Long Island Board of REALTORS® Honors Tony Smith with 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award

The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) is proud to announce that the honorable 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented to Tony Smith of SAS Real Estate in Wantagh, for over forty years of dedication and commitment to the real estate industry.  The announcement was made on November 22, 2016 at the association’s Annual Installation and Awards Dinner held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Seeing as Tony has served on almost every committee you can ask just about anyone who has served on the Long Island Board of REALTORS®, and they will inevitably have a ‘Tony’ story.

Tony earned his Real Estate License in 1973 and worked for Wilbur Lew Real Estate for 3 years.  In 1976, he opened SAS Real Estate in Wantagh. From 1978 through 1980, Tony was the Zone 5 Chairman and began the thankless job of enforcing the sometimes, disregarded rules and procedures of our profession. In 1980, Tony also began serving as Nassau South Shore Chapter President. 

From 1981 to 1982, Tony was the Co-Chairman of RCA, REALTORS® for Corrective Action.  During this time, RCA sponsored 32 candidates for Directors, Chapter Presidents and the Executive Committee and were all victorious in obtaining all 32 seats. From 1982 to 1983, Tony was Chairman of Arbitration/Ethics and in 1995, successfully ran as challenger for the LIBOR Vice President of Nassau County.  The following year, history repeated itself, Tony was the successful challenger to become LIBOR President-Elect.  In 1997, Tony served as LIBOR President. 

The new millennium saw Tony still actively serving our Board with his legendary determination and style.  In 2000, Tony was selected to serve on the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) Executive Committee and in 2002, he became President of MLSLI. 

From 2005 through 2008 Tony was appointed by three different LIBOR Presidents to serve as Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee, which considers and acts upon any case involving alleged violations of the Code of Ethics forwarded by the Grievance Committee.

On a personal note, Tony established the Cheryl Manne Fund which provides an opportunity for select students enrolled in the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, to participate in a research program in the field of neurology that is dedicated to finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Tony founded this program in the memory of Cheryl Manne, his partner and a longtime SAS agent.  Cheryl lived courageously and inspired those that knew her to live life fully with dignity and humor, despite the challenges she and others face while living with Multiple Sclerosis. 

Tony has received numerous awards and commendations over the years, for his tireless commitment to the betterment of the real estate profession.  In his own words, Tony sums up his stellar past by insisting he has always been a Blue Blood, REALTOR® Blue that is!