By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City Board of Realtors held a swearing-in ceremony that was unlike any other the members ever experienced.
Instead of doing a Zoom meeting Tuesday to install the officers and directors of the board, which was the original plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they got a bit creative.
The socially distanced ceremony took place outside the board office at 405 22nd Street as fellow realtors drove by and beeped and waved.
Family members, friends and colleagues drove by in cars adorned with streamers and other celebratory decorations to show their support for the realtors.
Joseph Orazi was sworn in as president of the Board of Realtors by realtor Drew Fishman.
Orazi promised to work hard and listen to the advice of his colleagues.
“I am so humbled. I hope to be open equally to criticism and suggestions,” he said after he was sworn into the yearly post.
Orazi noted he was honored that his colleagues opted to hold the affair outside instead of remotely to provide an in-person event.
“I really appreciate what you did today,” he said to the organizers.
However, the realtors observed social distancing and wore protective masks during the ceremony to comply with safety protocols amid the pandemic.
Other officers installed were Cynda Hollenbaugh, President Elect, Maria Marinelli, Vice President, Pete Madden, Treasurer, and Damon Bready, Secretary.
Directors were also sworn into office.
To view the full list of officers and directors click the link:
https://ocnjdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-BOARD-OF-REALTORS-SWEARING-IN-LIST.pdf
Orazi and his wife, Kathy, live in Vineland. However, he has been a real estate agent on the island for 16 years.
He said in an interview before the program that the real estate market is doing well, one of the few industries that appear to be on the upswing despite the pandemic.
“Most people have been very busy. It is great for everyone,” Orazi pointed out about the local real estate market.
He added, “I am very excited to become president, and I know I have a lot of work ahead of me.”
Kathy Di Guglielmo, the outgoing board president, wished her successor much luck.
But before she did that, she emphasized that 2020 was the board’s 100th anniversary, but it was not possible to celebrate due to the pandemic.
“We have come a long way. I hope that we will all get to celebrate the 100th year in the 101st year,” Di Guglielmo said.
She then thanked the fellow realtors for a great working relationship in a busy year. “Thank you to everyone,” Di Guglielmo said.
Nick Marotta, a longtime realtor in Ocean City, summed up what it meant to him and his fellow realtors to hold the event outside.
“Ocean City is known as America’s Greatest Family Resort and we are a great family of realtors,” Marotta, a former board president, said in an interview.
He continued, “Even though it has been a difficult year, we support one another. The office of president takes a lot of time and effort. Even though this year there is COVID-19, we wanted to do something special for Joe.”
