Realtors’ group bestows awards

The president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors and his immediate predecessor have been recognized by a Realtors fraternity for outstanding leadership.
Omega Tau Rho bestowed its award bearing the group’s name on Karl Martone and Paul Leys. Martone, of RE/MAX Properties in Smithfield, became president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors in November. He was the 2008 recipient of the Rhode Island Realtor of the Year. He has served as president of the Greater Providence Board of Realtors and the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service (MLS). He is a two-time Lear Award recipient by the board, the highest honor that a Realtor can receive for outstanding service to the board, the real estate community and the community at large. He lives in Scituate.
Leys, of Gustave White International Realty in Newport, ended his term as president last month. He served as the 2007 treasurer of the association and is a past president of the Newport County Board. He was chosen as Newport’s Realtor of the Year in 1999. He lives in Newport.