Kessler named 2015 president of HGAR; Caro named 2015 president of HGMLS

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) unveiled Drew Kessler of Wright Bros Real Estate Inc. in Nyack, as its 2015 president, and Leah Caro, broker/owner of Bronxville Real Estate in Bronxville, as president of the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service (HGMLS). Kessler and Caro, along with the executive officers and directors of HGAR and HGMLS, were officially installed in their new positions at the Association's Gala 2015, held at Whitby Castle. More than 250 from Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties attended the event. "Drew and Leah will bring some exciting leadership to this organization for 2015," said Richard Haggerty, HGAR CEO."Both of them are award-winning real estate professionals who have been in the business for many years, and we're looking forward to seeing great things from both of them this year." Kessler is also Vice President and Regional Manager of the Hudson Valley mortgage division for M&T Bank. He regularly appears on Fox Business News for his expertise on the mortgage industry and the real estate market. A Rotarian since 2001, Kessler has served as District Governor of Rotary District 7210, which is comprised of 2,000 members in 62 clubs serving the nine counties of the Hudson Valley. He resides in Hopewell Junction, with his wife Vicki and their four children: Dilynn, 13, Jerome, 12, Parker, 9 and Jackson, 2. Caro credits much of her success to her involvement with the Realtor Associations -- she has held leadership positions at the national, state and local levels. Her real estate passions include the fair housing and cultural diversity, ethics, and legislative arenas. When she isn't running the most successful single-office company in Bronxville, or volunteering at the Realtor association, she enjoys the great outdoors, hiking in particular. She is wife to husband Douglas Kooluris, mother to son Joseph, and playmate to Bernese mountain dog, Daisy. Kessler succeeds Diane Cummins of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bedford, the 2014 HGAR President, and Caro takes over the reins from Phil Faranda of J. Philip Real Estate in Briarcliff Manor, the 2014 HGMLS President. Cummins and Faranda will remain on the Executive Committees of HGAR and HGMLS respectively. In addition to the presidents, the 2015 HGAR Executive Officers installed include: Marcene Hedayati of William Raveis Legends Realty in Tarrytown as HGAR President-Elect for 2016; John Lease III of John Lease Realtors in Newburgh as Regional VP, Orange County; Jerry Lott of Century 21 Full Service Realty in New City as Regional VP, Rockland County; Barry Kramer of Westchester Choice Realty in Scarsdale as Regional VP, Westchester and Putnam; Jennifer Maher of J. Philip Real Estate in Briarcliff Manor as Regional VP, Westchester and Putnam; and Pamela Jones of Coldwell Banker in White Plains, as Secretary/Treasurer. The new HGMLS Officers include: Renee Zurlo of BHG Rand in Central Valley as Vice President; Louise Colonna of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in White Plains as Treasurer; and Eileen Barrett of Houlihan Lawrence in Brewster as Secretary. The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) is a not-for-profit trade association covering over 9,500 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties. It is the third largest REALTOR® Association in New York, and one of the largest in the country. The Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service (HGMLS), owned by HGAR, offers some 24,000 properties in the Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties. It is among the top 50 largest MLSs in the country.