Periodically, the GCAAR Board of Directors will select one exceptional REALTOR® to receive the Distinguished Service Award based on their outstanding, long-term contributions to the association.
2024 Distinguished Award winner
At GCAAR’s 2024 Installation & Holiday Party, Harold Huggins was awarded GCAAR’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes a long-serving REALTOR® member who has provided outstanding service to GCAAR for many years.
Harold Huggins is the Broker/Owner of Harold H. Huggins Realty, Inc. He’s been in real estate for over 63 years, with experience in property management, real estate appraisals, commercial/industrial development, custom/speculative home-building, and remodeling and general brokerage sales. He holds Emeritus status in NAR, Maryland REALTORS and GCAAR and continues to be very active in those associations, as well as in civic and community organizations. He served two terms on NAR’s Executive Committee and on Maryland REALTORS®’ CCIM Institute and Board of Directors. He is also vice chair of Capital Area REALTORS® Federal Credit Union.
He is a past president of GCAAR’s predecessor, the Montgomery County Board of REALTORS, as well as Maryland REALTORS, and was an instrumental part of the group that secured the land lease investment that GCAAR currently owns.
Harold has received numerous honors and awards, including: CCIM Institute’s Harold H. Huggins, CCIM Endowed Scholarship (2013); NAR’s RPAC Hall of Fame ($50,000 level, 2022); Maryland REALTORS® Life Achievement Award (2010); NAR’s Region 3 Vice President (2002); REALTOR® Emeritus (2005); NAR’s Omega Tau Rho Service Medal (1994); REALTOR® of the Year, Montgomery County Association of REALTORS® (1986) and the Robert W. Bridges Memorial Award for the advancement of education and pursuit of high ethical standards in real estate (1985).
He is a founding director and past president, West-Central Maryland Chapter #92, Institute of Real Estate Management.
The GCAAR REALTOR® of the Year honor is awarded to one GCAAR primary member who provides continuous, dedicated service to enhance the quality of their profession and their REALTOR® associations. Past winners below.
2024 REALTOR® of the Year
Avi Adler has established himself as a leading real estate agent with a deep knowledge of the D.C. Metro area market. Avi is a respected REALTOR® at Long & Foster One- Bethesda, MD, using his expertise and personalized approach to best serve his clients. Avi served as the 2023 president for GCAAR, along with being a member and chair on numerous GCAAR committees. He also served on the Board of Directors for Maryland REALTORS®, the D.C. Association of REALTORS® (DCAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
Avi is a Long & Foster GOLD Team member and served on the Leadership Council for the Bethesda Gateway office, now One Bethesda. Prior to becoming a REALTOR® in 2013, he served as Chief Strategy Officer and partner of an e-marketing software company. He is also a GCAAR Recognition Awards – Individual Bronze award winner, GCAAR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion and At Home with Diversity® (AHWD) certified.
A fourth-generation Washingtonian, Avi has remained active in the community. He volunteers with multiple local organizations and serves on the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Mid-Atlantic Leadership Council. Avi and his wife Hope, after raising four children, reside as empty nesters in Chevy Chase, MD, with their dog Skyler and two cats, Stella and Luna.
The GCAAR Rookie of the Year honor is awarded to one GCAAR primary member who provides continuous, dedicated service to enhance the quality of their profession and their REALTOR® associations. To qualify as a "rookie," applicants must have been a REALTOR® for the past three years or fewer. Past winners below.
2024 Rookie of the Year
The GCAAR Affiliate of the Year honor is awarded to one GCAAR affiliate member who provides continuous, dedicated service to enhance the quality of the real estate industry and the REALTOR® association.
2024 Affiliate of the Year
Brad Rothstein is a title attorney with Paragon Title & Escrow Company, where his passion for real estate and deep-rooted connection to the DMV real estate industry shines through. Growing up in a family immersed in the title business, Brad developed an early appreciation for the intricacies of real estate transactions, which he now applies to his work at Paragon Title.
Brad attended Syracuse University and American University’s Washington College of Law before joining the Paragon Title team of attorneys. There, Brad is committed to helping GCAAR’s agents and their clients navigate the complexities of the homebuying process from contract to close. His goal is to ensure a smooth and informed experience for all parties involved and to empower agents to do the same.
Outside of real estate, Brad is an avid supporter of the Commanders, Caps, and O’s, and enjoys traveling. He actively seeks out adrenaline-filled activities like skydiving and bungee jumping, and he has set a goal to visit every continent.
Since beginning his career in the title industry, Brad has actively participated in the GCAAR YPN Committee, most recently serving as the YPN Chair in 2023.
The GCAAR Good Neighbor Award is awarded to one primary, emeritus or affiliate member who has made a significant difference as a volunteer for a charity/charities benefiting Montgomery County and/or the Washington, D.C. community. The work does not need to be focused on real estate or housing, and some volunteer work should have occurred within the year preceding completion of the application.
2024 Good Neighbor Award Winner
Colette Releford is a senior agent and REALTOR ® at Redfin. She has two Master's degrees and over 20 years of real estate industry experience. She is a committed community activist. She serves as a board member for SCCC which operates the Community Hope Center in Gaithersburg, a 2023 Vice President and 2024 President for the Alpha Gamma Delta Potomac Alumnae Chapter and helps lead their meals and birthday parties for local shelters. and was the first African-American female chair for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.
Colette grew up in Montgomery County, MD. It is her home, and she is passionate about making it a home for all. Her volunteer work is focused on organizations that serve women in need, help families and support the development of skills to increase self-sufficiency. She believes we are a better community when we are willing to help each other.