Long Island Board of REALTORS® Presents REALTOR® Ruth Pfeffer with Broker of the Year Award

REALTOR® Ruth Pfeffer has been named 2023 REALTOR® Broker of the Year by Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR). The award was presented at the Association’s annual Installation and Awards Event held on January 4, 2024, at Garden City Hotel in Garden City, NY.

LIBOR’s REALTOR® Broker of the Year award is presented annually to a REALTOR® who exhibits great dedication to LIBOR’s members and mission and has contributed to the advancement of the professional image of REALTORS®.  The recipient is recognized as an industry leader whose service qualities are exemplary.

Motivated by her passion for Real Estate and a commitment to delivering outstanding service to the community, Pfeffer embarked on the journey to obtain her Real Estate License in 2004. In the aftermath of the 9/11 events and a downturn in business, Pfeffer made a significant shift from her lengthy role as a Senior Regional Manager at a Fortune 100 company in Manhattan, where she specialized in Customer Service, to become a licensed Real Estate Salesperson on Long Island. This decision has led to a "second career" spanning two decades, underscoring the belief that it is never too late to embark on a new beginning.

Presently, Pfeffer holds the position of Office Manager at Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. in Plainview, NY. The company was established in 2006, with Pfeffer joining shortly thereafter. Over the past 17 years, Pfeffer has played a pivotal role in fostering the expansion of what was a startup enterprise that has since flourished to encompass a network of over 700 Real Estate Agents.

In her day-to-day role as office manager, Pfeffer prioritizes education, hands-on training, compliance, and inclusion. She cultivates a dedication to customer service with staff, agents, and in the field. She is an avid reader, working diligently to acquire knowledge that she can pass on to her agents, helping them advance in their careers. Her weekly training sessions attract a devoted audience, and she leads by example, attending seminars, workshops, and training classes to stay up to date in all areas of the profession. Additionally, she is vocal about advocacy, making significant investments in RPAC.

Whether within the confines of the office or out in the community, Pfeffer is a staunch advocate for service. Her commitment included actively participating in the Central Nassau Chapter of LIBOR, where she held the position of President for two years. Since 2016, she has served as a LIBOR director and took on the role of LIBOR secretary in 2021. Pfeffer has been a New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) director for many years. She was a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) director in 2021 and is slated to rejoin the NAR Board in 2024.

Moreover, Pfeffer has contributed to various LIBOR committees, including DEI, Grievance, By-Laws, Legal Assistance, and Strategic Planning, and is currently serving on Professional Standards. Her involvement includes several NYSAR committees and for the past two years, she has served on the NAR Leading Edge committee.

In 2023, Pfeffer had the esteemed honor of serving as Class Dean for the inaugural LIBOR Leadership Academy. Throughout the year, she collaborated with a dynamic group of aspiring LIBOR leaders, providing guidance and support through their training and development journey.

Apart from her participation in the real estate world, Pfeffer actively supports National Alopecia Areata Foundation and contributes to the efforts of Habitat for Humanity. Her most significant role is that of a wife and mother. She finds her greatest joy in the company of her husband, Alan, with whom she has shared 42 years of marriage, as well as her daughter Erica and new husband Andrew, her son Ben, and her eccentric poodle Cody.

"Ruth Pfeffer's outstanding contributions and steadfast dedication to the real estate community make her a truly deserving recipient of the 2023 REALTOR® Broker of the Year award," said LIBOR 2023 President Gina Marie Bettenhauser. “Ruth's unparalleled commitment to excellence, both within our organization and throughout her extensive career, sets a benchmark for professionalism and leadership, and continues to elevate our industry."