LIBOR’s Young Professional Network (YPN) hosted a fabulous evening with the stars, honoring the 3rd Annual ‘20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate,’ on June 25, 2014 at the Fox Hollow restaurant in Woodbury.   It was a spectacular event filled with festivities, networking and dancing, generously sponsored by Robert Flower of Continental Home Loans (platinum sponsor), and Howard Fritz of One Fine Day Photographers.com (silver sponsor).

YPN is an organization that helps young real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become successful in their career. 20 Long Island and Queens real estate professionals 40 years of age or younger were chosen for their excellence in the areas of sales, leadership, community involvement and have demonstrated ingenuity, creativity, and leadership in their careers.   Candidates for this award represent what the selection committee considers an overall well-rounded Realtor®.   The YPN selection committee wanted to ensure they had a diverse group of finalists in terms of business niches, gender, ethnic background, and geographic location.  Finally, the committee looked for compelling stories – such as interesting business strategies or obstacles overcome. 

Congratulations to all of the worthy recipients whose outstanding commitment to the real estate industry demonstrates that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the luminaries of today! 

And the esteemed honorees are (in alphabetical order):

Chris Abazis - Keller Williams Realty Landmark II -

http://www.kwqueenshomes.com

Shellee Affonso McCarty - Coach Realtors -

http://shellee.coachrealtors.com/

Cynthia Aronstam - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage -

http://www.cindyaronstam.com

Cristina Callegari - Realty Connect USA -

http://www.nyhomeshowcase.com

Yelnia Casilla - Rockaway Properties -

http://www.rockaprop.com

Amy Donnelly - Coach Realtors –

http://www.homesbyamydonnelly.com/

Gordon Lewis - Realty Connect USA -

http://www.realtyconnectusa.com

Eliot Lonardo - LI Finest Homes -

http://www.LIFinestHomes.com

Raymond Lord III - Douglas Elliman Real Estate -

http://www.elliman.com/rlord

Amy Martz - Coldwell Banker M & D Good Life -

http://www.mdgoodlife.com

Paul Mateyunas - Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty -

http://www.danielgale.com/

Anthony Napolitano - Coldwell Banker Homes Realty -

http://www.anapolitano.com

Jaime M. Pompa-Jamin - JPJ Real Estate & Design -

http://www.jpjre.com

Leah Rosenberg - Charles Rutenberg Realty -

http://www.leahli.com/

Damian Ross - Daniel Gale Sotheby's -

http://www.damianross.net

William Rugen - Century 21 Princeton Properties -

http://c21princetonproperties.com/

Nick Sakalis - Douglas Elliman Real Estate -

http://www.nicksakalis.com

Mitchell Slavuter – Prime Realty -

http://www.myprimerealtor.com

Karolina Slupinska - Keller Williams Realty Landmark -

http://www.KarolinaSells.com

Annie Torres - Realty Connect USA -

http://www.realtyconnectusa.com/annietorres

The night was a tremendous success all in part to the seemingly effortless but undoubtedly assiduous labors of the hostess of the evening, LIBOR’s YPN President Melissa Gomez and her exceptional advisory board, including Past President Kate Koplinka, Mark Donnelly, Vice President and Treasurer; and Amy Donnelly, Secretary. “It is such an honor to be amongst this group of young professionals in our industry. I think it's extremely important that we continue to acknowledge these individuals for their drive, persistence, ability to overcome adversity, and successes. Congratulations to the Class of 2014.” said LI YPN’s President Melissa Gomez.

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) began in 2006 and was started by Realtor® Magazine as a way to help the younger generation of Realtors® build a stronger link with the real estate industry. In 2009, YPN began to expand its network by encouraging local and state associations to use the YPN model to start their own young professional’s network. In 2011, the Long Island Board of Realtors® was proud to join the YPN movement and established a YPN chapter for Long Island that supports members in Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties. Young professionals represent the future of the real estate industry.  Members of the YPN represent the next generation of leaders in our association and our community. 

 For more information or to join the LI chapter of YPN, visit http://ypn.lirealtor.com/.

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