The Northwest Montana Association of Realtors presented its 2015 awards Wednesday night, naming the Realtor of the Year, Rookie of the Year and the Jean Carter Spirit Award.

Brian Nicodemus with RE/MAX of Whitefish earned the Realtor of the Year award, the association’s top honor.

The association evaluates business style, professionalism, integrity, community service and involvement with trade associations when selecting award winners.

Nicodemus earned his real-estate license in 1999 and obtained his broker’s license in 2002, receiving his GRI designation (“Graduate, REALTOR Institute”) the following year. He has been an accredited buyer’s representative since 2004 and also is a Certified Residential Specialist, with short sale and foreclosure resource certification.

Nicodemus has been active with the local association, particularly with fundraising for the NMAR Charitable Foundation. He annually organizes the Realtor Golf Tournament. At the state level he has been the district vice president for the Northwest Region for the past two years.

Following the awards ceremony, Nicodemus said the most rewarding part of being a Realtor has been helping his clients achieve their goals.

The Rookie of the Year award went to Phillippa “Phil” Labuda with Chuck Olson Real Estate. A native of Zimbabwe, she moved to the U.S. in 1986. Labuda is a member of NMAR’s Young Professionals Network Group. She was a volunteer for the association’s holiday mixer to support the Sparrow’s Nest, and she’s a volunteer teacher for Community Action Partners’ first-time homebuyer program.

“I believe the key to success is doing your best at all times,” she said.

The Jean Carter Spirit Award was presented to Larry Wakefield. This award was created last year in honor of the late Jean Carter, and is given to a Realtor who exemplifies the Realtor spirit.

Wakefield founded Properties Northwest Real Estate in 1995 and continues as the broker/owner. He, too, has been active with NMAR, serving on the Professional Standards Committee for 15 years. He has served on the Multiple Listing Service board of directors on and off through the years. In 1986 he helped start the local Realtor Food Drive to benefit the local food bank.

In other honors, Bob “Nad” Nadvornick of West Venture Real Estate has been granted Realtor Emeritus Status for 40 years of membership with the Realtor association. He is a two-time NMAR Salesperson of the Year, and has served as local board treasurer, local director and state director, each for two terms.

Nadvornick has been a licensed Realtor for 38 years in the Flathead Valley, and is an active community leader.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.