The Naples Area Board of REALTORS (NABOR) installed its 2020 Board of Directors and Officers at its 70th annual installation banquet, “Shine Bright Like a Diamond,” on Saturday, December 7th at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. Lauren Melo was welcomed as president and charmed her audience with a very sincere speech that recognized the community’s unique opportunities in the near future and challenged members to continue to press its board to support, advocate, and safeguard their profession.
The beautiful event attracted over 200 attendees who enjoyed cocktails overlooking the bay before dinner and dancing. Wes Kunkle, President 2013, served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, and Collier County Commissioner and REALTOR® Bill McDaniel, served as the installing officer.
The evening’s ceremony began with an invocation by Jo Carter, President 2006, who was recognized with a standing ovation upon announcing her retirement. A Presentation of Colors was led by members of the Barron Collier High School JROTC Color Guard followed by The Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by Carter.
The National Anthem was sung by soloist Sarah O’Brien before outgoing President Jeff Jones took the stage to recognize the outstanding leadership of the 2019 Board of Directors and committee members. Jones also spotlighted the successful collaboration of the 2019 NABOR® Leadership Academy class and Water Quality Task Force, and their efforts to implement change. He also shared his gratitude to the NABOR® staff for their efforts in helping him achieve his goals, which included the completion of the NABOR® parking lot renovation project, supporting ongoing water quality initiatives, and launching a new interactive market statistics package that provides members with more data and insight into the Naples area real estate market.
Commissioner McDaniels installed the following 2019 NABOR® officers: Lauren Melo, President; Corey McCloskey, President-elect; Adam Vellano, Vice President/Secretary; Nicholas Bobzien, Treasurer; and Directors: William Archer, Ryan Bleggi, Jeff Jones, Chip Olson, Leah Paige, Patricia “PJ” Smith, and Terrilyn VanGorder.
The installation ceremony took place on December 7th, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. President Melo’s escort for the evening was her son, former Army Specialist Lenvil Dare Rambo IV, who served in South Korea and Afghanistan, and helped to inspire the new president’s acceptance speech.
Upon taking the stage to announce her presidential ambitions for 2020, President Melo presented a heartwarming speech that honored the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Armed Forces, including thousands of brave men and women who fought for freedom in Pearl Harbor, the South Pacific, Europe, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Mogadishu, and Afghanistan.
President Melo took advantage of the patriotic moment to make a request to members to become involved in community improvement projects, and to keep her and her fellow board members accountable to the pledge they made to protect homeownership and the real estate profession.
President Melo, a breast cancer survivor, has chosen Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, a local organization that helps breast cancer patients, to receive fundraising contributions from NABOR events held in 2020.
