It was a night of celebrating “Real Estate” professionals for their “Achievements” and “Leadership.” It was PSAR’s 2023 R.E.A.L. Awards Gala (R.E.A.L. is an acronym for Real Estate, Achievements, and Leadership). The R.E.A.L. Awards honored PSAR’s top-producing agents and brokers who achieved excellence based on units closed or volume production as compared to all other agents based out of San Diego County, according to 2022 CRMLS data.

The gala was held Friday, March 17 at Sycuan Casino and Resort’s Heritage Events Center. More than 450 PSAR members attended the event which featured cocktails, dinner, dancing, and the presentation of awards to individuals to recognize their industry leadership and success. 

2023 PSAR President Jason Lopez and 2024 PSAR President Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald served as emcees. The national anthem was sung by Katriz Trinidad.

Richard D’Ascoli, PSAR CEO, outlined how this celebration event aligns with PSAR's Mission to Empower Real Estate Professionals, he also introduced elected officials in attendance and industry leaders.

Elected officials: Brian Jones, California State Senator; Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk; Ditas Yamane, City Council Member, City of National City,

Industry Leaders: Chris Hasvold, board chair of California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS).

PSAR members serving as California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) directors. They included Ditas Yamane, Max Zaker, Jason Lopez, Lupe Soto, Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald, Yvonne Cromer, Nikki Coppa, Jeff Campbell, Jan Farley, and Robert Cromer.

PSAR member Anthony Andaya, serving as a director with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

2023 PSAR board of directors: Max Zaker (Immediate Past President), 2023 PSAR President Jason Lopez, 2024 PSAR President Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald, Sam Calvano (2023 secretary-treasurer), Anthony Andaya, Merrie Espina, Camille Bruno, Valerie Gardner, Paula Gonzalez, Dylan Graham, Amy Ruiz, Amber Tannehill, Rafael Perez, Norma Scantlin, and Martha Garcia.

Past PSAR presidents: Pat Russiano, Nikki Coppa, Peter Mendiola, Jeff Campbell, Bob Olivieri, Carey Guthrie, Jan Farley, Robert Cromer, Ditas Yamane, and Max Zaker.

Following the introductions, Senator Brian Jones delivered the invocation and presented a proclamation to 2022 PSAR President Max Zaker.

Also recognized were contributors to the REALTOR® Action Fund (RAF). RAF advances the goals of the REALTOR® Party. It promotes and advocates for the rights and values of REALTORS®. Every dollar of this fund is used to protect the interests of REALTORS® in government.

Qualifications for a R.E.A.L. Award included the following categories (number of PSAR members who achieved the particular production levels appears in parenthesis):

-- Top 1%, at least 27 sides or $31,779,040 in volume (59); View recipients

-- Top 3%, at least 17 sides or $18,483,537 in volume (83); View recipients

-- Top 5%, at least 13 sides or $13,329,500 in volume (70); View recipients

-- Top 10%, at least 8 sides or $8,075,500 in volume (235). View recipients

All top achievers attending the REAL awards were recognized.
 
Last year's recipients of Affiliate, Broker/Office Managers, and REALTOR of the Year were called to the stage.  They included Andrea Martino, Mauricio Perez-Vazquez, Bob Olivieri, Jeff Campbell, Amber Tannehill and Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales.

Also at the gala, four PSAR members were presented with Professional of the Year awards. They included: Ditas Yamane, Broker of the Year; Steven Sladek, Realtor of the Year; Michelle Hickin, Affiliate of the Year; Nikki Coppa, Distinguished Realtor Award.

The R.E.A.L. Awards Committee included Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales, committee chair, as well as 2023 PSAR President Jason Lopez, 2024 PSAR President Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald, Yvonne Cromer, Zoe Khetani, Martha Garcia, Amber Tannehill, Valerie Gardner, Vicki Lisama, Richard D’Ascoli, Sally Valdez and Kevin McElroy.

The major sponsors of the night included Caliber Home Loans, The Phana Par Group, and the California Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Additional sponsors included: Aftermath Exterminating - Gillz Building Services, Inc. - PSAR YPN - Preferred Inspections - Mac Printing - Big Block Realty - Property ID - South Shore Appraisals - Navy Federal Credit Union - SD Realty Gals - Sam Calvano Home Loans - NixTermite - Old Republic Home Protection - Gardner Insurance Services - San Diego Estates - RanchoTed Hard Money Lending - Edward Jones - Farmers Insurance - Metro South RE Producers - Morrison Inspections - Fidelity National Home Warranty - Ooh La Lash & Beaut - Insight Photos and Elizabeth Ireland Photography.

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Call for Nominations!!!

Do you know a fantastic PSAR REALTOR^®, Broker/Office Manager, or Affiliate? Now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve. Three other awards will also be presented at the R.E.A.L. Awards Event.  PSAR Distinguished Service Award, PSAR Community Service Award, and the PSAR Friend of the Industry Award.
Please take a few minutes to nominate your candidate(s).

You can use either of these two methods to nominate.

Nominations must be received by Friday, December 16, 2022.

PSAR shall recognize a REALTOR^®, Broker, and Affiliate each year as well as the following three awards:

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PSAR's Mission is to empower Real Estate Professionals

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Congratulations to the PSAR REALTOR® members who are expected to be honored with a PSAR 2021 Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award.

Celebrate your 2021 achievements with your peers. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and dancing at Viejas Casino. 

A Night of


 Saturday, April 30th, 2022
5:30pm - 11:00 pm
Viejas Casino
5000 Willows Rd, Alpine, CA 91901
Cocktail Attire Recommended

 RSVP and Purchase Your Tickets Now!
Individual Tickets - $100^*   or   A Table (8 Tickets) $800^*

Eventbrite charges a transaction fee.  Avoid it by using the PSAR Member's Link. Non-members may create a billing account for free.
^*Ticket costs will go up on April 1st ($125 and $1000)

Have questions? Need help?  Contact PSAR at - support@psar.org or 619-579-0333

Sponsorship Opportunities can be found here

The PSAR R.E.A.L. Awards program recognizes PSAR's top producing agents as compared to all other agents based in San Diego County.  Recipients achieved excellence through units or volume production sold in 2021. 

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PSAR's Mission is to empower real estate professionals.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth, and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 REALTOR®, Broker/Office Manager & Affiliate of The Year Awards! They will be honored at the R.E.A.L. Awards event early next year.

Honoring PSAR members who empower all REALTORS^® through selfless contributions to our industry

2021 REALTOR^® of the Year Award recipients:

Denisse Roland Newell Central San Diego

Amber Tannehill East San Diego

Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales South San Diego

2021 Broker/Office Manager of the Year Award recipients:

Mauricio Perez-Vazquez Central San Diego

Jeff Campbell East San Diego

Bob Olivieri South San Diego

2021 Affiliate of the Year Award recipients:

Karen Buelterman Central San Diego

Debra Yatsko East San Diego

Andrea Martino South San Diego

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

These award recipients were announced at the past week's Installation Dinner to honor the board of directors and chairs that served PSAR last year and incoming 2021 directors.

The primary mission of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS^® (PSAR) is to empower REALTORS^® to achieve their business goals. The R.E.A.L. awards are a tangible recognition of the highest level of REALTORS^® business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a special annual award,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS^® to flourish while being accountable to each other, our clients, and our community. All these award winners embody our mission. I am so very proud of everyone.”

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Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Call for Nominations!!!

Do you know a fantastic PSAR REALTOR^®, Broker/Office Manager, or Affiliate? Now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve. Please take a few minutes to nominate a candidate.

You can use either of these two methods to nominate.

Nominations must be received by Friday, November 5, 2021.

PSAR will recognize three REALTORS,^® Brokers, and Affiliates each year from three distinct “Geographic Areas” of San Diego County, Central San Diego, East San Diego County, and South San Diego County. The names of individuals making nominations will remain secret. The number of nominations shall not create an advantage for nominees. Award winners may not be the sitting President of the Association and may not be a past recipient of the specific award regardless of the geographic area where the prior award was won.

Recognition Committee will consist of the past recipient of each award, the Affiliate Director, and members of the Committee Council, which consists of the PSAR Committee Chairman. Winners will be announced at PSAR's Installation. Awards will be given at our upcoming REAL Awards in 2022. At least one runner-up will be announced.

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

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Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth, and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of PSAR 2020's Industry Awards, including REALTOR^® of the Year, Broker/Office Manager of the Year and Affiliate of the Year.

Honoring PSAR members who empower all REALTORS^® through selfless contributions to our industry
(drum roll, please):

2020 REALTOR^® of the Year Award recipients:
Rafael Perez, Central
Anthony Andaya, East
Yvonne Cromer, South

2020 Broker/Office Manager of the Year Award recipients:
Lupe Soto, Central
Carey Guthrie, East
Nikki Coppa, South

2020 Affiliate of the Year Award recipients:
Jake Holmes, Central
Ted Przybylek, East
Martha Garcia, South

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

These award recipients were announced at this week’s online party celebration held in honor of these selfless members and also of the the more than 300 REALTOR^® members who recently received a Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award. The party was hosted by PSAR’s Young Professional Network (YPN) group,

The R.E.A.L. awards program recognized PSAR’s top producing agents and brokers based on sales volume dollars or units sold, including listings or sales units entered into the MLS and closed in 2020. R.E.A.L. awards were presented to PSAR’s top 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% REALTORS^®.

The primary mission of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS^® (PSAR) is to empower REALTORS^® to achieve their business goals. The R.E.A.L. awards are a tangible recognition of the highest level of REALTORS^® business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a 2020 R.E.A.L. Award plus these special annual award winners,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS^® to flourish while being accountable to each other, our clients, and our community. All these award winners embody our mission. I am so very proud of everyone.”

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Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

R.E.A.L. Awards Celebration!
Thursday, March 18th
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
This event has it all and all are welcome!

Don't miss all of the entertainment, cocktails, and opportunity drawings we have planned! You'll also have the chance to network with some of the best fellow real estate professionals in the business. Join us in congratulating and toasting the recipients of the 2020 R.E.A.L. Awards!.

Nominees and winners of the 2020
Affiliate, Broker and REALTOR^®
of the year will be announced at the event!

Tune in for some much needed Real Estate Laughs with Eric Gillman!
@EricRidesForHope

Our on-call mixologist, Adam Wild, will be showing us how to make some drinks to toast the award winners, so be ready with the following ingredients to follow along and bring your glass!                                                                   @drinksbywild

Breakfast Sour • 2oz Irish Whiskey • 3/4oz Lemon Juice • 1tbsp of your favorite Jam

French 75 • 1/2oz Lemon Juice • 1/2oz Simple Syrup • 1oz Gin • Top with Champagne

On the call there will be a people's choice award for the
most creative, unique, unusual, drink container!

and....

Opportunity Drawing!     
We will have several drawings during the event! To be automatically entered, you must register by Thursday, March 18th at 11am*    
Grand Prize $500 Cash-Money!     

To enter the drawing for the grand prize, you need to go to the @psar_ypn Instagram account or the PSAR YPN Facebook page and find the OPPORTUNITY DRAWING POST (will say in the first line of the caption) and do the following 3 things:

        What are you waiting for?

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Event Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors
                

The Board of Directors, members, and staff of PSAR extend sincere congratulations to the more than 300 PSAR REALTOR® members who are honored with a 2020 Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award!

The PSAR R.E.A.L. awards program recognizes San Diego county’s top 10 percent PSAR producing agents and brokers who qualified for their awards based on units and/or dollar volume production, coupled with noteworthy industry leadership, in the 2020 business year.

The REAL Awards program provides a platform upon which the high achievers in the San Diego real estate market stand and receive the well-earned recognition of their sphere, peers and the industry as a whole. These leaders are the cream of a realtor crop numbering more than 19,000 in San Diego county.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a 2020 R.E.A.L. Award from PSAR,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “To all the award recipients, your award broadcasts the value that you bring to our industry. It is a testament to your achievements and leadership. All of us at PSAR are particularly impressed at the levels of sales reached by those receiving the award for 2020 production, given the very challenging landscape in which everyone had to conduct their business endeavors last year.”

The 2020 PSAR R.E.A.L. Awards Committee members included:

Robert Cromer
Yvonne Cromer
Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales
Lisa Lozoya
Tony Santiago
Amber Tannehill
Zoe Khetani
Ditas Yamane

PSAR staff members assisting the committee included Kevin McElroy and Sally Valdez.

We extend a special thanks to Reshia Guarnotta, who created all the graphics that are used for R.E.A.L. Awards marketing and promotions.

PSAR REALTOR® members received their R.E.A.L Awards based on CRMLS data extracts showing units sold and/or sales dollar volume for residential sales that closed in San Diego in year 2020.

Award recipients, both individuals and teams, who qualified for R.E.A.L. Awards fell into one of the following categories:

• Top 1%, over 30 sides or more than $27,064,246 in volume
• Top 3%, over 18 sides or $14,750,000 in volume
• Top 5%, over 14 sides or $10,834,000 in volume
• Top 10%, over 9 sides or $6,700,900 in volume.

Note that Award recipients are not eligible to receive both an individual and a team award.

Names of the Award recipients are appearing in a full-page ad to be published in The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper Sunday, February 28 edition. The ad can be viewed by clicking this pdf.

In addition, recipients will be invited to a YPN (Your Professional Network) R.E.A.L. Awards celebration from 4:00 pm to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18, over Zoom. This event is a celebration of your 2020 achievements and those of your peers at a fun-filled activity hosted by PSAR's YPN! All REALTORS, brokers, and office personnel are welcome to attend. More details are forthcoming.

The primary mission of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR) is to empower realtors to achieve their business goals. The R.E.A.L. awards are a tangible recognition of the highest level of realtor business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

PSAR has created a variety of options for sharing news of your accomplishments with your clients, family and friends. They are all stakeholders in the success you have achieved.

Recipients should have received an email with various graphics: an image that can be shared on social media pages (eg, Instagram and Facebook); an email banner for use in your email signature; a Zoom background image.

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PSAR's Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other,
our clients, and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.
Workshops are open to all REALTORS® and Affiliated Members. This class is free of charge.

A group of PSAR members gathered on Friday, October 23^rd, in Downtown La Mesa to plant trees and shrubs in a parkway parcel near the site where an historic building once stood. This landmark was destroyed by rioters taking advantage of an initially peaceful demonstration supporting racial equality May of this year.

The participating PSAR members all agreed that the landscaping project experience was meaningful in many ways. They felt proud to be part of an organization that cares about helping the communities in which it does business. And they each were grateful for the opportunity to help a part of their hometown rebuild and revitalize.

Organized by Tracy Hollingworth, PSAR Government Affairs Director, the event also symbolized PSAR’s ongoing commitment to championing policies and causes that focus on safe and inclusive communities.

Notable participants in the work day effort were La Mesa City Council member Kristine Alessio and PSAR CEO Rich D’Ascoli.

The landscaped parcel is located near Palm Avenue at Allison Avenue, adjacent to an historic building that once housed Randall Lamb Associates, an engineering services firm that operated in that location for 42 years. The building, gutted and burned to the ground by fire ignited by vandalizing and looting arsonists, is now gone. A vacant lot remains in its place.

The flora planted by the landscaping team includes bunches of evergreen perennial flowers (Calylophus Drummondii) that bloom bright yellow flowers in spring and summer, plus several magenta red autumn sage shrubs (Salvia Greggi Furmans Red), an attractive and tough drought-tolerant plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Also planted were two Forest Pansy trees (Cercis Canadensis) known for their striking foliage of pea-like, rosy-pink flowers and the abundant shade they create.

Hard costs, including the purchase of vegetation, shovels and work gloves, were covered by a Community Rebuilding Grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as part of NAR’s Urban Initiative, which provides funding to assist urban areas in addressing challenges in their communities.

For PSAR members, the experience went beyond the mere planting of flowers and trees. In their own words, they expressed what volunteering for this activity personally meant:

-- “We were all heartbroken by what happened in La Mesa, so to participate in this landscaping project was very important to show everyone how PSAR cares about the communities our members serve,” said Robert Cromer, 2020 PSAR President. “I am so proud of our PSAR members and especially how our Association is supportive of transformational policies that promote fairness, justice and inclusiveness in our communities.” -- Robert Cromer, 2012 PSAR President.

 “I am very proud to be a part of PSAR, an organization that not only cares about the communities its Realtors serve, but whose members go above and beyond by putting a shovel to the ground to help revitalize a community that suffered damage during recent protests.” -- Jan Farley.

-- “I am proud to be a member of PSAR. I recognize the importance for our members to assist in revitalization of urban areas and, in this case, on my city’s local main street. 

My hometown had recently suffered damage during the protests earlier this year. My local bank was burned to the ground and numerous other businesses suffered damage. It was clear our peaceful village was hurting. Our gift was re-beautifying a little corner with trees and drought-tolerant plants. 

Hopefully, this will be the first of many rays of light to return to our city. This project was near and dear to my heart as I drive by weekly and see our beautiful little corner come to life. It is important for my real estate community and PSAR to support efforts to heal the damage in La Mesa.” -- Deirdre Bramberg.

-- “I was proud to join my fellow PSAR directors as we restored this little park. I was so glad to see PSAR members helping to beautify this little corner of La Mesa. I’ve lived near La Mesa Village for 20 years, and love our little town. I helped clean up after the rioting last May. I love it when Realtors pitch in to make their communities better.” -- Sean Hillier

-- “It was a great experience to be a part of this project as I grew up in La Mesa and I'm now a homeowner and Realtor in the area. It was very sad to see my hometown being destroyed during the riots, I wanted to help take action and assist in creating the change that so many of us want to see in our communities.  I'm very proud to be a part of PSAR and its efforts to not only help revitalize La Mesa and other Urban Areas but to be involved as PSAR leads the way in building safe and inclusive communities.”  -- Dylan Graham.

-- “I am very proud to be a part of PSAR. I was honored to help with the La Mesa landscape project. I want to be more involved in serving and supporting my community as well as others. I want to make a difference together with PSAR as a team to keep our communities looking beautiful and to encourage our neighbors that we care. We can get through these uncertain times together by keeping the Faith!” -- Katherine Mannin