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The New Castle County Board of REALTORS® (NCCBOR) is pleased to announce its awards recipients for 2020. These individuals have been recognized by their peers for exemplary service and contributions to Delaware’s real estate industry, to the Board, and to their communities. This year’s REALTOR® of the Year (ROTY) is Denise Forman Gaines of Century 21 Gold Key Realty. ROTY is given annually to the NCCBOR member who exemplifies an enviable record of volunteer service to NCCBOR, the Delaware Association of REALTORS® (DAR), and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). He or she must also rate high in the areas of sales achievement, ethical conduct, and knowledge. Denise has served on many NCCBOR committees and task forces since joining the Board and is currently serving as the President-Elect; she will serve as President of the Board in 2021. The Mel Stout Ethics Award is given to a current or past NCCBOR member who exemplifies the ideals and goals set forth in the Preamble to the REALTORS® Code of Ethics. Carol Dehorty of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. has been recognized as the 2020 recipient. She has taught Ethics, Fair Housing and Agency to Realtors as well as pre-licensing courses for NCCBOR, Long & Foster, and Delaware Tech. She has also spent time volunteering with the Delaware Mentor Program at Baylor Women’s Prison, Christiana Care Hospital, Wilmington Hospital, and St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church. Deborah Harris of RE/MAX Associates has been recognized as the REALTOR® Spirit Award winner. This award is given to a member who exemplifies the REALTOR® spirit and who has made a significant contribution to the association or the industry within the last year. In 2019, Deborah served as the Chair of the NCCBOR Community Engagement Task Force, which conducted two community impact projects: One to revitalize Herman Holloway Park in Wilmington, and one to provide school supplies and approximately 300 bookbags to the Boys & Girls Club. Kathy Pennington of RE/MAX Associates is the recipient of the Good Neighbor Award. This is given to the member who, outside of Board or company activity, voluntarily contributes to a community service activity to the betterment of the community. For many years, Kathy has quietly supported many individuals in need and meaningful causes including The American Cancer Society, the Dewey Goes Pink Fundraiser, Meals on Wheels, the Bayard House, Mary Mother of Hope House, St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, Kentmere Nursing Home, the Ministry of Caring, and Elks Lodge #307. To recognize the volunteer efforts of this award recipient each year, NCCBOR donates $1,000 to a charity of the winner’s choosing. This year, that contribution will be made to the Mary Mother of Hope House. Bill Stecher of Integrity Home Inspections has been recognized as the NCCBOR Affiliate of the Year. This award is given to an Affiliate member of the Board (non-REALTOR®) who shows exemplary volunteer participation with NCCBOR and its service committees, and/or involvement in education and other programs. Bill enjoys working with new REALTORS® to help them learn about the home inspection process. He also volunteers with Good Neighbors Home Repair, an organization which specializes in home repair for low income families in New Castle County and Southern Chester County. The Hall of Fame Award is given to current or former REALTOR® members with more than 20 years of experience and involvement in a business or industry that is related to the field of real estate. These members either served as an officer or member of the NCCBOR Board of Directors, or performed meritorious service to NCCBOR over an extended period of time. For 2020, the Board is recognizing two individuals for achieving Hall of Fame status: R.T. Christopher of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Lynette Scott of Presto Realty Company. R.T. began his real estate career in 1992 and has spent his entire career with two companies. His involvement with NCCBOR includes serving on the Executive Committee for three different presidents, serving on the Board of Directors, and serving on numerous task forces including one for Broker Involvement. He also served as the NCCBOR’s Vice President during 2016-17 and was awarded the Mel Stout Ethics Award in 2017. Lynette is an experienced real estate professional with a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships and partnering with legislators, local associations, and members. She is proud to be an advocate for others and to serve in many volunteer capacities. Some of those include NCCBOR, DAR, and NAR. She currently serves as the Delaware Real Estate Commissioner and on the NCCBOR Community Outreach taskforce. In the past, she has been honored with the ROTY Award, the Housing Opportunity Northern Delaware Award, the NCCBOR Spirit Award, the NCCBOR Million Dollar Club, RE/MAX Production Rewards, Century 21 Production Rewards, the U.S. Business Administration Financial Advocacy Award, and the YWCA Black Achievement Award.