Marco Association of Realtors Honor Longevity

It was a proud gathering of many of Marco Island’s real estate professionals on Thursday, May 16th, at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa as the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors (MIAAOR) honored their members with over 39 years in the organization during their General Membership Luncheon. Some had come as very young and ambitious men and women from New England, the Midwest, and points north of the border in Canada to seek out opportunities, even before the Judge Jolley Bridge was completed.

There were plenty of smiles as they thumbed through magazines, photographs and other assorted pieces of literature on the tables during the luncheon. The stories, names, and memories of years past were talked about as if they had just been yesterday.

Jim Prange chuckled while pointing out his bushy hairstyle or Bill Filbin’s stylish mustache. The memories were certainly one of the great highlights of the luncheon, but soon Geoff Fahringer, President of the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors, got the program rolling by thanking the Hilton Marco Beach Resort and Spa for hosting the event and the William G. Morris Law Offices for sponsoring the luncheon for its members.

MIAAOR members Stacy Witthoff and Catherine Clausen read the names of those who reached the coveted status of 39-plus years of membership in the MIAAOR organization.

Realtors continuing their “Gold Sustaining” membership and receiving a Club Plaque and lapel pin were Judy Appel Meagher, Nichole Carroll, Steve Josselyn, Susan LaGrotta, Michael McCarty, Wendy McCarty, Bette McGilvray, ML Meade, Charlie Neal, Sandi Sims Ramage and Christine Waldren. The $99 Club Contributors receiving a pin were Krystal Bernhardt, Larry Cruso, Lori Holland, Bill Morris, Michael O’Rourke, Michael Vale, Izabella Whitman, Jack Winnik, and Stacy Witthoff.

Fahringer then introduced Genessa Casanova as the Guest Speaker. Casanova serves as the Political Director of the Florida Realtors Association. She talked about the Florida Realtor’s PAC role in representing the Real Estate Industry’s position on legislation working its way through the Florida State Legislature each. As quoted in PAC literature, “Florida Realtors PAC isn’t Republican; it isn’t Democrat; it doesn’t represent the independent voter; it doesn’t buy votes. It is simply a strong voice – and sometimes the only strong voice – fighting in Tallahassee for our state’s Realtors and homeowners.”

Marco Island Area Association of Realtors with Over 39 Years of Service