The 2018 leadership group of the Asian Real Estate Association of America Silicon Valley chapter (AREAA SV) was formally installed on Jan. 12 at Mitchell Park Community Center in Palo Alto. Representatives from the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR) joined about 200 real estate professionals in the Bay Area and AREAA officials from other chapters around the country in congratulating the 2018 AREAA SV executive board, directors and advisors.
Members of the 2017 executive board are Dennis Delisle (EQ1 Real Estate), president; Anna Truong Lopez (Bank of America), vice president; Monaka Jackson (Alliance Credit Union), treasurer; and Chicka Nori (Keller Williams Realty), secretary.
The 2018 board directors are Michelle Lin (Red Wave Insurance Services), Andy Chung (Alain Pinel Realtors), Jagi Shahani (Alain Pinel Realtors), Katy Care (Veridian Mortgage), Regina Kao (Coldwell Banker), Joanna Hsu (Intero Real Estate), Sean Huddleston (Wells Fargo) and Seabea Ghoph (Keller Williams Realty).
Comprising the 2018 board of advisors are Atsuko Yube (Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates), Lillian Wong (Union Bank), Linh Dang (Chicago Title Company), Andrew Pak (EQ1 Real Estate), May Lu (Bank of America) and Raj Patel (Chase).
Reporter and NBC Bay Area News host and executive producer Robert Handa served as master of ceremonies. AREAA founding chair and director emeritus of the Asian Real Estate Education Foundation Allen Okamoto spoke and administered the oath of office to the leadership group. Other speakers and special guests included AREAA Luxury national chair Herman Chan, AREAA Education Foundation chair Amy Kong and 2016 AREAA SV president Mike Bui, who delivered the inspiration message.
The program also included a musical performance by Noriel Adricula, a Realtor and accomplished musician and musical director. Through his music, Adricula heightens awareness of disadvantaged children in the Philippines.
Delisle thanked everyone for their support. In his message to members and guests, Delisle spoke of the great strides AREAA SV made in 2017 to help increase homeownership levels in the Asian community, including hosting a first-time homebuyer workshop, representing the Asian community at events, and rising funds and volunteering hundreds of hours through the chapter's Rebuilding Together campaign to help rebuild two mobile homes affected by the 2017 floods in San Jose.
Delisle stressed he treasures his family and has embraced AREAA SV as family. In line with the association's 2018 theme "Stronger Together," Delisle said AREAA SV will seek "to educate buyers on why homeownership is a critical part of wealth creation and sustainability in the community." The group also plans to inform and train its Realtors on the best practices to serve the Asian community through education seminars.
Representing the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at the event were 2018 president Bill Moody, past president Denise Welsh and 2018 president-elect Alan Barbic. "We congratulate Dennis and the 2018 AREAA leadership group and look forward to continue partnering with them in promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities for all Asian Americans in Silicon Valley, and serving as a resource to AREAA and its members," said Moody.
Founded in 2003, AREAA is a nonprofit professional trade organization dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American communities by creating a national voice for housing and real estate professionals that serve the housing market. The association advocates for policy positions at the national level that will reduce homeownership barriers facing the Asian American community.
AREAA is the only trade association dedicated to representing the interests of the Asian real estate market nationwide. Membership includes housing and real estate professionals of all cultural backgrounds. AREAA's Silicon Valley chapter was formed in 2010.
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.
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