Los Gatos Realtor Suzanne Yost named 2021 SILVAR Realtor of the Year

During last week’s Silicon Valley Association of Realtors 2022 inaugural gala, members were recognized for their valuable contributions to the association in 2021. The 2021 Appreciation Awards were presented by 2021 SILVAR President Joanne Fraser and Executive Officer Paul Cardus.

Recognized were Suzanne Yost, a Realtor with Compass Los Gatos, 2021 Realtor of the Year and Nikki James, a mortgage banker with Flagstar

Bank, 2021 Affiliate of the Year. Victoria Naidorf,

Esq., with Broker Risk Management, of counsel, was presented the Spirit of SILVAR award. This year two outstanding members received the 2021 President’s Award - Dave Walsh, broker and Realtor with Compass and 2021 president of the California Association of Realtors, and Denise Welsh, a Realtor with Compass.

The Realtor of the Year award is bestowed on a member who continually demonstrates skills, competency, knowledge and selfless service to the public, clients and to SILVAR. Fraser praised Yost for her “enduring willingness to serve and rock-solid commitment to SILVAR” and for “being not only a leader, but one who fosters and encourages future leaders.”

Yost has served in numerous positions at SILVAR, C.A.R., and the National Association of Realtors, and through the years she has served and

chaired several committees, been active in her district council, served as SILVAR director, president and Region 9 chair. Yost teaches classes to agents and last year, she

was integral to the revival of SILVAR’S Leadership Academy, serving as chair, facilitator, and instructor.

Presenting the Affiliate of the Year award, Fraser said Jones is a “hardworking, handson leader” and a regular sponsor/participant at SILVAR’S district meetings, bringing over three decades of experience and knowledge in helping clients make strategic decisions for their real estate financing needs.

“Her financial insights and out-of-box ingenuity benefit her clients, colleagues and our association,” said Fraser.

The Spirit of SILVAR award is traditionally bestowed to a Realtor who reflects the association’s commitment to supporting and contributing to the communities it serves. This year, SILVAR broke tradition and presented it to Naidorf, a real estate attorney, “for her persistence over nearly three decades in elevating the professional practices, education and understanding of the California residential real estate practitioner.”

Naidorf serves as PRDS counsel and is a member of the PRDS Standard Forms Committee. She also presents legal updates to members together with David Hamerslough, SILVAR board attorney.

Fraser praised Naidorf’s “unfaltering efforts to foster the highest standard of practice and care by agents in Silicon Valley, the Bay Area and California.”

The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the president to an individual whose service to SILVAR is worthy of special thanks and recognition. Fraser praised Walsh’s lengthy and exceptional record of personal commitment and volunteer service to the real estate industry at the local, state and national level for nearly 40 years.

Fraser noted Walsh’s leadership as 2021 C.A.R. president “has been a guiding force in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in our profession, and creating and implementing programs, services and educational opportunities that benefitted Realtors as they conducted, and continue to conduct, their daily business while navigating

through the uncertainty of a global pandemic and all other challenges in 2021.”

Fraser presented Welsh with the other President’s Award because even after serving as SILVAR president, Welsh has continued to volunteer on her district council, serve on the Leadership Academy Planning Committee, chair the Education Committee and as a C.A.R. and NAR Director. A Los Altos resident for 40 years, Welsh has been involved in her local community through the Historical Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, schools, and church activities.

“To me, personally, she has been invaluable, acting as a mentor, guiding me through the smallest details of SILVAR leadership,” added Fraser.