News

 

Despite cocktail chatter dominated by war, the mood turned light Thursday evening when 350 members of the commercial investment division of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors held their annual awards banquet at the Metairie Country Club.

It's one of the few times that the folks who make the major deals in the metro area can hobnob in the same place. From Our Advertiser Rappers and characters As has become the norm, local broker Don Randon of Don Randon Real Estate Inc., who does not participate in the annual competition for top-dollar volume deals, was master of ceremonies. Once again, he had surprise skits up his sleeve.

First was rapper Little Skittles, who is actually able to make the words "industrial," "retail" and "office" into rhymes. Don't ask. Then came New Orleans perennial character actor Becky Allen, with an entire troupe of performers. The crowd was brow-beaten by a dominating nun from the long-running local act comedy play, "Sister, Sister."

Wine flowed as usual, backs were slapped as usual, and -- as usual -- local agent Jack Fisher took the Energizer Bunny Award for most transactions in 2002. He closed 64 transactions. And, as usual, he took the Peanut Award for smallest lease -- $225. Fisher of Latter & Blum Inc. is something of the dean of local real estate. He also is something of a magnet: He kept drawing brokers from across the room, who came by to touch his arm and shake his hand. Hayden Wren III of Corporate Realty took the division's top honors for overall sales, called the Waguespack Award. He also got the top overall special purpose award.

Other winners Thursday night included first-time winners and market newcomers Lucy Chun of Re/Max Commercial Brokers and Avery Kessler of Max J. Derbes Inc. Every year, top new brokers receive the award. Kessler also won an award called overall highest volume for a first-time recipient. Big dogs nab big awards.  The veterans, meanwhile, chalked up big honors. Richard Kirschman of Latter & Blum took honors for the top retail lease. Kessler and Bert Duvic of Max J. Derbes shared the top retail sale award. Rhonda Sharkawy of Stirling Properties was overall top retail broker for the year.

Richard Juge of Re/Max Commercial Brokers took the award for top office lease of the year. Brian Rourke of Latter & Blum got awards for the top office sale as well as overall top office sales. Max Derbes III of Max J. Derbes had the top industrial lease of the year and Bruce Bolyard of the same firm took top industrial sale honors. The overall top industrial broker of the year was David Quinn, also of Max Derbes. The top multifamily sale award went to Larry Schedler of Larry G. Schedler & Associates Inc. He also won for top overall multifamily.

In keeping with tradition, the night was capped with champagne following dessert, and many brokers left for the quasi-traditional nightcap at Metairie Cafe. Maybe they conspired over coffee on how to outperform Fisher next year. . . . . . . . Greg Thomas can be reached at gthomas@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3399.

© 2003 The Times-Picayune, L.L.C.  All rights reserved.   Used with permission of The Times- Picayune.