From left: John Zabudney, chair, Awards Committee; Bill McCarthy; and Maura McLaren, REIC executive director and CEO.

The Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC) presented the 2012 REIC Emeritus Award to Bill McCarthy of WPJ McCarthy and Company, Burnaby, B.C. and Cynthia Lai, Global Link Realty Group, Toronto during REIC’s Annual Conference and AGM. 

The Emeritus Award recognizes a member’s sustained commitment and outstanding contribution to REIC at both the national and chapter levels and to the real estate profession as a whole. It is the highest award bestowed on a member and is part of the REIC Pursuit of Excellence Awards program.

Lai has been an active member of REIC for more than 18 years and is a highly recognized FRI member who passionately promotes the merits of advanced education to Realtors,” says REIC in a release. She holds a variety of senior leadership positions in many organized real estate associations in Toronto and Ontario.

McCarthy is a past-president of REIC and “has been an avid promoter of REIC and IREM designations for over 23 years,” says the institute. He has written real estate text books and writes thought-provoking articles for local and national audiences. He also won two Pursuit of Excellence Awards.

Maura McLaren, left, REIC executive director and CEO and Cynthia Lai

Other 2012 Pursuit of Excellence Awards recipients include:

J.A. Weber Award: Darrell Jones, Manitoba Housing

Bentall Kennedy Excellence Award: Sheri Griffiths, Colliers International, Winnipeg

Murray Bosley Sales & Leasing Council Member of the Year Award: Lindsay Carlson, Jayman Realty, Sherwood Park, Alta.

Real Estate Management Council Member of the Year Award: Sandi Carlson-Edwards, City of Winnipeg

REIC Community Services Award: Serge Rivet, Re/Max TMS S.R., Rosemère, Que.

WPJ McCarthy Corporate Citizen of the Year: Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation, Fort McMurray, Alta.

Association of the Year Award: Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation, Winnipeg

Chapter Initiative of the Year Award: Real Estate Institute of Manitoba

Don Hill Award – Small Chapter:  REIC Edmonton Chapter

Don Hill Award – Large Chapter: REIC Greater Vancouver Chapter

Chapter of the Year Award – Small Chapter: Real Estate Institute of Manitoba

Chapter of the Year Award – Large Chapter: IREM Edmonton Chapter 

Chapter Administrator of the Year: Sharon Radford, IREM/REIC Edmonton Chapter