Links:

• Realtor / Affiliate of the Year Nomination Form.pdf
• 2012 Awards Announcement

2012 Membership Recognition

2012 REALTOR® of the Year - Janic Ruszkowski
Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber

The REALTOR® of the Year award stands for the highest principals in real estate practice. The REALTOR® of the Year is selected for their professionalism, community service and Board activity both past and present. The REALTOR® of the Year award recognizes one special volunteer whose qualities embody the REALTOR® spirit and whose contributions keep the Board moving forward on the road to excellence.

Janice Ruszkowski began her career in real estate over 20 years ago, more by accident than by intension, but regardless of how her career started, it was obviously the right decision. Janice holds a Brokers license and has been with the same firm throughout her career. She is an active volunteer and has served on numerous committees and has been President for both the ECBOR and MLS Board of Directors in addition to representing the Board at the state and national level.

Her volunteer spirit does not stop with the Board because her resume of service includes serving on the Board for the Mental Health of Elkhart, Life Treatment Center, Elkhart Symphony, Elkhart Riverwalk, and the St. Joe River Flotilla Committee. She is a CARES mentor, a Rotarian, and will be the Chairman of this year’s Taste of the Garden event.

Janice is married to her husband Michael and they have two adult children, Kori and Christopher, and 4 grandsons.

2012 Affiliate of the Year – Barney Ash
Lawyers Title

Each year, one Affiliate is selected as the Affiliate of the Year. It is difficult for the committee to choose just one person when so many Affiliates support the Board so the committee looks for an individual who went the extra mile.

As the saying goes…it is easy to sit up and take notice but it is much harder to stand up and take action. Barney Ash is known for taking action and producing results. He has a no nonsense approach to getting the job done and doing it professionally. Barney’s efforts have resulted in better programs and expanded marketing opportunities for the Board.

Barney has been a member of the Board for 8 years and has participated in several committees including marketing, programs, and education. Prior to getting into the Title business, Barney owned his own advertising agency and knows who to call no matter what the goal.

Barney is an IU graduate, a golf fanatic, sports lover, a husband, father, and grandfather.

2012 Life Member- Elva Mast
LVM Real Estate

The Life Member Award is given to a retiring member who has served as a role model for generations to come and their contributions set the standard for excellence among their peers. A Life Member will forever be a part of the Elkhart County Board of REALTOR? history, present, and future.

Elva Mast joined the Goshen Board of REALTORS? 40 years ago. He began his career as an agent with Hoogenboom Nofziger in 1972 and opened LVM Real Estate in Goshen in 1975. He hired several agents who have become very successful including his first agent Mary Murray, Barb Swartley, Karen Smith, and our 2008 Life Member, Marianne Hardies. This impressive list of names speaks highly of Elva’s leadership skills and belief in the industry.

Elva started volunteering for the Goshen Board of REALTORS? and continued with the Elkhart County Board of REALTORS? and MLS serving on the Board of Directors and committees. He earned his GRI designation and is a RPAC Life Member.

Elva did not limit his service to the REALTOR? association. Over the years, Elva has volunteered for many community organizations including the Elkhart County Soil & Water District and in 1981-82, he and his family took a brief sabbatical to work with a Community Action Agency in Carlsbad New Mexico where they helped provide housing for unemployed people.

He has lived a life of service and we thank him for all his years of service to our industry. Elva is married to his wife Jean and has 3 children and many grandchildren.