GARY ROGERS
‘Absolutely awed’

Gary Rogers of RE/MAX First Realty in Waltham has been named the 2005 Realtor of the Year by the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.

Rogers was one of four candidates for the honor, all of whom were recognized last week by GBREB. The other nominees were David Friedberg of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Brookline; Robert Imperato of Boston Realty Assoc. in Boston; and Patricia Libbey of Hammond Residential GMAC in Chestnut Hill. The awards ceremony was held Wednesday at the historic MIT Endicott House in Dedham.

“I’m blown away. I’m absolutely awed,” said Rogers of being honored as Realtor of the Year. “Historically there have been some pretty big people bestowed with this honor. The stature of the previous recipients is amazing – it’s an absolute ‘who’s who’ of the industry, all of whom have been very instrumental in my career and role models for everyone in the field. All of the candidates are true professionals; any one of us could have been chosen. To be acknowledged by your peers in this way is one of the greatest compliments.”

A Local Edge

The award is presented annually to a member of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, a division of GBREB, to an individual who has performed notable service to the Realtor association, the real estate profession and the community.

Rogers has sold real estate since 1987, before which he worked as an Air Force medic. When his father became ill, Rogers decided to discontinue his service in the military and pursue a new line of work.

“My father was a builder and he introduced me to Dick DeWolfe [former chairman and chief executive officer of The DeWolfe Cos.], who is a former Realtor of the Year recipient,” said Rogers. “I was in awe. These people were pillars of the communities – very powerful. Once I started to meet more people I said to myself, ‘Geez, this might be kind of interesting.'”

Rogers, having been in the industry for almost 20 years, said he still finds it to be an interesting profession.

“With real estate, things are always changing. There’s always something new to learn, a new set of skills you can acquire. You meet a lot of different people and you do a lot of different things,” said Rogers.

During his military career, Rogers spent time swooping into chaotic scenes and giving aid to those in need, a practice that he said prepared him for his work as a Realtor.

“Being a paramedic, you have to be on top of the situation and inevitably people are very emotional. It translates. Buying and selling a house can be very emotional to some people. It can be a very trying experience, so I have to have a lot of patience and sensitivity to these people and what they want,” Rogers said.

In his current position, Rogers has made it a point to reach out to one group of buyers in particular that he feels is particularly in need of guidance and assistance.

“First-time homebuyers are still a major part of my business. They need a certain amount of protection. It’s their first big purchase ever, and it’s my responsibility to take care of these people,” Rogers said.

Rogers, a resident of Waltham since the age of 7, is able to give his clients a certain local edge because of his deep knowledge of the community.

“I grew up on the south side of Waltham, but I’ve lived in pretty much every area of the town and they all have their own flavor. Living in the neighborhoods you’re marketing is invaluable. Realtors are expected to be professional and knowledgeable about their markets, and you have to live it to know it,” said Rogers.

Rogers has been an active member of the GBAR board of directors since 2001 and served this year as a member of the Executive Committee, chairman of the Regional Outreach Task Force, regional director and a member of the Professional Standards Committee. He is also a five-term Massachusetts Association of Realtors director and is the 2005 regional vice president for Greater Boston. He also serves on the MAR Finance Committee and is a 2006 candidate for MAR secretary/treasurer, currently running unopposed. In addition, he is an active participant in the New England Regional and National Association Conventions.

“Through my involvement with Realtor organizations, I have absolutely learned something every time,” said Rogers.

Although his list of accomplishments and professional associations are impressive, one criterion in selecting the Realtor of the Year was particularly important to those involved in the decision.

“The award is based on service to the association, commitment to customers and clients and a solid reputation in the business,” said Laurie Cadigan, president of GBREB’s board of directors. “But more importantly, nomination and selection are based on contributing to the communities we service and improving the quality of life for its residents.”

Rogers has spent a great deal of time serving his community. He sits on the board of the Waltham Boys and Girls Club and is a founding member and past vice president of the Lawrence School PTO. He is an active fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. Rogers is also a nationally registered EMT-paramedic and has been cited by the American Red Cross for lifesaving actions and leadership at a mass casualty incident.

“Gary was chosen out of four really wonderful candidates. It was a very difficult decision,” said Cadigan. “The reason he was picked, though, was his clear commitment to the association in addition to his outstanding community service. Plus, truth be told, he’s just a great guy.”

In mid-September Rogers will represent Greater Boston at a MAR banquet, where 14 area Realtors of the Year will convene and one will be given the state award.