Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 14, 1991 TAG: 9104120183
SECTION: AMERICAN HOME WEEK PAGE: 25 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GENNY ELIAS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After having worked her way up to the director of administration - the next to the top spot - with the Virginia Association of REALTORS in Richmond, Benjamin realized the moment had come to look for an upward career move.
"I was ready to increase my responsibilities within the REALTOR organization," said Benjamin. "And at the same time, my Roanoke friends had convinced me that Roanoke was the best place in the state to live. So she took the job with the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS.
"So far I haven't been disappointed with Roanoke," she said, adding, "I'm amazed and impressed with the mountains.
"I have always lived in flat country, so this is quite a change."
Raised in Greenville, N.C., Benjamin attended East Carolina University, where she graduated with a degree in English.
When she moved to Richmond, she was fresh out of school and considering teaching. Then an opportunity opened with the VAR.
"I was only going to stay temporarily, but things just worked out and I was promoted and promoted," she recalled.
Benjamin said she enjoyed her job with the VAR because she used her communications and her teaching skills in the seminars she conducted during her 14 years there.
When the job opened in Roanoke, she said she saw an opportunity to move to a smaller town, one of her goals, as well as to run things on her own.
"Roanoke is perfect. It's a smaller town [than Richmond], but it certainly has everything any one could need or want," she said.
Benjamin took over the post of executive officer of the RVAR on Jan. 2. In her new position, she manages the RVAR office, its staff of six and reports to the Board of Directors. Like the RVAR's current campaign, Benjamin believes today's real estate environment is perfect for buyers. So good in fact, that she herself is looking for a permanent spot in the valley.
"Its a wonderful opportunity now for home buyers," Benjamin said. "There is a good inventory at great interest rates."
by CNB