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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 2024 leadership team was installed on February 1, 2024 at the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. 2024 California Association of REALTORS® President Melanie Barker administered the oath of office to 2024 SILVAR President Eileen Giorgi and to SILVAR’s 2024 officers and board directors.

2021 C.A.R. President Dave Walsh served as master of ceremonies. 2023 SILVAR President Jim Hamilton led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Ryan Iwanaga, co-founder and Chief Experience officer at Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno, delivered the Inspiration Message.

Giorgi, a REALTOR® with Christie’s International Sereno, has served as a board director, member of the Los Gatos-Saratoga district council, chair of the REALTOR® Service Volunteer Program (RSVP) that helps senior homeowners with household chores they can no longer do on their own, and as trustee and president of the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation.

Joining Giorgi as lead officers are Tammie Peters, a REALTOR® with Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno, President-elect; and Jeff Bell, broker manager of Coldwell Banker Realty Cupertino, Treasurer.

SILVAR’s 2024 board directors are Jim Hamilton (Compass), Past President; Brett Caviness (Compass), Region 9 Chair; Denise Welsh (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), NAR Director; District Chairs Will McLennan (Yarkin Realty) – Menlo Park-Atherton, Alex Lewicki (DeLeon Realty) – Palo Alto, Katherine Frey (Katherine Frey Real Estate) – Los Altos-Mountain View, Sunita Merchia (Merchia Realty) – Cupertino-Sunnyvale, Navneet Parmar (Real Estate Experts) – Los Gatos-Saratoga; and Directors At-large Alan Barbic (Barbic Real Estate Group), Jimmy Kang (eXp Realty of California), Tracey McNeely (Compass), Stacey Woods (Compass) and Suzanne Yost (Compass).

The 2023 Recognition Awards were presented by 2023 SILVAR President Jim Hamilton and CEO Paul Cardus. Recognized for their outstanding contributions were Karen Trolan (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), 2023 REALTOR® of the Year; Creighton Galloway (o2 Mortgage), 2023 Affiliate of the Year: Jane Volpe (REALTOR®), Spirit of SILVAR award; and Joanne Fraser (Compass), President’s award.

Trolan was recognized for her longtime service to SILVAR as 2016 president, board director, C.A.R. director and MLSListings, along with her service to the community as soccer coach, at Girls on the Run, Sierra Region Ski Patrol, and REALTOR® safety instructor. “In so many ways she is the REALTOR® face in her community. Her determination and spirit inspires us, and in her own words, she can still do it,” said Hamilton.

Galloway was recognized for being “a hardworking, hands-on leader and a great proponent of our Association. In addition to engagement at SILVAR and community events, he provides mortgage services committed to ensuring a great experience for our REALTORS®.”

Volpe was praised for her spirit of volunteerism. Hamilton noted, “She works behind the scenes without accolades. She is one of those members that works outside the limelight, recognizing the services of others while never drawing attention to herself.”

Fraser was praised for all the work she continues to do for the association. She served as 2021 SILVAR president, was member of the SILVAR Charitable Foundation and Foundation president in 2009, served as region chair at C.A.R. and as CRS Northern California Chapter President. She was named Ambassador of the Year by the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce.
 
This year’s Installation Sponsors include MLSListings Inc., Los Gatos-Saratoga District, Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno, DeLeon Realty, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Los Altos-Mountain View District, Cupertino-Sunnyvale District, Menlo Park-Atherton District, Palo Alto District, Coldwell Banker Realty, Supra, TourFactory, Ty Karges Home, and The Junkluggers.

Brokers share a light moment during their discussion. Left to right are Tom Tognoli, Intero Real Estate Services; Ryan Iwanaga, Sereno Group; Carol Burnett, Alain Pinel Realtors; and Don Tornincasa, Coldwell Banker.

Brokers share a light moment during their discussion. Left to right are Tom Tognoli, Intero Real Estate Services; Ryan Iwanaga, Sereno Group; Carol Burnett, Alain Pinel Realtors; and Don Tornincasa, Coldwell Banker.


Brokers/managers from SILVAR’s Los Gatos/Saratoga District educated members on the do’s and don’ts of the business at Wednesday’s tour meeting. The panel included Don Tornincasa, Coldwell Banker; Carol Burnett, Alain Pinel Realtors; Tom Tognoli, Intero Real Estate Services; and Ryan Iwanaga, Sereno Group. District Chair Karen Trolan served as moderator.

The brokers said all top agents are educated about the marketplace, they go on tour, keep in constant touch with their database, work long hours, and make it a point to meet potential clients every day, even during the holidays. They encouraged agents to pick up the phone, touch base with clients, send holiday cards.

“We’re in a relationship business. Take advantage of the holidays. It’s an opportunity to connect with people and thank your clients,” said Burnett.

The panel said
Iwanaga observed that the most successful agents are those who work hard in the first quarter of the year, which can define the whole year. He encouraged agents to start contacting potential clients and cultivate relationships now.

“Don’t wait for January 1 to do it,” said Iwanaga.

More than in the past, the real estate business is changing, and changing fast. There are now micro-markets that are also changing. Agents need to be open-minded, flexible, and embrace new things. Read, dedicate yourselves to improving your skills and look forward, said Tornincasa.

“Keep your eyes out in front of you,” added Tognoli.

Passing the exam is not enough. Agents need to invest in themselves, take seminars and learn.

“Preparation means opportunity,” said Tornincasa.

On technology, the brokers recommended embracing social media, but while engaging in social media is good, most important is building a good website because that is where people eventually come to find out more about the agent.

“You need to make sure your website says something to the world,” said Burnett.

The brokers set standards in their offices, discuss the Code of Ethics at office meetings, and some provide training, but in the end, it is up to the agent.

“You can’t teach ethics and honesty,” said Tognoli. Agents needs to care about their image, their behavior and their reputation.

January 2026
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