Staten Island Board of Realtors Marks 100th Anniversary of Serving Community

SIBOR’s roots date back to 1915 when Staten Island was referred to as ‘the best real estate on the best spot on Earth’

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  – When the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge accepted traffic for the first time in November 1964, it marked the beginning of an era for the expansion of homeownership on Staten Island. New York City’s greenest and most suburban-like borough had finally become more easily accessible to motorists, attracting a surge of new residents to the Island.

As visitors in search of their dream properties began arriving, many were assisted by members of the Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR). Marking its 100^th anniversary this month, the organization remains devoted to high ethical standards as its members represent the sellers or buyers of homes in the borough.

“Our organization’s dedication to the American Dream has not faltered in its 100-year history, and neither has its commitment to ensuring that Staten Island continues to be a great place to live, work and visit,” said Dilshad (Dil) Gillani, president of SIBOR. “I feel particularly fortunate to be SIBOR’s president during this milestone anniversary.”

SIBOR’s roots date back to 1915 when New York City Commissioner of Public Works Henry P. Morrison referred to Staten Island as “the best real estate on the best spot on earth.”  On Oct. 31 of that year, Morrison and a host of other officials were documented in the New York Times as guest speakers during an event marking a “New Realty Board on Staten Island.”

A week earlier, more than 100 people had gathered in St. George to officially launch the Real Estate Board of Staten Island and install Anning S. Prall as its first president. Prall also distinguished himself as a U.S. Congressman, president of the city Board of Education, and chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Since then, the Island’s population has grown from 76,000 to nearly 480,000. Through the years, 53 presidents have helped guide the organization, and the once modest-size group of real estate professionals has evolved into the present day Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR), serving approximately 1,800 REALTORS® and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.

REALTOR FAMILY

All SIBOR Realtors belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). These three levels of the association comprise the “Realtor family” that strives to be the collective force influencing and shaping the real estate industry.

The Realtor family seeks to be the leading advocate of the right to own, use, and transfer real property; the acknowledged leader in developing standards for efficient, effective, and ethical real estate business practices; and valued by highly skilled real estate professionals and viewed by them as crucial to their success.

Working on behalf of Staten Island property owners, SIBOR, NAR and NYSAR provide the tools for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system, and the right to own, use, and transfer real property.

SIBOR is the largest trade association on Staten Island. The organization exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically, and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

PROPERTY INFORMATION, CAREER EDUCATION

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale.

SIBOR also has an educational component: The Richmond County Real Estate Institute (RCREI) is the largest real estate school on Staten Island, providing Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses and Post-Licensing Continuing Education Courses.

In addition, SIBOR’s membership, individually and as a group, is actively involved in an array of local causes and community activities, helping to enhance the Island’s quality of life.

SIBOR’S LEADERSHIP

SIBOR is governed by a board of 20 volunteer officers and directors, plus the CEO of SIBOR and board counsel. Two seats on the board are reserved for non-Realtor directors.

The 2015 SIBOR Board:  Dilshad (Dil) Gillani, president; Claire Bisignano Chesnoff, president-elect; Greg A. Sokol, secretary/treasurer; Laird Klein, immediate past president; Sandy Kreuger, CEO of SIBOR;  Michael Blasi; Sean Cusick; Michael R. Diaz, past president; Philip Guarnieri (non-Realtor); Donna A. Iadarola; Andrew D. Klapper (non-Realtor); Vivian P. Kokkinos; Anthony Licciardello; Hector Mesa; Ron Molcho; Angelo Pappalardo; Frank Reali, past president; Scott Setaro; Joseph Tirone; Rocio Uchofen; George K. Wonica, past president, and Alfred M. Fazio, Esq., board counsel.

 

SIBOR may be reached at 718-928-3220 and viewed online at www.SIBOR.com. SIBOR may also be visited on Facebook at “Staten Island Board of Realtors” and “SIBOR 100” (showcasing some of the organization’s latest highlights and accomplishments), and on Twitter via @SIBOR.

 

Media Contact: Barton Horowitz
Relevant Public Relations, LLC
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