Mary Ann Ladendorf Named Realtor® of the Year for 2015.
The
Peoria Area Association of Realtors® (PAAR) has named Coldwell
Banker Honig-Bell’s Mary Ann Ladendorf as 2015 Realtor® of the Year at an
awards banquet that took place February 5, 2015. Since 1970, this award has
been given to a PAAR member that has made outstanding contributions to the real
estate associations and profession.
Ladendorf’s
journey as a Realtor® started in 1984, when she joined the Pekin Board of
Realtors® / Pekin Association of Realtors® where she was involved on many
committees and served as President. She became a member of PAAR in 1997 and
also served on or chaired many committees including the Contracts/Forms
Committee, the Governmental Affairs Committee, RPAC Awareness, Building
Fundraising Task Force, Professional Standards Committee, the MLS Committee,
the Finance Committee, and has been a valued member of the Board Of Directors
(several times).
In
addition to her real estate involvements, Ladendorf has been very committed to
her community and has made time to volunteer for many local organizations, from
the YWCA to the Chamber of Commerce, also serving on various Banking Boards.
She is also devoted to and very involved with St. Vincent de Paul. In addition
to all of these, Ladendorf is a top sales producer.
When
asked for the secret to her success, she said, “I believe that I must keep my
life in ‘balance.’ I believe that the physical, emotional and spiritual must be
in balance to maximize satisfaction with life and the gifts life has given me.
Staying organized and balanced is my key to enjoying a very successful career
in real estate for over 30 years, enjoying my family and friends and serving my
community.”
The
Industry Achievement Award was bestowed posthumously on Mary Ann Knell, The
Knell Group | Peoria Home Office. This
award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the
Peoria area real estate industry and the on-going promotion of private property
rights. Through their efforts they have been instrumental in the
advancement of residential and/or commercial sales and development, and served
as a role model for other real estate professionals.
Mary
Ann Knell demonstrated a truly great professional dedication; was a proven real
estate professional and made outstanding contributions to the Greater Peoria
Area real estate industry. Entering the real estate professional in 1985, Knell
is recognized by other Realtors® and developers as a true visionary who was
always looking to improve and challenge herself, and eventually would do the
same for her team, as she strived to be innovative and a first class force in
the real estate industry.
Diane
Cullinan Oberhelman, founding partner and current chairman of Cullinan
Properties Ltd, said, “Mary Ann Knell was a founding partner with Cullinan
Properties and she was involved in the development of Weaver Ridge, Thousand
Oaks and the Shoppes of Grand Prairie. She was always willing to go above and
beyond in her field to accomplish what was best for the community and the real
estate industry. Mary Ann was not only instrumental in the advancement of real
estate; she also helped to mentor and develop many agents and was an inspiring
role model to so many of the area’s most successful agents. Her professional
accomplishments are many and are not limited to the real estate industry”.
In
addition to real estate, Knell demonstrated leadership in many volunteer
activities, including serving on the WTVP Channel 47 Board of Directors, OSF
School of Nursing Board of Directors, Junior League of Peoria, St. Jude Midwest
Affiliate Member, the Peoria Art Guild, Lakeview Museum and Bradley University
Chief’s Club.
Mary
Ann’s son, Peter Knell, and her husband, Denny Knell, accepted the award, with
gratitude on behalf of Mary Ann and the entire Knell group and family.
The
Distinguished Member for Community Service Award was given to Mike Van Cleve,
Realtor® at Traders Realty. The award recognizes an individual for
exceptional volunteer contributions to the community. Van Cleve has only been a
member of PAAR for a couple of years, but has already established a successful
real estate career. In addition to work, he is a tireless volunteer for the
Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association, helping HISRA in numerous
areas including a Special Olympics volunteer and as the Peoria Wildcats
basketball head coach. He volunteers nearly 1000 hours each years and has been
honored by HISRA with a Presidential Volunteer Service award several times.
Van
Cleve also is a volunteer for the Illinois Valley Striders and serves on the
Steering Committee for the Steamboat Classic, playing a large role in
developing the Access Steam Program that provides training for people with
disabilities. Van Cleve is the Vice Chair of the Advocates for Access Board of
Directors. Advocates for Access is the local center for independent living,
serving people with disabilities with housing, home repair, personal
assistance, ramps, hard of hearing support, youth transition services,
amplified phone program and community re-integration. He serves on, and is the
past chair of, the city of Peoria Mayor’s Advisory Committee for the Disabled.
He is currently working with a committee to develop a Good Deeds Day in Peoria.
The
Affiliate of the Year Award
was given to Cindy Woods, Loan Consultant with Caliber Home Loans. The
award recognizes an individual who is actively involved in the real estate
industry and who provides valuable services and support to members of the
Peoria Area Association of Realtors®. Woods is known for her
enthusiasm, her hard work and her relentless dedication to her customers. A
long term PAAR Affiliate member, Woods has been providing lending services in
some capacity for 30 years; processing assistant, loan processor, an
underwriter, compliance oversight and is certified in VA underwriting. Ms Woods
is trained in – and has trained others – in FHA, Rural Development, VA and
Commercial Loan regulations. Most recently, she was awarded the 2014 Circle of
Excellence — which is reserved for the top 10 percent of loan officers in the
nation — in her position as loan consultant with Caliber Loans. When Woods is
not helping people with loans, she has participated in several PAAR planning
committees and is involved in the community by volunteering to teach high
school students how to manage money and the value of investing in real estate.
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