Under the sparkling lights of the Radisson Blu banquet hall on Wednesday night, the real estate community gathered to honor exceptional members of the Chicago REALTOR® family at the 133rd annual Inaugural Gala. The event included the installation of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® 2016-2017 Board of Directors, and honored several individuals for their contributions and positive influence, among which were the recipients of the REALTOR® Community Service Award.
The REALTOR® Community Service Award recognizes outstanding achievements of a REALTOR® to his or her local community as well as active association participation.
Mabel Guzman is a notable member of @properties and a dedicated leader in the REALTOR® family. Her commitment to service includes leadership positions as a past President of C.A.R., director for the Illinois REALTORS® and most recently, a liaison for N.A.R. This coming year she will serve as an NAR Vice President. Her innate sense of giving can best be exemplified by her unceasing hours of service for Habit for Humanity, with which she traveled to the Gulf Coast on five separate occasions to assist in rebuilding efforts. In 2014 she was part of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® group that built three Habitat homes in Illinois. Mabel served as former director and interim COO for EdgeAlliance, an agency that provides housing for homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS. She provides 150 weekly meals to the homeless through her work with the First United Methodist Church, and is a testament to the positive community impact made possible by REALTORS®. She is a leader in the real estate industry as well as an advocate for social issues and bettering the community.
Marcos Mendez is a recognized leader in the America Real Estate family. His leadership in the real estate industry began as a broker and owner of CasAzteca Realty, Inc. from 1994 to 2012. But Marcos’s true legacy lies in his service as a deacon and pastoral associate of multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He had dedicated his time as coordinator of Hispanic Ministry and as a volunteer deacon for prison and hospital ministry. His faith and unceasing service to his community and his church are what renders Marcos a clear choice for the REALTOR® Community Service Award. He has also served PAWS Chicago and donated clothing and food to the homeless— particularly Deborah’s Place, a shelter for homeless women. Marcos has dedicated his life to making a positive impact both inside and outside of real estate.
Chris Mundy is a beloved and active broker with @properties. He supports various organizations such as the Art Institute, the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Illinois Nature Conservancy, but his giving nature can best be characterized by his relationship with the Off the Street Club (OTSC). He enjoys organizing a holiday gift drive for the club and mentoring the club’s collegiate graduates, in addition to his generous annual giving. In 2013, Chris engaged his brokerage to support the OTSC, and @properties Friends & Family Foundation contributed $18,000. After traveling to India and Nepal in 2015 and being part of the relief for the historic earthquake in Kathmandu, Chris has also worked tirelessly to raise thousands of dollars for earthquake victims. This deserving leader makes giving back and community outreach his personal mission statement and business plan.
Ginger Downs, Marcos Mendez, Mabel Guzman, and Zeke Morris pose for photo on the night of the Gala. Chris Mundy (not pictured) was unable to attend the event.
REALTOR® Community Service: Mabel Guzman
Mabel Guzman is a notable member of @properties and a dedicated leader in the REALTOR® family. Her commitment to service includes leadership positions as a past President of C.A.R., director for the Illinois REALTORS® and most recently, a liaison for N.A.R. This coming year she will serve as an NAR Vice President. Her innate sense of giving can best be exemplified by her unceasing hours of service for Habit for Humanity, with which she traveled to the Gulf Coast on five separate occasions to assist in rebuilding efforts. In 2014 she was part of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® group that built three Habitat homes in Illinois. Mabel served as former director and interim COO for EdgeAlliance, an agency that provides housing for homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS. She provides 150 weekly meals to the homeless through her work with the First United Methodist Church, and is a testament to the positive community impact made possible by REALTORS®. She is a leader in the real estate industry as well as an advocate for social issues and bettering the community.
REALTOR® Community Service: Marcos Mendez
Marcos Mendez is a recognized leader in the America Real Estate family. His leadership in the real estate industry began as a broker and owner of CasAzteca Realty, Inc. from 1994 to 2012. But Marcos’s true legacy lies in his service as a deacon and pastoral associate of multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He had dedicated his time as coordinator of Hispanic Ministry and as a volunteer deacon for prison and hospital ministry. His faith and unceasing service to his community and his church are what renders Marcos a clear choice for the REALTOR® Community Service Award. He has also served PAWS Chicago and donated clothing and food to the homeless— particularly Deborah’s Place, a shelter for homeless women. Marcos has dedicated his life to making a positive impact both inside and outside of real estate.
REALTOR® Community Service: Chris Mundy
Chris Mundy is a beloved and active broker with @properties. He supports various organizations such as the Art Institute, the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Illinois Nature Conservancy, but his giving nature can best be characterized by his relationship with the Off the Street Club (OTSC). He enjoys organizing a holiday gift drive for the club and mentoring the club’s collegiate graduates, in addition to his generous annual giving. In 2013, Chris engaged his brokerage to support the OTSC, and @properties Friends & Family Foundation contributed $18,000. After traveling to India and Nepal in 2015 and being part of the relief for the historic earthquake in Kathmandu, Chris has also worked tirelessly to raise thousands of dollars for earthquake victims. This deserving leader makes giving back and community outreach his personal mission statement and business plan.