Rochester Realtor Receives National Award

A Rochester realtor has received a national honor and as a result, a local charitable organization will benefit. This year’s Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of Realtors has been given to Ed Pompeian, president of Realty Growth. The annual award is drawn from more than a million realtors around the country. The NAR says Pompeian is being recognized for his founding of the Gift of Life Transplant House in 1984.

According to the NAR, Pompeian became aware of the need for affordable temporary housing after his own kidney transplant in 1973. He started by letting patients stay in his own home and later began purchasing homes and apartment buildings. The facility now has 87 rooms and accommodates more than 50,000 guest nights per year.

As part of the award, the NAR will donate $10,000 to the House.

Today’s announcement was made by the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors.

“Ed is by nature those of us in the real estate profession strive to be: a dedicated servant to the community,” said Kisti Skaar, SEMAR Board president. “For Ed it was about helping people find a place to call home even – especially – when they were sick. Hundreds of thousands of patients with difficult illnesses have nonetheless rested their head comfortably thanks to Ed’s selfless work.”

The Good Neighbor Awards was launched in 2000 and has since recognized more than 130 Realtors for their service to their communities. Good Neighbor charities have received more than $900,000 in donations.