2005 ARTICLES

<2006 Articles 2004 Articles> 2003 Articles>  2002 Articles>
2005 Articles
SMDRA President/Chair Rohn Goldstein Installed>
SMDRA Leadership Installed>
SMDRA REALTOR® of the Year - Larry Swenson>
SMDRA Affiliate of the Year - Heather Hankins>

SMDRA Rising Star - Michael Marcus>
 SMDRA Active Life Member Award - Kay Watson>
Community Service Individual Award - Barbara Holthaus>
Community Service Group Award - Doctors Care>
SMDRA's First Habitat for Humanity Home>
SMDRA's First Habitat for Humanity Home          Photos >

The South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association (SMDRA) has persevered for three years to fund and build a Habitat for Humanity home. Now their dream is a reality! The home located on Wesley Avenue in Englewood is now well underway and it will create a brighter, safer and more stable future for Maria Sanchez Jimenez and her three children. 

 

The dream of a Habitat home in the south metro area started with SMDRA’s Affordable Housing Committee meeting with city leadership and housing authorities from the cities in their area to identify land, properties and available funding for a Habitat project.  With the help of Habitat for Humanity, the city of Englewood and Arapahoe County, a property was identified and SMDRA was able to use $50,000 of their CARHOF (Colorado Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation) funds for their partnership in the project.

 

This project is truly an example of many groups with the same vision working together to build a better community.  The County of Arapahoe, the City of Englewood and SMDRA have worked tirelessly for three years to found the project.  As a result, the groups are seeing the rewards. SMDRA volunteers are working five days a week, eight hours a day, to completely rehabilitate the home.

 

“I just finished a day on the project, and I can honestly say that it is one of the most rewarding and fun activity I’ve ever been involved with”, said Kati Harken, SMDRA’s President. Habitat homeowner Maria Jimenez is working side-by-side with volunteers as she puts in her 250 sweat equity hours into building her home.  Maria will purchase the home with a no-interest mortgage

 

The Habitat Family

 Maria Sanchez Jimenez, her teenage children Edgar, Reina and Yasmin will be moving into the completed home this summer.  Maria does housekeeping and also works part time for Wellness Way, a home health care company.  She has held both jobs for many years and hopes to have her own cleaning business one day. 

 

When asked what homeownership meant to her, Maria immediately exclaimed, “It will be ours!”  Maria said she and the children have had to move a lot and she can’t wait to have a permanent home.  Their current tiny apartment has been difficult because of loud neighbors and high crime in the area. 

 

Edgar says, “My sisters don’t play outside because there is so much fighting and trouble in the neighborhood.”  He also explained that his mother has dreamed of owning a home since the girls were little.  All the children are excited about having a yard and being able to paint their rooms and decorate as they wish. 

 

Maria sends the following message to SMDRA (South Metro Denver REALTOR Association) and to all the volunteers who are helping to build her home, “I thank you so much and thank God for the opportunity.  God bless you all!”  

 

The South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association

 SMDRA, a non-profit trade association located in the south metro Denver area was established  in  1945 and is presently composed of 3,496 REALTOR® and Affiliate members.  REALTOR® members of SMDRA adhere to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS®.   For more information about SMDRA go to www.smdra.com.

 

The Habitat for Humanity

The Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian homeownership organization dedicated to building decent, affordable homes in partnership with qualified low-income families and volunteers. Homeowner families invest 250-500 hours of “sweat equity” labor into building their homes, and purchase the homes with zero interest mortgages.  All mortgage payments are reinvested to fund construction of future Habitat homes.  All funding is raised locally through individuals, faith groups, corporations, grants, homeowner mortgage payments and the Habitat Home Improvement Outlet. 

 

Volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, are always needed, especially on weekdays.  Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver will build about 31 homes in 2005 and has built 238 since its inception in 1979. Worldwide, Habitat has built more than 175,000 homes in more than 100 countries.  For more information about the Habitat for Humanity go to www.habitatmetrodenver.org

top of page

SMDRA’s Annual Presidential Inauguration

SMDRA’s 2005-2006 Inaugural Celebration and Awards Event was recently held at the Inn at the Hudson Gardens and Event Center in Littleton.   Many came to celebrate the installation of the 2005-2006 Board of Directors and congratulate the winners of this year’s awards.
MORE PHOTOS >

Rohn Goldstein To Lead SMDRA
REALTOR® Rohn Goldstein, Prestige Real Estate Group, was instated as the President/Chairman of the Board of the South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association (SMDRA) at the celebration.

A member of SMDRA since June of 1981, Goldstein was first elected to the SMDRA Board of Directors in 2001. He has held the title of director continuously since 2001 and he was the 2004-2005 President-Elect of SMDRA.

Goldstein has served on numerous committees for SMDRA including the Affordable Housing Committee and the Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity Committee.  He was also the 2003 Affiliate Council Liaison and he participated on the REALTOR® Issues Review and Recommendation Committee.

Raised in Reno, Nevada, Goldstein graduated from Reno High School and was a Political Science major at the University of Nevada.  He served in the U.S. Army as an assistant to the Chaplain.

Goldstein and his wife Evette moved to Denver in the 1980’s where he began his real estate career with Midwest Realty.  He is presently the managing broker at the Highland Ranch Prestige Real Estate Group Office.  Prior to Prestige he was the managing broker at Prudential Legend.

The Goldsteins are avid travelers enjoying the U.S. and Europe.  They have two children – their daughter Michele and their son Ben and a granddaughter Hannah, age 6.

Goldstein is the Past President of the Chatfield Jaycees and the Past President of the Hogback Lion’s Club.  He has volunteered as a scout master for the Boy Scouts for many years.
 top of page

REALTOR® Association Leadership Installed
The following 2006 Officers and Directors for SMDRA will join Goldstein in leadership roles for SMDRA this year: 

REALTOR® Steve Olson, Prestige Real Estate Group, will serve as Chair-Elect, REALTOR® Deb Conner, RealtyPro USA, will carry out the responsibilities of Secretary and REALTOR® Kati Harken, Prestige Real Estate Group, will serve as Past President.

Assuming the responsibilities of Directors for SMDRA are the following REALTORS®:  Laurie Anderson, Metro Brokers-Signature Properties; Kaeti Bancroft, Metro Brokers-Bancroft Properties; Dana Bennett, Prestige Real Estate Group; Michael Marcus, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Stephen McGuire, RE/MAX Professionals; Stew Meagher, Metro Brokers-Commonwealth Realty; Scott Scribner, Metro Brokers-Scribner & Associates; and Jim Wanzeck, RE/MAX Masters.

Also installed were the following SMDRA REALTORS® who will serve as Directors for the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR): Okie Arnot, Keller Williams Realty; James Hatfield, RE/MAX Professionals; Gerald McGuire, RE/MAX Professionals; and Steve Stazel, Keller Williams Realty DTC.

REALTORS® Scott Matthias, Prestige Real Estate Group; Kay Watson, Metro Brokers-Kay Watson Properties; and Bruce Wolf, the Prestige Real Estate Group, LLC were installed as Directors to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

REALTORS® Gary Morton, Metro Brokers-First Real Estate Group; and Larry Swenson, Frontier GMAC Real Estate, will assume the responsibilities of Metrolist Directors for SMDRA.
 top of page

Larry Swenson SMDRA 2005 REALTOR® of the Year Award
Several awards were presented during the event and the award with the highest honor, the 2005 REALTOR® Of the Year, was given to Larry Swenson, of Frontier GMAC Real Estate.  This annual award is bestowed on a member of SMDRA who has provided exemplary service to both the Association and the community. 

Swenson, a member of SMDRA since April of 1972, was the 1993 President/Chair of SMDRA.  He is the current Metrolist Director for SMDRA and has served in this capacity for over four years.  He has also served over ten years on SMDRA’s Profession Standards Committee.

Swenson represented SMDRA at the state level from 1994-1996 as a Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) Director.   He has earned his GRI (Graduate Real Institute) and CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designations and is a member of the Real Estate Land institute.

Before becoming a REALTOR® Swenson worked for Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Store and was the originator of the “SNIAGRAB” ad campaign.  He also started their first skin diving department and eventually managed their South Denver store.

Following Gart Brothers he worked for Target stores in Denver and Minneapolis as an area supervisor for sporting goods, toys and cameras. He became their area buyer and ran the first four-color ad which resulted in the first million dollar week for all departments. The “Toy Marketing Magazine” awarded him the Toy Buyer of the Year Award.

Swenson has provided exemplary community support by assisting the Littleton YMCA through its Charity Auction, participated in the Colorado Home Fix-up Project, volunteered at the Praying Hands Ranch, helped fire victims to rebuild their homes, and raised money for many other charity causes.

Swenson is a native Denverite.  He graduated from East High School and attended the University of Denver where his major was marketing.
 top of page

Heather Hankins SMDRA 2005 Affiliate of the Year Award 
Heather Hankins, from First American Heritage Title Company, was this year’s recipient of the Affiliate of the Year Award from SMDRA.  This award recognizes an affiliate of SMDRA who has given outstanding support to the association and has shown a willingness to serve on the association’s numerous committees for special events and functions.

As an active member of SMDRA for six years, Hankins served as the Affiliate Council President, Vice President and Chairperson.  She has served on several committees including the Annual Awards Event, Geek Speak, SMDRA’s Bowling Tournament, and the Orientation/Legal Awareness committees.

Reaching out into the community, Hankins initiated the SMDRA Affiliate Food Drive to benefit the Interfaith Community Services.  Several times she has chaired the Affiliate Holiday Party which also benefits the Interfaith Community Services by providing Toys for Tots.

Originally from Berthoud, Colorado, Hankins attended Berthoud High School and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Business Management.  Before her 13 year tenure with First American Heritage Title, Hankins first worked for United Bank, known today as Norwest Bank.  Hankins and her husband, Jim, have two sons – Griffin, 8 years, and Zachary, 5 years old.   Her family enjoys participating in sports including baseball, soccer, golfing and skiing.
 top of page

Michael Marcus SMDRA 2005 Rising Star Award 
REALTOR® Michael Marcus, from Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, was presented the 2005 Rising Star Award, formerly the Don B. Weist Award, at the celebration. This award is presented to a member who has provided outstanding service to the association and to the community during the first five years of their real estate career.

Marcus joined SMDRA in January of 2000.  He has served as Co-Chair of SMDRA’s Membership Forums and emcee for the Friday Morning Marketing Sessions. Most notably he was the 2005 Chair of the PSF/RSDC Fund Drive Committee where, under his leadership, SMDRA’s goal was met and exceeded in a short period of time.  He was also elected this year to serve as a SMDRA Director.

Born in Ontario, Canada, Marcus is the older of two brothers.  He went to Ryserson Institute of Technology in Toronto where he earned a degree in Business.  Prior to earning his degree, he moved to Israel and served as a volunteer in the Israel Army. 

Preceding his marriage to his REALTOR® wife, Laurie, in New Haven, Connecticut in 1987, he worked for several not-for-profit organizations such as the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Greenwich and New Haven Jewish Federations.

In 1997, they moved to Denver where Marcus was the Executive Director for the BMH-BJ Synagogue.  In 2000 he joined his wife at Coldwell Banker and started a full time career in real estate.  In the 2nd quarter of 2005, they were recognized as NRT’s Top 1000 REALTORS® in the country.
top of page

Kay Watson SMDRA 2005 Active Life Member Award 

REALTOR® Kay Watson, from Metro Brokers-Kay Watson Properties, was presented the Active Life Member Award. This award pays tribute to an outstanding REALTOR® for their significant and ongoing contribution to SMDRA and/or the community.

Watson has over 25 successful years of experience working in real estate.  She first joined SMDRA in January of 1981 and has since earned the respect and admiration of her fellow REALTORS® and the general public.  In 1991 she was chosen as the SMDRA REALTOR® of the Year and was elected as the 1992 President of SMDRA.

She has since served terms in the capacity of SMDRA’s CAR (Colorado Association of REALTORS®) Director and NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) Director.  She also earned the distinction of CAR’s 1999 REALTOR® of the Year and was the 2003 President of CAR.

She has been an active member on numerous committees including the Affordable Housing Committee, the Professional Standards Committee, and the Candidate Interview Committee.  She is a PSF (Political Survival Fund) Leader of the PAC and a Golden R Contributor to PSF.
 top of page

Barbara Holthaus SMDRA 2005 Community Service Award

The most delightful presentation was the award given to Barbara Holthaus, an enthusiastic community leader, who received the distinguished Community Service Award presented to an individual  This award recognizes an individual in the south metro Denver area who promotes “Community Spirit”.

Holthaus, a native Coloradoan, graduated from the University of Denver where she received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in retailing and secretarial science in 1943.

During the past 50 plus years, Holthaus has provided leadership for a half-dozen 4-H clubs in Arapahoe County, working with literally hundreds of our local youths.  She had the ability to foster leadership skills and encourage 4-H junior leaders (those 13 years old or more who were willing to assume leadership roles) to provide educational opportunities and 4-H experiences for retarded youth, in cooperation with the Gallup School for the Retarded in Littleton.  In 1967, she organized the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation, becoming a charter member and still is a sustaining donor and honorary member.

In 1990, Holthaus and her husband, Bill, established an endowment fund for the Bill and Barbara Holthaus Family 4-H Scholarship for youth attending Colorado State University.

Besides her church, her family and the 4-H, Barbara has given tirelessly over the years as a member of several organizations such as the Englewood Downtown Development Board, the Englewood Centennial Coordination Committee, the Englewood Centennial Legacy Committee, and the Swedish Hospital Foundation.

Past individual Community Service Award recipients have included Gene Koelbel, Dr. Frank Sargent, former District Attorney Bob Gallagher Jr., Executive Director Dave Lorenz from the South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Vern Hendrickson from Norwest Bank, Vaughn Gardinier,  Mary Bradford, President of Bradford Auto Body in Littleton and Bob Sweeney, publisher of the Villager Newspaper.

Doctors Care SMDRA 2005 Community Service Award 
This year’s distinguished Community Service Award to an organization was presented to Doctors Care.  This award recognizes an organization in the south metro Denver area that is actively involved in the community, charitable work or civic activities.

Doctors Care is a non-profit organization providing needed health care services to the uninsured and the medically indigent in several metro counties, including Arapahoe.  The healthcare services provided are based on an individual’s ability to pay, that is, it uses a “sliding scale” approach.  The organization has been able to provide these healthcare services in a way that promotes dignity, respect, and pride.  A real benefit of the program is the improvement of the participants’ lives long term rather than merely providing short term “fixes”.

Established as a non profit 501(c)3 entity in 1988, this organization was the brain child of Dr. Gary VanderArk and the Arapahoe Medical Society, which is made up of physicians residing or practicing in Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert Counties.  Through Doctors Care just about every specialty and sub-specialty in medicine, have given their time, expertise, and talents unselfishly in an effort to be there at the right time, with the medical services that people really need.  It would be impossible to name all of the doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, sponsors, foundations and private citizens who have supported this organization, but their efforts are responsible for millions of dollars in support, thousand of hours of time and dignified medical services for many thousands of people who otherwise would have gone untreated. 

Bebe Kleinman, Executive Director for Doctors Care, accepted the Community Service Award for 2005 and a check for $500 on behalf of Doctors Care.

Past Community Service Award recipients have included The City of Littleton, Craig Hospital, the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol, the Cancer League of Colorado, the Sungate Child Advocacy Center, Advocates for Children, South Suburban Park & Recreation District, Littleton Town Hall Arts Center and Interfaith Community Services.
top of page