GLAR members gathered at the Annual Installation & Awards

Membership | Awards & Recognition

Recognizing Excellence Across Our Organization

GLAR honors the members and industry partners whose contributions strengthen our association and the communities we serve. Through association awards and career recognition, we celebrate their achievements and lasting commitment to the REALTOR® profession.

A speaker at the GLAR Annual Installation & Awards podium

GLAR Association Awards

Celebrating Those Who Raise the Standard

Each year, GLAR recognizes members and industry partners who distinguish themselves through professional excellence, association involvement, leadership, and service to their communities. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and selected for the contributions they make not only to their profession, but to the broader REALTOR® community.

  • Jae Wu, Heyler Realty

    2025 REALTOR® of the Year

    Jae Wu, Heyler Realty

    Jae received the 2025 REALTOR® of the Year award for her commitment to excellence, integrity, and service to her clients and the broader community. She has served as a volunteer leader at GLAR in various capacities throughout her time at the association, including as a member of the Board of Directors in 2025, lending her industry expertise to strengthen professionalism and conduct effective advocacy for the real estate community. In the community, she serves as Master of Ceremonies for Westwood Charter School’s Jogathon, has served as a Neighborhood Council Board Member, and has received the LA Works – Small Business Big Impact award.

  • Betty Graham, Coldwell Banker BH North

    2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

    Betty Graham, Coldwell Banker BH North

    Throughout her long career in Los Angeles real estate, Betty has been a locally and nationally recognized top producer, broker-owner, manager, and a positive influence in the community. Currently with Coldwell Banker, Betty has made her mark on the industry as the owner of Coast and Canyon Realty, a Manager of Jon Douglas in both Northern California and Beverly Hills, and was the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Greater Los Angeles Company, and Past President of Previews NRT, and is currently a Business Coach for Tom Ferry International. She has served on the boards of the Malibu Board of REALTORS®, the Beverly Hills Board of REALTORS® (a precursor to GLAR), and has served on numerous committees for the California Association of REALTORS®. In the community, she is an active member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and an avid supporter of A Place Called Home.

  • Steve Lewis, Core Real Estate Group

    2025 William May Garland Award

    Steve Lewis, Core Real Estate Group

    With a career spanning more than three decades, Steve Lewis is dedicated to supporting the agents in his brokerage. A trailblazer in the boutique brokerage world, Steve is extraordinarily well versed in real estate law, and is dedicated to the support of his sales agents. He shares his expertise in the industry by running frequent contract classes to help his colleagues stay on top of the latest changes. He has managed brokerages for Coldwell Banker and the John Aaroe Group before founding the CORE Real Estate Group in 2018.

  • Tom Swanson, Exclusive Realty, Inc.

    2025 Office Manager of the Year

    Tom Swanson, Exclusive Realty, Inc.

    A trusted leader and mentor not only to his agents, but to many members of the Greater Los Angeles REALTORS®, Tom’s steady guidance has strengthened both his office and the broader real estate community. His leadership ensures that his agents are positioned for success and have a commitment to best practices that up hold a high ethical standard of conduct and values. In his brokerages, he actively fosters a culture of professionalism by supporting education, encouraging participation in association activities, and by being a trusted resource for agents looking for guidance on business operations and compliance. He served as the 2023 President of the Greater Los Angeles REALTORS®, and has served on various committees for the California Association of REALTORS®, including currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Local Presidents’ Leadership Forum.

  • Ian Brink, Sotheby’s International Real Estate

    2025 Rising Star

    Ian Brink, Sotheby’s International Real Estate

    A rising professional dedicated to professionalism, client-centric service and excellence in real estate, Ian has quickly made his mark at GLAR and in the real estate industry. Ian delivers tailored guidance to both his buyer and seller clients, leveraging his market expertise and a high level of responsiveness to earn trust and repeat referrals. He has quickly become a leader in the real estate field, earning his NAR Accredited Buyer Representative designation and graduating from the inaugural class of the Greater Los Angeles REALTORS® Leadership Academy in 2025. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for GLAR.

  • Andre Carruana, The Termite Guy

    2025 Real Estate Service Provider of the Year

    Andre Carruana, The Termite Guy

    Andre consistently goes above and beyond for GLAR members, not only conducting termite inspections but also educating agents and homeowners on what to do if the inspection turns up issues. He is essential to agents helping their transactions moving forward and is dedicated to professionalism and solutions in his field. Agents laud him for taking the time to explain the results of his inspections to their clients, and for his outstanding customer service.

  • 2025 Commercial REALTOR® of the Year

    Omid Saleh, Keller Williams

    Omid Saleh has been in the commercial real estate industry for more than 15 years and has closed more than $375,000,000 in closed sales in his career. Known for putting his clients first, Omid is one of the top commercial REALTORS® in mixed-use, multi-family, and land for development throughout Southern California. He has served as Vice Chair for GLAR’s commercial committee since 2023, helping to bring the commercial committee’s programming to life, organizing tours of commercial properties and up-and-coming commercial areas throughout Los Angeles County and beyond. He was also recognized as a 2026 Real Estate All-Star by Los Angeles Magazine.

Framed photos of past GLAR honorees on display

Know a GLAR member whose professionalism, leadership, or service deserves to be recognized?

Each year, members have the opportunity to nominate their peers for GLAR Association Awards. Help us recognize the people who are raising the standard for our association, our industry, and the communities we serve.

Career Recognition

A Legacy of REALTOR® Membership

Some achievements are measured not by a single year, but by a career of commitment to the REALTOR® profession. GLAR is proud to recognize members who have earned distinguished membership status through the California Association of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®.

  • C.A.R. Honorary Member-for-Life

    C.A.R. Honorary Member-for-Life recognizes long-standing REALTOR® members who meet the association's requirements for years of membership and age. Approved members retain the rights and privileges of C.A.R. membership with their State Association dues paid for life.

  • NAR REALTOR® Emeritus

    NAR REALTOR® Emeritus status recognizes REALTORS® who have demonstrated an extraordinary long-term commitment to membership in the National Association of REALTORS®