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SILICON VALLEY REALTORS(R) INSTALL 2009 LEADERSHIP, PRESENT AWARDS

- For Immediate Release –

Cupertino, CA - The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) inducted its leadership team for 2009 on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. California Association of REALTORS® 2009 President-Elect Steve Goddard administered the oath of office to the association’s new president and board of directors.

One of the largest trade associations in Silicon Valley, SILVAR represents over 4,500 REALTORS® and affiliates engaged in the real estate business and serving clients 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.

Julia Truesdale Keady, a REALTOR® with Alain Pinel Realtors in Palo Alto, was installed as 2009 President; Jeff Bell, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in Cupertino, President-Elect; and Gerry Lawrence, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in Los Altos, Treasurer.

Other members of SILVAR’s 2009 Board of Directors include Leannah Hunt (Coldwell Banker), Past President; Mark Burns (Coldwell Banker), Region 9 Chair; Jeff Barnett (Alain Pinel Realtors), At-Large; Nicholas French (Sereno Group), Los Altos/Mountain View District Chair; John Gerber (Alain Pinel Realtors), At-Large; Lisa Keith (Red Hawk Real Estate), Menlo Park/Atherton District Chair; Gene Lentz (Red Hawk Real Estate), At-Large; Ian Macrae (The Marketing Place), Los Gatos/Saratoga District Chair; Bill Moody (Referral Realty), Cupertino/Sunnyvale District Chair; Alicia Nuzzo (Sereno Group), At-Large; John St. Clair III (Alain Pinel Realtors), Palo Alto District Chair; John Tripp (Foundation Trust), At-Large; and Caroline Wolf (Princeton Capital), Affiliate Chair.

Keady grew up in Palo Alto and has worked in real estate for over 20 years. She is regarded as one of the most successful Realtors in the Palo Alto area and continually places in the top three percent of Realtors in Santa Clara County. Keady has served as 2007 chair of the Palo Alto District of SILVAR, California Association of REALTORS® Director, chair of the Operations Board of REInfolink, and chair of the PRDS Standard Forms Committee. She is an active community volunteer and holds a variety of positions working on fair housing, human services and homelessness.

Other highlights of the event included the presentation of the 2008 Appreciation Awards by 2008 President Leannah Hunt and Executive Officer Paul Cardus to John Lazar (Cashin Company), Member for Life; Jeff  Barnett (Alain Pinel Realtors), REALTOR® of the Year; Michelle Brown (Stewart Title), Affiliate of the Year; Michael Hall (Alain Pinel Realtors), Spirit of SILVAR; Nina Yamaguchi (Coldwell Banker), President’s Award; Judy Ellis (Alain Pinel Realtors), Leadership Award; and Dave Tonna (Alain Pinel Realtors), Committee Chair Award.

John Lazar was conferred life membership in the association in recognition of his 50th anniversary of REALTOR® membership and appreciation for his lifetime of service and leadership in real estate.

Jeff Barnett is regional manager for Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Gatos, serves on SILVAR’s Board of Directors, on the board of directors of MLSListings Inc., and a member of the newly-formed board of directors of the National Association of REALTORS® Credit Union.

Affiliate of the Year Michelle Brown was recognized for being instrumental in working with the Los Altos/Mountain View District Council and other SILVAR districts, and being an advocate for SILVAR affiliates and the association.

Michael Hall received the Spirit of SILVAR award for his many years of chairing and promoting the Palo Alto District’s annual REALTOR® campaign for Partners in Education, and his work with the Palo Alto schools and library foundation.

The President’s Award was presented to Nina Yamaguchi, who has been a model of leadership and guidance to members and leaders alike, and for her institution of the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program, which each year presents a $1,000 scholarship to 18 graduating seniors from public high schools in the Silicon Valley region.

The Leadership Award went Judy Ellis, for her guidance and help with various issues and agendas, for her leadership and counsel to many boards.
Dave Tonna received the Committee Chair award for his exemplary work on SILVAR’s Education Committee and the 2008 Member Orientation meetings.

Also recognized during the evening was John Tripp (Foundation Trust). Tripp, who served as SILVAR’s 2006 President, was thanked for his valuable work and contributions as SILVAR’s 2008 Region 9 Chair.

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.

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