\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Florida Realtors\u00ae Orlando headquarters<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

By Marla Martin<\/div><\/div>\n

Barry Grooms, 2020 president, is the 2021 Realtor of the Year. All <\/span>award winners were recognized Thurs. at the annual convention\u2019s in-person Awards Luncheon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Aug. 26, 2021 \u2013 Florida Realtors\u00ae recognized Barry Grooms, 2020 Florida Realtors president, as its 2021 Realtor\u00ae of the Year<\/strong>. <\/span>The award \u2013 one of several \u2013 was presented Thursday during the state association\u2019s annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow, what a year, guys \u2013 and let\u2019s set the record straight, it (2020) wasn\u2019t a bad year,\u201d Grooms told the audience of about 425 people on accepting his award. \u201cIt was a different year\u00a0and challenging at times. But, when my leadership team picked our theme for last year, \u2018Better, Faster, Stronger,\u2019 who knew that by April, during a pandemic, we would have crushed our goals. And that\u2019s all because of you \u2013 you took safety practices seriously and you acted with care, kindness and responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He thanked his leadership team, his wife Sherry, his family, his office, the Florida Realtors staff, all Realtor members and especially Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant for working together to weather the challenges created by COVID-19.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for choosing me as your 2020 president,\u201d Grooms said. \u201cIt truly was an honor. \u2026 One day, COVID will be over. This will pass, and life will then return somewhat to normalcy. And when that happens, I\u2019ll be disappointed if you don\u2019t keep something up: During COVID, you guys called each other, you checked in on each other and you took care of each other.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t stop.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Florida Realtors has presented Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards for 67 years. Winners are honored as the greatest individual lifetime contributors to their local Realtor board, community, state association and the National Association of Realtors\u00ae<\/span> (NAR).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Over the course of his real estate career, Grooms has passionately worked to make a positive impact on his profession, advance the industry and help his Realtor colleagues. He is a member of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A leader in regional, state and national real estate organizations, Grooms served his local association on countless committees and as president in 2009. He was recognized as its Realtor of the Year in 2010, and most recently, was honored with its Distinguished Service Award in 2019. The Distinguished Service Award recognized his contributions to the local, state and national Realtor organizations and the community.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At the state level, Grooms has served on countless Florida Realtors committees, forums, task forces and subcommittees over the years, ranging from chairing Public Policy to Finance to the Business Trends & Technology Forum. He has been a key contact for Florida Realtors with state legislators, helping to provide information and research on issues important to all Floridians; and, he has served in every officer position, from District 13 vice president to Florida Realtors president in 2020.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

During his year as president, Grooms faced unprecedented challenges caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting economic lockdowns, turmoil and concerns created by COVID-19. He realized that 2020 was going to be completely different than what he\u2019d dreamed of, but he took on the challenge with dedication, perseverance, good humor and a can-do attitude, all with the goal of helping Realtor members manage their business and get through the pandemic safely.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

His leadership and advocacy during this time helped to encourage Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare real estate \u201can essential service.\u201d That declaration enabled Realtors across the state to follow COVID-19 guidelines, turn to virtual and digital technology, and use recommended practices to continue to conduct business and safely help their clients even during the pandemic.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Grooms has always felt passionately that \u201cRealtors do so much more\u201d and \u201care so much more\u201d than most people realize. In 2020, Florida Realtors created and produced its \u201cCelebrating the Realtor Heart\u201d project, which culminated in a large-scale, black and white photo gallery showcasing Realtors across Florida and the positive impact they have on their communities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On the national level, Grooms currently serves on the National Association of Realtors\u2019 Board of Directors and the 2021 Major Investor Council. He also has served on NAR\u2019s State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee, the State and Local Issues Policy Committee, Meeting and Conference Committee and the Realtor Safety Advisory Committee. A strong supporter of Realtor advocacy and public policy efforts, he is a major investor in RPAC (Realtors Political Action Committee).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He also finds time to give back to his community. Grooms volunteers for a variety of causes and community efforts, including Realize Bradenton, Boy Scouts of America, Hope Family Services, Keep Manatee Beautiful, Meals on Wheels, Children\u2019s Miracle Network, the Anna Maria Privateers and Hurricane Irma relief. He has served as a director for the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce and for Feeding Empty Little Tummies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Associate Realtor of the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Florida Realtors honored Ann DeFries of the Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors as Associate Realtor of the Year for 2021. A real estate professional for more than 30 years, DeFries has consistently advocated for homeowners\u2019 rights, fair taxation and the protection of the real estate profession.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In 2008, a survey from The Swanepoel Trends Report named DeFries one of the 25 most influential women in real estate in 2008; that same year, she served as president of the National Women\u2019s Council of Realtors (WCR). She has made great contributions to the local chapters of WCR in Broward and Palm Beach counties. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
DeFries has served on her local association\u2019s Board of Directors for over 15 years, and well as on numerous committees; currently, she chairs the Leadership Academy and serves on the Past Presidents Council and Strategic Advisory Group, among others. She was president of the former Realtors Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale in 2005 and recognized as its Realtor of the Year in 2006. In 2017, she was awarded the Jo M. Wright Political Involvement Award by the Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors for her advocacy and drive to involve others in political action and fundraising.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
On the state level, DeFries has been a member of Florida Realtors Board of Directors for more than 20 years and served on many committees including as chair of Public Policy and Florida Realtors PAC Trustees. She also was a legislative key contact for state Rep. George R. Moraitis Jr., (R-Fort Lauderdale). She was honored by Florida Realtors with its Realtor Achievement Award in 2015. In 2000, DeFries served as the Florida chapter president for WCR.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
On the national level, she is a federal political coordinator for the National Association of Realtors, a member of the NAR Strategy Committee and its Board of Directors, and also serves Florida Realtors on the NAR Director Committee.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In her community, DeFries is active in local networking events and volunteers with the Palm Beach County Habitat for Humanity. She served on the Deerfield Beach Planning and Zoning Committee for over 15 years. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Realtor Achievement Award<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Jack Rodriguez, a member of Greater Tampa Realtors, was named the winner of Florida Realtors 2021 Realtor Achievement Award, which recognizes a Realtor who serves as manager, broker of record or officer in his or her company. The award acknowledges the winner\u2019s previous three years\u2019 contributions to the community, local, state and national Realtor associations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Rodriguez has served on numerous committees at his local association, including as chair of the Governmental Affairs, Finance, Nominating, Fair Housing and Long Range Planning committees. In fact, his local association service history has 195 entries \u2013 he was president of the association in 2009 and president of its Realtors Care Foundation in 2021. He was named Realtor of the Year for Greater Tampa Realtors in 2013, received its Meritorious Award for Extended Service in 2012 and the C. Ed Owings Award for Outstanding Community Service in 1995.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
He has also been active in Florida Realtors, serving on the Board of Directors from 2002-2020 and on numerous committees, including the Commercial Alliance, Public Policy, Legislative Think Tank, Local Board President Exchange and as chair of the Building Committee. He has served on and as chair of the Florida Real Estate Commission, during 1991-1995.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
On the national level, Rodriguez has served on the National Association of Realtors Board of Directors and the Land Use, Property Rights and Environmental Committee. He also has been a federal political coordinator for NAR and named to its RPAC Hall of Fame in 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
He has long supported the Tampa Bay community, including as a Hillsborough County Zoning Hearing Master, a member of the Central Bank of Tampa Board of Directors, a member of the Hillsborough County-City Planning Commission, a University of Tampa trustee and president of the University of Tampa National Alumni Association. He also has been active with the Tampa Bay Little League and on the Board of Directors for the local Red Cross.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Newcomer of the Year Award<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Winning Florida Realtors Newcomer Award for 2021 was Sara Brand Estrada, a member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR). The Newcomer Award recognizes someone who entered the Realtor profession within the past three years, and, during that time, made notable contributions to the local and state associations, as well as to his or her community.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
She has been active with NABOR since 2018, working with several committees, including its Young Professionals Network (YPN) and the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC). Estrada recently became a major investor in RPAC to support advocacy and public policy issues. She was honored with NABOR\u2019s Realtor Rising Star Award in 2020.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
She is currently a member of her local association\u2019s Leadership Academy and works with NABOR\u2019s outreach programs to help support needs in the local community. She also volunteers with Valerie\u2019s House, a local organization that helps grieving children.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Estrada has been involved with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and also supported Florida Realtors \u201cClean Up Florida Waters\u201d efforts with others from her local board.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Commercial Realtor Achievement Award<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
The Commercial Realtor Achievement Award honors a Realtor\u2019s lifetime of contributions to commercial activities at the local, state, national and community levels. Tina Marie Eloian, a member of Greater Tampa Realtors and the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors, received the 2021 Commercial Realtor Achievement Award.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
After 25 years as an instructor, Eloian remains passionate about teaching colleagues the ins and outs of specializing in commercial real estate. Her courses have ranged from \u201cDiscovering Commercial Real Estate\u201d to \u201cMulti-Family 101\u201d to \u201cTampa Bay Brownfields, an Economic and Environmental Opportunity.\u201d She served as president of the local West Coast chapter of CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
At the state level, Eloian was p<\/span><\/span>resident of the CCIM state of Florida chapter in 2019. Highlights that occurred during her year as president included: the first graduating class of a mentorship program started throughout the state; the revitalization of a sponsorship program for skills and business tools for the commercial Realtor; and an increase of membership to over 1,000 members. She also played a significant role in 2017 (she was vice president of finance) when CCIM Florida was named the No. 1 CCIM chapter globally. She received the CCIM Florida President\u2019s Appreciation Award in 2016.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Nationally, she is the CCIM representative to the Commercial Real Estate Research Advisory Board in 2021. Eloian served on the Board of Directors for CCIM as regional vice president for the state of Florida in 2020 and has been a member of NAR\u2019s Commercial Alliance. She also is a graduate of the Jay W. Levine Leadership Academy, CCIM Global.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
As a Tampa native, Eloian remains active in her local community. She is the current chair-elect for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce and has been on its Board of Directors since 2016. Since 1996, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of McClain Inc., and was a past president of this nonprofit organization that helps persons with developmental disabilities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Humanitarian of the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Proving that Realtors make a difference, Steven David, a member of the Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors, was named the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year by Florida Realtors. David has long supported efforts to combat homelessness as well as provide assistance to military veterans who may be struggling with injuries or other issues.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
He was instrumental in starting a program, the Broward Partnership, that provides temporary shelter to those facing homelessness <\/span>\u2013 often well under market value and in some cases at no charge, along with medical attention, behavioral health services, rental placement and more. David reached out to other like-minded property owners, who joined in his efforts with the Broward Partnership, which now provides shelter assistance in multiple properties throughout greater Fort Lauderdale. Currently, he is responsible for housing \u201chomeless to homed\u201d families in 27 homes or apartments, several of which are in his personal property portfolio.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
What inspired David? He has owned residential investment property for 47 years and has seen good people find themselves in tough times. An instructor for many years, he was conducting research for some of his training courses and discovered research by John Hopkins Medicine and others that found approximately 26% of the population faces mental health issues. Thus, <\/span>in a group of 20 people, at least five are facing challenges that no one may realize.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
This reality hit home for David, due to his own learning disability, and that ultimately lead to the creation of his \u201ccompassion portfolio\u201d \u2013 the units he keeps available for those in need through the Broward Partnership and other organizations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Broward Partnership has been going strong since 1986, making a difference in so many lives in David\u2019s community. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Spirit of Advocacy Award<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
William A. \u201cBill\u201d Watson Jr., the 1981 president of Florida Realtors and a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, was recognized as the 2021 winner of the Spirit of Advocacy Award.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
This award honors a member of Florida Realtors who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy at the local board, state association, national association and community within the governmental or political arena over their lifetime. Monetary donations are not a consideration for the award.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
At the local level, Watson has been an active voice for real estate and the profession with elected officials since the late 1970s. He has voted in every election since 1961<\/span><\/span>. Florida\u2019s 10-mill limitation on school taxes exists because Watson and a colleague introduced legislation to the Florida Speaker of the House in 1968. He served on the Board of Governors Multiple Listing Service from 1967-1975. He was president of the <\/span><\/span>Jacksonville Area Mortgage Brokers in 1966 and president of Jacksonville Association of Realtors in 1968. His local association named him its Realtor of the Year in 1972.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
At the state level, Watson organized the largest Legislative Days in history with 2,500 <\/span><\/span>Realtors attending i<\/span><\/span>n 1981. The event is now called Great American Realtor Days and continues to serve as a dedicated forum enabling Realtors to meet their legislators and share their voice on issues of importance to all Floridians. Over the years, he has chaired or been a member of numerous committees for Florida Realtors and was the District 1 vice president in <\/span><\/span>1973, in addition to serving as Florida Realtors president in 1981.<\/span><\/span> He has been a member of the state association\u2019s Board of Directors since 1962 \u2013 and, since 1961, has only missed the Florida Realtors convention twice. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
At the national level, through the National Association of Realtors, Watson was one of 20 Realtors<\/span><\/span> in 2003 who met with Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, and made a presentation <\/span><\/span>to the board. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In the Jacksonville area community, the list of committees and local organizations that Watson has chaired or been a member of goes on and on. In 2011 and 2012, he served as the chair of the Board of Directors for the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and continues to be a member of that board. He served on the 1966 Advisory Committee to the local Government Commission that recommended consolidation of the City of Jacksonville and Duval County. Watson also is a past member of the Mayor\u2019s Economic Council for Jacksonville and a former director of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce <\/span><\/span>for many years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Watson is a dedicated advocate for private property rights, a strong voice for Realtor engagement and investment, and he represents the real estate profession at its best.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Education Volunteer of the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
The Education Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes members who volunteered their time and energy to advance professional development for Realtors. This year\u2019s Education Volunteer of the Year winner is Jean Garcia Dorazio from Greater Tampa Realtors. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
A Realtor in Florida for over 30 years, Dorazio is a licensed real estate instructor and a licensed title agent. She has sold residential and commercial real estate, and has worked <\/span>in property management as well as land development. She managed a successful real estate brokerage with over 30 agents for seven years, and is an active agent in the Tampa Bay area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Her resume includes serving as president of the Women\u2019s Council of Realtors (WCR) Tampa chapter and chairing various committees for WCR, Greater Tampa Realtors and the Tampa Bay Builders Association. She has also been a member of the Board of Directors for Greater Tampa Realtors and the Tampa Bay Builders Association for over 10 years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Instructing courses to help fellow Realtors grow their knowledge is how Dorazio gives back to her industry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Educator of the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
This year\u2019s Florida Realtors Educator of the Year is Deborah Bethune, a member of the Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors. <\/span><\/span>As a Realtor licensed in Florida and Georgia, Bethune provides strategic marketing and transaction management services to her clients across South Florida markets. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
She is a graduate of Tuskegee University and a graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University, completing her studies for a master\u2019s degree in Human Resource Management. Bethune is passionate about educating individuals through community initiatives that address economic empowerment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In 2019, she was recognized by the Global Trade Chamber as one of its \u201c100 Successful Women in Business\u201d as well by the Atlanta Business League. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Bethune\u2019s primary goal for each class she instructs is to inspire participants to continually seek professional development. <\/span><\/span>A published writer and poised public speaker, she prides herself on sharpening the skills of others.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Florida Realtor magazine awards<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Florida Realtor Magazine Best Article<\/span><\/span><\/strong>: <\/span><\/span>Ellen Mitchel, Miami Association of Realtors<\/span><\/span>, for the article, <\/span><\/span>\u201cBecome the Go-To Resource in Your Community,\u201d August 2020, Florida<\/em> Realtor<\/em> magazine<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Florida Realtor Magazine Editorial Excellence<\/span><\/span><\/strong>: Ray Collins, Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, for the article<\/span><\/span>, \u201cProducing Professional Videos,\u201d October 2020, Florida<\/em> Realtor<\/em> magazine <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a9 2021 Florida Realtors<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
Go to Source<\/a>
\nAuthor: kerrys<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Florida Realtors\u00ae Orlando headquarters By Marla Martin Barry Grooms, 2020 president, is the 2021 Realtor of the Year. All award winners were recognized Thurs. at the annual convention\u2019s in-person Awards Luncheon. ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Aug. 26, 2021 \u2013 Florida Realtors\u00ae recognized Barry Grooms, 2020 Florida Realtors president, as its 2021 Realtor\u00ae of the Year. The award \u2013 one of several \u2013 was presented Thursday during the state association\u2019s annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. \u201cWow, what a year, guys \u2013 and let\u2019s set the record straight, it (2020) wasn\u2019t a bad year,\u201d Grooms told the audience of about 425 people on accepting his award. \u201cIt was a different year\u00a0and challenging at times. But, when my leadership team picked our theme for last year, \u2018Better, Faster, Stronger,\u2019 who knew that by April, during a pandemic, we would have crushed our goals. And that\u2019s all because of you \u2013 you took safety practices seriously and you acted with care, kindness and responsibility.\u201d He thanked his leadership team, his wife Sherry, his family, his office, the Florida Realtors staff, all Realtor members and especially Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant for working together to weather the challenges created by COVID-19. \u201cThank you for choosing me as your 2020 president,\u201d Grooms said. \u201cIt truly was an honor. \u2026 One day, COVID will be over. This will pass, and life will then return somewhat to normalcy. And when that happens, I\u2019ll be disappointed if you don\u2019t keep something up: During COVID, you guys called each other, you checked in on each other and you took care of each other. \u201cDon\u2019t stop.\u201d Florida Realtors has presented Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards for 67 years. Winners are honored as the greatest individual lifetime contributors to their local Realtor board, community, state association and the National Association of Realtors\u00ae (NAR). Over the course of his real estate career, Grooms has passionately worked to make a positive impact on his profession, advance the industry and help his Realtor colleagues. He is a member of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. A leader in regional, state and national real estate organizations, Grooms served his local association on countless committees and as president in 2009. He was recognized as its Realtor of the Year in 2010, and most recently, was honored with its Distinguished Service Award in 2019. The Distinguished Service Award recognized his contributions to the local, state and national Realtor organizations and the community. At the state level, Grooms has served on countless Florida Realtors committees, forums, task forces and subcommittees over the years, ranging from chairing Public Policy to Finance to the Business Trends & Technology Forum. He has been a key contact for Florida Realtors with state legislators, helping to provide information and research on issues important to all Floridians; and, he has served in every officer position, from District 13 vice president to Florida Realtors president in 2020. During his year as president, Grooms faced unprecedented challenges caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting economic lockdowns, turmoil and concerns created by COVID-19. He realized that 2020 was going to be completely different than what he\u2019d dreamed of, but he took on the challenge with dedication, perseverance, good humor and a can-do attitude, all with the goal of helping Realtor members manage their business and get through the pandemic safely. His leadership and advocacy during this time helped to encourage Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare real estate \u201can essential service.\u201d That declaration enabled Realtors across the state to follow COVID-19 guidelines, turn to virtual and digital technology, and use recommended practices to continue to conduct business and safely help their clients even during the pandemic. Grooms has always felt passionately that \u201cRealtors do so much more\u201d and \u201care so much more\u201d than most people realize. In 2020, Florida Realtors created and produced its \u201cCelebrating the Realtor Heart\u201d project, which culminated in a large-scale, black and white photo gallery showcasing Realtors across Florida and the positive impact they have on their communities. On the national level, Grooms currently serves on the National Association of Realtors\u2019 Board of Directors and the 2021 Major Investor Council. He also has served on NAR\u2019s State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee, the State and Local Issues Policy Committee, Meeting and Conference Committee and the Realtor Safety Advisory Committee. A strong supporter of Realtor advocacy and public policy efforts, he is a major investor in RPAC (Realtors Political Action Committee). He also finds time to give back to his community. Grooms volunteers for a variety of causes and community efforts, including Realize Bradenton, Boy Scouts of America, Hope Family Services, Keep Manatee Beautiful, Meals on Wheels, Children\u2019s Miracle Network, the Anna Maria Privateers and Hurricane Irma relief. He has served as a director for the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce and for Feeding Empty Little Tummies. Associate Realtor of the Year Florida Realtors honored Ann DeFries of the Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors as Associate Realtor of the Year for 2021. A real estate professional for more than 30 years, DeFries has consistently advocated for homeowners\u2019 rights, fair taxation and the protection of the real estate profession. In 2008, a survey from The Swanepoel Trends Report named DeFries one of the 25 most influential women in real estate in 2008; that same year, she served as president of the National Women\u2019s Council of Realtors (WCR). She has made great contributions to the local chapters of WCR in Broward and Palm Beach counties. DeFries has served on her local association\u2019s Board of Directors for over 15 years, and well as on numerous committees; currently, she chairs the Leadership Academy and serves on the Past Presidents Council and Strategic Advisory Group, among others. She was president of the former Realtors Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale in 2005 and recognized as its Realtor of the Year in 2006. In 2017, she was awarded the Jo M. Wright Political Involvement Award<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5500,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5499"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5499"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5499\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5500"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}