The Silicon Valley REALTORS®' leadership team for 2013 was installed on Jan. 10 at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park. California Association of REALTORS® president Don Faught administered the oath of office to the REALTOR® group's new president and board of directors.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® represents over 4,000 REALTORS® and affiliates engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. The local trade association seeks to promote the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
Carolyn Miller, a REALTOR® with Re/Max Real Estate Services in Cupertino, was installed as 2013 president; David Tonna, a REALTOR® with Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Gatos, president-elect; and Phyllis Carmichael, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in Los Altos, treasurer.
Joining the three lead officers to comprise this year's board directors are Suzanne Yost (Alain Pinel Realtors), past president; Gene Lentz, (RE/MAX Distinctive Properties), Region 9 chair; David Barca (Alain Pinel Realtors), Menlo Park/Atherton District chair; Karen Trolan (Alain Pinel Realtors), Los Gatos/Saratoga District chair; Mary Combes (Coldwell Banker), Cupertino/Sunnyvale District chair; Sara Spang (Keller Williams), Palo Alto District chair; Bonnie Kehl (Coldwell Banker), Los Altos/Mountain View District chair; John Tripp (Foundation Trust), National Association of Realtors director; Mark Burns (Referral Realty), Eileen Giorgi (Alain Pinel Realtors), Chris Isaacson (Coldwell Banker), Bill Moody (Referral Realty), directors At-large; and Guillaume Peters (Sunviva Construction), affiliate chair.
Miller, who has worked in real estate for over 30 years, is the recipient of the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award, RE/MAX International Hall of Fame Award, RE/MAX Platinum Award, and was ranked among the top 100 RE/MAX Realtors worldwide. She is a California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) director and Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation trustee. Her theme for 2013 is "Pulling Together." She wants the real estate community to come together, working and cooperating for mutual success.
Another highlight of the event included the presentation of the 2012 Appreciation Awards by 2012 president Suzanne Yost and executive officer Paul Cardus to Susan Tilling (Coldwell Banker), Realtor of the Year; Iris Harrell (Harrell Remodeling), Affiliate of the Year; Robert Reid (Keller Williams) and Dale Anne Collings (Coldwell Banker), Spirit of SILVAR; and Jim Pojda (Alain Pinel Realtors), President's Award. Also recognized was 2010 president Jeff Bell (Coldwell Banker). Bell was thanked for his valuable work and contributions as C.A.R. Region 9 Chair.
Tilling has practiced real estate for over 40 years and devoted countless hours to organized real estate at the local, state and national level. She is a C.A.R. Director for Life and past president of the former Menlo Park/Atherton Board of Realtors.
Harrell was recognized for her generous support for the association and its events. Reid and Collings were commended for raising over $1 million to help individuals and families remain or return to homes and to assist in shelter renovations in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties through the Housing Industry Foundation. As chair of the association's Young Professional Network, Pojda was praised for guiding the group "to succeed with enthusiasm, good content and community service, all in one package."
This year's installation sponsors were SILVAR's Cupertino/Sunnyvale District, Citibank, MLSListings Inc., RE/MAX California & Hawaii, Alain Pinel Realtors - Almaden & Los Gatos, Pacific LYNX Mortgage Corporation, Ratecomb, RE/MAX Real Estate Services – Cupertino, Holmes & Watson Real Estate Inspection, Sejal Parekh- Innovae Designs, Kenneth Chan- HSBC Bank, Moise Nahouraii - Referral Realty, Cupertino and Property I.D. Corporation.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR 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 Silicon Valley.
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.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.