SRAR Installs 2010 President, Patti Petralia, and Directors

Submitted by isabel on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 10:58am

Patti Petralia — who began her career in real estate in 1977 and was sworn in on Jan. 16 as the new leader of the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS® — told attendees at her installation dinner that she is “excited about the opportunities 2010 will offer” and about “going beyond the successes of 2009, and there were many successes.”

“I believe we are now presented with the opportunity for growth and improvement in our industry to be able to step forward and to be proactive in advocating for the protection of housing rights,” Petralia said. That will be accomplished by educating Realtors on how best to guide buyers and sellers through the maze of financing and housing opportunities and choices; by emphasizing and encouraging the importance of professionalism among real estate professionals; and promoting value of the Realtor specialty designations.
“Our industry is progressing toward stability,” she said, “and there are many good reasons to buy real estate in 2010,” including the extension to April 30 of the first-time buyers federal tax credit along with its expansion to repeat buyers, a firming up of resale prices, low interest rates on home loans, and the ongoing appeal of the California lifestyle.
Petralia also said one of the Association’s goals for the New Year would be to expand programs where Realtors give back to their communities, “by getting involved in community housing projects, charitable events, green activities and neighborhood safety and beautification.
“Realtors can and will do more,” Petralia said. Realtor Fred Sabine also was installed as the Association’s President-Elect, along with other professionals who will serve on SRAR’s board of directors, including: Sharon Barron, Ana Maria Colon (the 2009 President), Gina Covello, Winnie Davis, Jim Ezell, Wendy Hale, Loren Hansen, Debbie Hawkins, Jeff Kahn, Bud Mauro, Alice McCain, Olga Moretti, Gaye Rainey, Bonnie Strassmann, Daniel Tresierras, Gina Uzanyan, Andy Walter, Gary Washburn, Steve White, and Pat A. Zicarelli, who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies.
Todd Olson installed Petralia and all of the directors were sworn in by Beth Peerce, a prominent leader of SRAR and the 2010 President-Elect of the California Association of Realtors. 2010 committee chairs include: Lela Leong, Affiliates; Jeff Kahn, Bylaws; Peter Divris, Commercial Investment; Louis Rinn, Education; Sally Collom, Equal Opportunity; Paul Stafford, Ethics and Arbitration Policy; Doris Casas-Salas, Events & Community Relations; Ana Maria Colon, Finance; Gary Washburn, Governmental Affairs; Neal Adler, Grievance, Don Bagwell, Housing; Diana MacIntyre, MLS Rules and Compliance; Irene Reinsdorf, Professional Standards; Steve Spile, Risk Management; and Mark Gonzales, Young Real Estate Professionals.
About 350 people attended the installation gala along with multiple elected leaders, including: Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel; L.A. City Council members Tony Cardenas, Paul Koretz, and Jan Perry; and, Mitch Englander, representing Councilman Greig Smith, and a representative of L.A. County Assessor Rick Auerbach.Petralia also extended special thanks to numerous people attending the ceremony, including immediate past President, Ana Maria Colon, and Jim Link, the Association’s Chief Executive Officer.
Eighteen of SRAR’s past Presidents — the Association has been the voice for local real estate since its founding in 1920 — were honored along with three professionals who received the highest honors for 2009: Winnie Davis, a past President and the 2009 Realtor of the Year; Olga Moretti, also a past President and the 2009 Service Award Recipient; and Dennis Dishaw, the 2009 Affiliate of the Year.
“There are so many people here who have influenced and enriched my life, both professionally and personally,” Petralia said. “To each of you, my my heartfelt thanks.”