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SAMCAR Welcomes 2019 Leadership, Honors Volunteers at Installation
with Special Guest installation Officer, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
2019 SAMCAR President Jesse D. Gutierrez and the Board of Directors were officially sworn in to their term by special guest Installation Officer, Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California, at SAMCAR's 2019 Installation dinner and ceremony on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Pullman Hotel in Redwood City. Also honored were SAMCAR's Past Presidents, Outgoing Directors and Committee Chairs, and award winners for 2018 REALTOR® of the Year, 2018 Affiliate of the Year, 2018 Community Service Award, Homeowner Hero Awards, Government Affairs Champion, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Jesse Gutierrez is a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Today Sotheby's International Realty in San Carlos, and has been an Association member since 1995. His vision for his 2019 SAMCAR presidency is "Housing with Heart."
As a Director representing SAMCAR on the state and national level, Gutierrez has also served on numerous committees locally including the Foundation Council, Finance and Strategic Planning committees, as well as on the Board of Directors.
"We all know the solution is more housing," Gutierrez proclaimed in his inaugural address, referencing one of the most pressing issues facing the state of California, the Bay Area and San Mateo County, and echoing the sentiments expressed by the Lieutenant Governor earlier in the evening. He went on to acknowledge that, while SAMCAR has a mission to protect property rights, promote homeownership and ensure professionalism, that there are better ways to address housing affordability by collaborating more effectively with cities. With a significant number of elected officials in attendance, Gutierrez emphasized the way that local leaders can help overcome NIMBY attitudes by educating citizens on the necessity for more housing as the best remedy to combat low housing affordability.
Special Guests & Elected Officials
Photo Copyright © Craig Burleigh / Burleighphoto.com
Among special guests at the inaugural gala were 2019 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) President-Elect, Vince Malta, and elected officials from throughout San Mateo County, including: San Mateo County Supervisors David Canepa and Dave Pine; South San Francisco Mayor Rich Garbarino; Daly City Deputy Mayor: Glenn Sylvester; and City Councilmembers: Reuben Holober, Wayne Lee, Anne Oliva and Gina Papan from Millbrae; Sue Vaterlaus from Pacifica; Laura Davis and Rico Medina from San Bruno; Diane Papan from San Mateo; and Flor Nichols from South San Francisco; and, from Senator Jerry Hill's office, Elmer Martinez.
REALTOR® of the Year Award
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Michael Verdone, REALTOR® with Economic Concepts in Redwood City was named SAMCAR's 2018 REALTOR® of the Year for his many years of dedicated participation with the Association and service to the real estate industry. Michael has been a member of the Association of REALTORS® since 1985 and has been continuously involved as a broker, on the Professional Standards, Government Affairs, Finance and Elections committees. He is a past SAMCAR president and board member, NAR Director, and has been recognized with distinguished roles in both the California and National Associations of REALTORS®. His participation in SAMCAR's mission of defending property rights at City Council meetings and campaign activities sets an example for brokers and property owners throughout the County.
Affiliate of the Year
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Michelle Velez of Supreme Lending in San Mateo was named SAMCAR's 2018 Affiliate of the Year. Michelle has been an Affiliate member with SAMCAR since 2004 and continues to generously share her time and expertise with her colleagues at SAMCAR. She routinely educates members on legislative hot issues on the way to Legislative Day each May in Sacramento—knowledge bolstered by her leadership at both the California Association of Mortgage Professionals (CAMP) and the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB). As a mortgage professional, Michelle also has extensive knowledge of cybersecurity issues facing the industry, which she shares readily at SAMCAR's REALTOR® safety programs. And, as a dedicated volunteer on SAMCAR's Special Events Committee, Michelle diligently helps fundraise for housing-related charities in San Mateo County.
Community Service Award
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Suzan Wallace, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Fahey Properties in Pacifica was honored with SAMCAR's 2018 Community Service Award for her unparalleled record of dedication to her communities and charitable causes. In addition to her longtime service to the SAMCAR Foundation, as Council Chair and continuing council member, she is also president of the board of directors for Caminar, which provides community-based support services for transition-aged youth and adults with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities. In 2018, she was also part of the group who wrote and submitted a grant request to the California Association of REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund, which earned the SAMCAR Foundation a $50,000 grant to help first time homebuyers who live or work in San Mateo County and who use a REALTOR® for their transaction. Suzan carries this compassionate spirit with her in every aspect of helping her clients achieve their goals and dreams as well.
Homeowner Hero Awards
Photo Copyright © Craig Burleigh / Burleighphoto.com
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa and Daly City Councilmember Glenn Sylvester were both presented with SAMCAR's 2018 Homeowner Hero Award for their leadership in promoting the creation of all types of housing while respecting property rights. Both Canepa and Sylvester work with SAMCAR to educate residents, many of whom fear change in their community, on the importance of creating the additional units of housing that are so critical to meeting the County's housing needs. For their ongoing collaborative support, SAMCAR is proud to recognize Supervisor Canepa and Councilmember Sylvester as Homeowner Heroes.
Government Affairs Champion
Photo Copyright © Craig Burleigh / Burleighphoto.com
John Brook, REALTOR® with Southland Associates in San Mateo was awarded SAMCAR's inaugural Government Affairs Champion award in recognition for his dedication to promoting homeownership and protecting property rights. Brook is one of several volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours to educating both elected officials and the public about how to preserve and expand homeownership. Whenever a property rights issue has come before a local elected body, Brook has been right alongside SAMCAR prepared with talking points to explain the Association's mission in defense of property rights and support of homeownership.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Also at the Installation, 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Larry Franzella, recognized John Prouty, REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in San Bruno with SAMCAR's 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for extraordinary distinction, exceptional contribution and outstanding service to the real estate industry. Prouty, who was unable to attend the event, has been an Association member since 1977, has served on the Board of Directors for multiple terms, as well as on the Finance, Government Affairs, Elections, Policies and Procedures, and Bylaws committees, and past president of the former North County Board of REALTORS®.
Outgoing President and Directors
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Directors who have completed their term were also acknowledged at the ceremony, including Robert Brisbane, Marquise Murphy, Diane Viviani, Diane Wilson and Marianne Zanone Rush. Diane Viviani was individually recognized for her year of 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® three annual business meetings. Outgoing 2018 President (and Master of Ceremonies) Eric W. Berggren was also acknowledged for his year of leadership service before the ceremonial passing of the presidential gavel to 2019 SAMCAR President Jesse D. Gutierrez.
Photo Copyright © Craig Burleigh / Burleighphoto.com
The 2019 SAMCAR Board of Directors
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Jesse Gutierrez, 2019 President, Today Sotheby's International Realty
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Elmer Martinez, 2020 President-Elect, Signature Realty & Mortgage
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Eric W. Berggren, C.A.R. Region 25 Director, Coldwell Banker San Mateo & Half Moon Bay
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Olivia Edwards, Coldwell Banker
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Jessica Eva, Today Sotheby's International Realty
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Christina Galletti, Bay Area Senior Services
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Jeff LaMont, Coldwell Banker San Mateo
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Marla Perego, Coldwell Banker San Carlos
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John Prouty, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices San Bruno
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Judy Taylor, Alain Pinel REALTORS® Half Moon Bay
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Dennis Thomas, San Mateo Real Estate, Inc.
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Frank Vella, SF HomeLife, Inc.
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Suzan Wallace, Coldwell Banker Fahey Properties
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David Zigal, David G. Zigal, REALTOR®
Click here to meet the SAMCAR Board of Directors
Special Thanks
Photo Copyright © Craig Burleigh / Burleighphoto.com
Special thanks to Liz Buljan, Christine Krolik and Michele Gutierrez for performing a beautiful a cappella rendition of the National Anthem to initiate the ceremony, to our special guest Installation Officer, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, to our Master of Ceremonies, Eric W. Berggren, and to our venue the Pullman Hotel in Redwood City.
