Arkansas REALTORS® Awards 2025

The Arkansas REALTORS® Association has long recognized that the work of a REALTOR® goes far beyond properties and transactions. It involves service – to clients, communities, and the real estate profession itself. To honor those who go above and beyond, the ARA presents several awards annually to members who exemplify professionalism, leadership, volunteerism, and service.

REALTOR® of the Year

Since 1960, this peer-selected award has been given annually to one REALTOR® who best exemplifies and represents the association. Six categories are evaluated: REALTOR® spirit, community activity, business accomplishments, local board activity, state association activity, and national association activity.  This year’s REALTOR® of the Year demonstrates integrity, dedication, and a passion for seeing Arkansans achieve the dream of homeownership. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for excellence – closing transactions and volunteering with care, diligence, and heart. We are pleased to congratulate Alicia Demarest of the Northwest Arkansas Board of REALTORS® on being named the 2025 Arkansas REALTORS® Association’s REALTOR® of the Year.

Bob Walker Leadership Impact Award

Established in 2021 to honor the legacy of REALTOR® member Bob Walker, this award is presented annually to a REALTOR® who has made a significant impact through their leadership in the association. This year’s recipient has worked tirelessly for years to see this association flourish. She has served in numerous capacities, in each one giving her all. Whether it be in front of a local board at their monthly meeting or behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly, this person has shown a true dedication to the furthering and betterment of the Arkansas REALTORS® Association. Congratulations to Jennifer Welch on receiving this year’s Bob Walker Leadership Impact Award.

Omega Tau Rho

Induction into this honorary fraternity established in 1950is an honor marked by significant contribution to the National Association of REALTORS®. Once a member receives the yellow and blue Medallion of Service, they are a member for life. Membership is awarded by to the Arkansas REALTORS® Association’s state presidents and REALTORS® of the Year. Congratulations, Heather Keenen, on being inducted into the Omega Tau Rho fraternity.

L. Wayne Camp Award

The L. Wayne Camp Award is the Arkansas REALTORS® Association’s highest public relations honor, awarded in recognition of continuing and outstanding volunteerism by a REALTOR® for Special Olympics Arkansas. What began as a one-year community service project has blossomed into nearly four decades of fundraising partnership. Beyond their work in real estate, this year’s winner is deeply committed to Special Olympics Arkansas and showcases such by showing up and supporting in every way that he can. Congratulations to Chris Demarest on receiving this year’s L. Wayne Camp Award.

Shaddox Award

Modeled after the L. Wayne Camp Award, the Shaddox Award is presented annually in recognition of long-standing and impactful service to and fundraising for the Arkansas REALTORS® Association’s 501(c)(3) charity, Hearts and Homes of Arkansas, Inc..  This year’s winner has devoted countless hours to supporting Hearts and Homes, showing what it truly means to serve with heart. Her consistent, hands-on dedication to helping others has made a lasting difference in the lives of Arkansans in need. Congratulations to Nancy Wright on receiving this year’s Shaddox Award.

Special Olympics Arkansas Fundraising

The Association is proud to acknowledge local boards who put tremendous efforts into fundraising for Special Olympics Arkansas. A total fundraising award is given to the small, medium, and large boards who raised the most funds throughout the year. Having raised $20,484.02, this year’s winner in the small board distinction is the Mena Area Board of REALTORS®. For the medium board distinction, the award goes to the Texarkana Board of REALTORS® with a fundraising total of $9,069.32. With a fundraising total over$60,000, this year’s large board fundraising winner is the Northwest Arkansas Board of REALTORS®. We also recognize the local board with the highest increase in fundraising year over year – this year being the Little Rock REALTORS® Association. Finally, we celebrate the local board who raised the most funds per member of their board – this year going to the Mena Area Board of REALTORS®.

RPAC President’s Cup

Many factors go into achieving the RPAC President’s Cup designation, and local boards work hard all year long to check requirements off the list. To be awarded the President’s Cup, the local board must: achieve an average response rate of 20% on Calls for Action for the National Association of REALTORS®, meet or exceed participation criteria of 37% of membership, and meet or exceed the local board’s share of their state’s national RPAC fundraising goal. Congratulations to the following boards for earning the 2024RPAC President’s Cup designation: Arkansas River Valley Board of REALTORS®, Batesville Board of REALTORS®, Conway and Perry Counties Board of REALTORS®, Eastern Arkansas REALTORS® Association, El Dorado Board of REALTORS®, Greers Ferry Lake Area Board of REALTORS®, Harrison District Board of REALTORS®, Hot Springs Board of REALTORS®, Jefferson County Association of REALTORS®, Mena Area Board of REALTORS®, Northwest Arkansas Board of REALTORS®, Searcy Board of REALTORS®, South Central Arkansas Board of REALTORS®, and the Southeast Arkansas Board of REALTORS®. Thank you for all of your hard work making a difference in the real estate industry.

These awards stand as a powerful reminder of what makes this profession so meaningful. Each tells a story – of dedication, leadership, and service that reaches far beyond the real estate industry. From those who champion their clients and communities to those who volunteer their time and resources for causes close to the REALTOR® heart, these honorees remind us what it truly means to make a difference. Their achievements reflect the values that unite us as REALTORS®: integrity, compassion, and a commitment to helping others find not just a house, but a home.

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