Bay East honors best in local real estate from 2019

The Bay East Association of Realtors joined together last week to recognize some of its most outstanding members for achievement during the past year.

The annual awards, presented during the Pleasanton-based association’s 2020 Inaugural Gala at Casa Real on Jan. 10, were given to real estate professionals who demonstrated high ethical standards and professionalism, active community involvement and a high level of service during 2019.

The awards included Realtor of the Year, Rookie of the Year, the Outstanding Leader Award and the John Deadrich Distinguished Service Award.

The gala also saw the local trade association inaugurate its 2020 leadership team.

With headquarters on Koll Center Parkway in Pleasanton and a satellite office in Alameda, Bay East is a trade association serving more than 5,500 residential and commercial real estate professionals in the region.

The association honored the following members with its 2019 awards:

Realtor of the Year

Carl Medford, with Keller Williams Benchmark, took home the Realtor of the Year award for demonstrating the highest level of integrity and commitment to Bay East and the real estate profession.

A Bay East member since 2001 who has served the past five years on its MLS Committee, Medford is a licensed general contractor, a frequent speaker about real estate issues, a featured author for Inman.com and writes the “Real Estate Reality” columns in the Castro Valley Forum and San Leandro Times.

He also serves on the Board of Directors for Streets of Hope, an international charity that provides support for children in need.

Rookie of the Year

The Rookie of the Year award went to Frank Quismorio, from Realty Experts in Fremont.

Quismorio just started his real estate career after 30 years in a management position with a major telecommunications corporation. He has participated in events for the Bay East Young Professionals Network, the Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association and the Asian Real Estate of America.

He will serve as the 2020 vice chair of the Tri-Cities Marketing Committee.

Affiliate of the Year

George Johnson with Cherry Creek Mortgage received the Bay East 2019 Affiliate of the Year Award in recognition of the time, money and resources he contributed to support the real estate profession.

Johnson served on the Bay East Affiliate Committee, is involved with the Women’s Council of Realtors and Tri-Cities Marketing Council, volunteers at the Fremont Festival of the Arts, is an active member of the Newark Graffiti Abatement Team and supports the Newark Memorial High School’s theater and choir programs.

Outstanding Leader Award

Otto Catrina, of Catrina Real Estate in Castro Valley, earned the Outstanding Leader Award, which is given to a past-president of the association who continues to pursue the vision of excellence in the name of Bay East.

A Bay East member since 2002, Catrina’s leadership journey began in 2006 when he joined the Professional Standards Committee and became active with the Central County Marketing Group. He has since served as a Bay East officer and president, as well as holds positions with the California Association of Realtors (CAR) and National Association of Realtors.

Catrina speaks on a regular basis about leadership opportunities and responsibilities to audiences across the country and is a candidate for the 2021 CAR president-elect.

John Deadrich Distinguished Service Award

Ed Gomes, from Pride Properties in Livermore, was honored with the John A. Deadrich Distinguished Service Award.

Named in honor of Bay East’s first president, the annual award is given to a Bay East member who exemplifies the self-sacrifice, vision and accomplishments of the greatest leaders who have shaped the real estate profession.

Gomes is a longtime Bay East member who has held leadership positions for more than a decade, including serving on the Professional Standards and Strategic Planning and Multiple Listing committees. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. He also currently serves on the CAR Board of Directors.