Tony Rickard, ALC, has been named the honored recipient of the 2008 Land REALTOR^® of America Award.  An active REALTOR^® for 29 years, Rickard heads up Chesapeake Commercial Properties of Matthews, North Carolina, a full service commercial real estate company actively engaged in the acquisition and disposition of properties in North and South Carolina, as well as Virginia. 

The award was is extended annually to a land professional who has demonstrated exceptional professionalism in real estate, a commitment to the REALTORS^® Land Institute, and distinguished service to community.

             Michael Landreth, ALC, the 2008 national president of the REALTORS^® Land Institute (RLI), and Dan Hatfield, the 2007 recipient of the award, made the presentation to Rickard at the organization’s Annual Convention in Orlando.  Special guests included the leadership team of the CCIM Institute, an affiliate organization of the National Association of REALTORS^® with which Rickard is involved. 

             In presenting the award, Landreth noted that Rickard was selected for his strong belief that “life is not about one.”  Rickard has been extremely active in civic activities, including doing volunteer work with prison ministries.  As a Shriner, he has worked on behalf of burned and handicapped children to raise funds for research, for care, and to guide and support families of the children.  He is also involved in raising funds for the victory junction gang, an organization that helps terminally ill and special needs children. 

             In addition to his humanitarian work, Rickard has made exemplary contributions to the advancement of the land profession and the real estate community at large.  He has served in several national and leadership positions with the REALTORS^® Land Institute, and he is a certified instructor for RLI’s “Land Investment Analysis” and “Site Selection” courses.  He created the standardized Accredited Land Consultant application form, worked on behalf of RLI to ensure that RLI’s Land University courses received elective credit for the CCIM designation, and was instrumental in starting the CCIM “Fast Track” program for the ALC (Accredited Land Consultant) designation. 

Currently, he is the 2008 president of the North Carolina Commercial Investment Real Estate Foundation for Charity and Education and was awarded the prestigious President’s Cup for the number one CCIM chapter in 2007.   

             As testaments to Rickard’s stature in the RLI organization, fellow land professionals offered their observations about Rickard.  Joseph Larkin said, “In an industry that unfortunately falls prey to occasional ethical indiscretions and conflicts of interest, Rickard remains a model of principles and fidelity both professionally and personally.”  Ned Massie concurred, indicating, “If all the land brokers in the United States were equal to him in terms of his professionalism and integrity, this world would be a much happier place.”

             And lastly, RLI’s own “Dirt Dog,” Bill Eshenbaugh said, “Over the years, Tony has been a driving force…He has demonstrated the high level of professionalism and integrity that are emblematic of the Land REALTOR^® of America.”