2026 SAMCAR Installation event program

2026

installation of officers & directors

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026 OCEANO HOTEL & SPA HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA

2026 President’s Message It is an incredible honor to serve as your 2026 SAMCAR President. Although I once considered myself “the least political person on the planet,” my journey has taught me a fundamental truth: Real Estate is a political business.

In the spirit of the “one thing” that drives us, our focus remains the fierce protection of property rights. We aren't just facilitating transactions, we are guiding our clients toward the American Dream and the security of generational wealth.

The past few years have brought significant shifts to our industry, and we have rolled with them. As we move forward, I urge you to build your business on integrity and intention. While we often choose between being “happy” or “right,” our profession demands that we choose to be right when it comes to our ethics. There is no room for bullies in our business. We must take the high road and lead by example.

I challenge each of you to strive to be 1% better each day. Take that extra class, earn a certification, join a committee, or attend a City Council meeting. When we improve ourselves, we improve the world around us. I also ask our veteran members to mentor our newcomers, guiding them toward leadership so they can become the decision-makers of tomorrow.

I am excited to announce a new member benefit we will be rolling out: the Realtor and Affiliate Wellness program (RAW). We are listening to your needs, and more details on this initiative will follow soon.

In closing, I ask you to find your “why.” Our purpose is what keeps us driven and alive. Stay grounded. Stay connected. Listen to what stirs your heart. And always, stay in your lane. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this association.

Linda Crose-Andersen 2026 SAMCAR PRESIDENT

OUR MISSION

SAMCAR is a trade association organized to ensure professionalism, protect property rights, promote the ownership of real property, and help members achieve success.

2026 installation of officers & directors SCHEDULE

11 a.m. Welcome Reception 12 p.m. Installation & Awards Ceremony Banquet Luncheon Served 2 p.m. Dessert & Coffee MASTER OF CEREMONIES • Moisés Pelayo PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE • Kaitlyn Andersen NATIONAL ANTHEM • Elise MacGregor Ferrell on Bagpipes INSTALLATION OF 2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & PRESIDENT

with special guest Installing Officer Tamara Suminski 2026 President of the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) ANNUAL AWARDS

Award presenters introduced by Jessica Eva, 2025 Elections Committee Chair 2025 Homeowner Hero Award 2025 Community Service Award 2025 Affiliate of the Year Award 2025 REALTOR® of the Year Award OUTGOING DIRECTORS

Frank Vella, 2025 SAMCAR President Acknowledging Outgoing Directors & Region 25 Chair INAUGURAL ADDRESS

Linda Crose-Andersen, 2026 SAMCAR President SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

Christina Galletti, Chair & Margaret Faherty, Vice Chair Andrea Bologna Andrew Rodriguez Ann Palermo Betcy Jacob Craig Thorson

Denise Ventura Jim Enes Marlin Handley Michelle Velez Sabrina Weidner

Sofia Costantini Toni Burrows Trevor Cook Val Hardwick Veronica Mora

PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Buschman | A/V Local Productions Mobile DJ & Audiovisual

2026 Board of Directors

Linda Crose-Andersen PRESIDENT

Frank Vella

REGION 25 CHAIR

Jessica Eva

Diane Wilson PRESIDENT-ELECT

Jesse Gutierrez

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Judy Taylor DIRECTOR

Diane Viviani TREASURER

Moisés Pelayo

Jeff LaMont

Michael G. Verdone DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

David Zigal DIRECTOR

www.samcar.org/boardofdirectors

Association Staff

Alane Gilbrech EXECUTIVE OFFICER & OFFICE MANAGER

Deborah Miramontes

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Fernando Peña Dalen Gilbrech GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

Peter Cho

DIRECTOR OF BRAND & COMMUNICATIONS

Virginia Loh DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

Rachel McGonegal Justin Flores

INVENTORY & DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST

MEMBER SERVICES

MEMBER SERVICES

www.samcar.org/staff • samcar@samcar.org • (650) 696-8200

Past Presidents 1995 Gary Meyer

2006 John Gieseker

2017 Diane Viviani

1996 Jerry Girouard

2007 Geoffrey Craighead

2018 Eric W. Berggren

1997 Allan Bernardi

2008 Sue Walsh

2019 Jesse D. Gutierrez

1998 Larry Franzella

2009 Olivia Edwards

2020 Elmer G. Martinez

1999 Marianne Zanone Rush

2010 Jennifer Tasto

2021 David Zigal

2000 Claire Earley

2011 Sue Vaterlaus

2022 Jessica Eva

2001 Jim Meader

2012 Anne Oliva

2023 Marla Perego

2002 Dennis Pantano

2013 Suzan Wallace

2024 Moisés Pelayo

2003 Jeanne Garde

2014 Phil Houston

2025 Frank Vella

2004 David Zigal

2015 Michael G. Verdone

2005 Melanie Hildebrand

2016 William Curry

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® formed in 1995 by the merger of four local Boards of REALTORS®—North San Mateo County Board of REALTORS®, San Mateo Burlingame Board of REALTORS®, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City Board of REALTORS®, and Pacifica, Half Moon Bay Board of REALTORS®—to form a larger Association of REALTORS® covering San Mateo County cities from South San Francisco to Redwood City and from the Ocean to the Bay.

www.samcar.org/pastpresidents

2026 Committee Chairs & Vice Chairs Local Candidate Recommendations (LCRC) Robert Pedro, Chair Larry Franzella, Vice Chair

Leadership Development Robert Pedro, Chair Diane Viviani, Vice Chair

Peninsula Government Affairs Mitch Speigle, Chair Jeff LaMont, Vice Chair

Marketing Meetings Barbara LaVey, Chair Milad Marrone, Vice Chair

Coastside Government Affairs Barbara LaVey, Chair Sarah Bueno, Vice Chair

Membership Nestor Icaza, Chair Danielle Shapiro, Vice Chair

Pacifica Government Affairs Frank Vella, Chair Sue Vaterlaus, Vice Chair

Policies & Procedures Moisés Pelayo, Chair Robert Pedro, Vice Chair

Diversity Equity Inclusion / Fair Housing Michelle Velez, Chair Alan Louie, Vice Chair

Professional Development Vickie Burgess, Chair Shokoofeh Nowbakht, Vice Chair

Finance Diane Viviani, Chair David Zigal, Vice Chair

Professional Standards Sue Walsh, Chair Karon Franzella, Vice Chair

Foundation Council Alfredo Mendoza, Chair Laura Peters, Vice Chair

Special Events Christina Galletti, Chair Margaret Faherty, Vice Chair

Grievance Debbie Wong, Chair Elmer Martinez, Vice Chair

Young Professionals Network (YPN) Kaitlyn Sebastian, Chair Lizzie Dombrowski, Vice Chair

Join a SAMCAR committee and take part in the planning of association activities and programs all while networking with your colleagues and gaining valuable leadership experience.

www.samcar.org/committees

2025 realtor® of the year

Lee Ginsburg

www.samcar.org/awards

2025 Affiliate of the year

Shannon Wischer

www.samcar.org/awards

2025 Community Service Award

Maria Schuster-Rodriguez

www.samcar.org/awards

2025 Homeowner Hero Award

Lisa Diaz Nash

councilmember, city of san mateo

www.samcar.org/homeownerhero

2026 corporate sponsors Platinum

Diamond

Gold

Silver AMS Bekins (Val Hardwick) • East West Bank Fidelity National Home Warranty / Disclosure Source HomeGuard Inc. (Christina Galletti & Denise Ventura) TruSummit Insurance Solutions (Steve Cresci) • US Bank Home Lending

Bronze ADUNOW.HOUSE (Karim Sarraf) General Mortgage Capital Corporation (Jeff Carion) Girouard Properties • Guarantee Mortgage (Alan Kirth) Home Loans by Michelle Velez • Home Warranty of America (Toni Burrows) Law Office of Eric T. Hartnett • Olivia Edwards, Life Coach, Trainer & Mediator Polaris Capital Partners (Ray Avanzino) Remoov: Sell, donate, recycle

www.samcar.org/sponsors

SAMCAR is a trade association organized to ensure professionalism, protect property rights, and promote the ownership of real property.

850 Woodside Way, San Mateo, California • (650) 696-8200 • www.samcar.org