Member News

David Arthur, Cam Taylor Co., Ltd., REALTORS®, Tracy Bush, Real Living HER, Mary Jo Fitch, Exit Trinity Realty, Joann Rasmussen, Keller Williams Capital Partners, Stephanie Savage, Real Living HER, Thomas Trigg, Keller Williams The Realty Firm, and CaraWellmeier, RE/MAX Consultant Group, have been awarded the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation. This designation is awarded by Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council of the National Association of REALTORS® and recognize REALTORS® who specialize in the real estate needs of maturing clients age 50+.

Donna Boylan, Real Living HER, Larry Bush, Carleton Realty, LLC, Virginia Golan-Elliott, Real Living HER and Simone Williams, RE/MAX Impact, have been awarded the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) designation. This award is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation and is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.

Bill Clifford, RE/MAX Premier Choice, has been awarded the Greater Powell Area Chamber of Commerce "2008 Citizen of the Year" award for his time and effort in reestablishing the Chamber, expanding the membership and his contributions to the Powell Community.

Dennis Foley, Scott Noblet and Jim Roberts, and Bill Streeter have recently joined the RE/MAX Impact sales team.

Michael Hoffman, Auctioneer, has joined Gryphon USA to manage its subsidiary -- Gryphon Realty Advisors - Gryphon Auction Group. Hoffman will focus on real estate and personal property auctions and appraisals, with special attention to clients in the corporate, banking and insolvency communities. He also will continue his efforts in real estate brokerage as a valued member of the Gryphon Realty professional staff.

Benjamin B. Fortkamp has joined Foundation Title Agency, Ltd., Columbus office as General Counsel. His practice will focus on providing strategic title solutions to individual and corporate clients in business, real estate, and tax-related transactions, as well as overseeing in-house corporate matters.

Betsy Lynch, ABR, GRI, has transferred to Home Central Realty. Betsy has been in real estate and a member of the Board for 12 plus years.

Janszen & Associates, RE/MAX Impact, entered the #4 team spot among the Top 20 RE/MAX Sales Associates in the RE/MAX Central & Northern Ohio Region for the month of March.

Jim Roberts, RE/MAX Impact, entered the #2 spot amount the Top 20 RE/MAX Sales Associates in the RE/MAX Central & Northern Ohio Region for the month of March.

Carla Williams joins Real Living's HER's Pickerington office as its newest real estate sales agent. She brings with her more than nine years of experience helping clients buy and sell their homes.

Dominion Homes, Inc., a homebuilder serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, has merged with an investment group comprised of Silver Point Capital, L.P. and Angelo Gordon & Co, L.P., Dominion's primary lenders, and BRC Properties Inc., which is controlled by Dominion Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Douglas G. Borror. Dominion will maintain its corporate office in Dublin, Ohio and will continue to be led by Doug and William G. Cornely, Chief Operating Officer.

Lifestyle Communities has moved its offices to 1230 West Street, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

The following REALTOR® members have been elected to serve in the following leadership positions with the Ohio Realtist Association: Darryl Isabel, Broker/Owner of Premier Select Homes and current president of the Columbus Realtist® Association, 3rd Vice President; Monica Butler, Century 21 Joe Walker and Associates, Director (3 year term); Vanessa Sutton, Broker/Owner of Affordable Real Estate, Inc., Treasurer; and Rubye Wright, Affordable Real Estate, Inc., Assistant Treasurer. The Ohio Realtist® Association is the state affiliate of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers® (NAREB®), which is the oldest and largest African-American trade association in America.

Attorney Richard "Dick" Utz has joined Service Title Agency to lead in commercial and residential title insurance and closings.

In Memoriam

Judy S. Butler, a retired REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker King Thompson and a long-time resident of Upper Arlington, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at her home with her family by her side. Judy attended Ohio University, had over 40 years of service in real estate and was involved in many organizations including the Columbus Museum of Art and Vaud-Villities. Judy's true passion, however, was her love and devotion to her children, her grandchildren and her many dear friends. Her surviving children include, Deborah Casto, Darcy Casto Weber and husband Glenn and James D. Casto Jr. and wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, James Weber and Lauren Weber, J.D. Casto III, Jenny Casto and Tyler Casto; sister, Martha Rech of FL; and a host of other relatives and friends. Contributions in Judy's memory may be made to O.S.U. Pulmonary-Critical Care Division Fund; Fund #312038, 201DHLRI, 473 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 or Zusman Community Hospice, 1151 College Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209.

Robert William Johnson, owner of Exchange Realty, died Thursday, May 22, 2008 at home. Bob, who lived independently until the age of 89, grew up in Tallmadge, Ohio, was a graduate of Kent State University and a World War II veteran. He served as a pilot in the Army and a gunnery officer in the South Pacific in the Navy. He later taught aviation at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL and business classes in Columbus and Marion, Ohio. He was a member of First Community Church, the Northwest Optimist Club, and Civitan. Bob was the devoted husband of his late wife, Joyce, for 56 years. He is survived by his sister, Dr. Dorothy Knight; sons, Bob, Brad (former CBR EO) and Scott Johnson; daughter, Michele Mowrey; grandsons, Ben, Luke and Nathan Johnson; and granddaughters, Marisa Mowrey and Leda Depalma. Donations may be given to First Community Church or Riverside Hospice.