New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® Installs 2012 Officers
Realtors Group Also Names Award Winners at Holiday Event

(New Smyrna Beach, FL, December 21, 2011) – At a festive holiday party at The Garlic here on December 15, a sense of renewed optimism was the theme for New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS®. The new leadership team was installed and members who showed exceptional dedication to the profession and the community received awards.

Outgoing President Ellen Darden passed the gavel to incoming President Travous Dever, who spoke with enthusiasm about the outlook for the year ahead. “This year, about five million homes were sold. That means that every day more than 13,000 people bought a home. We have survived the toughest market that most of us can remember. As we see real improvement in the housing market, there is an exciting opportunity for each of us.” Dever, who comes from a real estate family, adds that the primary mission of the New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® is to promote home ownership and protect property rights.

After the holidays, Dever will initiate a “listening tour” that includes every real estate office in the New Smyrna Beach/Oak Hill/Edgewater area. “I want to hear from our members what keeps them up at night, what issues plague them,” he said. “I want to know how we can help them grow and how we can help them solve problems.”

Dever has announced plans to get young professionals more involved in Board activities. “We need to make certain that we draw on the strengths of the entire spectrum of our membership,” he said. “Each generation brings crucial skills and knowledge to our profession so that we can be more effective for our clients.”

Dever also extended his gratitude to outgoing President Ellen Darden. “She’s been so great and I’ve learned so much from her. She has really taught me a lot about the importance of working with policy makers to advance our mission. As our Immediate Past President, I’m glad that she will continue to offer her wise counsel to our Leadership Team.”

The full slate of incoming officers includes:

President - Travous Dever – The Keyes Company
President-Elect - Roger Kincaid – Kincaid Realty
Secretary - Susan Bradley – Watson Realty Corporation
Treasurer - Tamra Kuhn – Collado Real Estate
Director - David Kosmas – Collado Real Estate
Director - Elliott Hagood – Home & Family
Past President - Ellen Darden – Watson Realty Corporation
Director Emeritus - Terri Jackson – The Keyes Company

The New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORs® also announced awards for members whose service made a difference to the profession and to consumers. “REALTORS® and affiliated real estate professionals are, by nature, helpful and compassionate,” said Judy Reiker of Fidelity National Title of Florida, 2011 Chair of the Awards Committee. “They want to make this area a great place for everyone who lives and works here and they want to elevate their profession. So, it’s always tough to decide on just one person to receive each award.” Those who were recognized were:

REALTOR® of the Year – David Kosmas – Collado Real Estate
Kosmas was described as a role model for other REALTORS® whose heart is with the Board, and as responsive, thorough, and professional. Despite his dedication to his large family, he is faithful about organizing and attending Board functions and takes an active role in Board fundraisers and a wide variety of community activities. Kosmas is a member of the Board’s Leadership Team and has a history of chairing Board committees. In the past year, his sales and rental volume has exceeded $2 million.

“As life-long residents of this area who have been in real estate nearly all of our adult lives, my wife, Donna, and I know first-hand the impact that REALTORS® have on families and the importance of our contributions to their happiness and security,” said Kosmas. “That is the deep satisfaction of working in this field. And, maintaining the stability of this special community we have in this area means pitching in to assure that all of our families can reach their potential here.”

Affiliate of the Year – Kay Sikes – Inlet Title
Sikes, a licensed title agent who has spent more three decades in the title insurance business, was lauded as an “unsung hero” because she eagerly volunteers for a wide variety of tasks that are not readily accepted by others. She approaches these tasks with humility and kindness. She serves on four Board committees and chairs one of those. She was also recognized for her exceptional understanding of the real estate profession, working as a team member to help agents and their client achieve their goals.

Honorary Life REALTOR® Member – Terri Jackson – The Keyes Company
Jackson, who has been recognized in the past as REALTOR® of the Year, is a top producer for her company. She is known throughout the real estate community as a delightful and lively person who draws others to her. She has been a member of the Board for more than ten years and has served on and chaired several committees, as well as serving as Board Director, Secretary, and President. In addition to her activities with the Chamber of Commerce, Leadership New Smyrna, and Habitat for Humanity, she is recognized as one of the best teachers of ethics on behalf of the Board. Jackson is especially noted for her creation of the “Pride in Profession” declaration, a legacy that is expected to continue long into the future. She has demonstrated her commitment to continuous learning through earning the GRI designation and frequent attendance at professional development conferences.

The New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® is nearly 400 top real estate agents, brokers, and managers, and 50 real estate affiliated businesses from across Volusia County. Members of the Board represent the highest quality service and are committed to upholding the traditions and standards of this long-running organization.