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Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Installs 2008 Leadership Team Wednesday, January 16, 2008
- For Immediate Release – Cupertino, CA - The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 2008 leadership team was installed on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park. 2006 California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) President Vince Malta administered the oath of office to SILVAR’s 2008 president, while California State Senator for District 11 Joseph Simitian installed the Realtor group’s 2008 Board of Directors. Leannah Hunt, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Palo Alto, is SILVAR’s 2008 president. She has been a resident of Palo Alto for 39 years, and is an active leader in both her profession and the community. A Coldwell Banker Premier Agent, Hunt is in the top 1 percent of Coldwell Banker agents nationally. She has 19 years of experience as a Realtor, is a Certified Negotiation Specialist and holds the E-Marketing Specialist Designation. She has been a member of SILVAR’s Board of Directors for the past 10 years. Hunt was voted Realtor of the Year in 1999 and is an active member of the C.A.R. Board of Directors. Julia Keady, a Realtor with Cashin Company in Palo Alto, is SILVAR’s new President-elect. Gerry Lawrence, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Los Altos, is treasurer. In addition to the three lead officers, the following members sit on the 2008 board of directors: Mark Burns (Coldwell Banker), past president; John Tripp (Foundation Trust), Region 9 chair; Susan Tilling (Coldwell Banker), National Association of Realtors director; Tim Alston (Keller Williams), Los Gatos/Saratoga District chair; Tom Cooper (Referral Realty), Cupertino/Sunnyvale District chair; Nadr Essabhoy (Alain Pinel Realtors), Palo Alto District chair; Nicholas French (Catton Properties), Los Altos/Mountain View District chair; John Gerber (Alain Pinel Realtors), Menlo Park/Atherton District chair; Brian Thornton (Finet of Saratoga), Affiliate chair; and Jeff Barnett (Alain Pinel Realtors), Jeff Bell (Coldwell Banker), Josie Gambera (Cashin Company), David Hunt (Coldwell Banker), Alicia Nuzzo (Coldwell Banker) and Toby Vanderbeek (Intero Real Estate Services), directors-at-large. The event’s theme, “An Evening with the Stars,” featured music at the cocktail hour provided by Silver Fox Trio, followed by a gourmet dinner. The Honorable Elaine Alquist, California State Senator for District 13, led everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance. 2008 C.A.R. President William E. Brown gave an inspirational talk to all Realtors and affiliates. Gary Bulanti, a Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors in Menlo Park and SILVAR’s 2006 Realtor of the Year, served as Master of Ceremonies. He introduced Palo Alto Councilman Jack Morton and Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, along with 14 other local government officials from SILVAR’s five districts of Menlo Park/Atherton, Palo Alto, Los Altos/Mountain View, Cupertino/Sunnyvale and Los Gatos/Saratoga. On behalf of the membership, Bulanti thanked SILVAR’s 2007 leadership, which included the 2007 Board of Directors, led by 2007 President Mark Burns; SILVAR’s Charitable Foundation Trust, led by Cindy Luedtke; the PAC Board of Trustees, led by Gene Lentz; PRDS Board of Directors, led by Pete Aiello; and the Scholarship Program Committee, led by Nina Yamaguchi. Other highlights of the event included the presentation of the 2007 Appreciation Awards by the Realtor association’s executive officer Paul Cardus and 2007 president Mark Burns to Willi Krauss (W.A. Krauss & Co. Property Management), Realtor of the Year; Carolyn Miller (Re/Max Real Estate Services), Spirit of SILVAR; Gabe Bodner (Lawson & Associates, Mtge. Planners), Affiliate of the Year; Alice Nuzzo (Coldwell Banker), Jeff Bell (Coldwell Banker) and posthumously to Fariba Lighvani (American First Realtors), 2007 President Awards. Krauss, who has served as past president of SILVAR, was described by Burns as “one classy lady, … an inspiration to all SILVAR members, who has contributed her time and talents to SILVAR and its founding associations for over two decades, demonstrating her commitment to improving the association and SILVAR’s communities through service to the schools, to government and the public, without thought of reward or gain.” Burns described Miller as “SILVAR’s cheerleader,” who has been very much involved in district and association events and committees, “for her tireless efforts in representing the association’s interests and promoting SILVAR and organized real estate.” Bodner was recognized for his “invaluable assistance as a fantastic advocate for SILVAR affiliates and the association.” The President’s Awards, given to SILVAR members who are well-respected by their peers and devoted to the Association, were presented to Bell, for his outstanding commitment and dedication to the advancement of committee work for the association; Nuzzo, for being an active member of the association and the Los Altos community; and posthumously to Lighvani, for her generosity, commitment and support of the association’s activities. One of the largest trade associations in Silicon Valley, the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors represents over 4,000 Realtors and affiliates engaged in the real estate business and serving clients on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. The local Realtor group 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. 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. For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (408) 200-0109. |
