The passing of the gavel: Congratulations to all BMNAR officers and board members

Eliezer Rodriguez, Bronx - Manhattan North Association of Realtors

On September 12, 2016, The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BMNAR) invited the public to the installation ceremony of its 2017 slate of officers and board members. The well attended ceremony took place at the 900 Park Restaurant, located at 900 Morris Park Ave. in the Bronx. Several elected officials, community leaders, family members and special friends came out to witness the passing of the presidential gavel.

This was a special evening for some special volunteers. Two years ago, we took the ceremony of “The Passing of the Gavel” out of the privacy of our board room and made it a public event to include family members, friends, elected officials and community leaders. BMNAR’s goal is to immediately introduce our new leaders to the leaders of the communities we serve. Leaders who are interested in fighting with us to preserve the American Dream of Home Ownership.

Kathy Zamechansky, 2015-2016 President said, “I have met some wonderful people as president of BMNAR and I have made what I hope will be lasting relationships. I am so grateful for being given the opportunity to lead this association. I know our new president, Christina, will build on our successes. Christina has my full support.”

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, who, by the way, is also a Realtor, was introduced and he delivered the preamble to the oath. The honorable Fiordaliza Rodriguez, judge for The Bronx Family Court, administered the oath of office. All in attendance, witnessed the installation of officers and new board members and then the installation of Christina Leigh-Stevens as the 58^th president of BMNAR. The crowd broke out in a thunderous applause after the honorable Rodriguez said, “I, judge Fiordaliza Rodriguez, do hereby proclaim you, Christina Leigh-Stevens, to be duly installed into your elected office. Congratulations and best wishes.” The applause continued as two-term president, Kathy Zamechansky passed the presidential gavel to the new president Leigh-Stevens.

She was overwhelmed by the public display of support. Leigh-Stevens went on to say: “I am very proud of the work our associations executive officer, Eli, has done to strengthen our ties with the communities we serve. Together we will build on Kathy’s accomplishments. I have great plans in store for BMNAR. I want to thank BMNAR’s board of governors and senior counsel and the rest of my friends that came out tonight to share in this special moment in my life.”

Shown (from left) are: Miriam Toro, Ellen Feld, Maxine Mears-Clark,
judge Rodriguez, Scot Hirschfield, Stephen Wolinetz and Robert Tuzzo

Congratulations to the 2017 BMNAR officers and board members who will be joining the existing member of the board of governors are:

• Christina Leigh-Steven, 2017 president, Laujel Realty Corp;

• Ellen Feld, president-elect, Exclusive Properties Sotheby’s Intl. Realty;

• Danielle Erickson-Noak, VP Owner-Management Div.;

• David Simone, VP Commercial-Industrial Division, Massey Knakal Realty of the Bronx;

• Miriam Toro, VP Bronx Residential Div., Berashith Realty;

• Scot Hirschfield, VP Manhattan Residential Div.;

• Maxine-Mears Clarke, secretary, Maxine Meir-Clark Real Estate;

• Stephen Wolinetz, treasurer, Wolinetz Management;

• Jac Zadrima, BMNAR board member, Genesis Realty Group;

• Robert Tuzzo, BMNAR board member, ICG Home; and,

• Thomas Szczepaniak, BMNAR board member, Sterling National Bank.

This evening would not have been possible without the help from our sponsors: East Coast Gas, Maureen Prainito; McCalls Bronxwood Funeral Home, James Olstein; Intercontinental Capital Group, Robert Tuzzo; Law Office of Phil Napolitano Law; Lotus Flame Restaurant and Bar, Inc.; and 900 Park Restaurant, Aaron Pejcinovic. The rev. Wanita Dumbar, Jehovah Jireh Baptist Church of Christ, delivered a touching invocation. The BMNAR’s office personnel, Janine Schall, Diane Nogueras, and Evelis Rodriguez did a wonderful job organizing and planning the installation. I thank you all for your support and hard work.

The planning of BMNAR’s next major networking event is now under way. Mark your calendars and tell others that the 32^nd annual holiday party is scheduled for December 7, 2016, at the Marina del Rey, One Marina Drive, Bronx. For more information, please call (718) 892-3000.

Eliezer Rodriguez is the executive director of The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors.