The New England SIOR Chapter held its Annual Scholarship Award Night on October 21st at the Dedham Country and Polo Club. Approximately 35 SIORs and guests attended the event. Greg Klemmer, Chapter president began the evening thanking our sponsor Vantage Builders and then announced that SIOR National has developed the Legacy Circle for members of 30 years or more. Legacy Circle members receive complimentary convention registrations and Klemmer announced that within the New England Chapter the sole member was Chip Detwiller. Congratulations to Chip for becoming part of this prestigious circle and his years of commitment. Klemmer then stated it was just as important to attract new members and announced that during 2009 the Chapter developed the Candidate Program for up and coming brokers of less than 5 years' experience who are committed to earning their designation with SIOR. This year the newly accepted candidates are Mike Zieja, John Dolan and Bill Lynch of Meredith & Grew. Three other brokers are also pending: Mike McCarthy, Tim Brodigan and Evan Gallagher.
Klemmer reviewed the genesis of the New England Chapter/Robert W. Holmes Scholarship Award which is given by the Chapter to an "up and coming" Boston area commercial broker, with less than three years' experience. The scholarship offers the broker the opportunity to attend an SIOR course at an SIOR National Convention. The Scholarship was started three years ago with the efforts of Mark Stevens and Garry Holmes. Stevens then spoke to the attendees on the background of Bob Holmes' professional career at Ryan Elliot and becoming an SIOR in 1970. Holmes then worked at Nordblom Co. prior to starting his own firm in Natick in 1976 and entering into virgin territory of the Rte. 495 market. In 1979, Holmes became the SIOR Chapter president. Garry Holmes then followed his father years later and served as Chapter president as well and now chairs the Chapter Scholarship Committee. Past recipients have included Jeremy Freid and Tim Brodigan.
Klemmer announced that this year there were two co-recipients; Mike Zieja of Meredith & Grew and Evan Gallagher of NAI Hunneman Commercial. Each recipient received $2,000 for tuition, room and board towards an SIOR course and to attend the Fall National Conference. The Chapter would like to thank Vantage Builders, Inc. for sponsoring this event.