At its Annual Awards Program held on March 23, 2017 the Capital Area REALTORS® (CAR) honored certain individuals for their contributions to the real estate industry and community. 

Michael Oldenettel, GRI, CRS, was selected by his peers as the 2017 REALTOR® OF THE YEAR. Mr. Oldenettel has been in the real estate business for the past 28 years, a member of CAR since 2014 and is Managing Broker for RE/MAX Professionals in Springfield. Mr. Oldenettel serves on the Multiple Listing Committee, Forms Committee, Vice-chair of the Government Affairs Committee and has previously served on the Board of Directors of CAR. Mr. Oldenettel is very active in the National Association of REALTORS and serves on its Board of Directors. He is also very active in the Illinois REALTORS and served as its president in 2013. In 1995 and 2005 he served as president of the the Jacksonville Area Association of REALTORS. Oldenettel is a Golden R, Sustaining Golden R and President’s Circle investor in RPAC and has been inducted into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame.

The REALTOR® COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD is given to honor an individual(s) who has made outstanding service contributions to the community. This award was presented to two individuals.

The first recipient was Jim Bruce who has been a member of the organization since 1991 and is affiliated with Campo Realty, Inc. Mr. Bruce has been active on several CAR Committees and has been extremely involved in CAR’s Community Service activities over the years.

The second award recipient was Suzie Sables Duff, ABR, CRS, GRI, who has been an active member of the organization since 1996 and is currently affiliated with RE/MAX Professionals. Suzie is immediate past-president of the Kings Daughters and has volunteered her time at several other Springfield area charities.

The RISING STAR AWARD was presented to Dominic Campo, GRI, a broker affiliated with Campo Realty, Inc. Dominic joined the organization in 2014, has served on several committees, graduated from its Leadership Academy in 2015 and has recently earned his Managing Broker’s license.

The coveted HALL OF FAME AWARD is given only to REALTORS® with a history of community service, moral and social integrity, high professional standards, a minimum of 50 years of age and a minimum of 20 years exemplary service to the Capital Area REALTORS®. This year the award was presented to Ron Duff and Pat Van Etten.

Ron Duff has been a member of CAR since 1985, holds the GRI Designation and is a Broker affiliated with RE/MAX Professionals in Springfield. Duff has been very involved in CAR having served as its president in 2001 and is currently serving on its board of directors.
Pat Van Etten has been a member of the organization since 1996, holds the GRI and CRS designations and is a Broker affiliated with RE/MAX Professionals in Springfield. Van Etten has served on multiple committees and taken on various leadership roles within the organization.

The AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD was presented to Cris Lust. Lust has been an active Affiliate member of the organization since 1998 and is Vice-president of Mortgage Lending at Heartland Credit Union.

Additionally, the following individuals were recognized as CAR REALTOR Emeritus, an award bestowed on members who have attained a minimum of 30 years of membership, and who meet a minimum age requirement. They are: John Broyles, Derrel Davis and President John Klemm.

Finally, congratulations to the following REALTORS who have attained the 40-year NAR REALTOR Emeritus status: Ted Curtis; Kevin Graham; Paul Green; Richard Leach; Peter Steward; and, Rita Victor.

The Capital Area REALTORS® is the Voice for Real Estate in the Capital Area representing more than 800 members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry. The Capital Area’s Resource for Real Estate information can be found at www.SeeHouses.com.

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