The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) awarded its 2014 REALTORS® of Distinction Awards recently at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington, VT. Nearly 200 people attended the gala.
2014 NVBR REALTOR® of the Year
Chad Jacobson, RE/MAX North Professionals
Chad has been a member of NVBR for 10 years. In that time he has become one of our “unsung heroes” working for the most part behind the scenes. He began his volunteer participation as a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Functionality and Forms Committee. Shortly after he was quickly tapped to be in the leadership and was appointed to the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) Executive Committee. In 2013 he served as the NNEREN President.
Chad continues to serve as NVBR’s Director on the NNEREN Board and was recently tapped to lead the forms functionality committee for the state association, Vermont REALTORS®. Chad is one of our “quiet” leaders and true professional and we are lucky to have him served NVBR well in the NNEREN organization.
Before becoming a REALTOR®, chad worked in the telecommunications industry, abroad in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He started his real estate career with RE/MAX in Chicago in 2002. In 2005 he moved to Vermont to join the Debbi Burton team at RE/MAX Professionals in Colchester.
In his spare time Chad is a youth and high school ice hockey official and father of three sons who have all attended the University of Vermont. Chad is a resident of South Burlington, VT.
2014 Distinguished Service Award
Leslee MacKenzie, Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman Realty
Leslee MacKenzie’s experience and service to the real estate industry and to the community exemplify the qualifications of the Distinguished Service Award.
In addition to her participation in virtually all NVBR programs and activities, she chaired the NVBR Government Affairs Committee and served as Chairperson of the Multiple Listing Service, VREIN.
In 2007 she was elected on the leadership at the Vermont Association of REALTORS® where she served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and in 2010 served as President of the state association. In 2011-13 she served as Vermont Director of the National Association of REALTORS®.
As the President and Owner of Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman Realty, Leslee leads a team of 80 sales associates and staff that facilitate both Residential and Commercial Real Estate sales. Those efforts have positioned the company in the top 57 Coldwell Banker companies worldwide.
Leslee is passionate about the community in which she lives and works. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, is Vice Chair of the Burlington Business Association, and is a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable.
Leslee’s clear vision and focus is incredible and the REALTOR® organization is a beneficiary of that commitment and longstanding volunteer participation.
2014 Rookie of the Year
Shawn Cheney, KW Vermont
NVBR’s Rookie of the Year award is presented to an individual who has been in the real estate profession for less than two years. This award recognizes a newcomer who demonstrates enthusiasm, leadership and professionalism in their career and their community.
Shawn became a REALTOR® in 2012. His interest in the real estate industry as a career came while purchasing investment properties during his time with the Vermont Army National Guard. In 2013, his first full year as a “rookie” Shawn closed 15 transactions and listed over 30 properties. His sales include residential, mobile homes, and land primarily in the Franklin County area.
He is passionate about his hometown community of Swanton. He was instrumental in forming and is a charter member of the Swanton Downtown Enhancement Project whose mission is to ensure that Swanton’s downtown is the heart of a more vibrant community.
In addition to these commitments and accomplishments Shawn recently made a decision to continue serving his country. In May of 2013 he became eligible for retirement after 20 years in the United States Marines and Army, but chose to reenlist for six more years of service.
2014 Good Neighbor Award
John Abry, RE/MAX North Professionals
As with our past winners of this award, John is involved in many different organizations. The common theme that resonates from his volunteer efforts is that he cares deeply about the local Colchester community.
Each year since the Colchester Food Shelf moved to its new location John has orchestrated a major “fill at truck” food drive during the holidays to donate more than a ton of food. John is also a very active member of the Colchester-Milton Rotary and its many fundraising programs. As a member of the Rotary in that community, he helped to coordinate the clean-up efforts after the 2011 flood in that area. He is active with the Colchester Economic Advisory Council and the Colchester Community Center Initiative. He delivers Meals on Wheels, coaches community sports, participated on a DragonBoat Team, and volunteers for Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity.
REALTORS® are notable for their work in the community. NVBR is fortunate to have a passionate group of members like John Abry who volunteer their time for important charitable causes and local community activities.
New England Federal Credit Union
2014 NVBR Affiliate Member of the Year
New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) is one of NVBR’s longest participating Affiliate Members. The credit union has been a member of NVBR for nearly 30 years, first joining as the New England IBM Employees Federal Credit Union. Since then, NEFCU’s involvement has come in many forms. Pat Weaver and her team of loan officers participate in NVBR events and are regular sponsors of our programs. Currently, NEFCU is a corporate partner at our highest level. NEFCU is a big part of the Chittenden and Grand Isle communities and supports REALTORS® in their many activities.
The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) is the "Voice for Real Estate" for nearly 650 members in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. REALTORS® adhere to strict professional standards and a Code of Ethics that demonstrate high integrity, competency and fairness to their clients and fellow REALTORS®.