100th Anniversary - Columbus Board of Realtors

Transcription

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1908 - 2008
Columbus Board of REALTORS®
100th Anniversary
1908-2008
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1908 - 2008
100th Anniversary
1908-2008
100th Anniversary | 1908–2008 th
1908 - 2008
This book has been compiled and edited by
members and staff in honor of the 100th Anniversary
of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
Special acknowledgement goes to members of the 100th Anniversary
Ad Hoc Committee, who contributed their time and efforts to the
yearlong 100th Anniversary celebration and to this book.
100th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee Members:
Charlotte Van Steyn, Chair
Marqué Bressler
Stan Collins
Michael Gautier
Phil Geissler
Lynn Hackworth
Greg Hrabcak
Myrna Kobre
Lynda Long
William McMenamy
Robert U. Miller
Gary Parsons
Mary Raysa
Chris Reese
George Smith
Kelley Youman Truxall
Dr. Robert Weiler, Sr.
Larry Metzger, CEO
Greg Hrabcak, 2008 President
Trademarks: REALTOR® and REALTORS® are
registered trademarks that mean member or members of
the National Association of REALTORS® and should not be
used as a reference to real estate practitioners in general.
2700 Airport Drive
Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 475-4000
www.ColumbusRealtors.com
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1908 - 2008
The first 100 years of the Columbus Board of
REALTORS® are highlighted in the following
pages of this book, which features a timeline of
significant events and memorable photos from
the last century.
Throughout its first 100 years, the CBR has
called at least three buildings “home,” most
notably building the current location to
meet the needs of membership and changing
technology in 1993. The location at 2700
Airport Drive marked the first time the Board
had started from scratch, rather than adapting
to an existing space.
Just as the Board’s locations have changed
over the last 10 decades, so too has
membership, the way business is done and the
entire central Ohio community.
From charitable causes to political ones,
from Presidential Balls to the state’s largest
real estate expo, the Columbus Board of
REALTORS® and its members have set
a precedent as leaders in the real estate
industry and the community.
Some of the countless milestones and moments
are touched upon in this book. We don’t doubt
the book could have been much larger in size,
but the accomplishments of the CBR and its
members are too numerous to compile in a
single volume.
While this is only a snapshot of the first
100 years, we hope you enjoy the trip down
memory lane. We are honored you are among
those celebrating the centennial year of the
Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
100th Anniversary | 1908–2008
Anniversary | 1908–2008 100th
1908
On May 12, 1908, 120 men representing 19 boards from
13 states and one state association, meet in Chicago to
try to establish a national real estate group, after three
previous attempts had failed.
The National Association of Real Estate Exchanges objective is “To unite the real estate men of America for the
purpose of effectively exerting a combined influence upon
matters affecting real estate interests.”
The group authorized employment of an executive
secretary, general counsel and provided an office for
association work. Standing committees, demonstrating
the founders’ intended fields of activity, were formed and
included: Code of Ethics, taxation, state and municipal
legislation, and the organization of local exchanges.
During May 1908, talks for establishing a local chapter
in Columbus are also being held. The Columbus Board of
REALTORS® was formed in 1908 as The Columbus Real
Estate Board with the election of officers held on June
19, 1908. W.A. Mahoney, W.G. Neff, D.P. Cooke, M.A.
Smith, George Robbins, A.W. Forest, Frank Hammond,
W.G. Conway, H.D. Freeman and C.A. McAllister are all
elected trustees. Frank Hammond is elected the Boards’
first President and served through 1909. In all, 27 men
vote to adopt the constitution and bylaws of the Board.
Above, Below Left and Below Right: What started it all:
The two-page document on display in the CBR Boardroom contains the meeting minutes and original charter and bylaws adopted by founding members in 1908.
1912
There are 2,560 building permits issued by the city of Columbus at a
value of $4,675,303. In 2007 the city issued a total of 4,996 building
permits, for both residential and commercial construction, at a total
value of more than $1.5 billion.
1913
The National Association of Real Estate Exchanges adopts a strict
Code of Ethics with the “Golden Rule” as its theme. We are the fourth
business group in the nation to follow the professions of medicine, law
and engineering in the formation and enforcement of a code of ethics
for its members.
The Scioto River floods, killing 100 people and leaving 20,000 homeless.
1914
Developer Charles Johnson asks Bexley Mayor Peter Ludwig to annex Eastmoor. Ludwig declines, saying Bexley has enough lots to last
100 years.
Above: Great flood of 1913: After the Scioto River flooded, thousands were homeless
and Columbus was underwater.
Below Left: National effort: Sponsored by
the U.S. Department of Labor, a 1914 campaign urged Americans to buy a home.
Below Right: Downtown Columbus in days
gone by: A view of the intersection of
South High and Town streets in 1914.
King and Ben Thompson buy 600 acres northwest of downtown Columbus with plans to build homes there. The area would later become
known as Upper Arlington.
The arches over High Street are removed and the Statehouse annex
built.
World War I starts and lasts until 1918. WWI marked the first use
of chemical weapons, the first mass bombardment of civilians from
the sky, and the century’s first genocide. The U.S. would join the war
effort in 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson called on Americans
to “make the world safe for democracy.” The cost would be over 40
million casualties.
100th Anniversary | 1908–2008 1915
The term “REALTOR®” is coined by Minneapolis Board President
Charles Chadbourn. Chadbourn saw a newspaper headline that said
“Real estate man swindles old widow” and feels the need to separate
members of the national association from everyone else selling real
estate. REALTOR® is adopted by the national association in 1916 for
all its members, but wasn’t trademarked until 1949.
1916
The national organization’s name is changed to the National Association
of Real Estate Boards and the term “REALTOR®” is formally adopted.
The area’s first planned community, Upper Arlington, is developed.
The Columbus Zoo and the Defense Construction Supply Center both open.
1917
The Columbus Urban League is founded.
The Ohio State University – University of Michigan rivalry begins.
1919
Columbus throws a welcome home party for Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.
After surviving the Scioto River flood of 1913, officials determine the
Lane Avenue Bridge will be inadequate for future floods and the second, more modern four-lane concrete bridge opens in 1919.
1920
There are 2,822 building permits issued by the city of Columbus at a
value of $10,257,170.
Top Right: OSU/Michigan Rivalry: Although
the rivalry began in 1917, OSU didn’t win until
the 16th game in the series (1919). From 1968
through 1980 (that’s a 13 year period) the
Big Ten Rose Bowl rep, was either Ohio State
or Michigan. 2008 marks the 105th game
between the two Universities.
Middle Right: Referred to as the American
Ace of Aces, Eddie Rickenbacker, was
a successful race car driver, fighter pilot,
airline executive, wartime advisor, and elder
statesman. Few aces achieved so much in
so many different lifetime roles. His twenty-six
aerial victories came in only two months of
combat flying, a spectacular achievement.
Shown here with his plane in 1919.
Above: The beginnings of a great career: A young John W. Galbreath in his
first real estate office in the early 1920s.
Bottom Right: Lane Avenue Bridge: The
second Lane Avenue Bridge (of 1919) was
a four-span, earth-filled concrete arch structure. The designer was noted bridge engineer Wilbur J. Watson of Cleveland, who
previously designed the King Avenue Bridge
(1914) and the Third Avenue Bridge (1917).
1921
Jan. 12 – Columbus City Hall burns. After Columbus’ second city hall
location burns down, the land is sold for $700,000 and the Ohio Theater is built on the site, where it still stands today.
Columbus gets its first female police officer
1922
The “horseshoe,” Ohio Stadium, opens and the first football game is
played in October, in front of a crowd of 72,000 fans.
1923
Columbus’ first airport, Norton Field, opens.
Beulah Park holds its first horse race.
The Columbus Junior League is formed.
1924
Children’s Hospital opens, as does Fort Hayes Hotel, and South and
Central High Schools.
1926
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation lends $10,000 to start an auto
insurance company for farmers. Today that company is known as
Nationwide.
The Palace Theater opens.
Columbus’ population is 310,622.
Top Left: Built in 1926 as a grand vaudeville
and movie house, the Keith-Albee Palace became the RKO Palace (Radio Keith Orpheum)
in 1929. After almost fifty years of first run films,
the Palace was forced to close its doors. The
theater was purchased in 1989 by the CAPA
organization and is a now a premier venue for
concerts, stage shows and more.
Middle Left: Columbus City Hall: A picture
taken after a fire that gutted City Hall on Jan.
12, 1921.
Bottom Left: Ohio Stadium: Home of the
Buckeyes, it became known as the ‘Shoe’
because of it’s lucky horseshoe shape.
Bottom Right: Meeting minutes: The May 10,
1924 meeting of the Columbus Real Estate
Board, which saw the induction of several
members including future CBR and NAR President John W. Galbreath.
At meetings in the 1920s, cigars and cigarettes were provided free of charge.
100th Anniversary | 1908–2008 1928
The Ohio Theater opens.
1929
Port Columbus Airport, Battelle Memorial Institute and the first
White Castle restaurant open.
October’s stock market crash marks the beginning of the Great
Depression. Within three years, real estate construction by private
companies is down $1.7 billion, just 24 percent of the 1929 figure.
1931
The Columbus Museum of Art and the Pontifical College Josephinum open.
1934
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is created as part of
the passage of the National Housing Act of 1934.
Big Bear, the city’s first supermarket, opens on Lane Avenue.
1938
Amendments to the 1934 Housing Act pave the way for the creation of
the Federal National Mortgage Association, now known as Fannie Mae,
marking the realization of a long-held goal of REALTORS® – the ability
to provide a steady flow of funds for mortgages.
Above: Roosevelt signing Declaration of
War on Japan: On December 8, 1941, the
day after Japanese forces attacked the
American military base at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, Franklin Roosevelt gave one of his
most famous speeches to Congress when
he asked Congress to declare war on
Japan.
Women’s Council of REALTORS® is founded.
1939
On Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland, sparking the beginning of
World War II. By the end of WWII, every major world power would be
involved and more than 60 million people would lose their lives, including 19 of the 1,143 REALTORS® who chose to serve.
1940
Right: NAR
President: CBR
member John W.
Galbreath served
as President of the
National Association of REALTORS®
in 1944.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates Poindexter Village, the
city’s first federal metropolitan housing project developed by the
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. It still stands today
between Mt. Vernon Avenue and East Long Street.
1944
After serving as CBR President in 1939, John W. Galbreath is elected
President of the National Association of REALTORS®.
REALTORS® hail the G.I. Bill of Rights, which provides low-interest
loans to returning veterans for purchasing homes and businesses. At the
time, The National Real Estate Journal predicted the bill would help
stimulate post-war home building.
1946
Real estate exam fees are $10 for brokers and $5 for salesmen.
Above: Housing shortage in ‘47: This clipping
from The Citizen Journal newspaper details
the city’s shortage of housing for its growing
population. According to the article, Robert
Weiler was selling homes almost as fast as
they could be built, and the Columbus Real
Estate Board called the lack of homes a
“critical shortage.” 1948
The tax rate for Columbus is $19.20 per $1,000.
1949
CBR’s membership publication adds a “Cooperative Listings” section
where REALTORS® submit listings to be printed. The first 20 listings
received are printed at no cost.
The Jan. 15, 1949 edition of The Columbus REALTOR® advertises
the annual installation dinner, featuring guest speaker Dr. Edmund
B. O’Leary, a professor of economics and business at the University of
Dayton. The dinner is held in the Gold Room at the Fort Hayes Hotel
and costs $2.75 per ticket “including tax and tip.”
The April 15, 1949 edition of The Columbus REALTOR® details a
Board membership drive encouraging “Every Member Get A Member” during the drive aimed at getting real estate agents in Franklin
County to join the Columbus Real Estate Board. At the time, there
were more real estate brokers and agents who didn’t belong to the
Board than there were members, according to the REALTOR®. Dues
in 1949 are $16.25 per quarter.
The term REALTOR® is trademarked.
The city’s first television station, WLWC Channel 3 goes on air. That station, now known as WCMH NBC 4, and WBNS-TV, both started in 1949.
Bottom Left: Looking for a few good members: This 1949 article details the efforts of
the Columbus Real Estate Board to boost
membership in the professional organization.
Top Left: A very early MLS system:
A copy of the first “Cooperative
Listings” section from the 1949
Columbus REALTOR®, where it appeared for the first time.
Right: REALTOR® wives: This 1948
clip from the Columbus Citizen
Journal talks about special events
for the wives of real estate men
during an upcoming convention.
100th Anniversary | 1908–2008 1950
The Columbus Real Estate Board incorporates.
On Memorial Day, Whetstone Park is officially dedicated and 35 acres
are set aside for what would become the Columbus Park of Roses.
1951
In March The Columbus REALTOR® announces plans for “The
Lifesavers,” a group of REALTORS® and their families who set up a
group blood donor program as part of the Red Cross’ Columbus Regional Blood Center. Much of the blood and plasma collected is to be
sent overseas to troops fighting in the Korean War.
1952
Larry Chambers is hired as the Board’s Executive Vice President (later
known as Executive Officer) and serves in that position until 1969.
1954
Sept. 1 - The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) officially begins. The
Board starts the service with money borrowed from several of the 68
charter members. Larry Wade, chair of the MLS Committee, announces the first listing was entered at a list price of $11,500.
1955
In its first full year of operation, the MLS has 3,746 listings, and
1,873 sales recorded, with an average sale price of $13,682.
The May 26, 1955 edition of The Columbus REALTOR® has a cover
story on the annual stag party and ox roast, which includes a
turkey shoot for the first time. The shoot, called Davy Crockett Day, is
“supervised by a police officer” and features “real prize turkeys.”
Top Right: Lifesavers: Charter members of
the new Group Blood Donor Program.
Middle Right: The wise owl: The cover of
the Aug. 4, 1954 edition of The Columbus REALTOR® foretold the coming of
the Board’s first Multiple Listing Service,
started with money borrowed from some
of the 68 charter members of the service.
Above: Neighborhood revitalization: In 1955, CBR President Robert
Weiler (center) and fellow members including Jack Havens (right) are
photographed during a CBR home rehabiliation project.
10 Columbus Board of REALTORS®
1956
NAR establishes National REALTOR® Week, an annual week dedicated to recognizing the efforts of REALTORS® everywhere and
celebrating the real estate profession.
1957
March 28 – The Columbus REALTOR® reports that the CBR Handbook
of Property Transfers is a service that is the envy of every other real
estate organization in the nation. The first issue covers 1953 -1955 and
lists every real estate sale in greater Columbus by street, address, date
and tax revenue stamps involved. Available to members only, the book
“makes a professional out of a beginner salesman almost overnight.”
Interest is so high among real estate groups that in one city, 10 firms join
together to offer Columbus thousands of dollars to establish a handbook
for their area.
Salesmen are thought of as employees of a broker, and not as independent contractors.
Ohio Gov. C. William O’Neil makes a Bexley home the official Governor’s
Mansion.
The Housing Act of 1957 lowers the down payment required on FHA loans.
1959
REALTOR® Jack Havens is named by the Columbus Citizen Journal
as one of the top 10 young men of 1958 for pioneering the FHA 221
loan program in Columbus.
A Sept. 3 article in The Columbus REALTOR® discusses a Board of
Trustees meeting where changing commission schedules based on the
types and amount of property sold is discussed. Today that would be
considered price-fixing by the FTC.
There are 5,650 listings submitted to the MLS in 1959.
1960
Top Left: The envy of REALTORS® everywhere: Started in 1957, the CBR Deed
Transfer books were still a hit in the
1960s.
May 12 – CBR member John W. Galbreath is awarded the Horatio
Algier Award for 1960 in New York City. Named for the 19th century author, the award recognizes community leaders, honesty and
self-reliance. Past receipients include former U.S. President Herbert
Hoover, Dr. Milton Eisenhauer and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.
The Board approves part-time salesmen.
Middle Left: The first time ever: Now
a tradition, CBR went 52 years before
holding its first President’s Ball in 1960.
Bottom Left: Play that music: REALTOR®
Paul Love and his band entertained
crowds at CBR functions in the 1960s.
Bottom Right: Of historic significance:
This photo from The Columbus REALTOR®
shows CBR’s first female members.
100th Anniversary | 1908–2008 11
November – Women are allowed to join as REALTOR® members as
the Columbus Board becomes the last large metropolitan Board in the
country to allow women as members. The issue of women joining is
very controversial and although all of the first female members were
owners or brokers at their companies, they couldn’t be REALTORS®
until November 1960. The first women to join the CBR are Lucille
Jacobs, Wanda Poore, Esther Bain, Mary Louise Campbell, Edna
Mooreland, Dorothy Tharpe and Dorothy Taylor. After the votes are
counted several times, it was reported in The Columbus REALTOR®
that the change would not affect the summer Stag Picnic.
Dec. 27 – CBR holds the first President’s Ball, to honor outgoing
President Thomas Kohr and install new leadership, including 1961
President Oscar Thomas. This social highlight of the Boards’ first 52
years is held in the main ballroom of the Neil House and tickets sold
for $10 each. The Columbus REALTOR® advised members to “Solve
your wife’s Christmas gift problem! Tell her about this party tonight
so she can get that new cocktail dress before Christmas!” White gardenias and pink champagne are given to all the wives.
1961
Lucille Jacobs is the first woman to join the Multiple
Listing Service.
Wade Co. REALTORS® announces a flat commission rate
of $500.
Riverside Methodist Hospital and the Kahiki Restaurant
both open.
1962
In November, CBR launches the long-awaited Million Dollar Club,
and recipients are honored at the President’s Ball. The dollar volume
limit for any single transaction is $100,000.
CBR begins publishing Columbus and Franklin County plat books.
NAR produces the first book on the “interpretation of ethics” and
launches the first national advertising and public relations campaign.
Columbus gets its first regular jet service and the first McDonald’s
restaurant opens.
1963
CBR publishes the first “Homes for Sale” photo guide.
Past President Bill McCorkle lists the 50,000th home in the MLS
service at 3438 Walmar Drive.
Top Right: REALTOR® Week 1962: PresidentElect Paul Falco (left) and 1962 President
John Pace (far right) admire a local
billboard promoting the security of homeownership with a representative from the
Columbus Outdoor Advertising Co.
Left: Lucille Jacobs: One of the first women
to join the Board and the first woman
member of the MLS service. 1964
Middle Right: Lots of listings in the MLS: By
1963, CBR’s Multiple Listing Service had
50,000 homes listed and set record sales.
June – Harley E. Rouda opens new offices at 1071 Fishinger Road in
Upper Arlington and invites fellow REALTORS® to tour the state-ofthe-art facilities.
Bottom Right: Picture perfect: Clients
could review hundreds of homes for sale in
Rouda’s photo gallery, at offices opened
in 1964.
A record year for MLS – the service records $7 million in sales.
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Bill into
law. The act is a sweeping change in civil rights legislation, prohibiting discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or
national origin. The law also provides the federal government with
the powers to enforce desegregation.
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and Northland Mall
open.
1965
Vernice Sagstetter receives the first REALTOR® Salesperson of the
Year award, then known as Associate of the Year.
REALTOR® Paul Love sells the first home in Ohio to be financed
with a mortgage obtained under the new veteran’s housing program, at 1061 Carlisle Road.
The CBR Five Million Dollar Sales Club is started.
R. G. Denmead REALTORS® wins the 1965 REALTORS® Bowling League Championship trophy, beating 13 other teams in the
weekly league comprised of real estate agents, brokers and mortgage representatives. According to The Columbus REALTOR®, the
team splits $128 in winnings and each received a trophy.
Top Left: MLS Books: Complete listings and
photos of properties were printed for more
than three decades by CBR.
Middle Left: First Five Million Dollar Club
awardees: J.D. Kurgis, Mary Jo Kent, David
Carruthers and James Henley, in 1965.
Bottom Left: Vernice Sagstetter: In 1965 she
became the first person to receive the CBR
REALTOR®-Associate of the Year Award. Sagstetter is pictured with the first eight honorees.
Top Right: Victory: R.G. Denmead and his team celebrate their victory in
the 1965 REALTOR® Bowling League.
Bottom Right: Talented group: A chorus performing during the 1966
Realvillities Talent Show at the Neil House.
1967
Jan. 20, 1967 – Bob Weiler reports in The Columbus REALTOR®
that despite a fire at his three-story office building, 175 S. High
St., the company is still in business and temporarily located at 202
N. Grant Ave. Luckily, no one was hurt in the fire and much of the
company’s documents were able to be salvaged.
February – The Board moves to new member headquarters at 200
East Town Street in downtown Columbus.
A “major breakthrough” is announced when all dictionaries published in the U.S. agree to use the NAREB definition of REALTOR® and its correct pronunciation.
The first Oktoberfest is held.
The population of Franklin County is 852,411 and 573,280 in Columbus
proper. The city has 113 square miles and there are 106,000 students
enrolled in city schools. The homeownership rate is 56 percent.
1968
Robert Denmead receives the first REALTOR® Broker of the Year award.
In May 1968, Columbus Mayor Maynard E. Sensenbrenner proclaims
May 19-25 REALTOR® Week, asking all citizens to join him in “honoring the REALTORS® of this city.” The theme of the 1968 National REALTOR® Week is “Home is where security starts – Don’t wait in ’68!”
Above Left: Proclamation: Columbus Mayor Maynard E. Sensenbrenner
proclaims REALTOR® Week ‘68 with Executive Vice President Larry
Chambers, President Bill McCorkle and Allen Shaw looking on.
Top Right: A talent show like none other: More than 55 people entertained
guests during CBR’s annual talent and variety show, Realvillities, in 1967,
held at the Neil House. This clip from the The Columbus REALTOR® shows
some of the “actors” in costume and prepping for the show!
Middle Right: Five Million Club: Max W. Holzer, John W. Bennett and Edwin
J. May became the second group to receive the sales award in 1967.
Bottom Right: Forty years ago: “Don’t wait in
‘68” was the theme of NAR’s National REALTOR® Week 40 years ago. Columbus Mayor
Maynard E. Sensenbrenner asked residents
to honor the city’s REALTORS® during the last
week in May.
The 1968 CBR Stag Picnic is held at Walnut Hills Country Club, and
features fishing, cards and helicopter rides along with the traditional
golf. Board President Bill McCorkle is said to have caught the most
fish, claiming 101 caught, but no one counted, according to The Columbus REALTOR®.
Aug. 22 – The Columbus Board of REALTORS® hosts “Aloha … a Night
in Hawaii,” a luau-themed party at Walnut Hills Country Club. The
night features Limbo and Hula contests, the Chuck Angeletti Orchestra,
an authentic Hawaiian-style dinner and dancing for $8 per person.
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Fair Housing Act into
law shortly after the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Signed on April 11, the act prohibits discrimination
in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
The main post office moves from Broad and Third streets to its current location on Twin Rivers Drive.
1969
In the late 1960s, the Board has its very own entertainment for
functions including the President’s Ball, monthly meetings and the
Realvillities talent show. The group, called the REALTOR® Jazz
Band, performs around the community for various organizations and
civic groups.
Westland Mall, Bob Evans restaurant and Wendy’s all open.
1970
Top Left: Gone fishin’: In 1968, while he was
CBR President, Bill McCorkle (right) enjoyed
fishing at the annual stag picnic with fellow
REALTOR® Ed Hanna.
Middle Left: A night in Hawaii: On Aug. 22,
1968 the Columbus Board of REALTORS®
held “Aloha … a Night in Hawaii,” a luauthemed party at Walnut Hills Country Club.
The night featured Limbo and Hula contests,
the Chuck Angeletti Orchestra, an authentic
Hawaiian-style dinner and dancing for $8
per person.
On Jan. 28, 1970, Raymond T. Harris is the first
African-American broker to become a member of the
Columbus Board of REALTORS®. Harris went on to
receive his CRS and GRI certificates and served on
numerous CBR committees.
March 20 – The Columbus Board of REALTORS®
reports that the MLS Committee generally agrees,
with some dissent, that the computer will ultimately
come to the real estate industry, and more importantly, to the Multiple Listing Service. The main questions remaining
are, “when, and for how much?”
Bottom Left: All that jazz: CBR’s own REALTOR® Jazz Band performed at the 1968
President’s Ball, The REALTOR® reported.
Top Right: Raymond T. Harris: The first AfricanAmerican broker to join the Columbus Board
of REALTORS®, in 1970.
Bottom Right: CBR under construction: The
office building CBR shared for nearly three
decades was built in the late 1960s.
Celebrating 100 Years... 1969
By Harley Rouda, Sr.
CBR President 1969
My motto: “I may not always be
right, but I am never in doubt.”
I started HER, REALTORS®
in 1955. By 1967, HER was the
number one residential real estate
company in Columbus and we have
never lost that position. We were,
and still are, very successful.
At that time, CBR didn’t have any
real estate education courses. I told
CBR we needed education and as
a result, I was asked to plan and
teach real estate courses, which I
did for four years.
Realvillities is one of my fondest
memories. I wrote, produced and
emceed this comedy presentation.
Many old timers still remember
seeing John Pace, Bill McCorkle
and Cecil Neff, dressed as hippies,
dancing on stage while singing
“Winchester Cathedral” with gusto.
And who can forget seeing four of
the best looking (and appropriately
costumed) CBR “Playboy Bunnies”
with the first saying, “I’ve been
assigned to the Chicago Club.’
The second followed by proudly
saying, “I’ve been assigned to the
Los Angeles Club,” and the third
said, “I’m going to the New York
Club.” At that moment, Jeri Zang
– dressed quite frumpy – walked in
and said, “I didn’t know they had a
Playboy Club in Poland!”
The incomparable Margie Coyle’s
role was the “cue-card cutie” and
she was “exciting” as the photo
included in this article reveals. The
Board photographer felt it was necessary to take photos several times
… and who could blame him?
The house sold out every time and
many talented REALTORS® made
the show a great evening!
During my career, I chaired almost
every CBR committee and the MLS
Committee for two years, which
had never been done before. I was
the only CBR President that went
through four chairs, instead of five.
cial, he probably didn’t go to as
many real estate meetings as I did,
which gave me a slight advantage.
Prior to the election, I called
John W. Galbreath and asked his
permission to use the phrase he
always used after concluding a
speech. He said, “Absolutely, but
In 1991 Habitat for Humanity
chose Columbus as its honored
city and I was named National
Honorary Chairman of Habitat for
Humanity that year. Former President Jimmy Cart came to Columbus to celebrate our being named
the honored city and I proudly
walked with him down Broad
Street to celebrate the event, giving him a brief glimpse of our great
city.
In addition to my time as CBR
President, I would be remiss to not
mention my experiences as NAR
President. In the 100 years of the
Columbus Board of REALTORS®,
we have been fortunate enough to
have two National Association of
REALTORS® Presidents – John W.
Galbreath in 1944, and myself in
1991.
In 1989, I became a candidate for
NAR’s First Vice President at the
national convention in San Francisco. For the first-time in recent
history, we had a contested race.
My opponent happened to be a
commercial REALTOR® and I was,
and still am, a residential REALTOR®. Because he was commer-
Above: Rouda with Columbus Mayor Maynard E. Sensenbrenner, and
Board Executive Vice President Larry
Chambers celebrating the mayor’s
proclamation of REALTOR® Week,
May 18-24, 1969.
Top: Three prominent Columbus REALTORS® gather in 1991: Jack Myers,
who served as CBR President in ’91,
Myrna Kobre, Past CBR President
who was serving as OAR President
in ’91 and Rouda, who was NAR
President.
Rouda and his wife Marlese after
being handed the gavel at the 1968
President’s Ball.
Taken at the Board’s 1991 Forecast
Night, Rouda was serving as NAR President and took the time to address
his hometown crowd. He showed the
capacity audience an article about
Columbus that appeared in Phoenix,
Arizona’s daily newspaper and said
the central Ohio economy is a bright
spot in the nation.
John W. Galbreath was one of the
original inductees. I was honored
in 1992 and Bob Weiler was honored several years ago.
I am slowly coming to the end of
my career, so I felt quite honored to
be installed as the sixth person in
the Hall of Fame of the NAR Certified Residential Brokers Association (CRB) last year.
Picture of Rouda while serving as
master of ceremonies during the
1967 Realvillities variety show held at
the Neil House.
make sure you win!” His phrase
was, “I may not always be right,
but I am never in doubt.” Since
then, I have used those words quite
often in my career.
Margie (Fisher Coyle) Holzer at the
1969 Realvillities talent show.
I am very thankful that we have
had great leaders as CEOs that
have contributed to our being one
of the best real estate boards in the
country. Keep up the good work for
the next 100 years!
The campaign and election was very
competitive. When the 395 votes
were counted … and counted again,
I had won by three votes! With
the help of NAR staff members, I
attended 98 committee meetings
to thank them for their dedication
and service to our industry and the
REALTOR® organization.
There have been three CBR REALTOR® members elected to the central Ohio Business Hall of Fame.
At the 1969 President’s Ball, the incoming officers for 1970 gather: Twink Starr,
Jim Owen, Brad Salt, John Hill, Gene Jaques and Rouda.
May 18 – May 18 – The Board holds its first REALTOR® Blood Donor Day during REALTOR® Week in hopes of establishing a REALTOR® Blood Bank. At the urging of Co-chairs Dean Potts and May
Morrison, 48 REALTORS® and Associates contribute a pint of blood.
June 1 – After three years of leasing office space at 200 East Town
Street from United Redevelopment Corporation, the Columbus
Board of REALTORS® Board of Trustees votes to purchase the
building, and sells bonds to members to help finance the purchase.
June 15 – C. Dale Cook becomes Executive Vice President of the
Board. Prior to CBR, Cook was affiliated with Battelle Memorial
Institute and the Big Brother Association of Columbus and Franklin
County.
The CBR Ten Million Dollar Sales Club Award begins.
1971
Oct. 14 – After years of planning, the Columbus Board’s Multiple
Listing Service first computerized system is now officially up and
running. REALTORS® Computer Services (RCS), an affiliate of the
National Association of Real Estate Boards, is the system provider.
Realtron Corporation of Detroit, Michigan, the pioneer in computerization in the real estate industry, supplies the technical services
under a contract to RCS. More than 2,500 active listings are now on
the system, and 50 different software programs allow the member,
using a black box and a telephone combination nicknamed “Charlie”
to search and manipulate the online data.
1972
Jan. 1 – As part of a tax settlement with the IRS, the Board separates
the MLS Division (and other potentially profit-making endeavors)
from the Board structure. The MLS, along with computer services,
the Homes For Sale Photoguide and the Deed Transfer Service are
now a separate corporation – a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, allowing the board to
retain its non-profit status.
Ken Sampson is hired as the Board’s Executive Officer and
serves in that position until 1983.
Ohio License Law now requires licensees to obtain 30 hours
of continuing education every two years.
Top Right: Blood Bank: Some say Co-Chairman Dean Potts should have given a quart!
Middle Right: The value of a REALTOR®: In
1971, CBR President Brad Salt instructs a
crowd at a Board holiday gathering how
to properly use and pronounce the term
REALTOR®. President-Elect Jim Owen looks
on.
Bottom Right: Before a President’s Ball in
the 1970s: CBR members Gene Jacques,
and CBR Presidents serving during the
decade, Jim Owen, ‘72, John Hill, ‘70, Brad
Salt ,‘71 and Twink Starr, ‘73, all dressed up
and ready to dance the night away.
Bottom Left: Successful sales: David F. Carruthers, receiving his Ten Million Dollar Club
award from President John Hill in 1970.
Carruthers and J. P. Kurgis were the first two
people to win the award.
The National Association of Real Estate Boards changes its name to
National Association of REALTORS® and opens membership to sales
associates. The block R is adopted as the official logo.
The Continent apartment and shopping complex opens on the city’s north
side and the first Max & Erma’s restaurant opens in German Village.
1973
June 15 – NAR’s “Identification and Communications Manual,” which
will guide use of the new bold R trademark by REALTORS® and REALTOR® associations, is distributed nationwide. “Through coordinated and
consistent use of our new logo in available visual media, one uniform
image of the REALTOR® will emerge,” said NAR President J.D. Sawyer.
Oct. 25 – Senator John W. Bricker is named CBR’s first “Outstanding
Citizen of the Year.” Concluding his acceptance speech at the dinner held
at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow, Bricker said, “There’s nothing finer
in life in my mind, than putting ones’ roots down in a community, becoming a definite part of it and staying with it.”
Nov. 13 – The MLS Committee, chaired by Cam Taylor, announces that
MLS Weekly Photo Computer Books will be printed beginning January
1974, and sold for $5 per copy.
1974
MLS publishes the first photo computer book, a weekly index of active
listings.
March 19 – “Buyer beware” changes to “seller beware” after the New
Jersey Supreme Court rules that “let the buyer beware” can no longer
govern in real property transactions, ruling a buyer can rescind a purchase contract if the seller does not voluntarily reveal hidden defects,
even if no direct request for the information is made. The lesson is
clear; a broker should learn all the facts from their client and see that
the buyer is told.
May 4 – CBR joins in tree plantings, working with the Board’s REALTOR® Pride Committee and the Boy Scouts of America on the national
“Let’s Green America” program. More than 10,000 pine tree seedlings
are planted in the most advantageous locations along a scenic walkway
in the Olentangy River Valley. The project is coordinated by CBR members Brad Johnson and Committee Chair Pat Mollica.
Top: The way things used to be done: An
MLS listing contract from 1974, long before
Internet searches and TEMPO.
Middle: REALTOR® Pride: An article from
a 1974 copy of The Columbus REALTOR®
details the volunteer project, which rehabbed and sold a Columbus home.
Bottom: Lightning fast Buckeye: Olympic
track star Jesse Owens at the 1974 Sales
Associates Day with Tom Caito and Dick
Fagen.
August – CBR announces its support of school teacher Lorrie Kapsta,
Miss Ohio and the state’s contestant in the Miss America Pagent, with
a $1,500 donation to help pay for her costs.
CBR members participate in the REALTOR® Pride project, where a
volunteer group purchased a home at 2391 North Fourth Street and
rehabilitated it, making it “the showpiece of the neighborhood,” The
Columbus REALTOR® reports. Committee Chair Pat Mollica organizes contractors and volunteers, who complete improvements including
new aluminum siding, kitchen cabinets, a roof and fresh paint. The
home is sold in September to Jim Kehoe.
The 1974 Sales Associates Day features Olympic track star and former
Ohio State Buckeye Jesse Owens.
By Rupert “Twink” Starr
CBR President 1973
The year was 1973, and I had been
sworn in as president of the Columbus
Board of REALTORS®. Our Board
was known as one of the best in the
USA! I was honored, humbled, scared
and told by a dear friend, that as a
single man I would never make it to
President. But I did. WOW!
Yes, we had a good year. We had a
good start from the planning and
talents of those before us. My officers
were Tom Caito, President-Elect;
Larry Horn, Vice President; Robert
Weiler, Secretary-Treasurer; and E.
Dean Potts, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer. It was Ken Sampson’s first full
year as CBR’s Executive Vice President and Jim Owen was our Immediate Past President.
The CBR staff included Brad Johnson
and Gail Mitchell, Board Services,
Jan Gunderson, Membership, Stan
Collins and Kathy Montag, Bookkeeping/Accounting; Mike Gautier and
Jean Lammen, MLS; Gerry Hawkes
and Shari Walters, Realtron; and Pat
Halverson, Executive Secretary.
For the Ohio Association of Real
Estate Boards (OAREB, now OAR),
Everett Brown served as President of
the Associates Division; Don Kelley,
President of the Ohio Chapter AIREA;
Ken Sampson, Chairman, Executive
Officers Committee; Jim Owen, Chairman, Membership Services; Larry
Horn, Chairman, Education; and
Donald Casey Hambleton, Chairman,
Scholarship.
Goals
Our agenda for the year centered
around three specific goals:
•Represent all of the diverse mem-
bers; increase their membership
and participation
•Give members more for their
money; better services and better
meetings
•Work with city and state agencies to
better represent homeowners
It was also time for women to take
their place in leadership roles and to
one day begin serving as president. I
appointed Myrna Kobre (East Area
Association President) to the high profile leadership position of Membership
Chair. Her abilities and leadership
skill led to her becoming president in
1979. Women were up front now and
taking on leadership roles. Margie
Coyle (Holzer) became president in
1988. Many women were to follow and
do much of the business — exactly as
some of the old timers feared.
Legal Issues
Brad Salt, who was president in 1971,
warned us of looming legal challenges:
price fixing by fee schedules, independent contractor status, city landlordtenant bill; blockbusting and steering,
which had become illegal with the
1968 Fair Housing Act. Both Toledo
and Cleveland boards were sued by
the Justice Department for violations
of the Act. We did the right thing and
no suit. The National Association of
Real Estate Boards (NAREB now
NAR) President J.D. Sawyer was
fighting the government over rent
controls. In Ohio the age of authority
was lowered making it possible for 18
year olds to sign real estate contracts
legally. Our legal council at the time,
Searles Morton, retired and Norm
Smith of Porter Wright became our
attorney.
Event Highlights
Forecast Night ‘73
“What will be in ‘73” was the theme
of our January dinner meeting, which
featured a panel of speakers including
Oscar Thomas, Sr., Dick Benjamin,
George Eckleberry and Marvin Yerke.
Harley Rouda moderated the program
and our promotion for this meeting
was “Pay $6 just to hear Marvin Yerke.
Consider the balance as a bonus”. A
typical, clever and humorous remark
by George Smith, our Columbus REALTOR® editor.
Saturday Night Luau
This April event brought back so many
wonderful memories for those who
had traveled in 1971 to the National
Convention in Hawaii, that 120 of
the 187 who made the Hawaiian trip,
unpacked their aloha shirts, mumus,
and, along with a stuffed Gorilla, sang
Tiny Bubbles and danced the evening
away to Bob Ebright’s ukulele (Bob’s
wife Nancy, chaired this event).
Speaker Norman Vincent Peale
draws sell-out crowd
“Give members more for their Money.”
And, boy did we. At great expense, we
brought in Norman Vincent Peale as
our keynote speaker for the REALTOR® of the Year Presentation, where
Oscar Thomas, Sr., was our celebrated
honoree. That year, the Selection Committee comprised Ohio Supreme Court
Chief Justice C. William O’Neill, Judge
George Marshall, Mayor Tom Moody,
and CBR’s 1970 and 1972 presidents
John Hill and Jim Owen, respectively.
Senator John Bricker gave the invocation. This event was a sell out (600
people). Peale’s presentation on “The
Power of Positive Thinking” played
well to our largest audience to-date and
received a standing ovation from all in
attendance.
Board Lot Sold
A lot we purchased in 1964 on East
Broad Street as a possible site for our
board building was sold in 1973 by
super Saleslady Martha Knepper (Richard Higgins). In our great wisdom, we
purchased the lot for $86,000, and sold
Above: Pictured here with Twink are
Senator & Mrs. Bricker and John &
Dorothy Galbreath.
Below: Pictured from l to r are Joe
McKinnon, Twink Starr, Mike Griffith
and Cam Taylor at Sales Associates
Day.
Pictured from l to r are Bob Schritzinger, CBR’s Assistant Executive Officer
Brad Johnson and Twink Star.
it for $59,000. Thanks Martha. The loss
reduced the Board’s profit for the year
50 percent. Martha kindly accepted an
engraved plaque and her 1973 dues
were paid in full. (A commission also?).
REALTOR® “R” Logo Introduced
We received early a free car bumper
sticker, a 6” window decal and a large
window poster of the new REALTOR®
“R” logo. Lapel pins were in short
supply. The new logo became effective
January 1, 1974.
REPEC (now CORPAC)
To counteract restrictive ordinances
against our industry, Ed Leppert, Chairman of the Real Estate Political Education Committee (REPEC), encouraged
all REALTORS® to give $99 to REPAC
and for associates to give $25. The total
amount raised in ‘73 was $7,000. Jim
Owen and Harley Rouda became our
two Life Members, each giving $1,000.
Largest Sales Associates Day held
at the time
At Sales Associates Day, Leo Nachtrab
(Metzger Brothers) was awarded the
1973 Associate of the Year award. Joe
MacKinnon (Larry Wade), who was
the 1972 honoree and chairman of the
event, presented the award. Sales Associates Day drew 550 people, which at
the time was the largest associates day
ever held, and featured seminars with
two nationally known inspirational
speakers.
First Citizen of the Year Award
Dick Royer chaired our Annual Business Meeting and, after conducting
business and listening to music by
Scarlet and Gray Cornerstone, CBR’s
1939 President John W. Galbreath
introduced Senator John W. Bricker as
the Board’s first Outstanding Citizen of
the Year honoree. In his remarks, the
Senator said “He might want to make
a few changes in his past life, but there
are two things he would never change:
1) His friendships and 2) Columbus
being his home forever. The town of Mt
Sterling, population 1,200, was noted
for three famous residents: Senator
Bricker, John Galbreath and Twink
Starr. And, as Twink’s Mother would
say, “Not necessarily in that order.”
President’s Ball
A fitting end to the busy REALTOR®
year was to celebrate with a Christmas
gala, where sales leaders, staff, committee chairmen and officers were recognized. That evening we splurged bringing in a nationally known Orchestra, Sy
Oliver, from the Rainbow Room in New
York City and Tommy Dorsey fame.
In closing, CBR in ‘73 was a great year
thanks to all of the members and staff,
many not named here. I thank you
again for the honor and opportunity you
gave me to be your president, which
was most fulfilling and rewarding. I
encourage all of you to be active in our
wonderful Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
“What will be in ‘73”: A great MLS
Service
MLS Committee Chairman Cam Taylor
touted the creation of the new photo
guide magazine featuring properties for
sale. Over 30,000 copies were distributed at 110 drop-off locations. Back
then, a 1/2-page ad in the guide sold for
$9. Our sales figures in 1972 were $10
million, and $17 million in 1973.
I may not be the richest, I may not be
the smartest, but I am what I am and
I’m happy. I am happy to have had a
good and long life (I’m 86 years old of
which 53 where spent with my life partner), and in having made so many great
and wonderful friends. Many of the best
were and are REALTORS®.
The Borden Building and the Rhodes Office Tower open.
The Southwest Area Realty Association is formed.
1975
January – CBR and OAR now have joint ownership of the headquarters at 200 E. Town St.
November – The weekly board newsletter, The Columbus REALTOR®, becomes a monthly, 12-page magazine called In Contract.
I-270 is completed at a cost of $150 million.
NAR leaders ratify a Voluntary Affirmative Marketing Agreement,
clarifying REALTORS® responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. The
VAMA is in effect until 1996, when it’s replaced by a fair housing partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
1976
CBR begins its partnership with the Southeast Career Center to help
students there learn home building. In Contract reports that the first
home sells almost immediately after completion.
May – An “extensive” study by NAR reveals that the average REALTOR®
makes $24,000 annually, works 50 hours per week and is 50 years old. The
median income for male REALTORS® is $24,000; for women it is $15,000.
The first Memorial Golf Tournament is held, Nationwide Plaza opens
downtown and Bicentennial Park is dedicated to commemorate
America’s 200th birthday.
CBR honors legendary OSU football coach W.W. “Woody” Hayes as the
1976 Citizen of the Year. Nearly 600 members and guests pack the Neil
House Ballroom and Past President John W. Galbreath presents Hayes
with the honor.
1977
November – The National Housing Act of 1977 raises FHA loan limits
up to $60,000 for a single family home and requires at least 3 percent
down on the first $25,000 of the loan and 5 percent of the balance.
Interest rates on a 30-year loan total 9 percent.
Columbus City Schools are desegregated by court order.
The Columbus Clippers play their first game.
Top Right: The first In Contract magazine: In
1975, CBR’s bi-monthly newsletter, The Columbus REALTOR®, became a monthly magazine.
The first cover feature was about the upcoming President’s Ball, honoring 1975 President
Larry Horn and installing 1976 President Robert
J. Weiler. In Contract continues to be published
10 times a year by the Board and has grown
from 12 pages to an average of about 60.
Bottom Right: Learning the trade: This clip
from 1976 was taken during the ribbon cutting for the first home built by SECC students.
Bottom Left: Past Presidents Gather: In October 1978, Past Presidents met for an evening
of memories, fine food and comraderie. Those
in attendance and the year they served as
president are: Bottom row left to right: John
Ranft, 1966; Myrna Kobre, President-elect 1978;
Lee Wears, 1956; Second row: Brad Johnson,
Assistant Executive Officer; Cecil Neff, 1959;
Dick Ward, 1978; John Galbreath, 1939; Dick
Royer, 1977; Ted Seckel, 1967; and Ken Sampson, Executive Vice President. Standing are:
Larry Horn, 1975; Oscar Thomas, 1961; John
Hill, 1970; Tom Caito, 1974; Harley Rouda, 1969;
Orin Morris, 1965; Paul Falco, 1963; Bob Weiler,
1976; Tom Kohr, 1960; Jim Owen, 1972; and
Marvin Yerke, 1964.
1978
The Blizzard of January 1978 shuts down much of the city.
1979
Myrna Kobre serves as the first woman President of the Columbus
Board of REALTORS®, after being elected to the position in 1978.
February – The monthly dinner meeting sells out after it is announced
that OSU Head Football Coach Earle Bruce is the guest speaker.
May 23 – The gorilla exhibit at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium opens,
with help from a donation by the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
Several CBR members and staff attend the grand opening event.
May – Sam Ligon of Sam Ligon Realty becomes the first minority broker
in Ohio and one of only seven in the country to earn the Certified Residential Broker (CRS) designation. His firm was based in Columbus and Ligon
was a graduate of Marion-Franklin High School and Franklin University.
September – CBR’s new, innovative and state-of-the-art video theater
opens at the Board offices and is available for training.
A survey by the Family Housing Bureau and Chicago Title Insurance
Co. shows that “working wives” are contributing to increased homebuying demand and higher purchasing power.
1981
The Outstanding Citizen for 1981 is John H. McConnell, founder of
Worthington Industries and well-known Columbus philanthropist.
Sam Rutigliano, Cleveland Browns Head Coach and 1979 AFC Coach
of the Year, is the guest speaker at CBR’s monthly dinner meeting, held
March 25, 1981. More than 400 people turn out to hear Coach Rutigliano
speak and enjoy dinner at the downtown Sheraton, for $10 per person.
Top Left: Grand gorilla opening: A donation
by CBR helped the long-running exhibit at
the Columbus Zoo become reality.
Middle Left: Cheering on the Browns: CBR
staff Corey Skinner (left) and Stan Collins
(right) with Cleveland Browns Head Coach
Sam Rutigliano. Skinner and Collins drove
Rutigliano home after he spoke at a 1981
dinner meeting. The Columbus Dispatch launches a Home section in the newspaper.
Gov. James Rhodes cuts the ribbon on the long-awaited opening of
state Route 315.
1982
Three past CBR presidents join to form the company Kohr-RoyerGriffith. In January, Richard L. Royer is inaugurated as OAR President.
Bottom Left: In the paper: When the Columbus Dispatch debuted a “House of the
Week” feature in the 1980s, REALTORS®
waited for weeks, sometimes months, to get
a listing in the weekly feature.
Bottom Right: History-making Myrna: In 1979
Myrna Kobre becomes the first woman to be
elected President of the Columbus Board of
REALTORS®. Kobre is shown here with good
friend and 1988 President Margie Holzer.
By Dr. Robert Weiler, Sr.
CBR President, 1976
I’m honored that 2008 President
Greg Hrabcak invited me to lead off
down memory lane. As CBR president in 1976, I’d like to provide you
with a look at what was going on
back then…
It was the Bicentennial year when
a former Michigan football player,
Gerald Ford, was our President; replaced by a Georgia peanut farmer,
Jimmy Carter, in the November election. President Ford signed a new
VA law increasing the maximum
home loan from $22,000 to $33,000.
Apple Computer Company was
formed, Microsoft officially registered with the New Mexico Secretary of State, Nadia Comaneci
earned seven perfect 10’s in the
Olympics, and the first commercial
Concorde flight took off.
Ohio’s Governor was James A.
Rhodes. Columbus’ Mayor was
Thomas Moody. John Glenn and
Robert Taft, Jr. were our state
senators and the House representatives were Chalmers Wylie and Sam
Devine.
dinners (costing $7) were held at the
Neil House Hotel which was razed in
the 1970s as was the Deshler Hotel
and the Union Station.
The downtown Lazarus store was
the place to shop with lines curling
around Town to Front Street waiting
for the air curtain doors to open.
In downtown Columbus, the Lincoln
Leveque was soon to be replaced as
the tallest building by the Rhodes
State Office Tower, which was under
construction in 1976 and completed
the following year.
According to the National Association
of REALTORS®, the average REALTOR® earned $24,000. “Let’s Green
America” was NAR’s theme.
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® was located at 200 East
Town Street in a building given by
past CBR and National President
John Galbreath for us to share with
the Ohio Association of REALTORS®.
The state convention was in Cincinnati where my roommate buddies
were President-elect Dick Royer and
President-to-be Gary Seckel. After a
night to forget, both were outstanding panel leaders while disguising
unbelievable hangovers. Also leading sessions were Sandra Falenski,
Jim Hildebrand, Doug McCloud,
John Creager, Felix Pedon and Phil
Giessler.
Past President Ted Seckel was “REALTOR® of the Year” after receiving
the Christopher Club’s “Man of the
Month”. The presentation was made
by 1975 REALTOR® of the Year,
Harley Rouda, Sr. Associate of the
Year was Gordon Christy. TwentyFive Year REALTOR® members
recognized included Past Presidents
John Ranft, Bill McCorkle, Larry
Horn, Tom Caito, Lee Wears, Emerson Wollam, Cecil Neff and my star
salesman, Sherwood Walker.
Among outstanding 1976 programs
organized by Education Chairman
Joe MacKinnon was a real estate
listing seminar with Betty McEnery,
Ray Dailey and Ron Robins provid-
John Creager was president of the
Ohio Chapter of the Farm and Land
Institute; Stan Ackley led the Institute of Real Estate Management;
Jim Owens was OAR president and
Margie Coyle (Holzer) was Chairperson-elect for REALTOR®-Associates
1977.
Ed Carr was the VP of District #3.
I was thrilled that our Board secretary/treasurer, Myrna Kobre, was in
the chairs to become our first woman
president in 1979.
Missy Weiler, a person for whom I
have the most respect and love, was
the executive secretary of the Ohio
MAI’s.
Above: Missy Weiler & John Galbreath.
William O’Neill, Chief Justice of the
Ohio Supreme Court; Dr. Robert
Murphy, OSU team physician; Ed
Weaver, athletic director; and OSU
All-American and Baltimore all pro
tackle Jim Parker. Dick Royer and I
brought our kids (see photo). Thanks
went to Tom Kohr and Jim Petropolous for lining up an awesome cast of
celebrities.
Above: In Contract Cover, January
2004.
Below: John Royer, Skip Weiler,
Woody Hayes, David Royer, and Jim
Weiler.
ing answers. Past President Tom
Kohr moderated a monthly program
in which Phil Giessler’s subject was
“Turning Your Time into Dollars”
and 1993 President George Smith’s
subject was “Contacts = Contracts”.
A definite highlight of the year was
the presentation to Woody Hayes as
Citizen of the Year by a previous
recipient named John Galbreath.
A capacity crowd of 600 in the Neil
House ballroom included past honorees former Senator John Bricker and
Robert K. Levy, president of Union
Department Store.
At the head table were speakers C.
New REALTORS® in 1976 included
Board VP Dick Ward, David Hartsook, Beverly Woodford, Ken Wears,
Steve Kahan and future president
Bill McMenamy.
Speaking of future presidents, I had
business cards made for my younger
son, Jim, age 11 with “Future REALTOR®” inscribed. He accompanied
me as I visited every broker’s office
to hand out “Who is Uncle Sam?”
books. Little did I foresee Jim as a
professor living in Africa while his
older brother would be board president in 2004.
In 1975, President Larry Horn initiated a wonderful project. The Board
underwrote an artist whose paintings remain on the walls of the burn
unit of Children’s Hospital.
For 1976, we initiated the Bicentennial Home Construction Project in
cooperation with Columbus Board of
Education’s Southeast Career Center. On Alum Creek Drive, the students had been constructing rooms
inside their building only to be dismantled at year end. Thanks to C.V.
Perry, the Board was given a nearby
vacant lot on which the students,
with faculty supervision, built a new
home for sale. Proud parents, family
members and friends joined REALTORS® at the open house before the
home sold. Happily, a foundation has
been formed created from proceeds
from new homes successfully built
throughout the years.
Making my year a 365 day ego trip
was Board EO, Ken Sampson. Ken
was one of the most likeable people
you’ll ever know and he had countless real estate friends not only
in Columbus, but throughout the
country. Ken was short in stature
but big of heart. He was a sucker
for novelties and he bought promotional items from pens to mirrors
to engraved ice cream scoopers
(thank you very much).
Brad Johnson was Ken’s assistant
EO. Ken and Brad were referred to
by my business partner of 40 years,
Past President Don Kelley, as Mutt
and Jeff. The National Convention
was in Houston where Brad made
arrangements for us at every fancy
restaurant which must have made
a big dent in the Board treasury.
Some statistics…
Under Pat Mollica’s chairmanship, MLS received 20,996 listings
(44,806 through October 2007);
10,599 closings (21,291); Average
sale price $38,872 ($173,122).
Our CBR staff in 1976 included
George Van Fossen, Mike Gautier
and Stan Collins. Speaking of
loyalty! How blessed we are to
have Larry Metzger pick up where
Ken left off. After returning from
numerous state and national conventions, I always felt reassured
that our Board was the best in the
country.
On a personal note, I joined the
Board in its 49th year being 1957.
It was the best business decision
I’ve ever made. Over the past 50
years, I’ve met some of the most
generous, friendliest, smartest,
and honest people I’ve ever known.
In fact, most of my best friends are
members of the Board.
By Myrna Kobre
CBR President, 1979
1979…that was my year and what
a year it was! I became the 71st
President of the Columbus Board
of REALTORS®…and their first
woman!
Hard to believe that 29 years have
past and we are now celebrating 100
years of service and education to our
members.
The issue of women entering the
Board as REALTOR® members was
very controversial. The Columbus
Board of REALTORS® was the last
large metropolitan board in the
country to allow women to join. An
article from the November 17, 1960
issue of The REALTOR® newsletter
said:
“Without question, the most interesting and perhaps most controversial changes was the so-called
Women’s Issue and after the ballots
were counted several times, the committee certified that the election was
over that the Board can now accept
applications for members from the
fairer sex. This change in our constitution WILL NOT and we repeat
WILL NOT alter our Summer Stag
Picnic.”
was utter silence from all. Never
mind the looks that went around the
table. I had really laid an egg! From
that moment on I resolved to handle
this position as myself, not one of
the boys.
We did change that…eventually.
Back to 1979…To go up in the chairs
of CBR back then, it was a time commitment of five years. Our installation was held at the Neil House
Hotel and the officers installed were:
Asst. Secretary-Treasurer, Raymond
Dailey; Secretary-Treasurer, Joseph
MacKinnon; Vice President, Gary
Seckel; and President-Elect was Michael Griffith. At this event we also
honored our Award Recipients. Our
membership for CBR was approximately 5,500 people. The high award
at that time was called “Diamond”
and five people were honored. The
next category was “Gold” and there
were 13 honored. Last was “Silver”
with 30 honorees.
In 1979 (and for many years following) the Columbus Board had
monthly dinner meetings. Many
were held at the Neil House Hotel and we always had a special
program with guest speakers. In
February, we had Earle Bruce as our
speaker and needless to say it was
a sellout. There was a cash bar and
the cost of dinner was $5.00!
The Board accomplished a number of projects in 1979 that would
There are many stories I could tell
about being your “first lady” and
how it changed many old time traditions.
First of all, for many years the past
presidents had an annual dinner
meeting where they ate, drank,
played cards and swapped jokes.
“What are we going to do about
her?” were the remarks carried
back to me. So, on the evening of
my first dinner, I thought long and
hard about how I could make them
comfortable and become one of “the
boys.” As we all sat down to dinner,
I ordered a scotch, lit up a cigar,
and told a really dirty joke. There
Above: 1978 President Dick Ward
passes the gavel of leadership to
1979 President Myrna Kobre. Officers
serving with President Kobre in 1979
were: President-Elect Michael Griffith,
Oscar L. Thomas Co.; Vice President
Gary Seckel, Ted & Gary Seckel Co.;
Secretary-Treasurer Joe MacKinnon,
Larry Wade & Co.; and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer; Ray Dailey, Business
Centers, Inc.
Above: President Kobre expresses a
sincere thanks to Coach Earle Bruce
for his appearance at the February
Dinner Meeting and presents him
with a gift.
Below: The newest concept in real
estate sales training was the CBR
Video Theatre, which seated 25 and
was made available for members to
conduct sales training classes. It featured a complete video tape set-up
with a 50-inch Sony viewing screen
and a video-tape player/recorder.
benefit our community and involved
many of our members.
•We donated a new home for the
Great Ape Exhibit to our Columbus Zoo.
•Our paint program in the Linden
Area under the guidance of the
Columbus Neighborhood Housing
Services is a thriving, successful
model for other cities throughout
the country.
•Our Home Construction Project
with the Southeast Career Center
has sold its third model home built
by our young people, and is now
working on its fourth.
•We invested in our Children’s
future by our financial support of
two very special reports designed
to better our Columbus School
System. One was done by Citizen
Research and one by a special
committee of the Columbus Board
of Education.
•We established the first Buckeye
Federal-Columbus Board of REALTORS® Scholarship Program for
collegiate students majoring in
Real Estate.
•A new official CBR “Agreement to
Lease” form was designed through
the hard work of a devoted committee.
•We told the public that “Now is the
Time to Buy a Home” through a
special radio campaign on WCOL.
•We celebrated a strong Private
Property Week.
•We contributed to our Columbus
Symphony Orchestra.
•We adopted the Affirmative Marketing Agreement with HUD.
•Our commitment to the REALTORS® Political Action Campaign
was most successful.
•We offered another “first” to our
members – for continuing education – our new Video Theatre.
•Our commitment for more
education for our members was
evidenced by many seminars
throughout the year.
All in all it was a great year!
Top: Columbus Council Candidate Dorothy Teeter discussing housing issues
with Max Holzer and President Kobre.
Bottom: CBR officially adopted the NAR approved Affirmative Marketing
Agreement - an official indication of the CBR’s commitment to Equal Opportunity in Housing - on Wednesday, December 12, 1979. Pictured above
are Ken Sampson, CBR Executive Vice President and President Kobre, at the
signing the document with Sylvester Angel, Area Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at that time.
Issue 1 is passed by Ohio voters, allowing the creation of bond money
for first-time homeowners. Governor Richard Celeste signs it into law
on Jan. 29, 1983.
With rates in the double digits, REALTORS®, builders and lenders
form the Committee to Lower Mortgage Interest Rates.
REALTOR® Bowl-A-Thons are organized to raise funds for Easter
Seals. Century 21 Broker Pug Pepper organizes the events and helps
raise $20,000 for the charity.
1983
CBR holds its first auction benefiting R-PAC at the newly opened
Marriott Inn North. Tickets cost $10 per person and the auction nets
$20,000 for R-PAC.
In spring 1983, the Columbus Area Community Housing Resources
Board (CHRB) receives a grant from the Department of Housing and
Urban Development to raise public awareness of equal opportunity
in housing for central Ohioans. CBR member Jack Myers serves
as the Board’s representative to the group and helps with the 1983
campaign “You can live anywhere you want to,” which includes local
advertising and a research study.
June – Ken Sampson retires as CBR’s EO and Brad Johnson is appointed as his replacement.
The city’s trash burning power plant starts operation and American
Electric Power opens corporate headquarters in downtown Columbus.
1984
The Delaware MLS merges with CBR, forming a single MLS system
for both Franklin and Delaware counties.
HUD announces the ARM – Adjustable Rate Mortgage as an alternative financing instrument.
The CBR $25 Million Dollar Sales Award is created and Phil Giessler,
Peg Higginbotham and Jane Stone are the first REALTORS® to receive the honor.
Top Right: In 1982, Century 21 broker Pug
Pepper helps organize charity REALTOR®
Bowl-A-Thons to benefit Easter Seals. The
events raised more than $20,000 for the local
chapter of the charity. Pepper and his associates also held a spaghetti dinner and a yard
sale that year to help support the Easter Seals
Center, which provided physical and other
therapies for children with disabilities. In this
photograph from In Contract, Pepper poses
with Easter Seals poster child Heather Boggs.
Bottom Right: MLS listings via computer: What
“online” listings looked like in the mid-1980s
MLS system.
Bottom Left: Dining together: Bill Clifford,
Sandy Schupp and Grace Dunlevy enjoying
a CBR event.
1985
January – The Madison County Board of REALTORS® joins CBR and
the MLS; a few months later Pickaway County enters a joint MLS contract with CBR and the Board’s MLS is now covering four counties.
Nov. 1 – Larry Metzger, CAE, is hired as Executive Vice President, following Brad Johnson’s resignation.
October – The board dedicates the Galbreath Education Center in
honor of Past President John W. Galbreath.
The October 1985 dinner meeting ends a little messy for President Ed
Carr. After the business was over, President-Elect Sandy Simpson lauded
Carr’s efforts and then clobbered him with a cream pie he had purchased
at the R-PAC auction held by CBR earlier that year. Before Carr could
regain his composure, Jerry White clobbered him with a second pie.
Past CBR President Dr. Robert Weiler, Sr. is unanimously appointed to
the Columbus City School Board to serve a vacated term, through 1987.
The Bexley, Eastmoor, Berwick Area REALTOR® Association is formed.
The last issue of The Citizen Journal newspaper is printed.
NAR launches American Home Week.
1986
From Top Left: First: Messy meeting: President
Ed Carr got two extra desserts at the October
1985 dinner meeting, thanks to Sandy Simpson and Jerry White.
From Top Left: Second: Award Winners: 1986
Salesperson of the Year Doug McCloud congratulates 1987 award winner Charlott Van
Steyn. Both would go on to become CBR Presidents; Van Steyn in 1994 and McCloud in 2005.
From Top Left: Third: Leadership: 1938 CBR
and 1944 NAR President John W. Galbreath
with CEO Larry Metzger in the mid 1980s, soon
after Metzger started with the Board.
In October, the name of the MLS is changed to the Columbus and
Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service – a name still in effect today – to reflect the joint relationships with surrounding areas
including Delaware, Pickaway and Madison counties.
1987
In 1987, three past CBR Presidents, Bob Weiler, Don Kelley and Max
Holzer, along with 1987 CBR President Richard Fagan and several
CBR members and staff join together with officials from Franklin
County, the city of Columbus and private companies to create the
Columbus Neighborhood Partnership, what is today known as the
Columbus Housing Partnership. With the public and private sector
working together, CHP is founded to provide adequate housing for
Columbus’ low-income and homeless citizens. In its initial year, CHP
has a budget of $2.5 million, including a $150,000 donation by CBR.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center opens.
Bottom Left: Waiting tables: 1987 President
Richard Fagan serves Jennie Briggs during
Sales Associates Day.
Above: Past President’s gather: EO Ken Sampson with CBR Past Presidents
John Galbreath and Oscar Thomas,1986.
By Max Holzer (pic. with wife Margie)
CBR President, 1983
I am pleased to share with today’s
CBR Members highlights and antidotes of my “Long Past” (ancient) year
as CBR President.
President Joe MacKinnon handed me
the gavel in December 1982. Notice
in the pictures on this page his big
smile!! In Joe’s year he had screwed
things up so bad that interest rates
across the country were at 18%. I
wasn’t really sure that I wanted to be
President, but as you will notice in
the same picture, I smiled and took
the gavel. No one ever said I was
real bright! However, Joe managed
the Board’s capital and controlled
expenses superbly in light of a major
reduction in the Board Membership to
4,500 REALTOR® Members.
But, with the exceptional guidance of
our Executive Officer, Ken Sampson,
and the support of an extra-ordinary
staff led by Brad Johnson, Stan Collins, Mike Gautier, Kathy Elliott, Corey Skinner and Marge Gehring (they
were all bright, caring, dedicated and
very hardworking) they made me look
really good and kept the wind in my
sail!
Ken Sampson was truly special. But
after six months with me (and 31
years of REALTOR® service) he threw
in the towel and retired! Then Brad
Johnson was stuck with me for the
rest of the year!
The Board of Trustees were all mature
leaders and, with little or no coaxing,
established, for the very first time,
a financially responsible retirement
plan for Ken and subsequent Board
Executive Officers.
In the last three years, 1980-1981-
1982, we were in a full blown recession across the entire country with
“first time” homebuyers and elective
buyers and sellers almost completely
out of the market and the mortgage
markets so turbulent that our recent
mortgage crisis looks to me, more like
“a day at the beach”.
So the Columbus Board of REALTORS® Leadership Team took action.
After going to Washington D.C. and
hearing President Reagan say that
Ohio was one of only three states in
the USA that did not have a Mortgage
Revenue Bond Program, CBR created
an alliance with the Ohio Savings and
Loan League and generated State
Issue I and House Bill I which was
passed by the Ohio voters and signed
into law by Governor Richard Celeste.
A great example of how the private
sector can work with government to
solve problems.
REALTOR® to chair a new “ad Hoc”
committee not only did they not turn
me down, but accepted the challenge
enthusiastically!!
Harley Rouda accepted the Chairmanship of our first Civic Planning
Committee, so as to insure that REALTORS® would become prominently
active in the shaping of civic and
cultural activities in central Ohio.
So, we did it! We turned the central
Ohio Real Estate Market around. The
credit goes to all of CBR’s members
for their committed hard work and
guidance!
Inflation came under control nationally under Paul Voelker’s tenure as
In January 1983, home sales rose 41%
over January 2002; February CBR
sales were up 23%; March sales up
63.3%.
CBR’s Leadership Team also initiated
a “First Time” homebuyer program
with a very valuable “First Time”
Mortgage Financing Package. Then
the Officers and Trustees at CBR realized that our MLS service needed to
cover the entire Central Ohio market
as buyers needed to see what was
available in Lancaster, Delaware,
Marysville, etc. So we met with the
leaders in those Boards and kicked off
the first ever regional MLS.
It was a very busy year and the single
factor that I appreciated the most,
was that every time I asked a fellow
Above: John Galbreath, Max Holzer,
Emmerson Wollam
Top: Dick Fagen, Joe McKinnon, Ken
Sampson, Max Holzer
Columbus Mayor Tom Moody and
Max Holzer
Above: Past-President Dick Fagan
takes his chance in the chair at the
dunking booth.
Chairman of the Federal Banking
System and I pray to God that our Nation has the character and fortitude
to see to it that inflation continues
to be controlled and that the federal
budget is ultimately balanced so that
our hardworking people do not have to
make such sacrifices again.
Right: Ground breaking ceremony for
the 8th house to be built by Southeast Career Center students through
the CBR Building Project. This was
CBR’s 12th year partnering with the
SECC, giving SECC students handson training in building trades by
constructing a house.
By Margie Coyle Holzer
CBR President, 1988
I remember the night my friend,
Myrna Kobre (CBR’s first woman
president), installed me as the second
woman president of the Columbus
Board of REALTORS®. I was proud.
My mother was there - eighty-eight
years old who had broken her hip and
had surgery five days before. She got
a standing ovation from 1,100 plus
attendees. That was the beginning of
a wonderful year for me.
them would become Board Presidents.
OAR officers were Steve Casper,
President; Jim Keyes, President-Elect;
and Phil Barnes, Treasurer.
The other officers installed were Bill
McMenamy, President-Elect; Nancy
Sharp, Vice President; Jack Myers,
Secretary Treasurer; and Pat Grabill,
Assistant Treasurer.
I remember the monthly Board meetings at the Neil House Hotel. Awards
Dinners and programs with speakers.
But after the meeting we went to the
Ionian Room at the hotel where they
had a live band and we would dance
and socialize. Almost everyone went.
It was a great way to meet your fellow
REALTORS® from all over the city.
Good cooperative promotion.
Trustees installed that evening were
Richard Alt, Jennie Briggs, Sam Calhoun, Jim Henley, Bruce Massa, Doug
McCloud, Bob Miller, Dean Potts,
Dick Strait, George Smith, Pauline
Tingley, Rick Weber and Affiliate
Debbie Gorman. What a team! Five of
Presidential election year…volatile
stock market…heavy FHA bankruptcies…sound familiar? Static interest
rate though -- 10.25% fixed for 30
years for a “jumbo loan” with a maximum loan of $250,000.
In March, we welcomed our new OSU
football coach, John Cooper. He de-
lighted us with jokes and stories about
his football coaching career and his
hopes for the success of the upcoming
season and many Michigan wins to
come. That part did not happen! He
showed us a buckeye that his father
had given him for luck in his new job.
After he left the dais, I realized he had
left his good luck buckeye. Being an
Don Kelley and Margie Coyle
OSU fan I made sure he did not leave
it behind.
Past President, Richard Fagan
received the REALTOR®-Broker of
the year award presented to him by
the 1973 REALTOR®-Broker of the
year, Don Kelly. REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year was presented to
Pauline Tingley by 1987 REALTOR®
Salesperson of the Year, Charlotte Van
Steyn.
The officers and trustees approved the
addition of an Inspection Clause to
our ONE page contract form. Business
First headlines read “Radon Threatens Columbus Real Estate Industry”.
CBR President Margie Coyle accepts an Award of Appreciation
from the Enterprise Foundation. Jim
Rouse, International developer and
founder of The Enterprise Foundation, national non-profit organization
that provides affordable housing,
had returned to Columbus to see the
progress of the Columbus Enterprise
Project which CBR had been instrumental in bringing to Columbus the
previous year. CBR pledged $150,000
to the Columbus Housing Partnership, Enterprise’s local development
corporation. Pictured are Mayor
Rinehart, Coyle and Jim Rouse, developer and founder of The Enterprise Foundation.
The problem is radon a colorless,
odorless, radioactive gas. Preliminary
tests on 6,000 houses show three out of
every four have unacceptable levels of
radon. Fortunately, we decided not to
include radon in our inspection clause.
You know the rest of the story…you
had to be locked in the basement for 75
years to affect your health.
CBR sponsored an Easter Seals
Telethon. REALTORS® serving on the
panel were Jack Myers, John Neibarger, Diane Blackwood, Charlotte
Van Steyn, Pat Grabill, Margie Coyle,
Bruce Dooley and Nanci Sutliff.
April 1988, we celebrated 20 years
of the Fair Housing Act. This was a
milestone in the history of civil rights
in the United States (CBR announced
the addition of the course, Fair Housing Law and Practice in Real Estate to
its curriculum).
The Columbus Board of REALTORS®
and Southeast Career Center broke
ground for the construction of the
eighth house to be built by SECC
students through the CBR Building
Project. In 1976, President Weiler
deposited $21,000 in a trust fund for
SECC students to use in purchasing
lots and building materials. Proceeds
from the sale of the homes went toward construction of another home.
The success of this Board, of course, is
the membership. However, the support
staff is exceptional and in my opinion
the best in the country. We could not
be where we are today without Ken
Sampson with whom I worked many
years on many committees and Larry
Metzger who makes us all look good.
Thank you Larry for all you do.
I have been a member of the Board
since 1960, the year when women were
first allowed membership in the Board
– and some men actually wore black
bands on their sleeves in protest. Most
of those have gone to the great beyond.
It has been a great journey and I have
made many dear friends, but none
more dearly than the man I married
and the reason I sign…Margie Coyle
Holzer.
I would be remiss if I did not pay
tribute to the man who inspired us all
– John W. Galbreath (1897-1988) who
said ”I want to be thoroughly used up
when I leave this earth, for the harder
I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life
for its own sake. Life is no brief candle
for me. It is a splendid torch which I
have got hold of for the moment and
I want to make it burn as brightly as
I can before passing it on to future
generations.”
Humorous Antidote
Years before my presidency, LET’S
GREEN AMERICA was a big thing
and the Columbus Board was given
2,000 pine seedlings to plant north of
I-270 along the Olentangy River. As
the Public Relations Committee Chairman, I called the Dispatch and other
local papers and made arrangements
for four Boy Scout troops to plant the
seedlings.
Everything was going fine – the school
bus of scouts arrived, pictures were
taken, hands shaken and lots of people
were there. All of a sudden everyone
RPAC Chairperson Sandy Schupp
models the church bench at the
Live Auction!!!
R-PAC Committee Member
Jerry Lux points
at an anxious
bidder on the
floor.
R-PAC Chairperson Grace
Dunlevy models
a Blue Fox Coat
that was up for
bid at the R-PAC
Auction.
had left except two troops of blind Boy
Scouts, two troop leaders and me with
2,000 pine seedlings.
I lived close, so I got my sons, Jeff
and Kelly, to help. We used ropes
with knots tied every three feet for a
seedling to be planted. One 10-year old
scout was swinging his shovel over his
head shouting “I hate these $#@! $#@!
trees. I hope these %#@! %#@! trees
die”. I said, “Now you really don’t
mean that, let me help you”. He said,
“And I hate women.” Most of the day
was like that.
We planted about 1,500 seedlings and
I gave the scouts 500 to plant at the
Wyandotte School for the Blind.
1988
March – The monthly dinner meeting features guest speaker and new
OSU Head Football Coach John Cooper.
The Hilliard Area REALTORS® Association is founded.
The Riffe Center opens downtown.
1989
The CBR Member Services Committee announces endorsement of a
car phone package through Ameritech Mobile Communication for all
CBR members.
On March 27, 1989 CBR President Bill McMenamy welcomes NBC
News Chief Economics Correspondent and bow-tie aficionado Irving
R. Levine appropriately by donning an oversized red-polka-dotted
bowtie himself. Several other CBR members wore costume bowties for
Levine, who spoke on “The Bush Administration and the Nation’s
Economy.”
From Top Left: First and Second Answering phones for a good cause: Dozens of
volunteers from the Columbus Board of
REALTORS® answered phone calls from
donors during the annual Easter Seals Telethon, in 1988. Bowl-A-Thons and spaghetti
dinners were also among the fund raisers
organized by area REALTORS® on behalf
of Easter Seals during the 1980s.
From Top Left: Third: Expo ’88: Now held
at the Aladdin Shrine Center, REALTORS®
packed Veteran’s Memorial in the 1980s for
the annual CBR Expo.
From Top Left: Fourth: Saving them from
the landfill: Volunteers gathered in 1989
to recycle thousands of outdated MLS
books for charity.
Top Right: On the radio: 1989 President Bill McMenamy (left) and 1988
President Margie Coyle Holzer answer questions on the local market during an interview on WOSU AM.
Bottom Right: A formal affair: Bill McMenamy donned an over-sized bowtie in honor of Irving Levine at a 1989 dinner meeting.
By Bill McMenamy
CBR President, 1989
I was honored in 1989 when the
members of the Columbus Board of
REALTORS® selected me to be their
president and I’m honored now in
2008 to have been selected by the
100th Anniversary Committee to
write one of the articles of celebration.
1989 was an historic year in which
the Berlin wall opened and the East
German Government resigned. In
China, the Tiananmen Square uprising took place and in Alaska the supertanker Exxon Valdez grounded on
Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound.
In the U.S., the express freeway collapsed during the 1989 San Francisco
Earthquake.
At the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, we instituted the first two
day leadership training session for
our officers, trustees and committee
chairs and focused on the needs of
our members.
The other 1989 officers were Nancy
Sharp, President Elect; Jack Myers,
Vice President; Pat Grabill, Secretary-Treasurer and George Smith,
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.
Our returning trustees were Dick Alt,
Sam Calhoun, Bruce Massa, Doug
McCloud, Dean Potts, Pauline Tingley and Rick Weber and our newly
elected trustees were Pat KearnsDavis, Barbara Lach, Pat O’Neil and
Felix Pedon. Our associate trustee
was Jeff Brader.
In addition to our officers, the five
underlined trustees all served as
president of the Columbus Board of
REALTORS® and three also served
as President of the Ohio Association
of REALTORS® as did two of our officers. WOW! That’s impressive. That
leadership training obviously worked.
What also worked was Larry
Metzger, our wonderful executive
officer, who has become widely known
for his political acumen and excellent lobbying skills. What a friend we
have in Larry. He has made Board
service so worthwhile and so much
fun for all of us. Larry is so skilled at
his craft he makes the conventions
come alive so that all participants
can be their most effective in representing our members and guarding
our collective best interests. After
the work day, relaxing at dinner at
one of his favorite restaurants, I
found myself so impressed with his
judgement that, when it was my turn
to order, I would look at the waitress
and order the exact same dinner that
Larry had ordered.
ting year in 1987. Building permits
for single family homes hit more than
4,000 keeping pace with 1988. Vacation homes became a larger part of
the market for residential specialists.
That year, we had 12,680 sales from
30,333 listings at an average sales
price of $90,215 per unit. Those
figures are approximately one half
of today’s market figures in each category. Multi-family building permits
were up to 700 over 1987, and it was
a good year for specialized multi-family development, those developments
that targeted a specific market.
Our downtown and suburban office
vacancy rates were lower than the
national average as well as many
Ray Boll and Barbara Lach were the
25 Million Dollar Sales Club winners;
there were 51 One Million Dollar
Sales Club winners and 25 Five Million Dollar Sales Club winners.
Jeff Murray was President of the
Northeast Area Realty Association. Lynda Long was President of
the Westerville Area Association,
Steve Kahn was President of IREM
and past president Don Kelley was
named “Catholic Man of the Year”.
Diane Blackwood was MLS chairperson and, as an aside, when my
company later bought the Coldwell
Banker company in 1992 she was the
manager of our Westerville office.
In 1989 home sales in Columbus
continued to boom after a record set-
Above: McMenamy at radio interview with Margie Holzer.
Below: McMenamy at President’s
Ball.
and were instrumental in the success
achieved by that very worthwhile
organization.
McMenamy with Elvis on velvet.
surrounding Midwestern cites, and
industrial vacancy was on par with
the national average. Asbestos was
the buzz word of concern for our commercial industrial practitioners, and
we would all soon begin to feel the ill
effects of the retro-active 1986 Federal Tax Act, which shut down the
savings and loan industry. Columbus
was a shining star in the Midwest, an
island of hope and prosperity within
the newly named “rustbelt”.
Mayor Buck Rinehart and Columbus Public Schools Superintendent,
Ron Etheridge, were special guests
at our February meeting. In March
we greeted NBC newsman Irving
R. Levine, who did more for the bow
tie than anyone until current OSU
President Gordon Gee. Also at that
March meeting we presented a long
time friend of the board, Congressman Chalmers Wylie, with the CBR
Award of Appreciation.
At the annual awards night meeting we recognized Marge Drake,
Salesperson of the Year, Margie Coyle
Holzer, REALTOR® of the Year, and
Pete Edwards CBR Citizen of the
Year. CBR’s other activities included
support for the Columbus Housing
Partnership. We regularly interacted
with executive director Beth Hughs
The friendships made through the
are very special and are forged from
a time commitment which is special
and unique among trade groups.
Those relationships are very important to us personally, but give our
group a special power which only
comes from combined effort.
My 1989 year began with my induction into the office of president by
past president Marvin Yerke. Many
of you remember what a humorous
and funny man Marvin could be and
that night he was at the top of his
form. He set the stage for a funfilled year which I will never forget.
After my year was over I received a
letter from the then oldest living past
president of CBR, Leigh Koebel, who
thanked me for my service. Leigh
was a true gentleman who embodied
great qualities each of us respects
and wants to emulate.
The induction was fun filled and very
public, the letter reading very private
and very touching. Both men very
unique, good friends of my parents
and very important to me. Marvin
danced with my mother at a dance
club they all belonged to. Leigh sold
my mom and dad the lot on South
Stanwood Road in Bexley where
they built the home I grew up in. All
of us active in the Columbus Board
of REALTORS® have great stories
of friendship we can tell. Leigh was
president in 1928, Marvin in 1964.
The members of the Columbus Board
of REALTORS® have been a catalyst
for actions that made our association
one of the absolute best in the country. Ponder the effect John Galbreath
had on the skyline of Columbus.
Consider the impact he and Harley
Rouda, Sr. had on our industry while
serving as presidents of NAR. Consider the strength our organization
gained when John Galbreath and Dr.
Bob Weiler donated successive locations which allowed our former Town
Street and current Board facilities to
be state of the art at successive times
during our operating history. The
impact of the Columbus Board of REALTORS® has been very widespread
and each of our many members
should take pride in and feel responsible for our influence on our industry, our city, and our country over
these 100 years since our founding.
McMenamy with Irving Levine and crew at dinner meeting.
September – CBR and REALTORS® kick off a drive to recycle thousands of outdated MLS books. At that time about 1,900 were printed
and distributed per week. Proceeds from the program are expected to
net about $19,000 for charity.
Columbus City Center Mall and the Wexner Center for the Arts open.
1990
The February edition of In Contract features an article titled “Only computer-literate REALTORS® will prosper” by Steve Hilsman, a member
of the Columbus Real Estate Computer Users Group Committee, which
touts the benefits of computerization in the real estate industry.
May 18 – CBR sponsors a Roast of Jack Hanna, Director of the Columbus Zoo, to help raise funds for the new Columbus City Schools’
“I Know I Can” program, which helps local children attend college.
Columbus becomes Ohio’s largest city with a population of 632,910.
Franklin County has a population of 961,437.
The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State and the Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral open.
1991
After serving as CBR President in 1969, and OAR
President in 1986, Harley E. Rouda, Sr. becomes NAR
President.
The Board’s first Volunteer Service Awards are handed
out during the 1991 Forecast Night. Fourteen REALTORS® are awarded plaques commemorating their
commitment to community service and volunteerism.
May – CBR President Jack Myers announces committee appointees
to study space needs for the next 10 years and a second committee to
study operational costs of the existing location versus a new building.
Top Right: Past Presidents: Robert Denmead,
1953 President and Bill McCorkle, 1968 President, gather at a Past President’s Dinner.
Top Left: NAR President: CBR member Harley E. Rouda served as President of the National Association of REALTORS® in 1991
Bottom Left: Honoring volunteers: This clip from a 1991 In Contract
shows the first receipients of the Volunteer Service Award.
Middle Right: Discussing business: From
left to right, 1959 President Cecil Neff and
1970 President John Hill talk with CEO Larry
Metzger at a Past President’s Dinner in the
late 1980s.
Bottom Right: Going on safari: Jim Owen
and Barb Lach selling raffle tickets during the
1990 Roast of Zoo Director Jack Hanna.
July – CBR establishes the REALTORS® Foundation Fund at the
Columbus Foundation. The fund supports real estate related programs and entities whose goals are to improve the overall real estate
environment in central Ohio. The first three Cornerstone Members
of the Foundation Fund were Past Presidents Donald Kelley, Thomas
Kohr and Paul Falco.
“Creating a tax-deductible way for members to influence their own
profession will have an impact far beyond our lifetime,” says
Immediate Past President Nancy Sharp in 1991.
The Santa Maria ship in the Scioto River is dedicated.
1992
Before there was CORPAC, there was R-PAC and central Ohio REALTORS® solidly support the political action arm of NAR. During the
annual R-PAC Auction in 1992, Brad Bennett and Sandy Schupp dress
as Uncle and “Aunt” Sam and collect donations throughout the evening,
which includes both live and silent auctions and a buffet at Villa Milano.
Ameriflora celebrates Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America
and brings two million visitors to Columbus.
Dorcas T. Helfant of Virginia Beach becomes the first woman president of NAR.
Top Left: Giving the gift of life: 1991 President Jack Myers donates blood during
that year’s Sales Associates Day.
Middle Left: Protecting her picnic basket:
Erika Blumenstein watches for competing
bids during the 1992 R-PAC silent auction.
Bottom Left: Over here: Lyn Charobee
bidding on a hot item during a 1990s-era
R-PAC auction.
Top Right: Uncle & Aunt Sam: Brad Bennett
and Sandy Schupp solicit donations from
Phil Brown and Barbara Lach at the 1992
R-PAC Auction.
Bottom Right: Columbus Housing Partnership: 1992 President Pat Grabill with Beth
Hughes, the first Director of the CHP.
By Nancy Sharp
CBR President, 1990
In the early 90s, the process for going through the chairs to become
the board president consisted of a
five-year preparation. Although 1990
was a year I had looked forward to
for a long time, when my turn came
for that office, I was grateful for the
preparation.
CBR’s Forecast Night, on a frosty
night in January, was our first program and featured the chief economist
for Citicorp, William W. Garrison. He
was the keynote speaker at the Village Milano on Schrock Road.
The Board announced that the previous year’s home sales included 12,180
sales with an average price of $94,884.
(You may be interested to note that
there were 26,544 sales in 2007, with
the average closing price of $177,228.)
The next big news was that for the
first time, the Ohio Housing Finance
Agency released first-time homebuyer
money at 7.9%. The market was
at 10%! Many of us remember taking food and encouragement to our
clients, who were patiently standing with their contracts in hand, as
they stood for hours in long lines
that formed around the participating
institutions.
During the summer, yet another
survey of members indicated that they
were very concerned with the REALTOR® public image. This concern
was not unique to Ohio, and has been
reflected nationally in NAR’s “image
campaign”, which has shown measurable positive results in recent years.
We had polled our members to ascertain their concerns, and with those
results in hand, set our goals for the
new decade to include increasing
selling skills and increased professionalism. As a part of the professionalism goal, we wanted to increase our
political image and activity within the
community as well.
We were all happy in June as the Ohio
Housing Finance agency again released $282 million in low-cost mortgage money for first-time homebuyers,
with rates over two percent below the
current market. The requirements
for qualification included a maximum household income of no more
the $36,000 to $50,040 – the higher
amount was accepted for purchases in
targeted areas.
The market expectation was that 1990
would be very similar to 1989. We
were informed that the average home
price in Ohio for 1989 had increased
by 3.5% (sound familiar?). With a
lot of enthusiasm and excitement (I
remember we talked a lot about a new
decade), we were off.
The sea change that affected my
presidential year, however, came in
that summer of 1990, when agency
representation took center stage in
our industry. The new law required
that an agency disclosure statement
be submitted to the principals in every
transaction.
Our RPAC auction, headed by Mike
Alpert, auctioneer and Elvis impersonator, was very successful that
spring.
Historically, of course, without an
agreement to the contrary, all agents
were considered to be agents of the
seller.
Changing long-standing habits was
not an easy thing, and to say that this
subject impacted the last half of my
year as your president is an understatement. We answered questions
daily, contributed to and attended
classes on the subject, created new
forms, etc., busy, busy.
Angela Pace MC’d CBR’s roast
of Jack Hanna to benefit “I Know
I Can.” Pictured with Jack and
wife Suzi are roasters Bill Wolfe, the
Columbus Dispatch; Mike Greene,
Greene Media; Dave Tebay, Tebay
Enterprises and Joe Stegmayer,
Worthington Industries. 430 people
attended this event and helped CBR
raise $29,124 for “I Know I Can”.
Nancy and Jack Myers accepted
a plaque from the Columbus Housing Partnership in recognition of the
board’s commitment to helping
provide affording housing in central
Ohio.
We counted, and found that we had
pulled ahead of last year’s sales.
Above: 1990 Award winners: Bill
McMenamy, REALTOR® Broker of the
Year; Melvin Schottenstein, Citizen of
the Year; Jerry Lux, REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year.
Below: President Sharp interviews
Carol Caito at Sales Associates Day
while Mike Tabor looks on..
However, I believe that most of you
will agree with me that as of today,
eighteen years later, the net result
has been a better understanding and
increased professionalism among our
members, as well as a better informed
public.
And we had also organized a faster
electronic response to political issues
that affected our field. Both of these
efforts helped to fulfill the year’s
goals.
The October dinner meeting featured
local native Bob Greene, well known
and noted author of “Be True to Your
School”.
We also hosted our annual Candidates
Night, where more than 85 elected
officials attended. We studied our issues, and expressed our point of view
that evening in an appropriate manner. Whew! Talk about busy.
We still had December and the President’s Ball, where traditionally we
could celebrate our latest sales leaders
and our year’s work, as we welcomed
our new officers. It gave us a chance to
say our thank yous and goodbyes.
My memory of the year at that time
was a kaleidoscope of one event spilling into another. With the skilled
help Larry Metzger and staff, we had
also formed the CBR Foundation,
a charitable foundation designed to
solicit funds to invest into community
housing needs.
Speaking personally, I gained a deeper
understanding and was more completely convinced that as an organization, we must stay focused on entrylevel housing. That positive action of
the first-time buyer permeates the
entire market as it flows upward;
that action makes our whole market
healthy.
The glamorous, high-priced coastal
markets, which attract so much media
attention, also exact a certain toll
which we might not care to pay.
As it turned out, in 1990, we kept pace
with 1989 figures, and the reason,
in my opinion, was because we could
offer affordable housing. I am still
convinced today that we must always
work, legislatively as well as philosophically, to keep the market accessible and healthy at entry level.
We had a terrific, well-attended Sales
Associates Day in September, featuring a mariachi band and impromptu
dancing.
Also in September, about 500 of our
members attended the state convention in Columbus, which was notable
for the high quality of educational
offerings. CBR hosted the Fourth
Annual Minority Career Night, and
we celebrated the three-year success
story of Columbus Housing Partnership. CHP, founded by Don Kelly as a
public/private partnership with the city
of Columbus, by that date had helped
more than 200 low-to-moderate income
families become homeowners.
1990 Officers included: Pat Grabill, Vice-President; George Smith, SecretaryTreasurer; Charlotte VanSteyn, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer; Nancy Sharp,
President; and John Myers, President-Elect.
By Pat Grabill,
CBR President, 1992
What goes around . . .
It was great fun and a little surprising reviewing the In Contract issues for the
year of my CBR Presidency, 1992. This walk down memory lane confirmed my
theory that a life spent in the real estate business should be measured in dog
years – things go by about 7 times faster than for everybody else.
So much has happened, yet there’s more than a few recurring themes in the issues before us then and what we’re seeing currently.
Then
Now
We were upgrading our MLS to
state of the art technology
A major goal was to expand minority
membership and participation in
the Board
We are upgrading our MLS to
state of the art technology
Numerous complaints were made
about media hype and articles damaging our industry
Discussions about gridlock in
Congress – slow reaction to RESPA
reforms, S&L crisis, and RTC foreclosures
Our members get involved in the
Columbus Board of REALTORS® to
make a difference as Board Trustees
and Committee members
Same complaints, same issues!
CBR launches The Grass is Greener
Here campaign to counterbalance.
Need for RPAC funds to put the
REALTOR® issues forward. We
were worried about getting heard
over S&L issues, RTC inventory issues, affordability issues, redlining
problems with unscrupulous mortgage lenders.
Now more than ever REALTOR®
issues need voiced. CORPAC funds
are vital for passage of foreclosure
relief, preservation of capital gains
rates, tax loss carryback for builders, special investment tax credits
for new home purchases and other
ideas to jumpstart housing’s recovery.
Pat with CHP’s original Director, Pat
Hughes.
Progress has been made, including
an African cultures seminar last
December, but it’s still a major goal
to meet
Gridlock continues – fighting for
sub-prime restructure, mortgage
relief and foreclosure restructuring
. . . but progress is still possible!
Sales Associates Day at the Vets.
Same level of enthusiastic volunteering. REALTORS® doing the
work in less than terrific times. In
a slower economy volunteer time is
precious, but they’re putting forth
the effort.
Anyone remember the Key Performers? Who are those young folks?!
Jack Myers received the Broker of the
Year award in 1992, shown with Pat
and President-Elect George Smith.
Although this is a bit of a stretch for
CEO Larry Metzger, those who know
him, know he’s serious about politics
– enough to go to extreme lengths to
raise those PAC dollars.
ESPN sports analyst, real estate
manager and former football coach
Lee Corso drew a crowd as keynote
speaker at the March 1992 membership meeting. Shown with Pat and
Bruce Massa.
Then
Now
Our Executive Officer, Larry
Metzger, and his truly exceptional,
supportive staff made the job enjoyable and a learning experience.
Same faces (and many new ones)
doing a terrific job for today’s leadership. This town is lucky to have
such talent.
Columbus Housing Partnership
was in its formative, growing-pain
years after being founded largely
through the efforts of CBR leaders,
Don Kelley, Bob Weiler and Max
Holzer.
Columbus Housing Partnership is
thriving and nationally recognized
for its valuable contribution to affordable housing issues in Central
Ohio. REALTORS® still actively
involved.
We had a ‘talented’ bunch of members who enjoyed performing.
We have a ‘talented’ bunch of members who enjoy performing.
We celebrated the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the
New World.
Upcoming presidential campaign
(featuring newcomer couple – the
Clintons!)
I delivered my 500th lecture that
“REALTOR®” is a two syllable word,
trademarked and requiring a capital
“R.”
Attractive Board president
Attractive Board president
Upcoming presidential campaign
(with old-timer couple – the Clintons – Paleeese!)
It was great fun serving over the years at CBR. The camaraderie, idea sharing and sense of accomplishment were, and continue to be, a high point of
my career.
Back in 1992, they were said to have
raised a little cane. It appears that
they raised a little leg also!
No, that’s not Uncle Sam with Pat.
It’s “R. Packer” (Brad Bennett) -- who
was soliciting heavily that night.
By George Smith
CBR President 1993
Happy Birthday – and it’s so good to
know that someone or some thing is
older than I am. The CBR staff suggested our 100th anniversary be commemorated by asking various Past Presidents
to share their thoughts regarding their
year, along with memories of years past.
When asked about my thoughts, I went
back to the day in 1950 (or maybe ’51)
when I walked into the Columbus Real
Estate Board (before the name change)
which was then located on the 10th
floor of the Buckeye Building at 42 E.
Gay Street.
The office consisted of three crowded
rooms and the Board secretary (no titles
back then) was a lady named Lenore P.
Hansen. As a secretary/receptionist and
a bookkeeper, Ms. Hansen administered
the affairs of the Board and appeared to
be quite good at it. Sometime thereafter
a young man named Dwight Swepston
succeeded Ms. Hansen and stayed until
he moved on to a family business.
Everybody’s friend, Larry Chambers
followed Dwight into what he thought
would be a part time job – and he
stayed with the Board for many years.
Larry brought the organization along
quite well during a membership growth
period and instituted many programs
still in effect today.
C. Dale Cook succeeded Larry for a
short period of time and another man
– who graduated from that state up
north – Ken Sampson – succeeded Dale
and was very successful during his
years of administration. I assure you
efforts were made to get all of Kenny’s
maize and blue sweaters and neckties,
but we weren’t very successful. However the Board continued our growth
and success because of – or in spite of
– Ken’s educational background.
After Kenny retired, Brad Johnson
joined our Board and proved to be an
able administrator. When a large developer offered Brad a position he couldn’t
refuse, his departure created a vacancy
and Larry Metzger, who I believe is
one of the very best administrators in
the U. S. joined our Board as the CEO.
Without a doubt, Larry and AEO Stan
Collins have molded our board into one
of the most successful trade organizations within our national association.
Not enough can be said about Larry
and his staff.
VanSteyn and many others, our current
headquarters was designed, built and
occupied in what has become a prime
location in central Ohio. And thanks to
the many who had the faith to invest
their money, and the good management
on the part of our current executive
staff, it’s paid for!
I will defer to others, perhaps on our
150th anniversary, to judge our many
other activities during my year as President. I assure you it was personally
rewarding.
The results speak for themselves.
In reflection, our past executive officers
collectively made our Board what it is
today—But, it’s obvious they didn’t do it
by themselves!
Over the past 100 years they’ve had the
help of hundreds of committee chairs
and thousands of members – who, with
their individual expertise, ethics and
commitment to getting the job done,
were the “oil” that made the “machine”
run.
I wish I could be given the space to
mention the many individuals who
have contributed their time, money and
efforts to our success. But, if I mentioned any one of our outstanding men
and women, I would have to include
hundreds more…so I again wish to
thank all of you who have so generously
contributed to the success of our Board.
Above: George Smith and CEO Larry
Metzger are greeted by the “King”
himself, as Elvis entertained the crowd
at an RPAC Auction.
As for 1993, my year as President, my
proudest moment was putting a shovel
into some very hard dirt where our
membership headquarters now stands.
With the help of Pat Grabill, Charlotte
Top: (left to right) David Cheses, who
donated the land for the new building; Bob Weiler; George Smith; Bill
McMenamy, and Pat Grabill at the
1993 groundbreaking for new Board
headquarters, 2700 Airport Drive.
1993
Sept. 1 – The Board sells its remaining half of the building at 200
East Town Street to the Ohio Association of REALTORS®, and agrees
to rent the space occupied there until construction is completed on
the board’s new location. Construction on the new building on Airport
Drive is underway.
RIN, REALTOR® Information Network, the father of NAR’s
REALTOR®.com is started.
1994
February – Online, color photographs are introduced in the MLS system. Up to four photos can be added and viewed by all MLS users via
special software called Sprint.
March 4 – The Board establishes CORPAC, the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee, to support issues and candidates
that support, promote and preserve private property rights.
The first golf scramble is held at Foxfire Golf Club and more than 100
people attended.
Top Left: Presidential: 1993 President George
Smith and 1979 President Myrna Kobre.
May – The Columbus Board of REALTORS® moves to its new membership headquarters at 2700 Airport Drive. Open house galas are
held in May and June for tours of the new headquarters.
The Board starts the Commercial/Investment (C/I) Division.
Middle Left: Groundbreaking: 1993 President George Smith (left) and Jack Ruscilli
of Ruscilli Construction at the official start of
construction of the CBR Membership Headquarters at 2700 Airport Drive.
Bottom Left and Bottom Right: Nifty Fifties:
Barbara Hoyer and a group of CBR greasers got into the act for the 1990s-era “Nifty
Fifties” Talent Night.
Above: New building: The CBR was under construction for much of 1993
until opening in spring 1994; Larry Metzger and Barbara Lach helped
raise the American flag at the new location.
NAR approves “Board of Choice,” which allows members to join the
REALTOR® Board of their choice, (within the state) regardless of
their office location.
Polaris Amphitheater opens.
1995
March 1 – The first issue of CBR’s Real Estate Weekly publication hits
the newsstands. The market-wide weekly newspaper allows up to 24
photos on a single page. An initial printing of 25,000 copies per week is
printed and distributed at 650 locations. Real Estate Weekly provides a
cost-effective advertising vehicle for members to promote their listings
and to populate the market with REALTOR®-friendly news.
The Robert Weiler Gallery, in the Board’s first floor area, is dedicated,
honoring 1955 CBR President and central Ohio philanthropist Robert
Weiler.
The Paul Falco Library is dedicated in the spring, in recognition of
the 1963 Board President.
December – CBR’s new building at 2700 Airport Drive is recognized
by the American Institute of Architects as one of the 1995 design
award winners.
Top Left: WCR: Members of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® at the
1994 Sales Associates Day.
Bottom Left: 2700 Airport Drive: CBR moved to the current building in 1994,
in a location that at the time was a largely undeveloped site near Port
Columbus. Today the area is a hub of development activity.
Top Right: Online: It was big news in early
1994 when online photographs were introduced to the MLS.
Middle Right: Real Estate Weekly: CBR
launched the weekly magazine showcasing
neighborhoods and homes for sale in 1995.
Bottom Right: Flying high: The Columbus
chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® donated the American flag and
flagpole which stands at the entrance to
CBR Headquarters.
Left: Dedication: Paul Falco, 1963 President,
and Bobbie Hall at the dedication of the
Paul Falco Library at CBR Headquarters.
1996
On Aug. 22, 1996, the Computer Users’ Committee sponsors “Bits and
Brats,” at the CBR Headquarters on Airport Drive. The evening program is called “Learn to use the Internet” and also includes a cookout.
Columbus and central Ohio listings go online at www. REALTOR®.com
In November, the NAR Board of Directors approve an agreement
between the REALTORS® Information Network and RealSelect, Inc.
to take over the operations of the offiical NAR Web site, www.REALTOR®.com. No NAR member dues were used to create or operate the
site, which gets about six million unique visitors each month.
NAR launches three major Internet initiatives: One Realtor Place, the
association’s first Web site; the National Realtors Database System,
designated to share basic membership data among local, state, and
national associations; and Realtor.com, the national listing Web site.
1997
October – The Board approves new electronic keyboxes after months
of exploration by a committee reviewing the system. It is announced
that the Board will convert to the Supra electronic keybox system in
January 1998.
Laurel Flanagan receives the first Affiliate of the Year Award. This
award was created to recognize Affiliate members for their exemplary
business experiences, conduct, civic activity and industry involvement.
Tuttle Crossing Mall opens.
1998
CBR awards longtime REALTOR® and teacher Joseph L. MacKinnon
the Board’s first Instructor of the Year Award. The recognition, given
to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of
real estate and exemplified leadership in real estate education, was
subsequently named in MacKinnon’s honor.
A second floor room is renamed The Kohr Conference Room in honor
of Thomas P. Kohr, the Board’s 1960 President.
Top Left: Affiliate of the Year: CBR’s 1st Affiliate of the Year, Laurel Flanagan accepts
the award from Awards Chair Jan Mussler.
Columbus has a total of 670,234 residents and a tax rate of $80.83 per
$1,000.
Middle Left: Instructor of the Year: CBR’s
first Instructor of the Year, Joe MacKinnon
with wife Aggie.
Bottom Left: The Kohr Conference Room:
1998 President Michael R. Huntley with Tom
Kohr at the dedication ceremony of The
Kohr Conference Room held that year.
Right: 1998 Presidents Ball: President Michael R. Huntley (center) with his leadership team, Pat O’Neil, Sam Calhoon, Mary
Rasa and Bruce Massa. 100th Anniversary | 1908–2008 45
1999
Kevin Randolph becomes the first African-American Trustee (now called Directors) of the Columbus
Board of REALTORS®. Randolph served until 2001.
Longtime CBR member and Columbus builder
Ernest Fritsche is named by the BIA as one of the
100 most influential people in housing in America in
part for being the first major builder to offer a home
warranty after the sale.
Columbus becomes the 15th largest city in the United States.
2000
October – The Donald W. Kelley Courtyard is dedicated at CBR Headquarters, in honor of the Board’s 1984 President.
NAR launches e-Pro, a new designation to help real estate professionals better meet the needs and growing demands of the Internet and
technology-savvy consumers.
2001
September – CBR approves a new strategic framework to guide operations and goals for the Board and real estate industry in the new
millennium.
September – Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, NAR establishes the
REALTORS® Housing Relief Fund to help pay mortgage and rental
costs of families devastated by the attacks. By early 2002, the fund
had raised more than $8 million.
December – The Board launches its first Web-based MLS system with
MarketLinx.
Top Left: Kevin Randolph: In 1999, Kevin
Randolph becomes the first African-American to serve as trustee (now called directors) of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
Top Right: Having a good time for a good
cause: Mary Raysa and Marian Reitano
dancing the night away at a CORPAC
Auction.
Bottom Right: Teeing off: From left to right,
Sara Walsh, Chris O’Neil, Sandy Campbell,
and Linda Charobee at the 2000 CORPAC
Golf Outing.
Bottom Left: Don Kelley Courtyard: CEO
Larry Metzger, AEO Stan Collins, Robert
Weiler, Sr., Donald W. Kelley, former EOs
Brad Johnson and Ken Sampson joined to
congratulate Kelley during the dedication
of a courtyard named in his honor. Kelley,
1984 CBR President, has more than four decades in the real estate industry.
Sales dollar volume crosses the $3 billion threshold for the first time,
setting a new record for sales volume, number of listings, average
sales price and number of homes sold.
2002
The CBR Web site, www.ColumbusRealtors.com is converted and redesigned, offering more information than ever before to members and
the public via the World Wide Web.
November – CORPAC reaches its first six-figure fund raising goal,
with more than $102,000 being donated by more than 60 percent of
CBR members. This marks a record in both donations and the level of
participation.
2005
April 10 – The CBR Affordable Housing Committee hosts the first
Super Sunday Affordable Housing Open House event to showcase
the vibrant, sturdy stock of affordably priced homes in Central
Ohio.
June 15 - CBR holds the first REALTOR® Care Day, in partnership with United Way of Central Ohio and the Columbus Housing
Partnership. More than 100 volunteers help with construction and
maintenance of 24 properties.
The CBR Lifetime Achievement Award begins.
2006
April – CBR discontinues printed MLS books (residential, commercial and comparable books).
July 19 – Due to the steady decline in use by members, CBR discontinutes publication of Real Estate Weekly.
After only 13 years, CBR pays off the mortgage on its property at
2700 Airport Drive.
Top Left: REALTOR® Care Day: 2005 was the
first year for the volunteer event started by
2004 President Skip Weiler.
Middle Left: The final printing: For decades,
REALTORS® relied on CBR’s “R”, “C” and
Comparable books for complete listings of
properties for sale in the central Ohio MLS
area. With the launch of an online MLS system in late 2001, the printed books became
obsolete and were printed for the final time
in the spring of 2006.
Bottom Right: 2006 President-Elect Brad Bennett and Super Sunday Subcommittee Chair
Teresa Thompson are interviewed by Channel 4 reporter Andy Dominianni about the
upcoming Super Sunday Affordable Housing
Open House event featuring homes listed at
$125,000 or less.
COCIE is started. The Central Ohio Commercial Information Exchange is formed to include a comprehensive database of all commercial property, whether on the market or not. The site is available to the public and contains more than 13,000 entries.
2007
The REALTOR® Foundation Fund commemorative walkway is
dedicated after being constructed at the west entrance to the
Board headquarters.
The walkway project raises $17,000 by selling engraved bricks to
donors, which are a permanent reminder of those whose donations
help support the charitable arm of CBR.
The NAR Board of Directors elects Charles McMillan PresidentElect for 2008. McMillan becomes the first African-American in
line for the NAR Presidency, and will take over in 2009.
Although press releases throughout the year touted the good news
about the housing market, CBR began a focused campaign in September promoting It’s a great time to buy!
The campaign focuses on the many reasons buyers and sellers
could benefit from current market conditions which include competitive prices, interest rates at 40-year lows, availability of loans,
and, of course, the best selection of homes on the market central
Ohioans have ever had.
Top Right: Kicking off COCIE: REALTORS®
and Past CBR Presidents Lynda Long, Richard Royer and Bill McMenamy gathered at
the Board to celebrate the launch of COCIE,
the Central Ohio Commercial Information
Exchange service.
Middle Right: Walk this way: 2007 President Brad Bennett and CBR Foundation
Fund Chair Chris Reese cut the ribbon in
spring 2007, dedicating the brick walkway
at CBR headquarters.
Bottom Right: Go Bucks: Alice Buckley with
“Woody Hayes” at the 2007 OSU-themed
Celebrity Waiters Luncheon, benefiting the
Foundation Fund.
Bottom Left: Ads run weekly in The Columbus
Dispatch telling the community Now is a
great time to buy!
2008
On March 12, 2008, the first talent show in many years for CBR
members happened at the Villa Milano, when the Equal Opportunity Committee hosted CBR’s Got Talent. Dozens of performers
took the stage to raise money for the Mutli-Cultural Grant program, which assists newly-licensed REALTORS®.
After the CBR Equal Opportunity Committee decided to hold a fundraising talent show, AEO Stan Collins seizes the opportunity to put together five members of the REALTOR® family to strum their guitars
for a good cause.
The band, known as TEMPO 5, takes the stage for the first time at the
first CBR’s Got Talent show in March 2008 at the Villa Milano, playing a few songs including “Rainy Day REALTOR®.” Collins, with staff
members Matt Warren, and George VanFossen and Chuck Gleich of
Gleich Inspections and Terry Bryant of Coldwell Banker King Thompson went on to play encore performances at two Ohio Association of
REALTORS® meetings and other CBR events.
April 15 – In order to combat the media’s barrage of negative housing
news, CBR, in collaboration with the Columbus Housing Partnership
(CHP) and the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio (BIA),
launch a public advertising campaign to help the community understand that the all real estate is local.
The $200,000 advertising campaign – The Grass is Greener Here
– includes radio, billboards, and heavy member involvement directing
central Ohioans to www.ColumbusHousingFacts.com where they will
find evidence that supports the health and affordability of the central
Ohio housing market.
Top Left: A talented bunch: During the first
CBR’s Got Talent variety show held in March
2008, REALTORS®, CBR staff and Affiliates
got into the act, raising money for the CBR
Multi-Cultural Grant Program. Sean Carpenter served as emcee for the evening, even
donning a wig to perform as Willie Nelson,
singing his rendition of “Mamma don’t let
your babies grow up to be REALTORS®.”
Bottom Left: The Grass is Greener Here:
CBR’s 2008 campaign touted the health
and stability of the central Ohio housing
market.
Bottom Right: Sing along: CBR’s own band, TEMPO 5, entertained the crowd during the 2008 show, CBR’s Got Talent! Pictured on stage
from left to right: Terry Bryant, Stan Collins, Chuck Gleich, Matt Warren
and George VanFosssen
June 5 – Over 500 REALTORS®, Affiliates, family and friends volunteered their time to improve properties in 19 different areas around
Central Ohio for our fourth annual REALTOR® Care Day!
Almost $23,000 in financial contributions, over $24,000 in in-kind
donations of labor and materials, and extensive manual labor by members and local vendors provided the necessary resources for 24 different community service projects located in Bexley, Canal Winchester,
Centerburg, Clintonville, Columbus, Delaware County, Dublin, Italian
Village, Johnstown, Madison County, New Albany, Powell, Reynoldsburg, Sunbury, Washington Court House, Westerville, Worthington,
and Upper Arlington.
Sept. – 100th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chairs Charlotte
Van Steyn and Bob Weiler receive the Excellence in Community
Service award from the Ohio Association of REALTORS® for their
work with the 100 Acts of Kindness. See list of awardees on pages
51-54.
Oct. 23 – During the CBR Annual Business Meeting, Congressman
Patrick Tiberi presents 2008 President Greg Hrabcak with a Proclamation for CBR in honor of its 100 years of service to the central
Ohio community as well as to the real estate industry as a whole.
REALTORS® celebrate 100 years of bringing home the American
Dream.
Top Right: REALTOR® Care Day: Elvah
Donald and Sherri Resnick of the New
Albany Realty Association get their hands
dirty while landscaping as part of the 2008
REALTOR® Care Day.
Above: Greg Cantwell created a mural for the side of the Tray Lee Center depicting important individuals to this community.
Middle Right: Chuck Gleich and Betsy
Lynch put the finishing touched on the
new flag pole installed at the CBR main
project - American Addition. American
Addition’s Community Center (Tray Lee
Center) was originally a fire station but
now offers the “No Child Left Behind” program and is funded totally on donations.
Bottom Right: Congressman Tiberi presents
President Hrabcak with a Proclamation in
honor of its 100 years.
By Orin Morris,
CBR President, 1965
In 1947 I went to work for Malcolm
R. Prine as a salesman. Thurman
Sorrell was the company bookkeeper. Mr. Prine was a strong advocate
and past President of the Columbus
Board of REALTORS®.
At that time there were no salesmen placed on the Board, but I took
part along with a number of others.
There were no women or minorities
in the Board during this time. We
had no secretary to run the Board,
no money and would hold meetings
at different REALTOR® offices.
A number of REALTORS® volunteered to let us mail out invoices.
We finally hired a secretary, Dwight
Swepton.
There was a period of time we had
difficulty with a number of Brokers
who did not live up to our standards. Through John Pace’s effort
and his committee (of which I was
a member), we heard hundreds of
cases. Some went to court. Today,
the Board gets very few complaints
among Brokers.
my blood. I formed a company called
Mae-Zee Corporation. We are not
on the stock exchange, but we are
healthy.
In 1951, C. V. Perry & Company
developed a listing contract second
to none. We also had our own sales
contract. In the lower left hand
corner of our contract, we inserted a
notice that the purchaser could hire
an attorney. Later the Board came
out with a contract agreement,
which was similar to ours. We were
happy to make the contribution.
In the early 1950’s, we had tremendous sales but we had a problem
with FHA and VA. They would take
months to process our loans. We
went to Buckeye Federal Savings
and Loan and made a deal. If FHA
or VA did not approve the loan, they
would keep it. Therefore, it would
close in about one week.
Along with our real estate company
(C.V. Perry & Company), we had a
mortgage company called Gibraltar
and an insurance company called
Redwood.
I promoted the first joint meeting
of attorneys and REALTORS®. It
went well. Today most attorneys
and REALTORS® are on the same
page.
Past Presidents Jim Owen, 72, Bill
McCorkle, ’68 and Orin Morris, ’65,
catch up while at a Past President’s
Dinner in the mid-1980s.
In 1948, I knew every member of
the Board by their first name. We
only had a handful of members
(paying members that is.)
During my 61 years, I was a partner
in Mehl and Morris REALTORS®
till 1949 when I went to work for
Charles Prior Builder. Carlyle Perry
went to work for him at the same
time.
In 1950 Carlyle Perry and I founded
a partnership, which lasted for
33 years. I retired and sold out
in 1982, however, I soon learned I
could not quit. Real estate was in
Past Presidents gathered in 1964, seated: John Pace,’62, Robert Weiler,’55,
Orin Morris (1965 President-Elect), Paul Falco,’63, Marvin C. Yerke,’64 John
J. Ranft (1965 First Vice President-Elect) and Edgar R. Johnson, ‘54. Back: D.
Wendell Beggs,’26, Tom Kohr,’60, Oscar Thomas, Sr.’61, Larry Wade,’57, Leigh
Koebel,’28, Herbert T. Wolfe,’58, Bob Denmead,’53, Wallace Nelson,’50, Cecil
Neff,’59 and Lee Wears,’56.
Above: 1964 President Marvin C.
Yerke passes the gavel to incoming President Orin Morris, at the 1964
Coronation Ball.
Below: Incoming President Orin Morris is crowned “King” for 1965 at the
December 1964 Coronation Ball,
held at Scioto Country Club.
Prior to the Multiple Listing Service, some of the members of the
Board at that time were Jack Havens, Eddie Johnson, Paul Falco and
myself. We would meet at the Virginia Hotel every Thursday morning
for breakfast. We would pass around
the addresses of our listings acquired from the previous week.
One year George Tift bought a big
Packard, tore out the rear seat, put
in a desk, three chairs and a typewriter. He would take his secretary
with him on appointments and, if
the prospect was ready to buy, she
would type the contract on the spot.
to the city. As payment, the board
received new furniture for the office.
I was President of the Board in
1965. It was an exciting, but uneventful year.
I have known Larry Metzger since
he became our leader. Larry has and
is doing a superlative job. His staff
are some of the nicest people you
would ever want to meet.
Sixty-one years and it feels like
I have just begun. It has been a
privilege to belong to the real estate
community.
When John Galbreath was going to
move his office to Pennsylvania, we
formed a committee and went to see
John. He opened a branch office in
Pennsylvania, but stayed in Columbus. We are thankful he did as he
contributed greatly to the Board
over the years.
In the early years, I founded a company called Trades, Inc. At that time
we represented 17 builders who
were having trouble selling their
new homes. By taking the purchaser’s home in on trade, it encouraged
new home sales. Later the Board
bought the company and the name.
In 1959, my wife Zelma and I decided to build a house at 111 Riverview Park Drive. We are fortunate
to have had many good friends in
the real estate business. These
“friends” erected a 4 by 8 foot sign
in the front yard quoting, “Another
Howard Johnson Coming Soon.”
They also put it in Multiple Listing
with a lot of funny amenities. I have
made many friends in the Board.
They still call me frequently.
A Service to the City
When Maynard Sensenbrenner was
Mayor of Columbus, he asked the
Board to buy land needed for Bolton
Field. Five of us volunteered to purchase the land and negotiated a sale
Mr. and Mrs. Morris with Mr. and Mrs.
Yerke before Orin takes over as President, at the 1964 Coronation Ball.
In February 1965, Morris installed new leadership for the Columbus chapter of
the Women’s Council of REALTORS®. From left, outgoing chapter President
Margaret Miller,1965 chapter President Jean Parker and Elly Creager, President of the Ohio chapter of WCR, with Morris.
100 Acts of Kindness Recipients
REALTORS® give back to their communities in so many ways. Each day, at least one of our members is volunteering their time to a local organization, school, church, service group, etc.
The purpose of the 100 Acts of Kindness award is to recognize those individuals for their service during this, our
100th anniversary year. The following members of the Columbus Board of REALTORS® have received the 100 Acts
of Kindness pin for providing an act of community service or outreach in 2008.
Michelle Anders
Sarah Savoir
Carol Wise
Karin Stumbo
Beth Bick
Sherrie Preston
Norm Taylor
Kristin Sparks
Mark Phillips
Mary Overfelt
Scott Noblet
Drew Murphy
Ted Oatts
Teri Maust
Becky Payne
Mark Cathers
Larry Metzger
Ronda Turner
Carolyn Mullen
Greg Bruce
Andrew Root
Julie Stage
Don Mullen
Pam Allen
Kevin Gilmore
Rick Ralston
Debbie Montgomery
Kristin Reese
Teri Gilmore
Alicia Pullin
Jen Merringer
Pam Mutchler
John DeFourny
Debbie Karns
Mar’ Hartley
Kate Wiles
Corey Skinner
Keli Howard
Nancy Garrabrant
Terri Webb
Lari Madosky Shaw
Dianna Hay
Karen Fichtelman
Lynn Thomas
Chris Pedon
Phil Gilliam
Gary Bix
Candy Tesner
Kathy Elliott
Rick Forrest
Steve Barbeau
Cyndy Street
Rob Matney
Travis Fling
Mike Anderson
TJ Roberts
Sharon Young
Kevin Flax
Carol Morrison
Barbara Richardson
Karen Page
Richard Flax
Dave Zambo
Kelly Richards
Sheila Straub
Liz Finchum
Amy Weinsz
Suzanne Perry
Thad Rahrig
Darlene Clark
Shannan Thompson
Nicole Perry
Rhonda Pettit
Karen Bowling
Jamie Sutton
Chip Parrish
Tom Nippert
Rachel Berkshire
Natalie Moore
Barb Robertson
Krista McCarthy
Michelle Anders
Tony Mangini
Norma Miller
Cody Marting
Jay Waldron
Cynthia MacKenzie
Annie Means
Al Mansour
Tricia Nunamaker
Lisa Griffin
Milt Lustnauer
Lynda Long
Eric Moulton
Brenda Gerschutz
Bonnie Lustnauer
Rhonda Kelly
Kim McMullen
Warren Gerhardt
Susan Dilworth
Frank Hance
Peg Hoffman
Bill Dickerson
Martha Corbett
Sheri Foster
Shane Heald
Dave Arthur
Chip Bruss
Larry Buttermore
Beth Fisher
Bill Alsnauer
Kathie Boskovich
Linda Beckner
Lynn Cooperider
Rhonda Barton
Scott Street
Brady Jones
Bill Channel
Justin Waugh
Ron Zaniewski & Co-worker
Randi Dailey
Kim Althouse
Marie Waugh
Brenda Yerke
Debbie Weade
Toby Boyce
Samantha Trotter
Wallisha Wupple
Anniversary | 1908–2008 53
53
100th
100 Acts of Kindness Recipients continued...
Sharon Worden
Wendell Berry
Betsy McCloskey
Melinda Pribonic
Marilyn Witherup
Dan Baumann
Barb Waters
Patrice Paider
Mary Jane “MJ” Toth
Joy Adkins
Tim Gossman
John Neibarger
Lance Strong
Elton Acker
Charlotte Mason
Alex Michael
Judy Stream
Dani Patterson
Gary Rader
Travis McIntyre
Helen Stepien
Janet Zettler
Kathy Burd
Bob McCullom
Jay Stanley
Rick Weber
Steve Wagner
Cindy Lennon
Colette Smith
Steve Wagner
Lucy Buzzee
Patricia Kramer
Gene Shivener
Erin Terrar
Sharon Young
Jason Hoy
Donna Schneider
Joe Sinvany
Regina Acosta Tobin
Taylor Holter
Suzi Schmitz
Andy Shiffman
Terra Miller
Karl Heins
David Rosen
Ron Robins
Misty Linn
Heidi (Nathan Gill)
David Percy
Carrie Ramsey
Jinn Lombardi
Kevin Harper
Jessie Page
David Powers
Tami Crum
Bess Harper
Kathleen Novak
Hannah Pirwitz
LeAnne Ringer
Adam Hammond
Faith Mulroy
Chris Pedon
Erin Ogden
Furniture Restoration
Charles Morris
Marlene Miller
Kim Nice
Tony Kiefer
Lana Mihailovich
Allan Maust
Will Moloney
Cynthia Duncan
Branden Meyer
Barb Kurtz
Judy Minister
Todd Dodderer
Michael Metz
Mark Kraus
Paul Love
Alice Cortez
Debbie McCloud
Monica Kile
Alan Jones
Don Corson
Michael Malmsbury
Bill Karn
Nora Huber
Jena Cooper
Leigh Ann Lee
Jeff Jonas
Eve Holland
Barbara Chapman
Joanne Jarvis
Michael Jones
Eric Hiss
Linda Chambers
Tracey Hartson
Mike Irwin
Melissa Friermood
Phil Burgel
Kelly Harsanye
Barbara Hoyer
Ken Frankenberg
Roger Bishop
Jackie Harris
Jonathan Holfinger
Gary Flore
Shelby Bauer
Betty Granger
Paul Grimm
Sylvia Efta
Jeffrey Barrett
Carma Godby
Tom Flood
Addie Davis
Eric Albery
Peggy Fowler
Tom Dodrill
Shari Carroll
Amy Albery
Andy Fairbanks
Rose Copp
Molly Carlson
Monica Holter
Danelle Ellis
Beth Clensy
Traci Klinger
Jean Wright
Karen Edwards
Susan Brehm
Sally Winn Bauer
Bob Rowe
K. Edwards
Terri Barnett
Terri Schulze
Chris Weatherman
Jack Buckle
Pam Allen
Willard Salyer
James Taylor
Kim Browning
Sheila Straub
Ann Salyer
Justus Sharp
Shaunda Brown
Todd Miller
Valeria Raymond
Sean Rauch
David Breneman
Amy Long
Herb Raymond
Dan Olson
54 54 Columbus
Columbus Board
Board of
of REALTORS®
REALTORS®
Anita McHugh
Mary Sguerra
Greg Hrabcak
Angie Utz
Jerry Hunt
Lari Shaw
Angela Holloway
Jay Zollars
Brady Linard
Todd Schiff
Maude Hill
Stephen Tucker
David Heitkamp
Stephanie Savage
Mary Hatem
Joe Polis
Nicole Harrison
Barbara Roberts
Vernon Harless
George O’Donnel
Greg Harrison
David Reierson
Mandy Harless
Mike Metersky
Kristin Collins
Chris Reese
Lynn Hackworth
Travis McIntyre
Rick Brunton
Carl Ransom
Paul Haggard
James Mangas
Pam Brown
Betty Potts
Alexandra Gleim
Fil Line
Kami Bower
Louise Potter
Chuck Gleich
Sandy Lehman
Ben Brace
Christine Pinney
Christina Garrett
Cindy Jean
Terry Allen
Angela Petty
Lynncheryl Gadson
Steve Heiser
John Chandler
Gary Parsons
Jack Gabalski
Wayne Gaib
Stacy York
Peggy Parsley
David Foster
Catherine Erney
Sue Yenichek
Chris Oegen
Lisa Ferguson
Paul Bilow
Melanie Wright
Linda Niemann
Myles Everett
Chris Bell
Jerome Witcher
Jeff Murray
Bridgett Everett
Hayley Ferguson
Joyce Wilson
Susan Mullenix
Connie Dixon
Maggie Ferguson
Simone Williams
Mike Morgan
Nikki DiNardo
Lori Ferguson
Brenda Williams
Julie Morgan
Jessica Deubner
Alice Buckley
Don Wick
Philip Moneypenny
Melissa Dean Rife
Frank Lodestro
Joyce Wheeler
Anna Mitchell
Allison Cummings
Cary Hager
Mic Weiler
Anita McHugh
Angela Cradle
Mike Primeau
Bobby Weiler
Kim McCutheon
Mark Cowper
James Allison
Robert “ Skip” Weiler Jr.
Bob McCarthy
Stan Collins
Jill Beckett Hill
Missy Weiler
Anthony Masci
Debbie Clonch
Kristen Nicholson
Robert “ Bob” Weiler Sr.
Heather Martinsen
Ryan Clark
Tony Thomas
Tim Webber
Betsy Lynch
Tommi Clark
Rhonda Clark
John Volk
Sue Lusk-Gleich
Kimberly Cecil
Lisa Gibbs
Sheryl Trout
Kim Lewis
Kelly Cantwell
Becky Young
Sandy Tracy
Amy Laws
Greg Cantwell
Matt Frost
Michael Thompson
Karen Lambert
Gloria Cannon
Abe Godinez
Taylor Thiede
Adrienne Klekotka
Michelle Calo
Lu Klaiber
Melissa Thiede
Lindsay Kirk
Talia Brown
Randy Sims
Janet Thiede
Brian Kemp
Marque’ Bressler
Elvan Donald
Hunter Thiede
Rocky Karnes
Anthony Bolognone
Sherri Resnick
Todd Strayer
Linda Jonard
Ralph Berger
Bill Sutkin
Herb Sollars
Carol Huber
Brad Bennett
Angie Matessa
100th
Anniversary | 1908–2008 55
55
100 Acts of Kindness Recipients continued...
Rob Hursey
Adam Grear
Sue Parrish
Tammy Foor
Chryssa Gartner
Christy Grear
Kyle Alfriend
Jim Doherty
Mike Gurski
Rita Brumley
Tracy Chambers
Barbara Crawford
Tania Gurski
Dana Waugh
Mar’ Hartley
Jim Coridan
Terry Cook
Irving Hurler
Lucy Buzzee
Stan Collins
Gayle Scrase
Jan Jedlinsky
Mike Parsons
Judith Cole
Stella Pseekos
Kent Bermingham
Leigh Reynolds
Tom Billman
Jill Higgins
Ryan Mendes
Chris Reese
Rick Benjamin
Mike Strange
Sonja Heffner
Don Mullen
Linda Beckner
Lorie Strange
Brenda St. Clair
Joseph Hart
Gary Anderson
Matt Beatty
Herb Schupp
Jan Jedlinsky
Joe Janszen
Don Beatty
Donna Boylan
Robert “Skip” Weiler Jr.
Donna Stevenson
Sharon Selby
Julie Riber
Robert Weiler Sr.
Tasha Jones
Anthony Leahy
David Roeger
Robert Weiler Sr.
Brad Bennett Deb Collier
Karen Ramsey
Mary Hohman
Larry Absten
Erin Bishop
Patty Coolidge
Jim Willis
Paul Love
Tony Aspery
Kate Elmquist
Jeff Wagenbrenner
Thomas Ketterer
Josh Transue
Karen Garvin
Shelia Straub
Michelle Demopolis
Jeff Wills
Penny Robinson
Kevin Stover
Paula Shepherd
Jack Curtis
Debbie McMillen
Ron Southall
Joe Jackson
Kristen Francis
Angel Stuckman
Carol Shear
Joe Hart
Sydney Francis
Carol Aultman
Deb Saczawa
Jamie Mueller, Jr.
Ethen Francis
Kevin Cull
Brenda Pitts
Sherry Looney
John Francis
Joe Marmo
Christine Phillips
Chuck Kile
John Beegle
Tom Weiss
Gary Parsons
Tara Bebinger
Tom Amicon
Ralph Renninger
Rachel Parrish
Jan Jedlinsky
Judy Sekinger
Larry Coolidge
Chip Parrish
Kenny Jackson Roberta Kayne
Julie Wills
Bonnie Nyikes
Scott Bowers
Mary Sguerra
Tricia Nunemaker
Joe Marmo
Alice Buckley
Susan Mullenix
Sonja Heffer
Terry Penrod
Gregory Morris
Becky Cunningham & son
Chris Reese
Marlene Miller
Tracy Chambers
Sara Walsh
Jonathan Lange
Cynthia Carr
Brian Kemp
Dan Krumm
Jean Ann Conley
Bob McCarthy
Mike Irwin
Amy Conley
Gloria Cannon
Rose Howard
Dale Grear
Linda Whiting
Pamela Gugle
Allison Grear
Rick Smith
Kathy Greenwell
56 56 Columbus
Columbus Board
Board of
of REALTORS®
REALTORS®
th
1908 - 2008

100th Anniversary - Columbus Board of Realtors

Transcription

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