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

Pinellas County Realtor® Is FAR’s 2008 Realtor of Year

ORLANDO, Fla., October 2008 — Nancy Riley, the 2007 president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) and a member of the Pinellas Suncoast Association of Realtors, has been named FAR’s 2008 Realtor of the Year. The award was presented at FAR’s recent 92nd annual Convention & Trade Expo at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

“I should be thanking you because I think this association is just phenomenal,” said Riley after accepting the award from FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio. “Some people say I bleed (Realtor) blue and probably with too much passion. Being in this business 35 years, this association has given me the opportunity to work for and support causes that I believe in.”

FAR has presented both the Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards for more than 50 years. Winners are honored as the greatest individual lifetime contributors to their local board, community, FAR and the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

For more than two decades, Riley contributed to the success of her local Realtor association and its members, working with almost every committee. She served on the board of directors for both the St. Petersburg Suncoast and Clearwater associations, and was instrumental in the merger of the two organizations into the Pinellas Suncoast Association of Realtors. Prior to the merger, she was president of the Clearwater association in 1999.

At the state level, Riley worked diligently in 2007 to educate her colleagues and citizens about the need for property tax and insurance reforms. Appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, she sought input from fellow Realtors around the state on property tax issues. As FAR’s 2007 president, she was passionate about the importance of property tax and property insurance reform. She traveled the state, visiting real estate offices and speaking to the media on behalf of Realtors and the many affected homebuyers and sellers they represent. Riley was a leading force behind FAR’s advocacy efforts in 2007, leading up to Florida voters’ passage of Amendment 1 on Jan. 29, 2008.

Prior to being elected FAR president, Riley served as secretary in 2003 and treasurer in 2004. She also chaired or served on most FAR committees, and is a long-time Realtor Political Action Committee (RPAC) supporter. She has been involved NAR since 1991, serving as a director, vice-chair and chair of its Board Forum and as a member, vice-chair and chairman of its Credentials Committee.

Riley’s efforts reach beyond the geographic boundaries of her business or the state of Florida. She continues to promote state issues – including a national disaster insurance program – to NAR and other national leaders. She initiates and builds coalitions around the country for the betterment of the industry and the Realtor profession.

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. FAR's Media Center Web site is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.