FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LIBOR Names 10th Annual YPN 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate


Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) is proud to announce the recipients of the tenth annual Young Professionals Network (YPN) 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate Awards.

Throughout a year marked by extraordinary circumstances, this year’s honorees adapted, persevered, and went above and beyond to provide exceptional service to meet the needs of their clients.

Our finalists range from those with roots in the business, who now operate family-owned brokerages, to those who have established themselves within a few short years, one while working simultaneously as an FDNY Firefighter.

This year’s 20 Under 40 Class has been a part of community endeavors such as distributing over 6,000 masks and hand sanitizers to those in need, and fundraising for local small businesses suffering financial hardships throughout the pandemic.  Others have made it their mission to educate and advocate building wealth through homeownership.

A common thread among recipients is their demonstration of ingenuity and perseverance in navigating industry obstacles and pressures brought forth by the pandemic, to seeing their clients through the buying and selling process from start to finish.

“The Young Professional Network’s primary objective is to educate, cultivate, and identify the future leaders of real estate all of which this year’s recipients embody.  The 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate Award recognizes REALTORS® who not only maintain exemplary sales production but are also making a difference in our communities.  Amid such unprecedented times, this year’s recipients showcased evolving resilience through their accomplishments.  On behalf of LIBOR’s YPN, I want to congratulate this year’s award winners for proving they are indeed Rising Stars,” said YPN President Christopher Bacchus, a former 20 Under 40 Rising Star himself (2016) and 2020 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year recipient.

It is with great honor that LIBOR celebrates the accomplishments of these real estate professionals who bring pride to the industry.

Congratulations to the 2021 class of 20 Under 40:

• Carlos “Josh’ Benitez -Keller Williams Realty Elite

• Paul Licari - Berkshire Hathaway

• Andrew Blee - Galaxy Realty Group Inc

• Amanda Lowe - Signature Premier Properties

• Laura Chattoo -Douglas Elliman Real Estate

• Briana Murphy - Signature Premier Properties

• George Dilieto - Exit Realty Island Elite

• Emilia Pizzo - Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

• Richard B. Drury - Douglas Elliman Real Estate

• Maria Raimondi - Catalanotto Real Estate Group

• Jonathan Enriquez - Exit Family Realty

• Travis Steward - Douglas Elliman Real Estate

• Jonathan Finnerty - Signature Premier Properties

• Maresca Visone - Douglas Elliman Real Estate

• Hong Guo - Voro LLC

• Jamie (Xiao) Zheng - Jamie & Connie Real Estate

• Kevin Iglesias - Realty Connect USA LI Inc

• Humayun Zaman - Keller Williams Legendary

• Richard R. Krug Jr.- Coldwell Banker American Homes

• Ron Zimmerman - Keller Williams Realty Elite

The 2021 applicants were chosen by the YPN selection committee, competing among a group of well-qualified candidates, for their excellence in the areas of sales production, leadership and community involvement. The committee strives to ensure they have a diverse group of finalists in terms of business niches, gender, ethnic background, and geographic location. Additionally, the committee looks for compelling stories — such as interesting business strategies or obstacles overcome - in choosing recipients.

Also recognized by the YPN, were YPN past president Melissa Gomez who was named recipient of the 2021 YPN Lifetime Achievement Award for her incomparable leadership and dedication to the LI YPN and LIBOR past president Laura Copersino who was named recipient of this year’s “Young at Heart” award, in appreciation of her support and mentorship to the division.

LIBOR’s YPN, a division of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), helps young real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become involved in their REALTOR® association, real estate industry, community, and with their peers. 

Visit ypn.lirealtor.com/top-20 to learn more about LIBOR’s Rising Star recipients.

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Press Release Contact:
Christina DeFalco-Romano
Communications Manager
(631) 661-4800 Ext. 358
pr@lirealtor.com

Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (also known as LIBOR) is a 30,000-member, not-for-profit trade association that serves real estate professionals throughout Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties. Founded over 100 years ago, LIBOR is the fourth-largest local REALTOR® board in the United States.