Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314

Osceola County Realtor® Recognized as FAR’s 2006 Newcomer of the Year

ORLANDO, Fla., October 2006 — Osceola County Realtor® Hope Carina Andrews was recently named Florida’s 2006 Newcomer of the Year by the 155,000-member Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). The award was presented at FAR’s recent 90th annual Convention & Trade Expo in Hollywood, Fla.

This year marks the third time that FAR has given the Newcomer Award. The Newcomer Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has entered the Realtor profession within the past three years or less, and during that time has made notable contributions to the local and state associations, as well as to his or her community.

Andrews supports the Osceola association as its current vice president, along with serving on numerous committees. In her first year as a Realtor member, she was vice-chair of the local organization's candidate screening committee, on the Realtor Political Action Committee (RPAC) and the international committee. Andrews also has chaired the president's Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, collecting more than $20,000 to build a Habitat Home in St. Cloud.

She is a member of FAR's Public Policy Committee and serves on FAR's board of directors. Andrews is a graduate of the 2004 Osceola County Leadership program, belongs to the Kissimmee and St. Cloud chambers of commerce and is active with her church and her son's school.

For her contributions to the real estate profession and the community, Andrews has been honored with one of FAR’s top awards.

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for its more than 155,000 members in 68 local boards/associations. FAR's Media Center Web site is available at http://media.living.net.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®