STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Real estate professionals and others making a positive mark in Richmond County were recently lauded by the Staten Island Board of Realtors® (SIBOR).

The award presentations took place Oct. 22 in the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, during SIBOR’s Annual Membership Meeting.

Gal Ozana of Ozana Realty Group was presented with SIBOR’s Realtor of the Year Award, and Kathleen Barzal of DiTommaso Real Estate, was recognized with SIBOR’s Realtor Associate of the Year Award.

Fred Shayewitz, recipient of the newly introduced Debbie Lerner Excellence in Education Award, displays his etched plaque alongside SIBOR 2024 President Fran Reali and SIBOR CEO Sandy Krueger during the organization’s recently held Annual Membership Meeting in the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield. (Photo: Courtesy of Staten Island Board of Realtors®)

This year’s recipient of SIBOR’S William (Bill) Coull Realtor Service Award was Henry Salmon of Equity Valuation Associates.

The award is given to a SIBOR Realtor who has distinguished him or herself for many years in service to the industry and the community. The late Coull, for whom the honor is named, was a founding member of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service (SIMLS) and the Richmond County Real Estate Institute.

William J. Golding, Esq., received the SIBOR Affiliate of the Year recognition.

Also honored during the breakfast reception was James H. Thomson, Esq., who earned this year’s Community Service Award for the extraordinary amount of work he does with Staten Island organizations.

A newly introduced honor – the Debbie Lerner Excellence in Education Award – was created in tribute to the late Deborah Lerner, the beloved administrator, colleague and mentor who had served as director of education at SIBOR’s Richmond County Real Estate Institute (RCREI) from its opening day in September 1980 until her retirement in January of this year due to illness. She passed away in April.

SIBOR CEO Sandy Krueger presented the award to Fred Shayewitz. An instructor at RCREI since 1988, Shayewitz is Realtor/broker of Richmond Homes Real Estate Inc., and president of Richmond Homes Financial Services Inc.

“It’s always an honor to recognize those who make a difference in our industry and in our community,” Krueger said. “Gal Ozana and Kathleen Barzal are young Realtors who are going to make a difference. Henry Salmon and Fred Shayewitz are the kinds of leaders we aspire to become.”

About the Staten Island Board of Realtors® (SIBOR)
and Staten Island Multiple Listing Service (SIMLS)

Established in 1915, the Staten Island Board of Realtors® (SIBOR) is the largest professional association in Staten Island, N.Y.

SIBOR exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically, and promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

Comprised of approximately 2,300 members, SIBOR serves real estate agents, brokers and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service Inc. (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 275 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale or rent. Together, its members participate in approximately 5,000 real estate transactions every year.

SIMLS is the premier source for real estate listings and market information on Staten Island, providing real estate professionals and the community with a comprehensive platform for property listings, market data, and professional development opportunities.

All SIBOR Realtors belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

SIBOR and the SIMLS may be reached at 718-928-3220 and viewed online at MLSsiny.com. SIBOR may also be visited on Facebook at Staten Island Board of Realtors, Twitter via @SIBOR, LinkedIn (Staten Island Board of Realtors) and Instagram at SIBOR REALTORS (siborrealtors).

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