REALTOR® Bill Craig, Managing Broker of RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign, is the 2014 REALTOR® of the Year for the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®. Craig received the award at the CCAR awards banquet on October 18th at the Champaign Country Club.

          The award is based on involvement to the REALTOR® Association, real estate industry and contributions to the community.

          Craig served as president of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® in 2006 and has been a volunteer member on the Board of Directors, Professional Standards Committee and Grievance Committee. He also is the current chairman of the CCAR Multiple Listing Service Committee. In 2003, he was bestowed the Affiliate Choice award, given annually to a REALTOR® selected by affiliate members in recognition for his/her outstanding contributions to the local real estate industry.

          "This year we recognize Bill Craig for his outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and to his volunteerism to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®," said Jeffrey Barkstall, president of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® . "Bill has spent many hours volunteering to further the initiatives of CCAR. He is highly respected within the industry and has been an influential mentor to many agents within our Association."

          Craig has been a REALTOR® since 1984. He has served as Managing Broker for RE/MAX Realty Associates since 1994. He is active within his community through Grace Church in Mahomet and he also works to promote the Chris Craig Memorial Run each fall to benefit Mahomet Seymour Schools, Mahomet Recreation and Carle Cancer Center.

          He will be recognized at the June 16th Illinois Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® of the Year Banquet in Springfield.

          Other individuals recognized at the CCAR Awards banquet include:

          REALTOR® Jesse Stauffer, a broker with RE/MAX Realty Associates in Champaign received the Rookie of the Year award. The award is presented annually to a new REALTOR® who has been in the industry no more than two years but who has actively served on Association committees.

          REALTOR® Vicki Cook, a broker with Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell of Mahomet received the Affiliate Choice Award. The award is presented annually to a REALTOR® selected by affiliate members in recognition of his/her outstanding contribution to the local real estate industry.

          Tom Weldon of Weldon Termite and Pest Control, Inc. received the Affiliate of the Year award. The award is bestowed on a CCAR affiliate member each year in recognition for their contributions to furthering the local real estate profession through participation in Association activities and committees and assisting REALTOR® members.

          REALTOR® Jayme Ahlden, a broker with RE/MAX Realty Associates in Champaign received the Helen Stafford Scholarship presented to a new agent who has been an active member of CCAR for no longer than five years.

          REALTOR® Max McComb, a broker with RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign received the Midland States Bank Scholarship .

          REALTOR® Todd Salen, a broker with Sperry Van Ness Ramshaw Real Estate in Champaign received the Busey Bank Scholarship.

          REALTOR® Chris Diana, a broker with Keller Williams Realty in Champaign received the PNC Mortgage Scholarship.

          Three CCAR scholarships were awarded by the Education Working Group to Jeffrey Barkstall, broker with Century 21 Heartland Real Estate, PJ Trautman, broker with Champaign County Realty and Jennifer McLennand, a broker with Keller Williams Realty.

          The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® is a voluntary organization serving Champaign County and surrounding areas, and it is the leading resource for REALTOR® members and an advocate for homeownership and private property rights.