Outdoor space was especially important to movers to the Midwest, while movers to the Northeast were particularly driven by the need for more square footage and a better work commute.
The real estate industry has expressed concerns regarding the potential repercussions of the FARE Act.
NAR continues to believe that offers of compensation are an important option to help make professional representation more accessible.
TARRYTOWN—The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors held its 105th Annual Member Appreciation Day and Annual Meeting on Monday, Oct. 25 at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel and Conference Center here that was highlighted by the acknowledgement of Realtor Anthony Domathoti of EXIT Realty Premium of the Bronx as the organization’s 2022 President.
At its 105th Annual Member Appreciation Day, held on Oct. 25 at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors named Ron Garafalo, sales manager with John J. Lease Realtors in Middletown, as its “Realtor of the Year” for 2021. David Singer, CEO of Robison Oil in Port Chester, was named the 2021 HGAR Affiliate Member of the Year.
The session also signaled the return of the HGAR Annual Meeting & Member’s Day to an in-person gathering. Last year, the Annual Meeting was held virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s Annual Meeting was a day-long event that included educational seminars, an RPAC Luncheon featuring Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a rousing session with Keynote Speaker Dennis Giannetti, the “Ninja Selling Instructor,” as well as the official business of HGAR that included the election of 2022 officers and directors.
The program, in addition to the award presentations, featured speeches by 2021 HGAR President Crystal Hawkins-Syska and incoming 2022 HGAR President Anthony Domathoti, as well as a tribute to the late former Westchester County Board of Realtors CEO P. Gilbert Mercurio.
Crystal Hawkins Syska,
2021 HGAR President
2021 HGAR President Hawkins-Syska told attendees: “Real estate is under attack. It really is. We see it on a national level, but we also see it on a state level. And that is why we need to be involved in our communities. That is why we need to speak up around our kitchen tables about the importance of real estate…” noting that consumer rights are being taken away.
She stressed that HGAR members need to be involved in helping shape policy and praised those members that stepped up this year in helping meet the ongoing challenge of fostering diversity in the industry.
HGAR President-elect Domathoti praised Hawkins-Syska for her administration’s efforts during very trying times.
Domathoti noted that in the past 18 months the nation and the real estate industry endured a global pandemic that impacted many both economically and emotionally.
As the nation appears to be coming out the crisis, thanks to vaccines and massive vaccinations, Domathoti noted, “Eighteen months into the pandemic it is clear that the world is never going to be the same again. Something new is emerging; something big, something different, something unique. Something that kind of pushes us out of our comfort zone.”
He said he is hopeful that the post COVID-19 era will mirror the aftermath of the last global pandemic in 1918, which was followed by the economic boom and innovation of the “Roaring 20’s.”
HGAR Chief Executive Officer Richard Haggerty gave a tribute to the late P. Gilbert Mercurio, the longtime association leader who passed away on Sept. 27th at the age of 78. Mercurio led the Westchester County Board of Realtors and its successor organization the Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors for 31 years as its chief executive officer. Haggerty noted that when he was hired by Mercurio in 1984, the association had 1,500 members. At Mercurio’s retirement in 2011, the association’s membership had swelled to 10,000.
Haggerty said that “his predecessor and very good friend” was very important in his life and the lives of many Realtor members over the years. “For those of you that didn’t know Gil, he was a visionary,” Haggerty said. “He was the one who started having discussions with other associations on how coming together would benefit everybody.” Haggerty then led the membership in a moment of silence honoring Mercurio.
Award Presentations
2021 Realtor of the Year Garafalo has enjoyed a real estate career for more than 20 years. He is a former HGAR President and continues to serve on the HGAR Board of Directors, as well as a Director with the New York State Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. In addition, he holds a New York State teaching license and is an HGAR instructor for several courses. Garafalo is an avid supporter of HGAR, serving on numerous committees and attending countless association events. Prior to real estate, he had a successful career with Nestle Foods in Purchase.
2021 Affiliate of the Year honoree Singer and Robison Oil have been involved with HGAR for more than 25 years not only as an Affiliate Member, but also as an event sponsor and advertiser. During the pandemic, Singer and his team offered unique and innovative virtual programs for the association’s Commercial & Industrial Division, and his team is always in attendance at HGAR events—both live and virtual. Singer is a member of the New York State Bar who joined the family business to help it grow over the years. Robison recently celebrated its 100-Year Anniversary and now offers indoor air quality services, mold testing, fire and water remediation, natural gas and electricity, in addition to heating oil.
Other award winners included:
• Albert P. Schatz Legislative Advocacy Award: Matthew Engel of Langsam Property Services Corp. in the Bronx. This award is presented to an individual who has continuously advocated for their fellow Realtors and homeowners on local, regional and national levels of government. Engel has played a very active role in the association’s Legislative Council over the past year.
• Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Award: Maryann Tercasio of Howard Hanna Rand Realty in Central Valley. The award is named for a brave young woman who was a victim of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, where she had been volunteering to help families in need. Tercasio serves as President of the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation, the charitable arm of the association.
• Extra Mile Award: Carmen Bauman of Green Grass Real Estate Corp. in Bronxville. This award is presented to someone who has gone above and beyond in helping other agents. Bauman serves as Treasurer of the HGAR Board of Directors.
• Spirit Award: Anthony Domathoti of Exit Realty Premium in the Bronx. This award honors the person who has demonstrated continuous support and outreach to other HGAR members. Domathoti is the HGAR Present-Elect for 2022.
• Up & Coming Awards: Tony Ruperto of J. Philip Real Estate in Briarcliff Manor and Cheryl Williams of Corcoran Legends Realty in Tarrytown. Ruperto co-chairs HGAR’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and Williams has been a very active participant in the HG Realtor Foundation’s volunteer program for local charities.
• Excellence in Commercial Real Estate Award: John Barrett of RM Friedland in Harrison. Barret has been the longest-serving President of HGAR’s Commercial & Investment Division.
• President’s Award: Jana Currier, HGAR COO in White Plains and Goshen. HGAR President Hawkins-Syska presented this award to the person who has helped her most during her presidency.
Haggerty also presented awards recognizing HGAR staff for years of service, including: HGAR Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Staff Vicky Gonzalez (30 years) HGAR Success Team Member Marie Tychyn (30 years) and HGAR Putnam Liaison & Membership Administrator Nancy Rubino (25 years).
“Congratulations to our all of our winners for their extraordinary contributions to this organization and to their communities,” said HGAR CEO Haggerty. “They are truly an inspiration for us all.”
New 2022 Officers, Directors Elected
After the HGAR Nominating Committee submitted the slate of candidates for election to serve as Officers and Directors on the HGAR Board of Directors commencing on Jan. 1, 2022, the membership at the Annual Meeting elected the following into office:
President
Anthony A. Domathoti
Exit Realty Premium
813 Morris Park Ave.
Bronx, NY 10462
President Elect
Tony L. D’Anzica
DynaMax Realty NYC, Inc.
1463 5th Ave.
New York, NY 10035
Treasurer
Carmen A. Bauman
Green Grass Real Estate Corp.
66 Palmer Ave., Suite 49C
Bronxville, NY 10708
Secretary
Tammy Teresa Belmore
Keller Williams NY Realty
120 Bloomingdale Rd., Suite 101
White Plains, NY 10605-1500
Immediate Past President
Crystal Hawkins-Syska
Keller Williams NY Realty
120 Bloomingdale Rd., Suite 101
White Plains, NY 10605
Previous Past President
Gail Fattizzi
ERA Insite Realty Services
600 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
Regional Director and Chapter Representative Bronx County
Danielle A. Noak
Sandra L Erickson Real Estate
1920 Anthony Ave., Suite 1
Bronx, NY 10457
Regional Director and Chapter Representative New York County (i.e., Manhattan)
Lee Presser
eXp Realty NYC
1501 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Regional Director Putnam County
Aaron C. Velez
Houlihan Lawrence Inc.
Town Centre at Somers
104 Village Square
Somers, NY 10589-2305
Regional Director Orange County
Ronald Garafalo
John J. Lease REALTORS Inc.
495 Schutt Rd. Ext.
Middletown, NY 10940
Regional Director Rockland County
Roberta F. Bangs
Howard Hanna Rand Realty
268 S. Main St.
New City, NY 10956
Regional Director Westchester County
Theresa Crozier
Houlihan Lawrence Inc.
237 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605
Directors with Terms Expiring December 31, 2024 (“Class 3” Directors)
Christina A. Stevens
Laujel Realty Corp.
1938 Williamsbridge Rd.
Bronx, NY 10461
Cheryl M. Williams
Corcoran Legends Realty
38 Main St.
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Diane S. Mitchell
Wright Bros. Real Estate Inc.
53 S. Broadway
Nyack, NY 10960
Layla R. Boyles
Monroe Realty Center
21 Gilbert St Ext.
Monroe, NY 10950
Mackenzie L. Forsberg
Genesis Realty Group LLC
4419 Third Ave., #4A
Bronx, NY 10457
The Premier Sponsor of the Annual Meeting was O’Donnelll & Cullen Tax Consultants; the Cocktail Party Sponsor was A.S.A.P. Mortgage and the RPAC Luncheon Sponsor was Hudson United Mortgage.
The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors is a not-for-profit trade association covering more than 13,000 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties, as well as the Bronx and Manhattan. It is the second largest Realtor Association in New York State, and one of the largest in the country.
Outdoor space was especially important to movers to the Midwest, while movers to the Northeast were particularly driven by the need for more square footage and a better work commute.
The real estate industry has expressed concerns regarding the potential repercussions of the FARE Act.
NAR continues to believe that offers of compensation are an important option to help make professional representation more accessible.
Starting out in her 20s, Rondon worked with real estate legend Faith Hope Consolo while at Garrick Aug Associates, where she spent 13 years.
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