Rita Ash, real estate agent with PARKS, is the 2016 recipient of the Leadership Rutherford Pinnacle Award, given to someone who has demonstrated significant leadership throughout his or her career. Rita began her real estate career in 1983, and has been with PARKS for 30 of those years.

She earned the Certified Residential Specialist Designation, is a graduate of the Realtor Institute, received the National Million Dollar Roundtable Award, and is past president of the Women's Council of Realtors. She has been honored as one of the Top 25 Real Estate Agents in Middle Tennessee and as Murfreesboro Magazine's Top Real Estate Agent.

Ash is a board member for Alive Hospice, co-chair of the Power of Pink Wine Around the Square event and has been a member of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce since 1983. In 2013, she was featured in the Women in Business issue of Murfreesboro Magazine. A graduate of Leadership Rutherford and Leadership Middle Tennessee, she previously served on the board of directors for the following organizations: Oaklands Historic House Museum, CASA of Rutherford County, Domestic Violence Program, American Cancer Society, Discovery Center, YMCA of Rutherford County, and Junior League of Murfreesboro. Ash is a member of First United Methodist Church. A lifelong Murfreesboro resident, she and husband Don have four children and eight grandchildren.

"Rita is a passionate leader, both in the real estate industry and as a community volunteer," said Leadership Rutherford Executive Director Stephanie Brackman. "I am thrilled to honor her and the many contributions she has made to Rutherford County."

Ash will be honored at the Chamber's annual Business at its Best event at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center. Reservations are $40 for Chamber members and $65 for non-members.

To reserve a seat, please contact the Chamber at 615-893-6556 or visit www.rutherfordchamber.org.