In recognition of their work to uphold the highest of industry standards, five local real estate professionals were honored during the Coastal Association of Realtors Annual Awards ceremony.

P.J. Aldridge of Condominium Realty in Ocean City received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his extensive work in the local real estate industry, as well as his numerous civic and charitable contributions to his community.

After being diagnosed in 2010 with Stage IV Lung Cancer, Aldridge created the P.J. Aldridge Foundation, whose mission is to save lives by providing funding for the research of lung cancer.

Wesley Cox’s lengthy civic activity resume earned him this year’s Community Service Award. A Realtor for Sperry Van Ness-Miller Commercial Real Estate in Salisbury, Cox regularly volunteers for numerous local organizations, including the Christian Shelter, the Salvation Army, the Mission of Mercy, and the Chesapeake Housing Mission.

Cox has also delivered food to families that could not afford Thanksgiving dinner, delivered dictionaries to all third graders in Wicomico County, and has helped create an entrepreneurial training program for veterans, among other efforts.

Brandon Brittingham of Long & Foster Real Estate in Salisbury was recognized as CAR’s Realtor of the Year because of his success within the industry as a salesperson and team builder, as well as his charitable contributions and willingness to assist the association by serving on committees and working on special projects.

Brittingham has done extensive work in homeowner education, foreclosure prevention, and short sale education. He also awards three Brandon Brittingham Scholarships each year to local high school students.

Jamie Wetzelberger, vice president and branch manager for Suntrust Mortgage Eastern Shore, is CAR’s 2014 Affiliate of the Year. An advocate for the association, Wetzelberger has served on numerous committees and regularly volunteers and donates to various local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, United Way, the American Cancer Society, the Autism Foundation, and the ALS Foundation, among others.

Wetzelberger is committed to providing top quality service through continuing education, and is currently a student of the Harvard Mentor Program.

Coastal Association of Realtors is the leading local advocacy group in the real estate industry on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. CAR works in partnership with its members to promote home ownership and preserve, protect and advocate private property rights. The organization supports 1,000 Realtors who serve Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.