen as treasurer (RE/MAX Realty Team); Robin McKeever, who was selected as secretary (Paul Realty); and Doreen Falcone, who was past president (Coldwell Banker Residential).
The following individuals have been elected to serve a two-year term as directors on the Association’s Board: Josh Burdine (RockStar Realty), Al Giacalone (Sun Country Realty of Florida), Holly Marth (Real Living Cypress Realty) and Bill Steinke (Sellstate Achievers Realty).
Beach resident Paula Kiker of Lahaina Realty is among the following incumbent directors that will serve a one-year term. She is joined by Marion Briggs (Sun Country Realty of Florida), Donna Guido (Wentworth Realty Group), Kevin Pickett (Leisure American Realty) and Kevin Williamson (Realty World C Bagans 1st).
The REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc. is a member-based organization of 4,300 members founded 90 years ago. Its members are dedicated to serving current and future property owners as we believe that home ownership is the essence of a great community.