From left are Joyce Needler, 2014 KBOR president; Lori Rockwell, 2013 REALTOR® of the Year; Greg Mitchell, 2013 REALTOR® of the Year; Amanda Tom, 2013 Affiliate of the Year, Steve Savage, 2013 KBOR president. (Photo provided)

The Kosciusko Board of REALTORS®  announced their 2013 REALTOR® and Affiliate of the Year at their annual Holiday Party held at the Tippecanoe Country Club on Dec. 5.

Presenters Steve Savage, 2013 KBOR president and Joyce Needler, 2014 KBOR president revealed that  two members would share the 2013 REALTOR® of the Year award; Greg Mitchell, GMAC Appraiser and Lori Rockwell, The Rockwell Realty Team.

Greg Mitchell is a Director on the KBOR MLS board of directors and a director on the new Indiana Regional MLS Board of Directors. Greg’s work representing KBOR on the IRMLS Board has been invaluable.

The IRMLS began as a concept three years ago to the current conversion of 7 local MLS’ into one regional MLS database. By second quarter 2014 there will be a total of 13 state-wide MLS’ in the IRMLS.  Greg traveled to Regional meetings in Lafayette and was the face and voice of the IRMLS conversion for the KBOR membership.

Greg established GMAC Appraiser in 1978 and holds not only an appraiser license but a real estate broker’s license. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 34 years and has two children and three Grandchildren.  Surprise guests, Jim and Rita Haney, friends of Greg, presented his 2013 REALTOR® of the Year award.

Co-REALTOR® of the Year, Lori Rockwell, was not only a KBOR director but was elected the 2012 KBOR President and subsequently the 2013 KBOR MLS president.  She has sat on numerous KBOR Committees including the Community Service and Scholarship Committee.

As the 2013 MLS President, Lori too was deeply involved in the IRMLS conversion and the many decisions on IRMLS policy. After receiving her Brokers License in 2002 and following affiliations with other local real estate offices, Lori established The Rockwell Realty Team in 2007.  Lori and Rocky Rockwell have been married for 32 years just this month and have two boys, Bryce and Lucas.  Her sons surprised Lori and presented her with the 2013 REALTOR® of the Year award.

KBOR’s 2013 Affiliate of the Year is Amanda Tom, account manager at Meridian Title Company. Amanda was involved in almost every major KBOR event in 2013. From the Community Service and Scholarship Committee to the Golf Committee to the Holiday Party Committee, Amanda added her creativity and energy to each event.

Amanda exemplifies why KBOR values their partnership with their Affiliate Members.  Amanda and her husband, Chad, have two children, 5-year-old daughter Taelyn and 3-year-old son Cohen. Amanda’s parents, Mark and Vickie Yant of Columbia City, surprised Amanda by attending and presenting her with the 2013 Affiliate of the Year award.

In addition to the REALTOR® and Affiliate of the year presentation, the KBOR Community Service Committee partnered with the Holiday Party Committee to present a live auction, “Give Back to the Community.” All proceeds raised will go to KBOR’s charities; from the three annual $1,000 college scholarship awarded to local seniors to the Shoes for Scholars program. Thanks to the generosity of the KBOR REALTORS® and Affiliates over $1,900 was raised.