Event Coverage
2023 SILVAR President Jim Hamilton and Board Directors Take Oath of Office
Meet SILVAR's 2023 leadership team.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 2023 leadership team was installed last night at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club. 2002 California Association of REALTORS® President Robert Bailey administered the oath of office to 2023 SILVAR President Jim Hamilton and 2023 C.A.R. President Chris Kutzkey installed SILVAR's 2023 officers and board directors. 2021 C.A.R. President Dave Walsh served as master of ceremonies. 2007 C.A.R. President Colleen Badagliacco led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, and 2022 C.A.R. President Otto Catrina delivered the Inspiration Message.
Joining Hamilton as lead officers are Eileen Giorgi, a REALTOR® with Christie's International Sereno, President-elect; and Jeff Bell, broker manager of Coldwell Banker Realty Cupertino, Treasurer.
SILVAR's 2023 board directors are Brett Caviness (Compass), Past President; Joanne Fraser (Compass), Region 9 Chair; Denise Welsh (Christie's International Real Estate Sereno), National Association of REALTORS® Director; District Chairs Jasmine Lee (Coldwell Banker Realty), Menlo Park-Atherton District; Stacey Woods (Compass), Palo Alto District; Patricia Robison (Intero), Los Altos-Mountain View District; Tracey McNeely (Compass), Cupertino-Sunnyvale District, and Tammie Peters (Christie's International Real Estate Sereno), Los Gatos-Saratoga District; and Directors At-large Alan Barbic (Barbic Real Estate Group), Elizabeth Doyle (Christie's International Real Estate Sereno), Jimmy Kang (eXp realty of California), Sunita Merchia (Merchia Realty), Navneet Parmer (Real Estate Experts) and Suzanne Yost (Compass).
A broker associate at Compass Los Gatos, Hamilton has extensive involvement in REALTOR® association leadership at the local, state and national levels. At SILVAR, he has served as president-elect, board director, and chair of the Los Gatos-Saratoga District. He also served as 2002 treasurer and 2005 C.A.R. president and as an NAR director and regional vice president. He was president of the South Bay Association of REALTORS®, and named REALTOR® of the Year by both the national and local Associations of Realtors, including SILVAR in 2019 and the South Bay Association.
The respect and friendship for Hamilton was noteworthy, as seven presidents of C.A.R., including one who became an NAR president, and C.A.R.'s CEO were present last night. Along with Walsh, Badagliacco, Catrina, Kutzkey and Bailey, were 2006 C.A.R. and 2020 NAR President Vince Malta, 2013 C.A.R. President Don Faught and C.A.R. CEO John Sebree. Their affection for Hamilton was evident as each toasted and sometimes roasted Hamilton. They described Hamilton as "the epitome of service" and "a tribute to the industry" who, through the years, has given his time, knowledge and passion for members. They also spoke of the value of service to the association and the community.
In his inspiration message, Catrina spoke of gratitude for two phenomenal years of real estate and pointed out that contrary to what the media is saying, open houses are crowded with scores of potential buyers and there are homes that are currently receiving as many as 50 multiple offers. Catrina noted American society has become intensely fractured and judgmental. He told members, "Stay positive, stay strong. Wash away any resentment we have, and have love, more forgiveness toward people."
Sebree stressed the importance of REALTORS® to the economy. He indicated 220,000 California REALTORS® are in every county and in the frontlines. "We're lobbying to get people a house. Every home you sell has a ripple effect. A new homeowner will need a new lawnmower and new appliances. The salesperson who sells that will receive a commission, and he will go out and spend that money on something else that will benefit another business. We REALTORS® are 15 to 20% of the GDP of the state. We got a huge story to tell, not only in California, but in the nation."
Hamilton, in turn, praised the high-level REALTOR® officials. "They are just common people, like you and me. The difference is when needed, they stepped up and they served… Our industry would not be protected today if not for their many hours of work. They do it because they believe in us."
To members, Hamilton said, "Tonight is not about me, it is about family, the REALTOR® family. I believe we can get anything we want done and make it happen as a family. There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer REALTOR®."
SILVAR would like to convey a special thank you to this year's Installation Sponsors for their generosity. They include MLSListings Inc., Los Gatos-Saratoga District, Compass, Sentrilock, KW Bay Area Estates, DeLeon Realty, Christie's International Real Estate Sereno, Supra, Coldwell Banker Realty, Intero, Menlo Park-Atherton District, Los Altos-Mountain View District, Palo Alto District, Cupertino-Sunnyvale District, Off Price Carpet & Flooring, and TourFactory.
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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 email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.