Four local real estate professionals have been honored by the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS®, which held its annual awards banquet on Wednesday, June 8 at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford. In addition, three local students were recently selected by the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® to receive scholarships.

Awards

At the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS® banquet, Quincy Clayton of RE/MAX Alliance in Groton was named REALTOR® of the Year. Quincy has been a member of ECAR for 14 years and is currently serving as the organization's president. He was a founding member of ECAR's first Young Professionals Network in 2012 and was instrumental in starting the state's first Real Estate BarCamp in 2012. This event has quickly become one of ECAR's signature events.

"With the help of ECAR staff, I was able to unite the state of Connecticut again for our second REBARCAMP, bringing a level of energy and excitement to ECAR while raising non-dues revenue," Quincy said.

Quincy has served on ECAR's Education, Finance, Member Services, Strategic Planning, Technology, and Young Professionals Network committees. He is currently a director for the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® and sits on the board of directors, Social Media Advisory Board, and Diversity Committee for the National Association of REALTORS®.

In addition to this service, Quincy supports ECAR events, including REALTORS® at the Capitol, and contributes to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. In his spare time, he supports the Mystic Area Shelter and other hospitality organizations through his church.

ECAR nominated Linda Davis of RE/MAX Home Team in Waterford as the organization's 2016 for the "REALTOR® of the Year" Award given out by the Connecticut Association of REALTORS®. Linda has been a member of ECAR for 36 years and has received several designations, including Certified Residential Specialist; Graduate, REALTOR® Institute; e-PRO; Accredited Buyer's Representative; Shore Sales and Foreclosure Resource; and Seniors Real Estate Specialist.

Davis is a past ECAR president and REALTOR® of the Year. She currently serves on the ECAR Board of Directors, and she is also vice chair of the Member Services/Marketing Committee and a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. Davis is a state director, a member-at-large of the NAR State and Local Issues Policy Committee, and an official NAR blogger.

In addition to this service, Davis has a long history of community service and is currently the chairman and deputy mayor of the Ledyard Town Council. She is the administrator of the popular Ledyard Community Forum on Facebook and teaches and speaks about technology, mostly for beginners.

ECAR named Matt Biggins, director of sales with Courtyard Marriot Norwich, as their 2016 Affiliate of the Year. Matt, who formerly worked with Wells Fargo, has been active in the community for many years and an ECAR participant since 2005.

"All sponsorship, money, and donations come from my personal savings, not from the bank or mortgage company," says Matt.

Matt has served on ECAR's Community Relations and Young Professionals Network committees. He attends and supports a variety of ECAR meetings, including REALTORS® at the Capitol. He is also a member of the Rose City BNI and American Cancer Society, and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

Anthony Walstra of Heritage Properties SPC in Niantic was named the 2016 Rookie of the Year. Tony obtained his license in June 2014 and has been a member of ECAR since December 2014. He successfully closed 25 transactions in 2015. A member of the Community Relations Committee, Tony is an active participant in many ECAR events and was named a "Rising Star" by Connecticut Magazine.

Scholarships

Each year, the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® awards funds for higher education to the children of state REALTORS® through the Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1976 in memory of an executive vice president of the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® who tragically died in an automobile accident.

In the past 39 years, this scholarship has provided more than $800,000 to the children of REALTORS®. For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® received 125 applications and selected 43 individuals to receive a total of $37,000 in scholarships. ECAR is proud to announce that three local children were among these recipients.

Matthew Hausmann, a 2015 graduate of Waterford High School, is currently attending the University of Connecticut to obtain a degree in athletic training. He hopes to work at a high school level for a few years before returning to school for his doctorate in physical therapy.

While in high school, Matthew was a National Honor Society member and a 2014 "Rotary Scholar of the Year" recipient. He also earned the President's Volunteer Service Award by logging more than 575 hours working at a local physical therapy center and with his town's Little League. Matthew is the son of Geoff and Susan Hausmann, ECAR members and REALTORS® with RE/MAX Alliance in Groton.

Matthew Lin, a 2014 graduate of East Lyme High School, is currently attending the University of Connecticut and majoring in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry. He plans to pursue a career as a cardiologist, immunologist, or oncologist.

Matthew has a 3.98 GPA and his honors at UConn include being named a STEM Scholar, Holster Scholar, Babbidge Scholar, and a member of the Dean's List. He is also part of Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Medical Humanitarian Society, and the STEM Scholars Executive Board. Matthew is the son of Ingrid Lin, an ECAR member and REALTOR® with William Raveis Real Estate.

Mackenzie Swift will graduate this month from the Fishers Island School and attend the Wentworth Institute of Technology to obtain a bachelor's degree in physics. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree to study aerospace engineering and work in the aerospace industry.

Mackenzie has a 4.0 GPA and has participated in numerous extracurricular activities including the varsity golf team, student council (where she was president in her junior year), and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership organization, participating as a member in their 2014 World Leadership Congress. She has also received the President's Volunteer Service Award and the UConn Avery Point Book Award. Mackenzie is the daughter of Thomas Switz, an ECAR member and designated REALTOR® of Switz Real Estate Associates.