The New England SIOR Chapter held its Annual Scholarship Award Night on October 21st at the Dedham Country and Polo Club. Approximately 35 SIOR 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 Detwiller for becoming part of this prestigious circle and his years of commitment. Klemmer then stated that 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.
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.
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.