Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® CEO Pam Krieter accepts the Rhino Award on Friday, July 10, 2015, at a ceremony in Itasca, Ill. Joining her are Chicago Association of REALTORS® CEO Ginger Downs and Illinois Association of REALTORS® CEO Gary Clayton. The award is for excellence and leadership in association management.

Pam Krieter, who leads the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® and has been a longtime association executive in the Chicago area, was honored with the 2015 Rhino Award by her peers at a ceremony in Itasca, Friday, July 10, 2015.

The Rhino Award goes to an association executive who is passionate about service to members and the REALTOR® organization. It recognizes a leader who is unafraid to tackle tough issues on behalf of the REALTOR® community.

The award was presented by Ginger Downs, CEO of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® at an annual meeting of REALTOR® association executives in Itasca.

“Pam is so outstanding on so many levels,” Downs said.

The award features an image of a rhinoceros, known for loyalty to its group and an ability to charge forward into challenges.

Each year an association executive gets the award. He or she retains it for one year, then plays a role in passing it on to a new recipient the next year.