The Pasadena-Foothills Association of Realtors recently hosted its 114th annual Inaugural and Awards Virtual Ceremony. The celebratory event, themed “Leading Change,” honored the “local Realtor community in their public service and fight to protect homeownership, while installing the 2021 officers and directors,” according to a PFAR statement.
The event included a message from Congressman Adam Schiff and newly installed Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo.
During the virtual ceremony, PFAR honored 2021 President Barry Storch, who emphasized the importance of planting seeds in order to thrive, a value learned as a former beekeeper. In a time of such uncertainty, Storch fortified his mission to — as the event’s them suggests — lead change in education, training, support services and community.
An entrepreneur, life coach and business owner, Storch studied the craftsman style, the arts and crafts movement, the architectural works of Charles and Henry Greene, along with the works of visionary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He has served as past board president of Friends of Hollyhock House in Hollywood, docent coordinator at Pasadena’s Gamble House and state director for the California Association of Realtors.
Hosted by PFAR Past President Emilie Broughton and California Association of Realtors 2021 President Dave Walsh, the association delivered a presentation of its work during an unprecedented year and celebrated its members service to the community. PFAR highlighted its work with Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) and Pasadena Education Network (PEN) that resulted in being named the 2020 recipient CalSPRA Excellence in Communications Award, which recognizes the successful efforts of education agencies in producing materials and services that meet the information needs of communities for their creation of the Pasadena Unified School District Realtor Certification Program.
The inspiration message was delivered by Lorri Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, an organization which has expanded its efforts to serve seniors through their Pride Pantry and Hello Club programs. PFAR also donated $1,000 to the organization to assist in their advocacy ventures.
The 2021 PFAR officers and directors installed with President Barry Storch (Town Square Real Estate) consisted of Sarah Moore (Dilbeck Real Estate) as president-elect, Secretary Joyce Kristensson (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices), Treasurer Jon Butler (Douglas Elliman Real Estate), Multiple Listing Director Hazel Perera (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices), along with newly added directors Lynnette West-Cater (Westlyn Realtors), Kay Tolentino (TradeMark Real Estate) and Megan Spargo-Ferrell (Compass). Returning directors include Neha Jespersen (Deasy Penner Podley), Affiliate Director Martin Mesa (Rate One Financial) and Immediate Past President Eddie Ramirez (Deasy Penner Podley).
Retired board members honored were Lisa Diaz (Compass), Deno Kidde (Sotheby’s International Realty), Amy Engler (Compass) and longtime public servants Sid Karsh (Sid Karsh Real Estate) and Steve Haussler (Coldwell Banker).
PFAR awards for outstanding service included Adam Bray Ali (Coldwell Banker), who received the Realtor of the Year and 2020 President Awards after helping launch PFAR’s Thursday morning program, “PFAR Weekly Live!”
Other award recipients included Affiliate of the Year Martin Mesa (Rate One Financial), Distinguished Service Award winner Ruth McNevin (Re/Max), and Humanitarian of the Year Del Lile (Compass), who piloted the revered Pasadena Unified School District Realtor Certification Program.
For careers spanning more than 20 years, Gordon Peterson of Fidelity National Title received PFAR’s Lifetime Affiliate Achievement and Peggy Vaccaro of Deasy Penner Podley was recognized as the Lifetime Realtor Achievement.
On the state and national level, four Realtors were also honored with the C.A.R. Honorary Member-for-Life Award, which is presented for at least 25 continuous years of membership at C.A.R. The honorees were James J. Radon (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices), Lois Derry (Coldwell Banker), Robert Myers (Robert Myers Realty, Inc.) and William Ni (Coldwell Banker). Recently retired PFAR Director Sid Karsh also received PFAR’s 2020 Honorary Member-for-Life Award.
PFAR also honored its members who passed away in 2020 for their life of service. The In Memoriam recognitions included Virginia Carr (Coldwell Banker), Daniel Steven MacGregor (MacGregor Realty), Lynne Jennings (Sotheby’s International Realty), Ljiljana Grozdanic (LJ Properties), Marion Fairbanks (Coldwell Banker), Boyd S. Smith (Deasy Penner Podley), Naira Khachatryan (Town N Ranch Realty and Property Management), Danny Ramos (Gotham Realty), Tom Crosby (Coldwell Banker George Realty), Michael Blackshire (Sunshine Realty) and Carlos Paniagua Jr. (The Agency).
Legislative guests included Congressman Adam B. Schiff, Congresswoman Judy Chu, state Sen. Anthony J. Portantino, Assemblyman Chris Holden and Pasadena Mayor of Victor Gordo as the installing officer.
The ceremony was hosted by Emilie Broughton (Dilbeck Real Estate) and Dave Walsh (California Association of Realtors). Laura Olhasso (PFAR Government Affairs director), Carla C. Dane (PFAR CEO) and Lorri L. Jean (Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO) were among the presenters.
The event partners included platinum sponsor California Regional Multiple Listing Services, gold sponsors Dilbeck Real Estate and Home Warranty of America’s Yunita Wu, and silver sponsor Jones & Malhotra Certified Public Accountants.
For more information about the event and Pasadena-Foothills Association of Realtors, email [email protected]
