On Friday, March 5, 2021, the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) held its first virtual Annual Meeting on Zoom, with master of ceremonies 2021 President David Zigal. At the meeting, SAMCAR honored Outgoing Directors and Committee Chairs, and recipients of C.A.R. Honorary Member-for-Life and NAR REALTOR® Emeritus status, announced award winners for 2020 REALTOR® of the Year, 2020 Affiliate of the Year, and 2020 Community Service awards, as well as introduced the 2021 Board of Directors and Committee Chairs and acknowledged annual Corporate Sponsors for their ongoing support.

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Congratulations to our 2020 Annual Award Winners!

2020 REALTOR® of the Year: Barbara LaVey

Barbara LaVey, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in Half Moon Bay, was named SAMCAR's 2020 REALTOR® of the Year. Barbara has been a member of SAMCAR since 2003, and has served as chair of the Coastside Government Affairs Committee as well as coordinator for the weekly Half Moon Bay Marketing Meeting. She has consistently and routinely gone out of her way to help, elevate, encourage, and assist others. When the call goes out for volunteers, Barbara is usually one of the first people to offer her time, including driving hundreds of miles to speak to the Coastal Commission on behalf of SAMCAR about the concerns property owners. Last August, demonstrating exceptional compassion, Barbara led an effort to raise money for those affected by wildfires. Barbara is well known in the community as someone who cares deeply about people, is always willing to contribute time and money to a charitable cause, and will always stand-up for the underdog.

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2020 Affiliate of the Year: Alan Kirth

Alan Kirth with Guarantee Mortgage Corporation was named SAMCAR's 2020 Affiliate of the Year. Alan has been an Affiliate member of SAMCAR since 2015, and regularly attends the Tuesday Marketing Meetings, sharing interesting updates with his confident voice and wealth of industry knowledge. His ability to connect current events with mortgage rates means the Tuesday meeting group learns something new every week, which, attendees remark, they will often hear or read about in the news later that day. Also a past president of California Association of Mortgage Professionals (SF/Peninsula Chapter) as well as active in Rotary and Relay for Life, Alan demonstrates the kind of involvement that contributes to professionalism and sustains our communities.

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2020 Community Service Award: Kirsten Hagen

Kirsten Hagen, REALTOR® with Compass in Burlingame was honored with SAMCAR's 2020 Community Service Award. Kirsten joined SAMCAR in 2005 and has since served on the SAMCAR Foundation Council, including as chair in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, Kirsten strengthened the wildfire relief effort by SAMCAR's Half Moon Bay group by encouraging her own neighborhood to give in support of those in need. She has always valued community, supporting many local organizations and holding leadership positions with Sea Hugger, Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce, and BNI Mavericks chapter.

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Also acknowledged at the meeting were the recipients of two prestigious membership distinctions: Honorary Member-for-Life and REALTOR® Emeritus.

C.A.R. Honorary Members-for-Life

In order to obtain C.A.R. Honorary Member-for-Life status, a member must have been a California Association of REALTORS® member for 25 continuous years and meet specific age requirements. 2022 President-Elect Jessica Eva acknowledged members who have achieved this status in 2021:

• Timothy Auran

• Judith Brooks

• Anne Doherty

• Douglas Dunlop

• Martha Hooper

• Chet Lane

• Barbara Snedeker

NAR REALTOR® Emeritus

To gain the NAR REALTOR® Emeritus status a member must have been a National Association of REALTORS® member for 40 continuous years and must have served on a committee or board at the national level. 2021 President David Zigal acknowledged the member who achieved REALTOR® Emeritus status in 2021:

• Sue Walsh

Meet 2021 Honorary & Emeritus Members

2021 Board of Directors & Outgoing Directors

The 2021 SAMCAR Board of Directors and President David Zigal were previously sworn in to their term by special guest Installation Officer, C.A.R. 2022 President-Elect Otto Catrina on January 27, 2021 at their first virtual Board of Directors meeting of this year.

The 2021 SAMCAR Board of Directors are:

• David Zigal, President, David G. Zigal, REALTOR®

• Jessica Eva, President-Elect Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty

• Elmer G. Martinez, C.A.R. Region 25 Chair, Signature Realty & Mortgage

• Suzan Wallace, Treasurer, Coldwell Banker Fahey Properties

• Linda Crose-Andersen, Coldwell Banker Half Moon Bay

• Olivia Edwards, Compass San Mateo

• Nestor Icaza, Coldwell Banker Burlingame

• Jeff LaMont, Coldwell Banker Burlingame

• Moises Pelayo, KW Peninsula Estates

• Marla Perego, Coldwell Banker San Carlos

• John Prouty, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices San Bruno

• Sue Vaterlaus, RE/MAX Star Properties

• Frank Vella, SF HomeLife, Inc.

Meet your Board of Directors

Directors who have completed their term were also acknowledged at the ceremony, including Jesse Gutierrez and Judy Taylor, and outgoing 2020 President Elmer Martinez who was acknowledged for his year of leadership service to the association during the remarkably unique year 2020. Elmer Martinez now serves as the C.A.R. Region 25 Chair. Jesse Gutierrez is now serving as SAMCAR's National Association of REALTORS® Director for Region 13 and Nominating Representative for C.A.R. Region 25, as well as Chair of the SAMCAR Foundation Council. Judy Taylor currently serves on the Executive Board of Smart Coast California, a 501(c)6 established in 2019 to promote and advocate for private property rights and smart land use policies in coastal regions.

The work that SAMCAR does to advocate for homeownership and property rights, as well as charitable giving, is only possible because of the commitment of dedicated volunteers like these members honored at the Annual Meeting and many others, as well as the support of annual sponsors. The leadership and staff of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® would like to extend the deepest gratitude and congratulations to this year's deserving honorees.

Press

Examiner | Peninsula Real Estate (3/14/21)

Half Moon Bay Review (3/17/21)