The Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® (R-BAR) recently recognized esteemed industry colleagues and local officials. 2020 Annual Awards winners were acknowledged during their annual Board of Directors Installation event, virtually.
The following award recipients were recognized:
This year’s Grow with Berks Award; typically awarded to local individuals who give homebuyers a better reason to live in Berks County, and are dedicated to the advancement and success of our area; recognizes two staff members of the County of Berks offices. Pamela Shupp Menet & David Hunter.
Pamela Shupp Menet has been anything but idle in the year of quarantine. Early in 2020 she helped to lead economic development as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and now serves Berks County as their first Director of Economic Development. Pam has been instrumental in the distribution of $38 million in CARES Act funding, including $4.8 million to public health services, local governments, non-profits, and education institutions, $11 million in grants to more than 470 small businesses, and many other initiatives to keep our local economy afloat despite the pandemic.
David Hunter serves as the Executive Director of the Berks County Planning Commission and previously served as the Community Development Director for the City of Reading. David is a tremendous advocate for smart growth and economic development and continues to bring awareness to the need for increased housing inventory. His passion for bringing together a wide variety of leaders has been instrumental in creating solutions that make Berks County a better place to live, work, and play.
Municipal Official of the Year was given to Kenneth Pick, Executive Director of the Berks County Redevelopment Authority. For years, Ken has been involved with nearly every major community and economic development project in the County. His influence can be felt throughout the County from assisting homeless residents of our community, to acquiring and restoring a historic railroad, to spearheading large community and economic development projects that restore and reclaim abandoned and underutilized commercial and industrial properties, bringing them back into productive use for the whole community. Through the pandemic, Ken Pick and the Redevelopment Authority have been instrumental in the distribution of rental and mortgage assistance, helping landlords stay afloat and helping tenants stay in their homes.
REALTOR® of the Year was awarded to Merlin Weaver of Compass Pennsylvania LLC. Just shy of a decade in the business, Merlin has dedicated his efforts to representing his peers not only locally, but at the state level too. Merlin has served on State and national committees and held leadership positions including representing the four local associations of R-BAR, Schuylkill County Board, Pocono Mountains Association, and the Greater Lehigh Valley as Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS District 4 Vice President. A strong advocate for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), Merlin is a member of the 2019 Platinum R President Circle and RPAC- 2019, 2018 Golden R President’s Circle. Merlin was the R-BAR president in 2018, served on R-BAR board of directors from 2015-2019, and participated in multiple local committees during his tenure. Merlin continues to bring his talents to the table in 2021 continuing to volunteer on multiple committees.
Affiliate of the Year AWARD was presented to Debra Konowal, Business Development Representative with Stewart Abstract of Berks County. Deb has been a dedicated member of R-BAR since 2011. She has been volunteering on the Entertainment Committee and Outreach Committees since 2019, where she has enthusiastically assisted with many events and projects. Deb now chairs the Entertainment committee, where she lead planning efforts of multiple events despite the pandemic. Deb is also a member of the Association’s Commercial Industrial Council.
Volunteer of the Year AWARD was given to Jerry Amadio of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty. Jerry has been a consistent, reliable volunteer for the association since 2013, Jerry is currently serving his second 3 year term on the board of directors, and has maintained the Vice-Treasurer and Treasurer positions for the last two years. In addition, Jerry has been essential in the planning and coordination of the Association’s outreach and entertainment events for several years.
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