The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) recognized two local REALTORS® for their outstanding contributions to the profession at its Annual General Meeting, February 22 at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.

The 2012 John Armeneau Professional of the Year was awarded to Len Visser, Owner/Broker of Century 21 Ace Agencies Realty in Abbotsford.

And a one-time only Special Achievement Award was presented to Bonnie Moy, HomeLife Benchmark Realty in White Rock.

Since 1985, the John Armeneau award has been presented to a Fraser Valley REALTOR® who demonstrates professional excellence, integrity, dedication to fellow colleagues, clients and the community, as well as devotion to organized real estate. It is the Board’s highest honour and is only awarded annually when a member qualifies.

As one of the longest-serving FVREB members currently, Visser began his prolific real estate career in his hometown of Abbotsford in 1967. He opened his Century 21 franchise in 1976 and has consistently served his clients, his representatives, organized real estate and his community with the highest possible standards ever since.  

Sukh Sidhu, Board president and fellow Abbotsford REALTOR®, has had the fortune of working with Visser through the years. “He epitomizes what it means to be a professional REALTOR®.

“To demonstrate an unwavering commitment, ethics and dedication to one’s profession are admirable, but to do it consistently for over four decades is extraordinary. Len is in a class of his own.”

During the past 30 years, Visser has made considerable contributions to organized real estate in BC having served as a director and president of FVREB, director of the British Columbia Real Estate Association and currently as Past Chair of the Real Estate Errors & Omissions Insurance Corporation of BC.

Outside of real estate, Visser personally promotes bone marrow donor registration, has canvassed for the Kidney Foundation and when his children and grandchildren were of school age, coached minor baseball and hockey. At the corporate level, Century 21 Ace Agencies supports many community events and sponsors a number of Abbotsford schools’ team sports.

Sidhu adds, “Like John Armeneau, Len has always been willing to lend an ear to new REALTORS® and because of his extensive real estate knowledge and experience is one of our most valued role models and mentors. Resources like him are irreplaceable.” 

Visser is the 27th Fraser Valley REALTOR® to be recognized as the Professional of the Year. The award was renamed in honour of John Armeneau, a highly regarded North Delta REALTOR®, in 1996.

Bonnie Moy received a Special Achievement Award in recognition of her 20-year career devoted to enhancing the public image of REALTORS®.

The South Surrey/White Rock REALTOR® is best known as the founder of FVREB’s Realty Watch program; now a community crime prevention program embraced by thousands of REALTORS® across BC known for its unique fan-out component, whereby REALTORS® are engaged by police to look for missing people. Her client Paul Cameron elicited Moy’s assistance and that of her fellow colleagues in 1994 in the search for his missing daughter. Although Pamela Cameron was found murdered, Moy has kept her memory alive through the growth and success of Realty Watch.

In addition, Moy inspired and helped develop the Fraser Valley Board’s REALTOR® Value Toolkit, an internal REALTOR® marketing program that in only one year of release has been embraced by real estate boards across the country.

Sidhu says, “Bonnie has always understood that REALTORS® do more than market properties on the Multiple Listing Service®.  Our duty first and foremost is to protect and promote the interests of our clients.

“This specialized tool to communicate our value is revolutionary and deserves unique recognition.”

For photos of either award recipient, contact Laurie Dawson, Communications Coordinator, at 604.930.7657 or laurie.dawson@fvreb.bc.ca.