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When it rained for Ken Ollila on Friday, it poured.

At the Lawrence Board of Realtors annual Installation Mixer at Maceli's, the Lawrence Realty Associates employee accepted a prize for being a producer of $6 million in sales for the year.

Seconds after he sat down again at his table, Ollila received a roaring standing ovation from the room as he was announced as the Salesperson of the Year.

"I'm kind of speechless, which is new for me," Ollila said after he accepted the award. "I look forward to each and every deal that comes along, and I look forward to each person I get to work with."

The night was just as sweet for Mark Hess, of Hedges Realty Executives. His close friend, Lisa Ramler, who also works at Hedges and served as last year's Lawrence Board of Realtors president, introduced him as the Realtor of the Year.

"When you do a deal with Mark, you don't have to worry about anything because you know it's going to be done professionally," Ramler said.

"I would not be able to do this work without my family and also the friends," Hess said during his acceptance speech.

Bev Hill, of Re/Max Professionals, earned the Distinguished Service Award in part for her 25 years of service on the Lawrence Board of Realtors.

"I consider Bev to be one of my mentors in this business," said Mike Edmondson, while he introduced Hill.

Lawrence Board of Realtors award winners for 2005 are, from left, Ken Ollila, Salesperson of the Year; Bev Hill, Distinguished Service Award recipient; and Mark Hess, Realtor of the Year. The awards were given Friday.

"My profession is so important to me. It has been for all of these years," she said.

Rob Hulse of Stephens Real Estate also took over as president of the Board of Realtors during Friday's ceremony. Hulse praised Friday night's atmosphere and the number of real estate businesses represented.

"Each year is just a great opportunity for all of us to get together and celebrate our friendship," he said

As president he will be responsible for scheduling meetings and serving as the organization's spokesman.

"We're interested in housing opportunities in Lawrence and working with the city in any way that we can to help in that regard," Hulse said.

He also said that on the national stage this year the organization would keep an eye on eminent domain.

Photo by Jared Soares

the 2006 Lawrence Board of Realtors officers are, from left, Rob Hulse, Mary Jones, Cindy Folsom, Steve LaRue, Cheryl Baldwin, Nancy O'Brien, Lisa Ramler, Larry Northrop and Thomas Howe. The board's Installation Mixer was Friday at Maceli's.

Other board officers and directors for this year are: Mary Jones, president-elect; Cindy Folsom, secretary; Sonya Maness-Turner, treasurer; Cheryl Baldwin, Steve Berger, Thomas Howe, Steve LaRue, Larry Northrop and Nancy O'Brien, directors; and past president Ramler.

About 300 people attended Friday's event.