Contact: Mike Ruzicka 414-778-4929
December 1, 2011 – The Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® installed its leadership team for 2012 Thursday night, December 1st at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wauwatosa, WI.
The GMAR Officers installed were:
Jeff Joseph, Chairman – Jeff has been a real estate broker specializing in residential real estate since 1994. In 2010, after serving in management positions for most of his career, Jeff joined Encompass Realty Group.
Jeff was first elected to the GMAR Board of Directors in 2009 and was re-elected in 2011. He was selected by his peers to serve and Chairman for 2012. Jeff was appointed to the Board of Directors of Metro MLS, Inc in 2006 where he continues to serve. He has also actively participated in the GMAR’s Professional Standards Committee and Youth Foundation.
Tina Balaka, Chair-Elect – Tina is an Assistant Sales Director with Shorewest Realtors Greenfield Office. Tina specializes in staging homes, the changing market conditions and new pricing strategies. She has been co-chair for Shorewest, Realtors “Christmas is for Kids” event serving over 400 children in southeastern Wisconsin and “Make a Difference – Wisconsin” in support of MPS students.
Bob Larson, Treasurer – Bob is the Broker/Manager for First Weber Group’s Waukesha office and has been a member for over 14 years. Bob specializes in residential real estate and office management. He has served on the GMAR’s Professional Standards Committee for over 10 years. Bob has been very active in local community activities such as organizing annual fund raisers for the Waukesha Food Pantry, fund raisers for “Homes for Our Troops”, and serves on the Parish Council and Human Concerns Committee for St. Paul Catholic Church.
Betsy Head, Corporate Secretary – Betsy is the Broker/Manager for the Whitefish Bay office of Realty Executives, Integrity. She has been a member of the GMAR for 12 years. Betsy specializes in residential real estate. Her local community activities include Our Next Generation tutor, Autism Speaks, Alzheimer’s Walk, and Lakefront Festival of the Arts.
Steve Wiedenfeld, Past Chair – Steve is a Sales Associate with Shorewest, Realtors, and has been a GMAR member for over 20 years. Steve specializes in residential real estate throughout the Metropolitan Milwaukee area. Steve finished his year as chairman in 2011 and is in the midst of serving his second term on the GMAR’s Board of Directors. An avid sports fan, particularly for the Milwaukee Brewers, Steve and his wife/business partner, Debbie, are also active volunteers at Hales Corners Lutheran Church.
Annual Awards were presented to:
REALTORâ OF THE YEAR – Barb McGill, First Weber Group, REALTORS®
The REALTOR® of the Year is presented to a member who has provided outstanding service to the association during the past year.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Peter Shuttleworth, Metro MLS, Inc.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a GMAR member who is deeply respected and recognized by his or her peers as a leader and pioneer in the real estate industry.
DEDICATED SERVICE AWARD – Jim Somers, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
The Dedicated Service award is given to a GMAR Member who is continuously giving of their time for the betterment of the association, real estate industry and community.
AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR – Alex Leykin, A+ Mortgage
The Affiliate of the Year award is given to a GMAR Affiliate Member who has demonstrated strong commitment and support to the real estate industry and the community.
The Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®, “representing homeowners since 1892,” is southeastern Wisconsin’s largest professional trade association, representing more than 4,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential real estate industry.
