Florida Realtors honored Stephen Lingley of the Venice Area Board of Realtors as Associate Realtor of the Year. He has been an active participant with his local board since he joined in 2001 and served on numerous committees, including as chair of the Professional Standards and Data Services, Political Affairs, RPAC (Realtors Political Action Committee) and Grievance committees.

He was president of the Venice board in 2008, and also has served as treasurer for the My Florida Regional MLS. In addition to receiving several local exceptional service awards, he was recognized as the Venice board’s Realtor of the Year in 2013.

Florida Realtors named Lingley as the winner of its Newcomer of the Year Award in 2003; Lingley was the first recipient of that new award. A longtime member of the Florida Realtors Honor Society, he has served on numerous state association committees over the years, including as chair of the MLS Practices Forum. In 2013, he was Florida Realtors District 13 vice president. Demonstrating his commitment to professionalism, he earned the Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) designation.

Lingley also believes in advocacy and investing in his profession: He has been a Sterling R donor for RPAC for years and is a member of the President’s Circle. He also holds the At Home With Diversity certification from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and is currently working on his master’s degree in real estate from the Realtor University.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Lingley volunteers with many community groups including Clean the Beaches, Habitat for Humanity and Family Promise of South Sarasota County. He is actively involved with the Sertoma Club and has chaired its Speech Clinic, which helps children with speech impairments. Lingley also is a member of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, the Venice Yacht Club and Sarasota Trap, Skeet & Clays Club.