Aiken board names Realtor of the Year

The Aiken Board of Realtors celebrated the season with its annual holiday party Friday afternoon.

The highlight of the party at Rose Hill Estate was the announcement of the 2009 Realtor of the Year. This year's honoree, Lawana Furtick, a member of the board since 1996 and a two-time past president of the board, was unable to attend but was presented with the award Thursday at a regular board meeting. This is her second time winning the Realtor of the Year designation after receiving it in 2000; she is the board's only two-time winner of the award.

"I think Lawana Furtick is one of the most deserving Realtors of the Year," said Association Executive Kristyne Blake. "She's a seasoned Realtor who has a great head on her shoulders, and she has been a great asset to this board."

"The multiple nominations we received for her stated 'she is honest, forthright and will try most anything for her board and her clients,'" said 2008 Realtor of the Year Susan Rutherfurd in announcing Furtick's honor at the party.

The party was also the occasion for the installation for the board's new slate of officers for 2010. Nick Kremydas, CEO of the South Carolina Association of Realtors, attended the party Friday to preside over the officers' installation.

Sworn in at the holiday party Friday were president Lyvia May, president-elect Susan Rutherfurd, secretary/treasurer K.T. Ruthven, vice president Vonda Clerc, three-year board director Mary Nadal Mayer, two-year board director Laraine Clark, one-year board director Barbara Kneece, participating MLS director (two years) Gloria Smith, participating MLS director (one year) Don Toole and nonparticipating MLS director Heather Ferrante.

Not present for the swearing-in ceremony were Furtick and Olivia Post, participating MLS director one year.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.