Plymouth Realtor Named 2015 Minneapolis Area REALTOR(R) of the Year

A REALTOR® with the Plymouth office of Edina Realty, Kath Hammerseng was honored in January as the 2015 REALTOR® of the Year by the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR).

The award is in recognition of her commitment to MAAR, the real estate community and the community at large. This prestigious award is MAAR’s way of showing appreciation to members for their volunteerism in the association and community. It’s given to those who display sincere commitment and devotion to the residential real estate industry.

Kath is actively involved with the local and state REALTOR® associations. At MAAR, Kath served on the MAAR Board of Directors from 2012 to 2014 and she is currently the Secretary on the Executive Committee. Kath also served on the 2014 Keybox Task Force, 2014 Finance Committee and 2014 Nominating Committee.

At the Minnesota Association of REALTORS® (MNAR) she has served on the 2008–11 Professional Standards Committee, 2012–13 Diversity Committee, 2013–15 Governmental Affairs Committee and 2011–15 Finance Committee.

Kath volunteered as a paid on call firefighter for West Metro Fire for the past 20 years. She was a Lieutenant, leader in recruitment and retention and helped create the public education curriculum. Kath also recruited people from the community as a Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and provided training for emergency response for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

While serving on the department, she received the Lifesaver Award and was named Firefighter of the Year. She is the Community Outreach Chair for the New Hope YMCA and has helped raise money for the Susan B Komen breast cancer organization and Minnesota United for marriage equality. Kath served as a camp counselor and was recognized for her 10 years of sponsorship and dedication to the New Hope Safety Camp.

“Kath’s energy and commitment exemplifies our MAAR mission and values. She applies her wisdom and experience to any assignment she takes on for MAAR, and never hesitates to raise her hand to help our REALTOR® community,” said Mike Hoffman, 2015 MAAR President.

The REALTOR® of the Year recipient is allotted a $1,000 charitable gift. Kath has selected The College of St. Benedict and Saint John’s University Enactus Club as the recipient of this gift. Enactus is an international organization that connects student, academic and business leaders through entrepreneurial-based projects that empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their communities.

“I wish to have this money support these young entrepreneurs as they are our future REALTORS® and small business owners,” Hammerseng said. “The value of service to community is being imparted to these young leaders and is at the heart of what we aspire to embrace as a REALTOR® family. I can’t think of a better way to pass this torch of service-minded business people to the next generation.”