Jody Wainio is the new president of the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors (WRAR), the group announced recently.
 
Other newly sworn-in officers are Sandra Beals, president-elect; Sherri Pickard, vice president; and R.J. Alex as past president.
 
The installation took place at a WRAR event Jan. 10.
 
“As this year’s president, my focus is to get our members more engaged with their business, community and association,” Wainio said in a news release.
 
Wainio is owner of Buyer’s Choice Realty, a full-service real estate firm in Wilmington that she founded in 1989.
 
Installed as WRAR directors were: Amy Holcomb, Hector Ingram, Neal Johnson, Amy Aldridge, Ryan Crecelius, Don Harris, Clinton Howlett, Chris Livengood and Patrice Willetts.
 
New leadership for the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina (RCASNC) was also sworn in at the event. Steve Hall is the organization’s new president; Elise Rocks is president-elect; Hank Adams is secretary/treasurer; and Will Leonard is past president. RCASENC directors are: Pete Frandano, Don Harley, Eric Johnson, Tyler Pegg and Lee Weddle.
 
Ashley Garner of Intracoastal Realty was honored at the event as the 2013 Realtor of the Year. According to the release, Garner was chosen for the award as a result of his “outstanding service to WRAR, his profession, the state and national associations and his community.”