Herb Receives NAR Distinguished Service Award

Past PAR President Greg Herb was named one of the 2023 recipients of the Distinguished Service Award by NAR.

The award, which is “the ultimate recognition for the dedicated Realtor® whose exceptional service has set themselves apart as a leader,” is given to two Realtors® each year. Herb has been in the real estate industry since 1979 and has been very involved on the local, state and national levels, in addition to being an active member of his local community, Gilbertsville. Herb holds multiple designations, including ABR, AHWD, CRB, CRS, GREEN and GRI. 

“It’s surreal,” said Herb. “There are so many awesome people who have served the industry and received this award,” said Herb. “Being considered anywhere close to them is crazy and quite an honor.”

His commitment to NAR includes serving on their board of directors for 24 consecutive years, as well as being a member or chair of multiple committees, work groups and presidential advisory groups, including as RPAC Fundraising Trustee and Major Donor Council, Federal Housing, Risk Management, Business Issues, Consumer Advocacy Outreach Board and Affiliate Advisory Board. Herb served as Region 2 vice president in 2009. He received the NAR Federal Political Coordinator Meritorious Service Award in 2012 and is a member of the Realtors® Political Action Committee Hall of Fame. Additionally, Herb has served on the national board of directors for CRB and was named president in 2005. He was inducted into their Hall of Leaders in 2020.

At PAR, he served as president in 2009 and has been active in many committees, such as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, RPAC Trustees, Legislative Committee and as a PAR director. He was named Realtor® of the Year in 2010 and received the Realtor® Active in Politics Award in 2012.

At the local level, he served as the then-Montgomery Association of Realtors® president in 1998 and served on the now-Suburban Realtors® Alliance board. He also has served on MCAR’s board of directors, Finance Committee and Professional Standards Committee, in addition to numerous others over the past 44 years. He is currently a member of the Tri-County Suburban Realtors®. He received a community service award from the Tri-County Suburban Realtors® for his work.

In his community, Herb is extremely active in volunteering. He has been involved with the board of directors for the YMCA, AMBUS, The United Way, the Boy Scouts of America, Hawk Mountain Council, the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce and Berks-Mont Business Association. He is a founding member of and serves as president of the Foundation for Boyertown Education, a nonprofit organization. He also volunteers with the Colebrookdale Railroad, where he narrates for visitors.

“I just get so passionate about things I do, I get caught up and I just love it. Even last year, I had a busy travel year, I couldn’t find something to give up. I figure out a way to make it happen. You get smarter and more efficient in time management. I hope it encourages others to get involved,” added Herb.

Herb and his wife, Kathy Kolarz, a Realtor® have four children, Kyle Kolarz and his wife Leslie, Valerie Ashcroft and her husband Chris, Andy Herb, also a Realtor®, and his wife Kristen and Megan Stroup and her husband Aaron. He has six grandchildren, Beckett, Cole, Blaire, Brayden, Oliver and Declan.