Mark Robak, a commercial broker with 33 years of experience in real estate, is currently serving as the 2023 Otay Water District (OWD) board president. He has represented OWD’s District 5 (Rancho San Diego, Mount Helix, Jamul, and eastern Chula Vista) for the past 18 years (since January 2005).

Robak recently became a PSAR member and soon thereafter joined the PSAR Government Affairs Committee.

“I believe in giving back, especially if you have the expertise to do something at a high level,” Robak said. “If you work in real estate, it’s important to get involved in your industry. Our committee members earnestly want to influence the government for the benefit of homeowners and property owners. We are dedicated to protecting private property rights.”

In 2015, Robak founded San Diego Commercial Real Estate (SDCRE), a La Mesa firm offering commercial real estate leasing, sales, and advisory services in San Diego County. Previously, he was a senior broker with other commercial brokerage firms.

“I’m impressed with the PSAR dynamic and its dedication to a collaborative atmosphere,” said Robak. “I was previously a member of another association, but I was attracted to PSAR because of its strong name recognition and positive public image in the real estate community.”

Robak was first elected to the Otay Water District (OWD) board in 2004 and was reelected in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. Robak served as vice president of the board for four years from 2019 through 2022. Robak also previously held positions of treasurer in 2018 and president in 2017.

In addition to serving as the 2023 OWD board president, Robak will serve as the chair of the engineering, operations, and water resources, desalination project, and ad hoc Salt Creek Golf Course lease and property disposition committees.

In addition, he serves as the OWD representative for the California Special District’s Association for the state and county, the OWD and Sweetwater Authority Task Force to develop recycled water opportunities, the San Diego Area Wastewater Management District (Metro Commission), South County Economic Development Corporation, Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), and ACWA-JPIA (Joint Powers Insurance Authority).

He serves as President of the Water Conservation Garden Authority, as well as the President of the Council of Water Utilities.

Robak is the Government Relations Director for the El Cajon Elks Lodge and serves on the government affairs committee of the East County Chamber of Commerce.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from San Diego State University. Robak also has been active in other community organizations as a volunteer, having served on the San Diego-Imperial Council of the Boys Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Lions Club, and other local charitable organizations.

The five-member Otay Water District Board of Directors is the governing body of the District and is responsible for setting rates for service, taxes, policies, and ordinances, adopting the annual budget, and other matters related to the management and operation of the water agency. Each director is elected by voters within one of five divisions to represent the public’s interest on the board. Directors serve four-year terms in office. Following the vote of officers by the board at its meeting, each of the directors immediately assumed all powers and duties of an officer of the board of directors.

The Otay Water District is a public agency providing water, recycled water, and sewer service to approximately 228,000 customers within approximately 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including the communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and eastern Otay Mesa along the international border with Mexico.

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The PSAR family extends its condolences to the family of Juanita Mangels Williams, who was very active for several decades in the East San Diego County Association of REALTORS® (ESDCAR), prior to the 2012 merger with the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS®.

Juanita, a two-time ESDCAR president (1988 and 1995) and recipient of the 1983 Realtor of the Year award passed away from natural causes on Saturday, May 13, 2023. She was 90.

She joined ESDCAR on August 23, 1965. She worked in real estate for about 50 years, including about 45 years as a broker, according to her family.

According to PSAR records, she served on the ESDCAR board of directors from 1980 to 1994. She served as secretary-treasurer in 1985 and 1986.

She also served as a member and chair on numerous ESDCAR committees, including Special Events, Communications, Jurisdiction, Membership-New Member Orientation, Professional Standards, Arbitration, Leadership and Budget & Finance.

Other committees benefiting from Juanita’s participation including Building, Equal Opportunity, Education, Government-Political Affairs, Board of Realtors Political Action Committee and Multiple Listing Service.

She served as chair of the Board Nominating Committee in 1991 and 1992, and chair of the Long Range Planning Committee in 1989.

On a statewide level, she was active with the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) as a C.A.R. Director from 1981 to 1995. She was named a C.A.R. Emeritus member in 1985.

Juanita Lovejoy was born on July 18, 1932, in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Early in her childhood, Juanita and her siblings (two brothers, one sister) and single mother moved to Seeley, Calif., in Imperial Valley. Later, the family settled in the local community of Spring Valley.

Juanita graduated 1951 from Grossmont High School in La Mesa. She married her first husband in 1952 and they raised four children. The family lived in the Casa de Oro neighborhood of Spring Valley.

She held several jobs before joining Vanice Realty Center to begin her real estate sales career, a profession which she loved, her family said.

She also become involved in the Casa de Oro community and became one of the first women members of several community organizations, including the Spring Valley Business Association, Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce and Spring Valley Lions Club. She also served as president of these community organizations.

In an email to PSAR, the family said, “These were all male-dominated clubs at the time. But, our mother was determined to show these men that she was just as worthy to be a productive member of their clubs. She proved that she could sell real estate and help the community with their events and fundraisers.”

Juanita was widely known in the Casa de Oro area and some referred to her as the “Honorary Mayor of Casa de Oro.” She organized the first Casa de Oro Flag Day Parade on June 14, 1970.

Soon thereafter, she recruited the local Santa Sophia Catholic Church to host the two-day Casa de Oro Fall Festival, which continued for many years. She was included in the list of Who’s Who in American Women during the 1970s.

In the 1990s, Juanita continued her involvement with the Spring Valley Lions. In 1992, she was honored with the “Lion of the Year” award. She served as club president in 1995 and 1996. She also served as a district governor. In 1997, Juanita was selected as a Spring Valley Lions Club Fellow, the highest honor a Lions Club can bestow on a member.

In the early 2000s, she began volunteering with the USS Midway Museum on Harbor Drive and eventually became a docent and volunteer at many fundraising celebration events held there. She loved making people smile and be happy with an amazing experience at the nighttime galas, her family said.

The USS Midway Museum honored Juanita as its Retired and Senior Volunteer of the Month in December 2017. Midway officials said Juanita served as a docent and on the outreach and exhibit teams. She oversaw the maintenance of the museum displays and created centerpieces for events held aboard the Midway.

The Volunteer of the Month announcement said: “Juanita stands out as an exemplary volunteer due to her spirit of giving and connection. She is described as compassionate and has a great sense of humor. Perhaps most importantly Juanita brings a general feeling of family and friendliness to the USS Midway.”

Juanita was preceded in death by her first husband, who passed away in 2011. In 1989, she married Mr. Williams, who passed away in 2016. Juanita also was preceded in death by her oldest son, along with two brothers and one sister.  

Survivors include her son’s widow and her three other children and their spouses, along with many great-grandchildren and grandchildren.

For the past two years, Juanita lived with a son, who lives in Chandler, Ariz. She had dementia in her later years.

The family said in a statement, “Juanita never knew a stranger. She was a real go-getter, an extraordinary woman. She was also very patriotic and proud to be an American. She always made sure that our school clothes included red, white, and blue clothing growing up. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends and many who were lucky to have known her. Our family has all agreed on that that she was truly a very special lady.”

A Celebration of Life service has not been scheduled yet, the family said.

PSAR expresses our sincere condolences to the family at this time.

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The PSAR family is saddened to hear about the recent passing of Steve Whittington, who served as PSAR's East San Diego County Association of REALTORS® president in 2002. He passed away from a respiratory illness on March 8, 2023. He was 76.

Steve was born on Aug. 23, 1947, to Frank and Lorraine Whittington in Dubuque, Iowa. At age 3, the family moved to San Diego.

Steve was married to his wife Patti for 53 years. They both attended the same elementary school. Their friendship continued while attending Hilltop Junior High and Hilltop High School. They were married in 1970, the same year Steve graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in sociology. They raised a son and daughter.

Steve worked for Bank of America for several years before launching his real estate sales career, which began around 1987. In 1991, Steve opened Peerless Properties, a real estate sales office, and Peerless Property Management.

Steve believed in giving back to the community and supporting growth in the real estate industry, which led to his service as PSAR president. During Steve’s tenure as president, his daughter Amy worked part-time at PSAR as a receptionist.

Steve continued working in real estate until his retirement in 2010. During his retirement years, Steve enjoyed golfing, playing poker with close friends, and traveling with Patti.

Steve is survived by his wife Patti Whittington; daughter Amy Whittington; son Brent Whittington and his wife Kimjera Whittington; grandchildren Blake, Kendall, and Braxton; brother Randall Whittington and his wife Peggy Whittington; and sister Susan Whittington.

No memorial services are planned.

PSAR expresses our sincere condolences to the Whittington family at this time.

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In June 2012, officials with ESDCAR and PSAR signed Articles of Incorporation between the two REALTOR® associations. Then, in August 2012, the California Secretary of State approved the merger followed by approval from the National Association of REALTORS® in September 2012. The year 2023 will be the 11th full calendar year for the merged REALTOR® association.

“During our first successful decade, we’ve demonstrated over and over how we’re better and stronger together,” said Rich D’Ascoli, CEO of PSAR. “We’re looking forward to the future and continuing to fulfill PSAR’s mission to empower real estate professionals throughout San Diego County.”

Founded in 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth, and development of the real estate industry in San Diego County. Today, PSAR offers educational training, advocacy, and other resources, including MLS services, lockboxes, signage, networking, and retail store, to its REALTOR® and affiliate members. PSAR operates service centers in Clairemont, El Cajon, and Chula Vista.

PSAR Distinguished Service Award. The ultimate recognition for the dedicated PSAR REALTOR^® who has always set themselves apart as a leader. REALTORS^® who receive the award have shown exceptionally meritorious service to PSAR for at least 10 years and have been recognized as local leaders whose performance and involvement in political, educational, and community activities have been extraordinary.  This award may or may not be granted every year because the bar is set that high.

PSAR  Community Service Award. Recognizes active REALTOR^® members who are making an extraordinary impact on their community through volunteer work. Nominees are judged primarily on the level and impact of personal contribution. Nominees should have made a significant contribution of personal time, but contributions of money, materials, and other resources may also be considered by the awards task force as well.

The Recognition Committee will consist of The past recipient of REALTOR® of the Year, the Broker Manager of the Year and Affiliate of the Year, the Affiliate Director, members of the Association Council, the Chair of Professional Standards (if a PSAR Member), and the Chair of the Grievance Committee. Winners will be announced at our upcoming REAL Awards in  2023. At least one runner-up will be announced.