  If ever there were a cheerleader for the Aurora Association of REALTORS® and the real estate industry from the local, state and national levels, Don DiFiore is that person.
Surrounded by family and friends and dressed in his best safari outfit, Don accepted the 2005 REALTOR® of the Year honor at the 2005 Inaugural held at Heritage Eagle Bend.
If you've never heard of Big Don D, you must be fairly new to the real estate community. Don was the founder of the Colorado Cares Gift Downpayment Program, a statewide down payment assistance program that has helped hundreds of low-income families and individuals become homeowners. Don was recognized nationally by Cathy Whatley, NAR President in 2003 when she presented him the "Hometown Hero" award.
Don's Colorado Association of REALTORS® activities are also impressive. He has been on the CAR Faculty since 1997; is a member of the CAR Technology Committee since2002; member of the CAR State Convention committee and a huge supporter of the CARHOF program (Colorado Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation).
Never one to be idle, Don has served in many, many capacities at the Aurora Association. He was President in 2003 and has been on the Board of Directors since 2000. He is an instructor for AAR's New Member Orientation; has been Inaugural Committee Chairman, member of the New Home Bus Tour Committee, member of the REALTOR®/Builder Committee (serving as chairman in 1992), member and Chairman of the REALTOR®/Lender Day Committee, and member of AAR's REALTOR® Rally Committee and an active supporter of any event the Association presents.
As if that is not enough participation for you, Don has served as Trustee for the Metro Denver REALTOR® Foundation, President of the Builder-Realty Council and a member of the Metro Denver Fair Housing Group. Don was recently elected to the position of CAR Metro District Vice President-elect.
Big Don D's great passion is sports of any kind. He is and has been a state basketball official from 1991 to the present. He is a mentor to new IAABO basketball officials and is a National B-level softball player.
Don sets a top-quality example of how to be a successful real estate professional while at the same time believing in volunteerism and the responsibility of making a difference in one's own community. He accomplishes a lot but his best attribute is that he does everything with a smile and with enthusiasm.
The next time you see Don, congratulate him on a job well done!
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 When it comes to leadership and volunteerism, no one can argue that Desiree Banka, Chicago Title, is over the top.
As she noted in her acceptance speech, "The Native Americans say it takes a village to raise a child. And I feel like I've been raised in the Aurora Association of REALTORS®." Which we know is true. Even as a young girl, Desiree was volunteering right along with her mom, Sunny Banka, to help with events and happenings at AAR.
In the last year, Desiree has been involved in a leadership role at AAR as Vice Chair of the Affiliate Committee and an MDRF Trustee. And it doesn't stop there. She played a vital role in the organization and follow-through for the first-ever AAR cookbook. She is actively committed to the Governmental Affairs Committee, and has participated in the PSF Committee, the REALTOR® Update Speaker Committee, the Bowling Committee and the Inaugural Committee. She has sponsored every event the Association has hosted. If there's work to be done, Desiree is always one of the first to step up to the plate.
The Aurora Association of REALTORS® is honored to have Desiree Banka as a member and pleased to congratulate her as the 2005 Affiliate of the Year!
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