NYSAR Honors Long Island REALTOR® Mary Alice Ruppert as REALTOR® of the Year

Mary Alice Ruppert, REALTOR® and Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) Secretary/Treasurer, has been named the recipient of the 2023 REALTOR® of the Year award by New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR). The prestigious award was presented during the Association's recent Fall Business Meetings at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY.

The REALTOR® of the Year award, the highest honor NYSAR can bestow on a member, is presented annually to an individual whose dedication to excellence has most profoundly enhanced the professional image of REALTORS® in New York. The award recognizes personal leadership and service qualities applied to the real estate industry and to promoting civic, community, and charitable causes.

Ruppert, a Licensed Associate Broker and the Career and Business Development Leader of Coach Real Estate Associates Inc. in East Islip, NY, has been a pillar of the local real estate community since 1990. Her extensive experience, combined with her ABR, AHWD, CRB, ePro, GRI, and SFR, real estate designations, has made her a trusted expert in the field.

Known for her heart and mission towards affordable housing opportunities, Ruppert has been a driving force behind raising awareness about homebuyer programs for consumers and educating fellow REALTORS® about funding and housing opportunities throughout Long Island. Her tireless efforts include serving on the state Housing Opportunities Committee and Housing Opportunities Foundation, where she led as President in 2022, following her role as Vice President in 2021. Additionally, her involvement with Long Island Housing Crisis Task Force has facilitated open dialogue with LIBOR to aid distressed homeowners and expand first-time homebuyer housing opportunities.

In 2020, Ruppert served as the Chairperson of LIBOR's Grievance Committee, where she took on the monumental task of handling the most extensive Grievance-led caseload in the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) history during the challenging COVID-19 period. Her commitment to fair housing and quality education led to NAR's review of Article 11 to raise industry standards for Fair Housing instruction.

Ruppert also chaired LIBOR's Bylaws Task Force from 2020 to 2022, advocating for revisions to LIBOR's Bylaws and Policies related to Election and Board Composition to promote a more diverse leadership within the Association. Her dedication to educating members and leaders alike has led to positive changes within the Association.

Currently serving as the 2023 LIBOR Secretary/Treasurer, Ruppert previously served as LIBOR President in 2016. Her willingness to take on leadership roles demonstrates her selflessness and commitment to the Association's advancement.

Ruppert's remarkable contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2016, she received LIBOR's Legislative Advocacy Award for her pivotal work with the Housing Task Force, aiming to overcome obstacles to homeownership and promote safe and affordable housing for all. She has also been honored with LIBOR's REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year Award and is a member of NYSAR's REALTOR® Honor Society and RPAC Hall of Fame.

"Mary Alice Ruppert's integrity, professionalism, unwavering commitment to championing fair housing, and her extraordinary leadership within our community have set a shining example for all REALTORS®," said Gina Marie Bettenhauser, LIBOR President. "It is with immense pride that we congratulate her on being named the 2023 REALTOR® of the Year by the New York State Association of REALTORS®. This recognition is truly well-deserved, and we are honored to have her as a member of our Association."