Meet your Newest SAMCAR Directors: Jim Enes and Jean Joh

Out of over 4,000 entries, SAMCAR Brand & Communications, the in-house creative and communications department with Director of Brand & Communications Dalen Gilbrech (credited as designer and creative director), was selected as a winner of Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) magazine's 63rd annual in-house design competition -- the 2026 American INHOUSE Design Awards™ -- in the "Announcements + Invitations" Category for the submission of the 2025 Member Appreciation BBQ invitation identity design system. The winning entry is featured on GDUSA's website and in the June 2026 print and digital editions of their nationwide magazine.

It is with sadness that we inform our members that Joan Ryan has passed away. Ryan was the first executive officer of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR) after the merger of four local boards in 1995. She led the association until 1998 upon her retirement. Prior to her role as SAMCAR CEO, she was the executive of the former North Board from 1981 until the formation of SAMCAR.

"As the year comes to a close, I want to take an opportunity to thank you all for putting your trust in me to lead SAMCAR in 2025. We share some remarkable achievements this year thanks to our collective efforts..." (Read more for a special farewell message from 2025 SAMCAR President Frank Vella, including key highlights from this year at SAMCAR.)

The SAMCAR Board of Directors adopted the 2026-2028 Strategic Plan at their November 2025 meeting, subsequent to a Strategic Planning retreat in October 2025. The three-year plan focuses on strategic initiatives that broadly align with key priorities: direct engagement (the "go to the people" initiatives), thought leadership (competence and content strategy), and procedural integrity (evaluating, rationalizing and documenting). Read more to view the entire plan and track progress.

The SAMCAR office will be closed and staff will be offline on the following holidays in 2026. When the holiday falls on a Monday, the Tour Sheet deadline is 12 PM on the prior Friday.

In May, we celebrate AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month across the country. At SAMCAR, we take this opportunity to recognize our Realtor member, Alan Louie, who was named Member of the Year at the 2024 AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) National Conference. Read more about how Alan Louie earned this prestigious acknowledgement and the valuable work AREAA does to support the real estate industry, community and more.

March is Women's History Month, a time to honor women's resilience, achievements, and contributions throughout history. We take this opportunity to remember SAMCAR's first woman president, Marianne Zanone Rush, and her enduring impact on the association through her leadership, mentorship, dedication and generosity.

During Black History Month, SAMCAR joins the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) in commemorating African American achievements and contributions to U.S. history. We celebrate leaders and all those who worked to dismantle barriers to homeownership so everyone can achieve the American Dream. At SAMCAR, we take this opportunity to remember a remarkable Realtor member, Les Williams, a Tuskegee Airman and Congressional Gold Medal recipient. Read more to learn about Williams' impressive history and join us in taking action to support a more equitable industry and homeownership opportunities for all!

Director for Life is one of the most prestigious awards that California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) can bestow on a member. To be considered, a member must have years of outstanding performance and dedicated service to the Association, including a minimum of ten years of active service to C.A.R. and at least five years as a C.A.R. Director. We are pleased to announce that Michael G. Verdone received this honor at the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Spring Business Meetings on May 2, 2024. Congratulations, Michael!

On Thursday, December 15, SAMCAR Board of Directors and Staff gathered at Stamp Bar & Grill in San Carlos for a holiday luncheon where the three most recent Region 25 chairs -- Jesse Gutierrez (2020), Elmer Martinez (2021), David Zigal (2022) -- were recognized for their service to the Association.

Starting on January 25, 2019 SAMCAR asked members to respond to a survey measuring attitudes about member services, association communications, business challenges, and the types of most needed training and educational resources. The survey closed on Monday, February 18 with over 10% of active SAMCAR members having responded. Responses provide the Board of Directors with a broad picture of the concerns and needs of SAMCAR members, and help shape strategic planning and association operations.

Director for Life is one of the most prestigious awards that C.A.R. can bestow on a member. To be considered, a member must have years of outstanding performance and dedicated service to the Association, including a minimum of ten years of active service to C.A.R. and at least five years as a C.A.R. Director. We are pleased to announce that Sue Walsh received this honor at the California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) Winter Business Meetings on February 1, 2019. Congratulations, Sue!