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
2026 Board of Directors
Linda Crose-Andersen PRESIDENT
Frank Vella REGION 25 CHAIR
Jessica Eva DIRECTOR
Diane Wilson PRESIDENT-ELECT
Jesse Gutierrez DIRECTOR
Judy Taylor DIRECTOR
Diane Viviani TREASURER
Jeff LaMont DIRECTOR
Michael G. Verdone DIRECTOR
Moisés Pelayo DIRECTOR
David Zigal DIRECTOR
Deborah Miramontes ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Alane Gilbrech EXECUTIVE OFFICER & OFFICE MANAGER
Fernando Peña GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Peter Cho INVENTORY & DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST
Dalen Gilbrech DIRECTOR OF BRAND & COMMUNICATIONS
Virginia Loh DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Jerry Girouard
Pantano
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
Peninsula Government Affairs
Mitch Speigle, Chair
Jeff LaMont, Vice Chair
Coastside Government Affairs
Barbara LaVey, Chair
Sarah Bueno, Vice Chair
Pacifica Government Affairs
Frank Vella, Chair
Sue Vaterlaus, Vice Chair
Diversity Equity Inclusion / Fair Housing
Michelle Velez, Chair
Alan Louie, Vice Chair
Finance
Diane Viviani, Chair
David Zigal, Vice Chair
Foundation Council
Alfredo Mendoza, Chair
Laura Peters, Vice Chair
Grievance
Debbie Wong, Chair
Elmer Martinez, Vice Chair
Leadership Development
Robert Pedro, Chair
Diane Viviani, Vice Chair
Marketing Meetings
Barbara LaVey, Chair
Milad Marrone, Vice Chair
Membership
Nestor Icaza, Chair
Danielle Shapiro, Vice Chair
Policies & Procedures
Moisés Pelayo, Chair
Robert Pedro, Vice Chair
Professional Development
Vickie Burgess, Chair
Shokoofeh Nowbakht, Vice Chair
Professional Standards
Sue Walsh, Chair
Karon Franzella, Vice Chair
Special Events
Christina Galletti, Chair
Margaret Faherty, 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.
Maria Schuster-Rodriguez
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
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