The Chesapeake Bay & Rivers Association of Realtors honored its best and brightest at the organization’s 2023 Honor Society Awards and General Membership Meeting, which was held on Thursday, March 21.

Realtors, agents, affiliates and other real estate professionals filled Mobjack Tavern in Hayes for the luncheon program, which was presided over by CBRAR 2024 president Kandy Fisk.

Awards were presented for Realtor of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Affiliate of the Year, the President’s Distinguished Service Award, as well as the 2023 Honor Society members.

The awards program began with the presentation of the 2023 Honor Society, members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in the real estate industry.

This year’s recipients were Theresa Ashberry, Lisa Atkins, Kandy Fisk, Shannon French, Kelly Guess, Joelle Harvey, Jeannie Hockaday, Nancy Jackson, Tina Lester, Debbie Martin, Laura Pierce, S. Jean Pierce, Margaret Ramsey, Candace Segalini, Joanna Sibley, Frank Wingfield and Charlene Winter.

From there, the first of several individual awards was presented, recognizing Cindy White with OVM/AnnieMac as the Affiliate of the Year. White has been a member of the CBRAR education committee since 2022; she has participated in panel discussions at breakfast meetings and education programs; she has sponsored food for several education sessions.

White is also very involved in community service. She participated in the 2023 canine companions’ fundraiser committee in connection with Next Home Coast to Country; gives her time to the Salvation Army as a bell ringer at Christmas; sponsored Gloucester baseball event, among many others, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

She started out in a bank-owned mortgage environment, and in 2022, she trained and acquired her individual Virginia Mortgage license.

The next award, Rookie of the Year, was given to Linda Collier. “As we all know, getting started in this business is not without its challenges,” said Roseanne Bunting of the Awards Committee, who announced the winners. “In addition to doing it well, doing it right is equally important. This recipient has managed to do both successfully.”

According to Bunting, Collier “is willing to go the extra mile to get a listing ready for the market. She went and helped a seller clean the house and move furniture to help with the market appeal. She has also been known to use her husband’s tractor to clear a lot so other Realtors and buyers would have easy access to the property.”

Collier volunteers at her children’s school and is currently putting together an adult prom to help sponsor the junior prom at her son’s high school. In addition to all her other activities, she managed to find time to attend the homes.com event at the library, attend the CBRAR breakfast club meeting and volunteered at the CBRAR Christmas blood drive.

The final award presented by Bunting was Realtor of the Year, which went to Frank Wingfield, whom she called “the embodiment of dedication and professionalism. This recipient has done and continues to do so much for our association, his church and the community.”

Wingfield serves as deacon of his church, is a member of the choir, chairs the Benevolent Committee and leads the Sunday school class. He has been a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Gloucester, where he has held many leadership positions and is currently membership chair.

He participates in all the Rotary projects, and can be counted on lending a hand whenever needed, Bunting said. “As many of you might know, there are few people who have done more for the advancement of soccer in Gloucester than this Realtor. He is presently tasked with fundraising for the ongoing development of the 45-acre athletic park across from the high school. This is definitely not an easy task,” she said.

During his membership in the association, Wingfield has served as CBRAR president, been a member of the board several times, served on numerous committees including Professional Standards, was a tremendous asset during the co-op formation and served as President of the Property Services Board. Last year, Wingfield attended the National Association of Realtors midyear meeting in Washington, D.C., the NAR convention in California, the VAR convention in Richmond, and the VAR leadership conference.

He is a member of the Realtors Federal Political Coordinators committee for Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Montross). At CBRAR, he regularly attends meetings and educational events. He has been an Honor Society member every year since its inception.

“I have never known him to say ‘no’ when asked to help and you can always count on him to be there when needed. With all that he does, I don’t know where he finds the time to list and sell property but has always been a top producer,” Bunting said.

While Bunting was finished with presenting awards, she also received one herself as Fisk presented her with the President’s Distinguished Service Award.

Bunting, Fisk said, “has been a beacon of leadership, wisdom and unwavering commitment.” She first became a member of the Gloucester Mathews Board of Realtors in 1972, “marking the beginning of a legacy that would span decades later to what is now known as Chesapeake Bay and Rivers Association of Realtors,” Fisk said.

Bunting was association president in 1981, 1982, 1995 and 2010 and vice president in 1993. “These years were not just titles or positions; they were a testament to their ability to guide, inspire, and propel our association forward,” Fisk said. She received the Realtor of the Year award in 1981, 1995, 2000 and 2010. This is the fourth time she received the President’s Award, previously winning it in 1980, 1993 and 2000.

In her spare time, she was involved in the Gloucester Woman’s Club, Ware Yacht Club, Shore Line Property Owners Association, and the advisory board for the Literacy Volunteers of America.

“Your unparalleled service, leadership and dedication to the real estate profession have not only enriched our association but have also elevated the standards of professionalism and integrity within our community,” Fisk said.