Greater Bergen REALTORS® Installs Its 2022 Executive Team at Annual Gala Event
Saddle Brook, N.J. Dec.20, 2021 —Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) installed its 2022 executive officers and Board of Directors while thanking outgoing board members at its annual Gala event in Pompton Plains.
The evening’s agenda included remarks from now immediate past President, Alireza Memar, who expressed his appreciation for his colleagues hard work and commitment this year, highlighted by the association’s recent relocation from its Waldwick and Hasbrouck Heights offices to one building, in Saddle Brook, shared with New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (NJMLS).
Memar also expressed thanks to those who worked on the development and issuance of GBR’s strategic plan, released this summer and to GBR staff for their assistance in helping the association grow its membership to over eight-thousand eight hundred.
Memar moves to his role as Immediate Past-President. As an Executive Committee member, he will continue to offer advice to the Board after his years of service with the organization.
Greater Bergen REALTORS® Chief Executive Officer, Jorge Ledesma, provided the opening remarks for the evening and offered his thanks to this year’s executive team and new members, and spoke about the association’s accomplishments and goals for 2022.
“Our ability to continue to pivot as necessary in providing the best possible experience for our growing membership base, helped us achieve several goals in 2021, including the move to our new headquarters in Saddle Brook, Ledesma said. I am also proud of our continuing efforts to give back to the communities we serve, including significant investments and support of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) and the Greater Bergen Realtors® Care Foundation.”
Ledesma also expressed optimism for the future of the association and encouraged all members and staff to continue to communicate their feedback and suggestions to enhance the association’s mission.
2021 National Association of REALTORS® President Charlie Oppler, installed the incoming 2022 Board of Directors and was also honored for his continued work with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to providing housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. Created as a REALTOR®-driven response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Oppler was also presented with a donation to the Relief Foundation, from GBR, to help assist in its ongoing mission.
Robert Funabashi, (Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty in Saddle River), was installed as GBR’s 2022 President. Funabashi took time in his President’s remarks to thank Oppler for his work with the foundation and expressed his gratitude to 2021 board members for their contributions and spoke about goals for the upcoming year.
“All of us at GBR welcome the new members of our executive leadership team and express our gratitude. We also want to acknowledge our past leaders for their tireless work and contributions, Funabashi said. “I look forward to working with all members from around the association to make GBR diverse and inclusive for all and ensuring that fair housing policies are followed, and that professional standards guidelines already in place are upheld, this will help pave the path to continued growth and success in our industry.
Also elected to the 2022 Board are the following new directors:
- Bonnie Borghi- Friedberg Properties, Rivervale
- Elaine Mosera- Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Fort Lee
- Frances Blakely – RE/MAX Select
- James Arakelian – RE/MAX Real Estate Limited
- Nicola Esposito Jr. – Gilsenan and Company
- Lisa Comito - Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Closter
- Myles Garvey – Christies International RE, Closter
- Rhoda Moss-Latimer – Keller Williams City Views Realty
- Robert Oppenheimer – RE/MAX Fortune Properties
- Evelyn Palladino – Christies International RE Northern, NJ Ridgewood
About Greater Bergen REALTORS®
Greater Bergen REALTORS® is a not-for-profit trade organization that serves more than 8,800 REALTOR® members throughout Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. We empower the success of those we serve by focusing on Connections, Advocacy, Resources, and Education. As the leading voice of real estate in Northern New Jersey, we advocate to protect private property and home-ownership rights.
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