Cherokee REALTOR® Receives IAR Award

Related Media

Joan Ballantyne received the L. Martin Lee Political Involvement Award from the IAR this fall.

CLIVE, IA (12/15/2009)(readMedia)-- Joan Ballantyne of Cherokee received the L. Martin Lee Political Involvement Award from the Iowa Association of REALTORS (IAR). The IAR presented the honor and other special awards at its Inaugural Gala this fall in Council Bluffs.

The prestigious L. Martin Lee Political Involvement Award recognizes an individual who has significantly advanced the legislative agenda of the IAR through political involvement. The Award was first presented in 2002, named after IAR's chief executive officer at that time, L. Martin Lee.

Ballantyne has been a licensed REALTOR in Iowa for more than 48 years and the broker/owner of Delta Properties in Cherokee since 2008. "Through the years Joan has served in leadership and political roles at the local, state and national level," says Carey Jensen, president of the IAR. "The list of achievements is long and impressive, and her contributions have had a significant impact on the IAR and the other associations to which she belongs."

Ballantyne has been active in the IAR for nearly three decades. She served as president in 1981 and received the REALTOR of the Year Award in 1983. She has been a Sterling "R" Political Action Committee (RPAC) contributor for 17 years and served as vice president RPAC/chair of the public policy coordinating committee. She has chaired numerous committees and currently serves on the strategic planning, executive, legislative, legal action and mediation committees.

She has also held several leadership positions with the National Association of REATLORS (NAR) and received the NAR Distinguished Service Award in 2000. Ballantyne served on the Federal Political Communications Committee for many years and as an RPAC Trustee.

She has been a member of the Women's Council of REALTORS since 1972, and served as national president in 1988. Ballantyne was also appointed to serve on the Iowa Real Estate Commission by Governor Brandstad, and serves on the Advisory Counsel Real Estate Education Program at the University of Iowa.

According to Ballantyne, being involved with the IAR and NAR have been high points in her life. "I know people from around the world, have had referrals nationwide, worked with people from all walks of life, and still have enjoyed small town USA," she said.

"I learned a long time ago that you give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you. Doing and giving to others is the rent we pay for living in this place. I hope to continue doing this for many years to come," says Ballantyne.

Ballantyne also provides leadership on her local board, the United Counties Board of REALTORS. She has served as president, chair of the RPAC committee for more than 10 years, and chair of various other committees. She also holds several of the real estate field's highest professional designations.

Ballantyne contributes a great deal of time and energy to her community as well. She is past president of the Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee Industrial Corp., and the Cherokee Business and Professional Women organization. She has chaired local fund-raising efforts, and served on the boards of the local hospital as well as the rodeo. She has served 10 years on the Board and Foundation of Western Iowa Technical College, and served as co-chair to raise $2.6 million to build a satellite college and conference center in Cherokee.

The Iowa Association of REALTORS is the state's largest real estate professional organization representing more than 7,000 members and affiliates. For more information about IAR visit www.iowarealtors.com

-- ### --