Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications 407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314

NAR Honors Delray Beach Realtor® For Distinguished Service

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 10, 2008 – Michael Owen, a Realtor® from Delray Beach, has received the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

The award was announced during NAR’s annual Realtors Conference & Expo, continuing through today in Orlando. Out of 1.2 million Realtors®, only two are recognized with this award each year.

“I am honored to accept the Distinguished Service Award (DSA),” said Owen. “Receiving the award here in my home state of Florida, as we host NAR’s national conference, only enhances its significance. I’m fortunate to have worked with so many committed professionals across the country throughout my career as we further our common goals of encouraging homeownership and real estate investment, and supporting our communities.”

NAR established the DSA in 1979 to honor Realtors who have made outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and are recognized as leaders in their local communities. The award is considered the highest honor an NAR member can receive; recipients must be active at the local, state and national association levels, but must not have served as NAR president. NAR President Richard F. Gaylord presented the award to Owen.

“Realtor Michael Owen exemplifies community participation and leadership, both professionally and personally,” said Gaylord. “His involvement at the national, state and local levels of the association, as well as his contributions to neighborhoods both close to home and across the globe, demonstrates Realtors’ commitment to building communities.”

Owen became a Realtor nearly 30 years ago, in 1979. He is currently with Coldwell-Banker in Boca Raton, Fla., and practices both residential and commercial real estate. He is a member of the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches.

Owen is currently a member of NAR’s Board of Directors and has served on the Board nearly every year since 1989. He is the 2009 chair for NAR’s Resort and Second Homes Committee, and was the NAR Regional Vice President for Region 5 in 1994. Owen has earned numerous designations and certifications, including Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified International Property Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist, e-Pro and Graduate Realtor Institute.

Owen’s extensive NAR committee service includes Economics and Research, Education, Executive, Federal Taxation, Finance, International Operations and Marketing. He was chair of the 1997 Strategic Planning Committee and the 2004 Meeting and Convention Committee, and is a past member of the CIPS Advisory Group. Since 1994, Owen has been a Realtor liaison to various members of Congress, including Reps. Ron Klein, D-Fla.; Clay Shaw, R-Fla.; and Robert Wexler, D-Fla.

Owen was president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) in 1991, after serving as president-elect, treasurer and district vice president in 1990, 1989 and 1988, respectively. In 1993, he was named Realtor of the Year by his state peers and he also received FAR’s Associate Realtor of the Year Award in 2003. Over the past 20 years, Owen has served on various FAR committees and task forces, and has chaired many of them, including Executive, FAR Agency, Legal Action Fund and Nominating.

In 2000, the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB) recognized Owen with its Presidential Award for Service. More than 10 years earlier, in 1989, Owen received the President’s Service Award from the Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors – it was the first time the award had ever been presented to a Realtor who was not a member of that local board. Owen served on the Board of Directors for the Boca Raton Association of Realtors from 1982-1987 and for RAPB from 2001-2002. He is also a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter, and received the Florida WCR Member of the Year award in 1991.

Owen is an active member of his community. He is engaged in the political process, volunteering in support of Realtor candidates in U.S. congressional, state house and senate, and school board campaigns in every election year since 2000. Owen has helped rebuild communities in the U.S. and abroad, participating in the 2005 Tsunami Relief Build in Kao Lak, Phang Nga Province, Thailand; the 2007 Gulf Relief Build in Slidell, La.; and various NAR builds in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Fla., and San Francisco. He serves on the Board of Directors to Habitat for Humanity, South Palm Beach County chapter. Owen served during the Korean War and retired as a first lieutenant in 1966.

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 125,000 members in 67 boards/associations. To see all of FAR’s media releases, go to http://media.floridarealtors.org.