I was deeply honored last week to be presented with the Lifetime of Service Award by the Monterey County Association of Realtors, recognizing my decades-long commitment to fair housing education, professional standards, and support of Realtors throughout Monterey County. The award citation highlights sustained contributions to the organization and a role in strengthening its membership through education and leadership — work that has been both meaningful and deeply personal to me.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside dedicated professionals who care deeply about ethics, education, and the responsibility that comes with serving our communities. Supporting Realtors through training, guidance, and leadership opportunities has always felt less like an obligation and more like a shared mission — one rooted in fairness, professionalism, and continual improvement.
What I’ve learned along the way is that service is never a one-way exchange. While I may have shown up to teach, to support, or to help uphold professional standards, I received just as much in return. Every class taught, every conversation had, and every challenge worked through alongside Realtors sharpened my own understanding and broadened my perspective. I learned as much from the questions asked as from the answers given, and I grew alongside the members I was privileged to support.
Giving time and energy to fair housing education and professional development reinforced my respect for this profession and the people in it. Service creates shared momentum — when you invest in others, you are continually challenged to listen more carefully, think more clearly, and lead with greater intention. In that sense, the true reward was never just the outcome, but the process itself.
I am profoundly grateful to the Realtor community for giving me the opportunity to be of service. Your trust, engagement, and commitment to doing things the right way made this work not only impactful but personally rewarding.
This recognition is not a conclusion, but a continuation. The values that shaped this journey — education, ethical leadership, and service to our community — continue to guide my work today, and I look forward to remaining engaged, supportive, and committed to strengthening our profession in the years ahead.
