We have reached the time of year when PSAR members need to stand up and be counted! Voting for 2021 PSAR board members takes place this week and your voice counts in deciding who will lead our association next year. Electronic ballots were emailed yesterday morning, June 19. Voting will end at 5 p.m., this Friday, June 26. Results will be announced in July. - slate of nominees can be found - here -
On the ballot are seats for President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer, as well as two-year term (2021-2022) positions for five director board seats and an affiliate director.
Max Zaker and Sam Calvano are running for President-elect and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively.
“As your President-elect, it will be my goal working with PSAR president, board of directors and staff to offer our members innovative technologies and impactful resources to help grow their business,” Zaker said in his candidate statement.
“With your vote for me to be Secretary-Treasurer in 2021, I will help our Association continue to be a dynamic leader in our industry,” said Calvano in his candidate statement.
Seven REALTOR® members are running for the five open director board seats. The seven include Mike Anderson, Merrie Espina, David Fletes, Sean Hillier, Rafael Perez, Amy Ruiz and Amber Tannehill. The following quotes are from their candidate statements:
• “I’d like to return to PSAR’s board because I believe I have a lot to offer with my experience and dedication to PSAR,” said Anderson. “I’d like to continue as a key component of the positive changes and growth we’re seeing, so I ask that you vote for me as a director.”
• “Community volunteer activities for PSAR include Red Shoe Day, Zombie Run, Realtor Games and Real Estate Global Council,” said Espina. “She is a team player acknowledged as a top company producer.”
• “A San Diego native, David has been a REALTOR® and PSAR member for over 12 years,” said Fletes. “He is currently part of the Grievance Committee. David takes pride in giving back to the community by joining the San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and being an active member of the Wounded Warrior program.”
• “As a long-time East County resident and current PSAR board member, I’d be honored to serve a second term,” said Hillier. “I have a long record of leadership. I’m running for re-election to keep PSAR’s focus on you, the members.”
• “Rafael is committed to making sure PSAR is the best choice in San Diego County when it comes to real estate associations and with your vote, will work to make sure it stays that way,” said Perez.
• “Since 2006, Amy Ruiz has been a full-time REALTOR® and absolutely loves it,” said Ruiz. “If elected, she will assist the board wherever needed, while focusing on membership growth and encouraging current membership to make sure of all the amazing benefits PSAR has to offer.”
• “Amber is excited about the opportunity to serve on the PSAR board of directors to advocate for education and training both online and in the classroom to assist both new and long-term real estate professionals in growing their business,” said Tannehill. “As a PSAR board of director, I hope to find ways to improve on the communication from the local, state and national level so that all agents receive the same information in a timely manner.”
Three affiliate members are competing for the Affiliate Director seat. They include Andrea Martino, Juliette Montoya-Cesena and Angie West. The following quotes are from their candidate statements:
• “I feel honored and grateful to have been nominated for the Affiliate Director role,” said Martino. “I firmly believe our current and future membership is ready and expecting of new and out-of-the-box ways to increase both Association-Affiliate collaboration and to strengthen REALTOR®-Affiliate relationships. I am excited at the prospect of leading the charge to accomplish this.”
• “My name is Juliette Montoya-Cesena and I thank you for your consideration as a nominee for Affiliate Director for PSAR,” said Montoya-Cesena. “If elected, it will be my goal to provide unity with our REALTOR® and affiliate members in finding ways to promote their businesses through joint efforts. Working side by side with fellow board members to continue with the trajectory of growth for our valued PSAR members, future members and our community.”
• “Angie West is a proud member of the First American Title San Diego sales team,” said West. “She chaired the PSAR Charity Committee for two years and was honored with the Affiliate of the Year award for 2018.”
Last year, Ditas Yamane was elected to serve as 2021 board president, succeeding Robert Cromer this year’s president.
We as realtors and individuals are hard at it every day growing our businesses and living our lives.
But we also have an obligation to our PSAR association and our fellow members to lend our judgement to deciding who will lead us on the board and in the executive positions. Policies, programs, events and investments are all part of what the association manages logistically. Those members are also there to provide all of us with insight direction and inspiration.
They, and what they do and say, have direct impact on our businesses and on us personally. Taking a few minutes of time to cast your vote seems little enough to reap the returns it creates.
Voting this week means you looked up from the day-to-day for a minute to think about a bigger picture and take a step to make it better.
We look forward to counting your ballot!