Press Releases
San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® Installs 2008 Leadership Team
- For Immediate Release –
San Mateo, CA - The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) installed its leadership team for 2008 at a gala held at the Hyatt SFO in Burlingame on Wednesday evening, Dec. 12. California Association of REALTORS® 2008 President Bill Brown administered the oath of office to SAMCAR’s 2008 board of directors and president.
The local trade association of the real estate industry on the Peninsula represents more than 3,800 Realtors® and industry affiliates. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.
Sue Walsh, a Realtor with Cashin Company in Burlingame, took the oath of office as SAMCAR’s 2008 President. Olivia Edwards, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in San Mateo, is SAMCAR’s new President-elect.
In addition to Walsh and Edwards, the following SAMCAR members will serve on SAMCAR’s 2008 Board of Directors: Tim Auran (Realtor, Burlingame), Eric Berggren (Intero Real Estate Services, San Carlos), John Clifford (Clifford Real Estate, Burlingame), Geoffrey Craighead (Craighead Associates, San Carlos), Nini de la Fuente-Pecson (Prudential California Realty, Daly City), Bobbi Decker (Keller Williams Realty, San Mateo), Suzan Getchell-Wallace (Coldwell Banker Fahey Prop. Inc., Pacifica), Anne Oliva (Marshall Realty, San Bruno), Jennifer Tasto (Property Services, Inc., Burlingame), Edgar Tulcanaza (Guarantee Mortgage, San Mateo), Sue Vaterlaus (RE/MAX Dolphin Real Estate, Pacifica), Marianne Zanone Rush (Coldwell Banker, Redwood City) and David Zigal (Realtor, San Mateo).
Walsh, a professional Realtor since 1979 and one of Cashin Company’s Top Achievers, has served as SAMCAR’s board director as well as a California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) director. Walsh told members 2008 will bring challenges for everyone. “I am hoping it can be challenges we can all meet together,” she said.
She invited members to actively participate in the association, emphasizing “doing it together is better than going it alone … We will stand by each other. … It is a reward, a privilege and challenge to be a member. I invite all of us to work to make 2008 a great year!”
A highlight of the evening was the special recognition of SAMCAR member Les Williams, a Realtor with Cashin Company, San Mateo. Williams was among 300 Tuskegee Airmen presented with the Leonard Houston Carter Award and collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by U.S. President George W. Bush this year.
Special guests San Mateo County Supervisors Rose Jacobs Gibson and Jerry Hill recognized Williams on stage and said Williams is “a hometown hero. … Discrimination only made him work harder. He personifies the values we believe in and shows when you believe in what you’re doing, when you work hard, you can achieve your dream … He overcame great obstacles to achieve his dream.”
Past President John Gieseker (Prudential California Realty, San Bruno) was recognized for serving as C.A.R. Region 25 Chair the past year. Gieseker in turn thanked 2007 President Geoffrey Craighead (Craighead Associates, San Carlos) for his leadership this year, noting “Geoff has been a great leader in a time of change.”
Other special awards went to Sue Vaterlaus ((RE/MAX Dolphin Real Estate, Pacifica), 2007 Realtor of the Year; Karyl Eldridge (Coldwell Banker, San Mateo) and Rose Serdy (Alain Pinel Realtors, Half Moon Bay), 2007 Community Service Award; and Haydee Navarro-Marshall (Old Republic Title Company, San Mateo), 2007 Affiliate of the Year.
John Gieseker described Vaterlaus as a “go-to person, a person who has given a tremendous amount of time and energy to the community, and always helps our professionals. She always does what she can to help everyone. Most of all, she has kept her integrity. She is trustworthy and honest and has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the SAMCAR community.”
Both Eldridge and Serdy were honored for their volunteer work in their respective communities. Eldridge is an advocate of affordable housing and involved with Shelter Network. Serdy is involved with Coastside Hope and each year during the holidays organizes a Coastside Realtor breakfast and auction to raise funds for the agency.
Navarro-Marshall was recognized for participating in all SAMCAR events, from driving golf carts at the annual Charity Golf Tournament to bowling at the Affiliate Bowl-a-Thon. Asked why she is involved and gets along with affiliates from other companies, Navarro-Marshall answered, “It’s part of what we do; it’s part of our job… We’re a team - not competitors.”
In addition to Supervisors Jacobs Gibson and Hill, other special guests at the event were Burlingame Mayor Rosalie O’Mahony, Foster City Mayor Pam Frisella, South San Francisco Mayor Rich Garbarino, South San Francisco City Councilmember Karyl Mastsumoto and former State Senator Jackie Speier.
Also attending the festivities were top officials from the California Association of REALTORS®, Bay East Association of REALTORS®, Oakland Association of REALTORS®, San Francisco Association of REALTORS®, Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Watsonville Association of REALTORS®, the Chinese Real Estate Association of America, Filipino American Real Estate Professionals Association, MLSListings Inc. and Carl McClellan Professional Law Corporation.
The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SAMCAR Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8200.
