The Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORS® has named Bobby Teems, a broker with Coldwell Banker, Teems & Teems Realty in Lafayette, the 2010 recipient of its REALTOR® of the Year Award.

The recognition is the highest honor that the association can bestow on a member.

GCAR president Jennifer Grayson said, “If receiving this recognition was only a ‘popularity contest,’ I can assure you Bobby Teems would have already been a multi-time winner based solely on the number of our members who regard him with affection, esteem and enormous respect. In his case, this award is long overdue, given the commitment of personal time, effort, heart and soul he has put into every level of participation — in a productive and successful career.”

Teems, who has been a REALTOR® and a member of the association for over 12 years, has served on both the board of directors of the association and that of the multiple listing service.

Grayson added, “This is truly a REALTOR® who personifies the best ideals of professional involvement, dedication to teamwork and devotion to family and community. The extroverted nature has often concealed the thoughtful and incisive mind usually hidden just beneath the easygoing exterior. The generous smile and the warm and willing handshake have become personal trademarks that are familiar to everyone.”

Teems, who is married and the father of two boys, was the founding president of the Lafayette Optimist Club, and with his brother Billy has been active for 15 years in the Walker County Special Olympics.