This past Friday, close to 300 GAAR Realtors, Affiliates and their friends and family gathered at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History to celebrate the success of 2015, recognize the best in their industry and raise money for a good cause.

At the start of the new year, GAAR REALTORS® nominated those that exemplify the best in our local real estate industry. The candidates were chosen by their peers based on their contributions to the industry and community as well as their production performance.

The proceeds of the 95th Annual GAAR Awards Gala goes to the Realtor Fund—the charitable trust fund set up to contribute to Albuquerque area charities including APS Title 1 Homeless Project, NM Kids Matter, Boys and Girls Club of New Mexico and the Senior Law Center to name a few. This year, the event raised over $20,000 for charity.

Also be sure to check out all our Gala photos on our GAAR Members Facebook Group. If you are not yet a members, just sign up at the link to join.  

And, you really don't want to miss our Gala Sponsor video and our award recipients below

This year’s honorees of the Awards Gala are...

2015 Realtor of the Year:  Mary Romero, Berkshire Hathaway Allstars. 

The Realtor of the Year exemplifies professionalism in service both to the real estate industry and to the Albuquerque community. In addition to her busy career as a Realtor, Mary also served as Bernalillo County Planning Commissioner for 9 years, on the Boards of Directors for GAAR and the Realtor Association of New Mexico and on the Democratic Women’s Coalition. She was awarded for her 27 years of dedication to the real estate industry, her willingness to mentor other brokers and one who models the highest ethical standards as a Realtor.

2015 C.O. Nelson Award: Kurstin Johnson, Vista Encantada Realty.  

Awarded for a long and distinguished career in real estate, Kurstin, a former President of GAAR’s Board of Directors, has the honor of being the youngest recipient of the C.O. Nelson Award.

2015 Sales Manager of the Year:  Alice Tozer, Keller Williams Academy.

2015 Salesperson of the Year: Julie Greenwood, Keller Williams Riverside.

2015 Rookie of the Year: Jason Dencklau, Coldwell Banker Legacy

2015 Security Escrow Scholarship: Jalin Castillo. The Security Escrow scholarship is awarded to encourage real estate as a profession.