Apicella noted that the Trump administration seems intent on eliminating or severely cutting back on federal green energy funding, which he said is critical to many new development projects.
Unlike many commercial brokers, Minichino did not start out listing and selling residential properties.
The $10-million award will focus on downtown revitalization initiatives in Downtown Poughkeepsie.
Sejdi noted that HGAR will be implementing the key initiatives in the association’s Strategic Plan, which was worked on and completed in 2024.
MAHOPAC— The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors installed Vlora Sejdi as its 2025 President, along with its new 2025 Board of Directors, at a Jan. 30 Gala at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac. Sejdi and her Executive Board are embarking on an effort entitled “Driving Change Together,” which embodies HGAR’s mission to unite its members in shaping the future of real estate while fostering collaboration and growth within the communities the association serves.
Jacqlene Rose, the 2025 President of the New York State Association of Realtors, performed the ceremonial installation of the 2025 Board of Directors and HGAR Past President, Anthony Domathoti installed Sejdi as the Association’s 2025 President. HGAR’s Ron Garafalo, who was recently installed as 2025 NYSAR President-elect, gave the invocation and current sitting Bronx Civil Court Judge Eliezer Rodriguez, the former Regional Director for Government Affairs for HGAR, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approximately 150 Realtors, industry colleagues, family and guests attended the gala. Among the dignitaries that congratulated Sejdi included Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, State Assemblyman Matt Slater and OneKey MLS Chief Executive Officer Richard Haggerty.
“We are honored to celebrate the installation of Vlora Sejdi as our 2025 President and welcome an exceptional group of leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Lynda Fernandez, HGAR CEO. “HGAR has a legacy of excellence in advocacy, real estate, fair housing, economic development, consumer protection, and community leadership.”
Sejdi is an Associate Broker with HomeSmart Homes & Estates in White Plains. She served as President-Elect in 2024, Secretary in 2023, and Regional Director for Westchester County in 2022. Additionally, she served as President of the local Empire Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors for the past two years, as well as Treasurer for the New York State Chapter of WCR.
Introducing Sejdi as HGAR’s 2025 HGAR President were her 10-year-old daughter Arya, who gave a heartfelt and heart-warming speech honoring her mother, and former HGAR President Crystal Hawkins-Syska.
Sejdi noted that HGAR will be implementing the key initiatives in the association’s Strategic Plan, which was worked on and completed in 2024. She said a key focus will be in engaging with local politicians on key issues that impact communities across the HGAR market area, as well as state and local government representatives to “ensure that the voice of Realtors is heard where it matters most.”
She continued “Professionalism remains crucial. We must uphold ethical standards and elevate integrity within the industry.” She also pledged that HGAR will be expanding its educational and professional offerings, noting that agents and Broker-Owners require different courses in order to succeed.
In closing, she stressed that the HGAR Board will look to foster member engagement. “I am committed to changing the status quo and embracing new leaders, ideas and strategies for our organization. We are fortunate to have a wealth of experience among our long-time leaders and I believe it is vital to enable our emerging leaders to learn from them.”
The following Executive Officers were also installed: Rey Hollingsworth Falu of Hollingsworth Real Estate Group in White Plains as President-Elect, Joseph Lippolis of BHHS Rivertowns Real Estate in Peekskill as Treasurer; Tony Ruperto, of Ally Realty in Beacon as Secretary and Carmen Bauman of Keller Williams NY Realty in White Plains is the Past President.
HGAR’s 2025 Regional Directors include: Gregory Tsougranis of Keller Williams NYC Group in the Bronx, as Bronx County Regional Director; Carole McCann of Hudson Heritage Realty in Washingtonville as Orange County Regional Director; Christina Prostano of Compass in Manhattan, as New York County Regional Director; Jennifer Rousset of Howard Hanna Rand Realty in New City as Rockland County Regional Director; Carol Christiansen of McGrath Realty, Inc. in Mount Kisco, as Putnam County Regional Director; and Crystal Hawkins Syska of Keller Williams NY Realty in White Plains as Westchester County Regional Director.
Additional HGAR 2025 Directors installed include:
Emran Bhuiyan of Exit Realty Premium, Bronx
Timothy Bohlke of Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Suffern
Layla Boyles of Century 21 Realty Center, Monroe
Ernest Chi, Ernest Chi Real Estate LLC, Yonkers
Anthony Domathoti of Exit Realty Premium, Bronx
J. Phillip Faranda of Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Yorktown Heights
Joseph Houlihan of Houlihan & O’Malley Real Estate Services, Bronxville
Harding Mason of Houlihan Lawrence, Inc., Katonah
Don Minichino of Keller Williams Realty Partner, Hopewell Junction
Timothy Mullowney of Zillow Inc., Manhattan
Roseann Paggiotta of Exp Realty, White Plains
Darin (Nan) Palumbo of Keller Williams NY Realty, White Plains
Valerie Port of McGrath Realty, Inc., Pawling
Maryann Tercasio, Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Central Valley
Shanese Williams of Real Broker NY LLC, Manhattan
Sponsors for the Installation Gala were: OneKey MLS (Premier Sponsor); Dolgetta Law, PLLC (Centerpiece Sponsor); Minuteman Press Stamford, an RXP Company; Genesis Realty Group, LLC, Foxworth Realty, Allan Block Insurance and SentriLock (Gold Sponsors).
The program concluded with the recognition of 2024 Association awardees presented by Awards Chairman Anthony Domathoti. The major award winners were: Tony D’Anzica (Realtor of the Year); Eliezer Rodriguez (Albert P. Schatz Legislative Advocacy Award); Clayton Livingston (Excellence in Commercial Real Estate); Shanese Williams (Extra Mile Award); HGAR CEO Lynda Fernandez (President’s Award); OneKey MLS (Affiliate of the Year); Emran Bhuiyan (Up and Coming Award); HG Realtor Foundation (Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Award); Gail Fattizzi and Katheryn DeClerck (Diversity Equity and Inclusion).
Apicella noted that the Trump administration seems intent on eliminating or severely cutting back on federal green energy funding, which he said is critical to many new development projects.
Unlike many commercial brokers, Minichino did not start out listing and selling residential properties.
The $10-million award will focus on downtown revitalization initiatives in Downtown Poughkeepsie.
The envisioned building is a more than 200,000-gross-square-foot facility that will bring together a range of STEM disciplines.
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