Crystal Hawkins Syska Named 2021 HGAR President; Joe Rand Wins Realtor of the Year Award at 104th Annual Meeting

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors held its two-day virtual Member Appreciation Day and Annual Meeting on Monday and today that was highlighted by the acknowledgement of Realtor Crystal Hawkins Syska of Keller Williams NY Realty of White Plains as the organization’s 2021 President.

The event marked the 104th Annual Meeting of the Realtor organization and its first virtual multi-day program. Today’s program also included a high-energy keynote presentation entitled “So Many Ways to Win” by noted international speaker, sales trainer and consultant Ricky Mendez.

HGAR President Gail Fattizzi spoke of the association’s achievements in 2020 that included the launch of OneKey MLS, the merger with the Bronx Manhattan North Association of Realtors, HGAR’s School of Real Estate going virtual during the pandemic and adding 40 classes, the launch of HGAR’s Leadership Accelerator and the formation of the association’s Diversity Task Force. She also highlighted the work of the Global Council, the RPAC Committee, the HG Realtor Foundation and also gave special recognition to Committee Chairs, Regional Directors, Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and HGAR staff for their work during difficult times. She also recognized HGAR’s Dorothy Botsoe, who recently was named 2020 Realtor of the Year by the New York State Association of Realtors.

“I think we have so very much to be proud of this year,” Fattizzi said. “We have so much to look forward to. I do look at this organization as a world-class organization… It has been such an honor for me to serve as the 2020 President this year. I thank everybody for the opportunity. I am truly grateful for everything I have been able to take on this year and what we have been able to accomplish.”

President-elect Hawkins Syska gave an inspirational speech that called for Realtor members to exhibit both trust and unity to help the association assist consumers in their pursuit of the American Dream. She said, “We are living in the heart of a revolution” and cited a passage from Charles Dickens’ “Tale of Two Cities:” that she said describes the current climate although it was penned as a description of the times during the French Revolution.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil.”

Hawkins Syska related that within revolution “comes opportunity, comes hope, comes change, comes a new future.”

HGAR also announced that Joseph Rand of Howard Hanna | Rand Realty was named the 2020 HGAR Realtor of the Year, while John Jordan, president of Hudson Valley Editorial Services and editor of HGAR’s Real Estate In-Depth, was selected as the 2020 HGAR Affiliate of the Year honoree.

The rest of the 2021 slate of HGAR officers include: Anthony A. Domathoti of Exit Realty Premium of the Bronx as President-elect; Treasurer Carmen A. Bauman of Green Grass Real Estate Corp. of Bronxville; Secretary Tony L. D’Anzica of DynaMax Realty NYC, Inc. of New York City; and Immediate Past President Gail Fattizzi of Westchester Real Estate, Inc. of Somers.

Rounding out the Board of Directors are: Previous Past President Ronald Garafalo of John J. Lease Realtors Inc. of Middletown, NY; Regional Director and Chapter Representative Bronx County Vincent Buccieri of Today Realty Corp. of the Bronx; Regional Director and Chapter Representative New York County (i.e., Manhattan) Maurice Owen-Michaane of Capital Realty NY LLC of New Rochelle; Regional Director Putnam County Clayton C. Livingston of Grand Lux Realty, Inc. of Armonk; Regional Director Orange County Eydie Lopez of Keller Williams Hudson Valley United of Middletown; Regional Director Rockland County Roberta F. Bangs of BHG Rand Realty of New City; Regional Director Westchester County Carol Christiansen of Cafe Realty of Mount Kisco; J. Philip Faranda of J. Philip Real Estate, LLC of Briarcliff Manor, Maryann A. Tercasio of BHG Rand Realty of Central Valley; Ismail S. Kolya of eXp Realty of Yonkers; Joseph Houlihan of Houlihan & O’Malley R. E. Services of Bronxville; Brian A. Phillips of Douglas Elliman Real Estate of the Bronx and Joseph Lippolis of BHHS River Towns Real Estate of Peekskill.

Monday’s program featured four informational presentations on Zoom. The offerings included “Stress Reduction for Realtors and Related Professionals” with Dr. Lata McGinn of Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants; “The Influence of Feng Shui & Other Ancient Wisdoms from Around the World” with Debra Duneier of EcoChi; “A Perfect 10: How to Be Your Virtual Best” with Stacey Ross Cohen of Co-Communications and Dor Lata of On Camera Image Consulting and “Tax Deductions for Real Estate Professionals” with financial analyst Maureen McEnroe.

Check back with to Real Estate In-Depth.com for further updates on HGAR’s 104th Annual Meeting & Members’ Day event.