There must be something in the water in Traverse City, Michigan, because its small association managed to produce two top award winners at the NAR Mid-year conference.

Paul Scott, former president of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors, won the Distinguished Service Award, the NAR's highest honor.

Judith Lindenau, executive vice president of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors, won the William Magel Award of Excellence for Association Executives.

It was Scott who hired Lindenau 25 years ago.

These recognitions are significant, especially in light of the fact that the membership of the TAAR is only 600 Realtors.

"I think it's positive attitude and hard work," says TAAR's current President Marsha Minervini of her association's windfall. "Paul has been a longtime force, and now he is more active on the state and national level. He has distinguished himself at the top of the crowd."

Continues Minervini, "We are so lucky to have Judith as our EO. She does so many wonderful communications to everyone and to have her receive this award makes us all look good. When you go to the national conferences and see the level of respect that she garners from across the country, it tells me how fortunate we are."

Paul Scott has been a NAR Director, a member of the NAR Executive Committee, chairman of the "Realtors Active In Politics" program for NAR, and a member of numerous NAR committees. He is a member of the Realtors Land Institute, active nationally and on the state chapter level.

Scott was President of TAAR in 1976, and served as chairman of the Executive Officers Committee in 1978 and chair of the building committee in 1977, which built the building TAAR occupies.

In Michigan, Scott is also active in the Birmingham Bloomfield South Oakland Board of Realtors and the Detroit Area Commercial Board. He was president of the Michigan Association in 1983.

"You have to feel terribly humbled," says Scott. "It is wonderful to be associated with others who have been honored. I walk in tall cotton right now."

Lindenau has been Executive Vice President of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors since 1978, and holds certifications as a Certified Association Executive and Realtors Certified Association Executive.

She is a charter member of the RCE Certification Board, and a member of the NAR Strategic Planning Committee and NAR RPAC Trustees. She is past president of the Michigan Executive Officers Council and has served on various committees at the MAR and NAR levels.

Lindenau is currently on the Board of Directors of the International Real Property Foundation, and author of the IRPF Publication, "Management Guide for Real Estate Associations."

She is president of JWL Associates, a management consulting firm specializing in association planning and leadership training.

"It's the pinnacle of my career in association management," says Lindenau.

Editor's note: A second Distinguished Service Award went to Thomas Jefferson III, of Richmond, Virginia. Congratulations to you, Mr. Jefferson, from the staff at Realty Times.

Published: May 22, 2002

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