Five KCRAR members were honored last week in Washington D.C. for their achievement in lifetime contributions to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. Rob Curtis of Security First Title, Steve LaRue and Mike McGrew of McGrew Real Estate, Inc., Judy Miller of Better Homes and Gardens Kansas City Homes and Elizabeth Rose of ReeceNichols Ide Capital were honored in Washington D.C. during the NAR Legislative Meetings.
McGrew was inducted for a lifetime contribution of $50,000, and Curtis, LaRue, Miller and Rose were inducted for lifetime contributions of $25,000. Members are traditionally inducted at member meetings during May in Washington, D.C. and are recognized with a lapel pin, an inscription of their name on a plaque on the National Association of REALTORS’® Washington D.C. building rooftop and a plaque commemorating their support.
Rob Curtis
Curtis has been a REALTOR® since 1969 and is a past president of not only KCRAR, but also Heartland MLS, the Johnson County Board and the Kansas Association of REALTORS®. He has received the REALTOR® of the Year and Distinguished Service Awards from local and state associations. He has also served on and chaired several committees for the local, state and national associations.
“I choose to contribute to RPAC because it is an important way for me to give back to our industry and to support REALTOR® issues at the local, state and national level, which have a positive impact on how our business is regulated by government legislators,” Curtis said. “Also, it is very important to be representing private property rights for property owners to protect them from unfair taxes, rules and regulations.”
Steve LaRue
LaRue has been a REALTOR® since 2002 and has since held positions on the Lawrence Board of REALTORS® including his time as President there in 2010. He was also honored with the Kansas Salesperson of the Year award in 2012 and has graduated from national and state REALTOR® leadership academies. He is currently chair of the RPAC Federal Disbursements Trustees, where he has been a trustee for the last seven years, and he also holds the position of President Elect for the Kansas Association of REALTORS.
“I give to RPAC because home ownership is important. It changes lives,” LaRue said. “We need to make sure we have a legislative environment that favors home ownership and REALTORS’® ability to list and sell homes.”
Mike McGrew
McGrew has been licensed for 36 years and is a third generation REALTOR®. He first became an RPAC Hall of Fame member in 2010 and was honored this year for passing the $50,000 threshold. Over his career, he has accumulated certifications including Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Certified Brokerage Manager (CRB), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Military Relocation Professional (MRP). He was President of the Kansas Association of REALTORS® in 1998 and has earned awards including REALTOR® of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award for both the Lawrence Board of REALTORS® and the Kansas Association of REALTORS®. He also held positions on the national level, including NAR Region 9 Vice President in 2003 and NAR Treasurer from 2014 to 2016.
“I’ve seen the difference that RPAC makes not only in Washington D.C., but in Kansas and our local communities,” McGrew said. “It is one of the best investments I’ve ever made and I plan to invest in RPAC as long as I’m a REALTOR®!”
Judy Miller
Miller has been a REALTOR® for 46 years and during that time has received awards and recognitions including, Salesperson of the Year for Johnson County (twice), Salesperson of the Year for KCRAR (twice), Distinguished Service Award for KAR (twice) and Distinguished Service Award for KCRAR. She has served as President of the Johnson County Board and is currently serving as a state director. She has been a chair or member of many committees and has received her REALTOR® Emeritus.
“I feel that RPAC is vital to our industry and gives us a voice at the table not only in our respective states, but in Washington as well,” Miller said. “I also believe that as REALTORS®, it is our responsibility to help protect private property rights of our homeowners and ultimately our industry. To me, my RPAC contribution is insurance to protect my business day in and day out.”
Elizabeth Rose
