SAMCAR Welcomes 2025 Leadership, Honors Volunteers at Installation

The 2025 President of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR), Frank Vella, and Board of Directors were officially sworn into their term by Installation Officer, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, at SAMCAR's 2025 Installation ceremony on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Oceano Hotel in Half Moon Bay. Also honored were SAMCAR's Past Presidents, Outgoing Directors and Committee Chairs, and award winners for 2024 REALTOR® of the Year, Affiliate of the Year, Community Service, Rising Star, Homeowner Hero and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

View photos from the 2025 Installation on Flickr

Frank Vella is a REALTOR® and Broker in Pacifica and has been an association member since 1991. As a director representing SAMCAR at the state level, Vella has served on the California Association of REALTORS® Legislative, Local Government Policy, Land Use & Environmental, Environmental Sustainability, Taxation & Government Finance, Forum on Forms, and Business Technology Forum committees as well as Regional Chair in 2024. He has also served on committees locally, most prominently as chair of the Pacifica Government Affairs Committee.

In his inaugural address as SAMCAR President, Vella spoke about the vital role that SAMCAR plays in the community and local government. "Your voice is crucial in shaping policies that affect your livelihoods and communities," he proclaimed as part of his inaugural address aimed at motivating his fellow members to participate in association activities and local government. He expounded on the recent electoral successes of SAMCAR endorsed candidates in the November 2024 General Election as proof of the efficacy of an engaged membership, sharing how the association aims to help promote sound policy and oppose proposals with harmful consequences for property owners.

SAMCAR was also pleased to welcome several elected officials from throughout San Mateo County, including San Mateo County District 3 Supervisor Ray Mueller, Daly City Councilmember Glenn Sylvester, Foster City Councilmember Patrick Sullivan, Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung, San Mateo Councilmembers Lisa Diaz Nash and Nicole Fernandez, former Pacifica Mayor Sue Vaterlaus, and John Beckmeyer representing Pacifica Mayor Sue Beckmeyer.

Supervisor Mueller served a key role in the ceremony as the special guest Installing Officer, administering the oath of office to SAMCAR's President and Board of Directors, ceremonially marking the start of their term. Additionally, the Supervisor presented an honorary commendation signed by all five members of the County's Board of Supervisors to outgoing SAMCAR President Moisés Pelayo, in recognition for his leadership and service during a particularly demanding year for the real estate industry and the association. In his address at the podium, Supervisor Mueller commended Realtors for their remarkable civic participation, including an exceptional level of support for local campaigns for elected office, creating lasting relationships with policymakers who benefit from the expertise of this group in shaping policy with impacts on housing and property rights in particular.

Congratulations to our 2024 Annual Award Winners!

Homeowner Hero Award

Sue Vaterlaus, former Mayor of the City of Pacifica, was honored as SAMCAR's 2024 Homeowner Hero Award recipient. Presented the award by SAMCAR Government Affairs Director, Fernando Peña, Vaterlaus was recognized for her outstanding leadership on housing related matters and protection of private property rights. As Mayor and Councilmember, Vaterlaus worked tirelessly to finalize the local land use plan, securing the housing element, and fostering improved communication with the California Coastal Commission. She approached all these issues with compassion, strong negotiation skills, and building collaborative working relationships, all while confronting personal challenges and her professional role as a Broker Associate.

REALTOR® of the Year Award

Eric W. Berggren, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame was named 2024 REALTOR® of the Year. Eric first joined the association as an Affiliate member and was previously honored as Affiliate of the Year in 1996. He has been a Realtor member of SAMCAR since 2006 and has served as a SAMCAR and C.A.R. Director, on local committees including Finance, Policies & Procedures, Local Candidate Recommendation, Grievance, Member Services, Foundation Council, Strategic Planning Task Force, and is a Past President of SAMCAR. Presented the award by last year's winner, Paul Beaudreau, Berggren was acknowledged for his lasting dedication to SAMCAR and inspiring impact on his colleagues with his daily O.P.T. (only positive thoughts) posts.

Affiliate of the Year Award

Veronica Valentine with Monterra Credit Union was named 2024 Affiliate of the Year. Valentine joined SAMCAR in 2022 and serves on the Marketing Meeting and YPN committees. Previous award recipient Andrea Bologna presented the award, noting Valentine's commitment to serving the association and her industry colleagues. Valentine was acknowledged for her committee service, participation in events, and support for charitable fundraising efforts, notably taking the lead to coordinate the venue for SAMCAR's annual Judy Ploshay Memorial Holiday Auction, as well as showcasing her industry leadership and knowledge on the YPN panel discussion "Leading Ladies" in March 2024. "We are incredibly proud of Veronica for receiving this well-deserved honor," said Wade Painter, President & CEO of Monterra Credit Union in a statement in CU Insight. Her positive attitude, dedication, and enthusiasm set Valentine apart as a standout Affiliate member.

Community Service Award

Sue Vaterlaus, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Gold in Pacifica, was honored with SAMCAR's 2024 Community Service Award. She joined the association of REALTORS® in 1990. Presented the award by previous recipient Suzan Wallace, Vaterlaus was acknowledged for her service through her support of several community organizations as a volunteer and elected official. She gives in every way she can and serves as an outstanding example of service to her community.

Rising Star Award

In 2024, the SAMCAR Elections Committee created a new award to acknowledge an exceptional REALTOR® member in good standing who has been in the business for five years or less. The first-ever winner of the SAMCAR Rising Star Award is Danielle Shapiro, a REALTOR® with Compass in Burlingame. She joined SAMCAR in 2021 and has already made an indelible contribution to the association through her leadership of SAMCAR's young professionals network group, YPN, as well as serving on the California Association of Realtors YPN Advisory Board. Her enthusiasm and collaborative spirit motivate her cohort of new Realtor members to get involved, fostering an impressive roster of future association leadership. Presented the award by Elections Committee Chair, Jessica Eva, Shapiro was commended for her outstanding contributions and encouraged to continue her astonishing pathway of association leadership.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Bobbi Decker was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious distinction that has only been awarded seven times previously. Elections Committee Vice Chair, Robert Pedro, presented the award and accepted on behalf of Decker who was unable to attend the event. Decker's impressive list of accomplishments and service to the association includes participation on the Professional Development committee and Foundation Council, and as a Director. Her background as an educator is evident in her role as a memorable instructor, presenting designation courses and motivational curricula to her fellow members. In a statement on her website, Bobbi's team expressed that she is "humbled that simply doing what she loves in the best way she knows how to do it could lead to this distinction."

Outgoing Director Marla Perego was also acknowledged at the ceremony after completing her term of service on the SAMCAR Board. Frank Vella and Sue Vaterlaus were individually recognized for their service in the post of C.A.R. Region 25 Chair, a state-level role responsible for coordinating SAMCAR's state association delegates at the California Association of REALTORS® annual business meetings. Outgoing 2024 President Moisés Pelayo was acknowledged for his year of leadership service before ceremonially passing the presidential gavel to 2025 SAMCAR President Frank Vella.

The 2025 SAMCAR Board of Directors are:

• Frank Vella, President, Frank Vella, Broker

• Linda Crose-Andersen, President-Elect, Coldwell Banker Half Moon Bay

• Diane Viviani, Treasurer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

• Moisés Pelayo, Region 25 Chair, Coldwell Banker

• Jessica Eva, Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty

• Anita Maxwell, Coldwell Banker Realty

• Marla Perego, Coldwell Banker Realty

• Patrick Sullivan, Liberty Realty

• Judy Taylor, Compass

• Michael G. Verdone, Economic Concepts

• Diane Wilson, Intero Real Estate Services San Carlos

• David Zigal, David G. Zigal, Broker

Meet your Board of Directors

Special thanks to Sharon Vella for leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Caitlin Beanan for singing the National Anthem to open the program, Local Productions Mobile DJ for music during the reception and awards ceremony, photographer Craig Burleigh, 2025 Corporate Sponsors for making this event possible, and to master of ceremonies Michael G. Verdone for thoughtfully presiding over the entire ceremony.