Nearly 400 REALTORS®, Affiliates and special guests welcomed Bill Podley as the new president of the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS® (PFAR) at its 109th Annual Inaugural and Awards Luncheon at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena in early December. Ray Wells served as master of ceremonies for the program that included installation of the 2016 Board of Directors and presentation of awards.

California Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young installed Bill Podley as PFAR’s 2016 President. Taking over from outgoing President Todd Hays, Podley enters his fourth term as Association President, with previous terms in 1984, 1985 and 1997. He has also served as a Director at the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) from 1984 to 2000 and 2004 to 2013.

“I am honored to serve alongside a great Board of Directors as we continue the legacy of our esteemed, 109-year old Association,” said Podley. “In the months ahead, I look forward to helping our members meet the evolving needs of today’s buyers and sellers in our community.”

Joining Podley on the 2016 Board of Directors are President-Elect Shahe Seuylemezian, Secretary Emilie Broughton and Treasurer Chelby Crawford. Directors include David Booth, Marilyn Simon, Steve Haussler, John Hickey, Barry Jones, Immediate-Past President Todd Hays and Affiliate Director Diana Rafeedie-Nofal.

Awards Presented for Outstanding Service

The 2015 REALTOR® of the Year Award went to Robert Myers of Robert Myers Realty, Inc. in Pasadena. For nearly 30 years, Myers has actively promoted industry ethics and professional standards at the state and local levels. In addition to serving as Presiding Officer, Mediator and Arbitrator at C.A.R., he chairs PFAR’s Professional Standards Committee and serves as Ombudsman and Ethics Advocate.

Karen Dier of Inter Valley Escrow in La Canada Flintridge won the 2015 Affiliate of the Year Award for her service to the Association and community. In addition to chairing PFAR’s Affiliate Committee, she has volunteered her time and talents at various PFAR Charitable Foundation events, as well as participating in City of Hope’s 5K marathons.

This year two REALTORS® received the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) REALTOR® Emeritus Award. For their 40-plus years of REALTOR® membership and adherence to the NAR Code of Ethics, PFAR honored Joyce Dandurand of Dilbeck Real Estate in La Crescenta and John Lauer of Active Real Estate in Tujunga.

Finally, the 2015 President’s Award went to the PFAR staff: Betty Shirinyan, Julie Bustillos, Maple Hsu, Shauna Mata, Norma Ramirez, Jose Ontiveros and Cynthia Allar. Recognizing the team’s outstanding service and professionalism, Outgoing President Todd Hays thanked each one for a year of continued excellence.

Special guests included legislators and public officials: District Director Talin Mangioglu for California State Senate Carol Liu, Gerald Phillips representing Assemblyman Chris Holden, District Representative Teresa Lamb Simpson for Congressman Adam Schiff, and Rita Hadjimanoukian representing Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Jody Davis of the Pasadena Tabernacle of the Salvation Army also joined the festivities to collect toy donations for the annual Angel Tree Program.

About the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS®

Founded in 1907, the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS® has built an industry-wide reputation of being one of the strongest real estate associations in the nation. Serving the communities of Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta and
Sunland-Tujunga, the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS® provides its members with education and resources that enable them to conduct their business successfully and profitably with integrity and competency; promotes and enforces ethical standards; and advocates private property rights, homeownership and community service. For more information, visit www.pfar.org.