VAR Announces Realtor® of the Year and Good Neighbor
VAR has named the recipients of its most prestigious annual awards. Dody Day, Lamoille Area Board of Realtors® is the VAR 2023 Realtor® of the Year. Amey Ryan, Addison County Board of Realtors® has been named the 2023 VAR Good Neighbor. Both will be recognized at the VAR Annual Meeting on Nov. 2 at The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe. Learn more here.
Dody Day Named VAR Realtor® of the Year
Dody Day, a broker for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Vermont Realty Group, has been named the 2023 Realtor® of the Year (ROTY) by the Vermont Association of Realtors® (VAR).
VAR’s Realtor® of the Year recognition is the association’s highest honor and recognizes a Realtor® member for outstanding commitment to the Realtor® industry, and outstanding service to their clients and community.
“Dody exemplifies the spirit and values that make our Realtor® brand strong,” said VAR Chief Executive Officer Kathy Sweeten. “Her dedication to excellence has profoundly impacted her community and demonstrates the commitment that Realtors® have to the highest level of service in their profession and in their communities.”
As a member of the Lamoille Area Board of Realtors® (LABOR), Dody has provided extraordinary leadership through her involvement on committees and participation in the Realtor® organization at a local and state level. She served on the LABOR board of directors for six years, first as secretary and then as vice president and president. She also represented LABOR as a director on the Prime MLS Board of Directors and served as a Director on the Vermont Association of Realtors® Board of Directors.
“Dody’s role as the 2020 LABOR president showcased her exemplary leadership abilities and her unwavering commitment to the real estate profession,” said Grant Wieler, president-elect for LABOR. “During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives that not only elevated the association’s profile, but also advocated for the rights and interests of real estate professionals and homeowners alike.”
Dody’s commitment to community service is remarkable, added Wieler. As a member of the board of the Local Economic Development Committee, Dody contributed valuable insights and expertise to help shape and improve the local business landscape. “Her strategic vision and ability to navigate complex challenges have been instrumental in fostering sustainable growth and economic development in our community,” said Wieler.
Dody has also volunteered with the Boy Scout Leaders of America, mentoring young individuals and teaching the value of integrity, teamwork, and selflessness. She has also been involved in the Wolcott Ski and Ride Program as a director, where she worked to provide countless opportunities for children in her community to experience the joy of outdoor activities while fostering their physical and personal development. Her exceptional leadership skills and ability to motivate and inspire young athletes have helped cultivate a positive and competitive environment.
Amey Ryan is Named the 2023 Good Neighbor for the Vermont Association
of Realtors®
The Vermont Association of Realtors® (VAR) has named Amey Ryan as its 2023 Good Neighbor. Amey is a broker/owner at IPJ Real Estate in Middlebury.
“Each year, VAR recognizes one individual who has made an extraordinary impact on their community through volunteer work,” said VAR Chief Executive Kathy Sweeten. “Amey is the epitome of the Realtor® brand through her commitment to community, to her clients, and to her profession.”
“Amey is everything you want in a community leader,” said Beth Stanway, who works as an agent/broker with Amey. “If there is an event or a need in the community, something or someone who needs a cheerleader, she’s there. Do you need an emcee for the Maple Run, the newly established car show, or a ski race at the Snow Bowl? Amey will do it.”
From acting as Mrs. Claus for the Very Merry Middlebury, to raising over $10,000 to provide meals to healthcare workers during holiday shifts at the hospital and nursing home, Amey can be found immersed in her community. She has served on the Porter Hospital Board and is currently the inaugural Chair of the Community Development Council at the Porter Medical Center, helping to connect her community with local resources.
For the past two years, Amey has helped organize a community-wide clothing swap to support WomenSafe. She also helped organize the Derby Day party for the Porter Hospital Auxilary.
“When Amey heard that some child-sized Adirondack chairs were stolen in the community’s Triangle Park, she took to Facebook and talked about her disappointment in what had happened,” said Stanway. Days later, the chairs were replaced by generous community members who had heard Amey’s concern.
The residents of Middlebury also recognize Amey’s extraordinary commitment to her community. She has been nominated twice by residents for experiencemiddlebury.com for making a difference.
Amey is equally committed to her professional as a Realtor®, serving on the Addison County Board of Realtors® (ACBOR). She was the recipient of the ACBOR Realtor® of the Year Award in 2002, 2007, and 2013. She is a Middlebury Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow, and the 2018 Buster Brush “Citizen of the Year” award recipient for the Addison County Chamber of Commerce. She has also served as board president for the Better Middlebury Partnership, chair of the Downtown Improvement District Commission, chair of the Porter Hospital Board Community Development Council, and an ACBOR representative for PrimeMLS.