Members In The News

IN MEMORIAM

Carra Clampitt: Mentor, Educator, Businesswoman

Carra Clampitt

Carra Clampitt is remembered by those who knew her as a nurturing and savvy businesswoman with an unmatched passion for the community management industry.

Carra passed away in early September after a long battle with cancer.

Her 30-year career in the industry began at Golden West Property Management, a company she started with her mother and eventually sold to Eugene Burger Management Corporation (EBMC). Soon after she joined EBMC, she was appointed Regional Manager of the Bay Area, overseeing EBMC’s offices in that region. More recently, when EBMC changed its business structure, she was appointed President of its HOA division while also serving as Executive Vice President of the company where she worked for two decades.

“She was a mentor for many people in our company and probably other branches of the industry as well as students,” said Jay Kacirk, CCAM, Executive Vice President of EBMC and President of the company’s Rental Trust Division.

Jay, who knew her for 18 years, said her passing left 350 saddened employees behind. “She was an important player at EBMC.”

Carra was a hands-on leader who often traveled to various company offices to interact with community management staff and looked for ways to share her knowledge. She served on CACM’s board of directors since 2013 and enjoyed teaching CACM’s certification courses.

A believer in education, she earned several designations including CAMEx, CCAM, and specialty certifications in Large Scale, Portfolio Management and Active Adult communities.

Because of her dedication to the educational development of community managers, she was honored with CACM’s Vision Award for Educational Excellence this year.

“Carra was a top-notch instructor for CACM teaching our foundational courses as well as our financial courses like Budgeting and Explaining Financial Statements,” said Debbie Griffiths, CACM’s Director of Education and Credentialing. “She was well liked and respected by those in attendance. Carra was always willing to step in at the last minute, if needed, and was totally dedicated to ensuring that CACM courses and educational programs were top-notch for this industry. Carra will be missed.”

Bruce Ratliff, CAMEx, CCAM-HR.CI worked with her at EBMC and served on CACM’s board of directors alongside her.

“She always just had the best disposition and was always a kind, nurturing individual,” he remembered. “You never landed short with her. Even if there was something difficult to get across, she did it in a kind way. She had a magnetic personality and could develop business better than anyone I knew. It was all innate for her—just who she was.”

Lori Albert, CAMEX, CCAM, also served with her on CACM’s board.

“What I appreciate about Carra more than anything else was her passion for the industry,” said Lori, CEO and President of Albert Management. “She cared so deeply about the managers in our industry and making sure they had all the support they needed to be successful. She fiercely supported them. I knew I could count on her for ideas and solutions for different board members or homeowners.”

Carra with EBMC staff

Carra Clampitt with Vision Award 2022 for Educational Excellence

“She was all business but with an enormous heart,” Lori added. “I so admired her strength, her struggle and commitment to the industry even though she wasn’t well.”

Kendrah Kay, CAMEx, CCAM, said Carra welcomed her with open arms when she joined the CACM board. She described Carra as a mentor and a friend.

“She was passionate, articulate and not apologetic about either,” said Kendrah, Chief Client Officer at Powerstone Property Management, ACMC. “She could have difficult conversations and make even harder decisions while maintaining her professionalism and integrity. She did it all with a sense of humor and a great set of eyelashes.”

“There are not many people that can persuade me to add more to my plate over cocktails and then subsequently make me sign a napkin at 2 am so that I wouldn’t forget my newly promised obligations,” Kendrah added. “She had that napkin and would remind me of it regularly. I’ll miss that.”

The legacy Carra leaves behind is not only of her commitment to the betterment of the industry but also to the people who worked for her.

“She was an advocate for higher standards and industry accountability,” said EBMC’s Jay. “Those two things guided her choices.”

Seabreeze Acquires CT Prop Management

Seabreeze Management Company

Seabreeze Management Company has acquired CT Prop Management, a full-service property management firm based in Simi Valley. “CT Prop Management is the best of the best in the Simi Valley area,” said Isaiah Henry, CEO of Seabreeze. “We are so proud to add the CT Prop organization to the Seabreeze team. Their dedication to service, their clients, and the industry makes the company a perfect fit for our organization.”

The Management Trust Welcomes Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson has recently joined The Management Trust’s Central Coast division as the Executive Vice President. Johnson previously served as the Managing Director for Radius Commercial Real Estate, overseeing operations, agents and staff while providing commercial brokerage services to his clients. Johnson is currently based in Santa Barbara.

Congratulations to Aaron Antis on His Newborn

Avery and Aaron Antis

Congratulations to Aaron Antis of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing and his wife on their newborn, Avery Elisabeth Antis, who joined the Antis family at 4:41 a.m. on June 4. Avery came weighing in at 4 pounds, 9 ounces and 17.5 inches tall. Although this is Aaron and his wife’s third child, this will be their first daughter. Best wishes to the family!

Former Bay Area Property Services Manager Launches New Company

Melissa Hajostek, CCAM-PM.LS.ND

Melissa Hajostek, CCAM-PM.LS.ND recently opened the doors to her new company, Foundation Community Management, Inc. “Please welcome Foundation Community Management, Inc to our industry; providing solution based services to HOA Boards, management professionals, and HOA service providers,” said Melissa Hajostek, owner of Foundation Community Management, Inc. “I am thankful to all who have mentored me and helped me to learn and grow.”

CitiScape Selected As Bay Area’s Top Workplace

San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplaces of 2022 Award

The San Francisco Chronicle recently recognized CitiScape Property Management as one of the Top Workplaces of 2022. Congratulations to CitiScape Property Management for receiving such an amazing title and award.

Cheers to 34 Years for Berding | Weil

Berding | Weil

Berding | Weil recently celebrated 34 years of business. Tyler Berding, Esq., and Steven Weil, Esq., came together and built what is today one of the largest construction defect focused firms in the nation. Happy 34 years, Berding | Weil!

Ellen Schuster Joins Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti

Ellen Schuster

Ellen Schuster has joined Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti’s corporate legal team in Northern California. Schuster currently serves on the CACM Credentialing Faculty and has also spoken at industry events and authored several articles on topics including new case law, hard surface flooring issues, reopening pools during COVID, parking lot safety, and fair housing issues. Schuster also represents HOAs and other CIDs in all aspects of their corporate operations.

Anne Rauch Joins Berding | Weil As A Partner

Anne Rauch

Anne Rauch has recently partnered with Berding | Weil to head its appellate group. Rauch is board certified as an appellate specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization for the State Bar of California, and her work has resulted in wins in a broad range of practice areas that include construction defect claims, real property litigation, business and partnership disputes, contract claims, insurance coverage, and more.

Karen St. Onge Joins Adams | Stirling

Karen St. Onge, Esq.

Karen St. Onge, Esq. has joined Adams | Stirling as an attorney. For the past several years, Onge has enjoyed focusing her practice on community association law, assisting community managers and board members with a wide range of issues in residential and commercial common interest developments, including education and compliance with the ever-changing law that affect CIDs.

The Prescott Companies Named Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

The Prescott Companies

Congratulations to The Prescott Companies for being named one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ® in San Diego for 2022. Winning companies are assessed by an independent research firm that reviews several key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. “The Prescott Companies and our entire team is extremely proud of this recognition,” said Paola Scrimsher, CCAM, President of The Prescott Companies. “This award recognizes the commitment we have made to helping our employees grow both personally and professionally in a work environment that makes them feel valued and supported.”

William Naumann Named One of The Best Lawyers in America

William Naumann

William Naumann of The Naumann Law Firm has recently been included in the 2023 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since 1981, Best Lawyers has produced the most reliable, unbiased source for legal referrals. They highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession with a list of outstanding lawyers compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys.

The Miller Law Firm Welcomes Two

Ashley Hibler

Brian Bonney, Esq.

The Miller Law Firm has recently welcomed to their firm Ashley Hibler and Brian Bonney, Esq. as the Director of Client Services and an attorney, respectively. Hibler has nearly 10 years of experience in the common interest development industry and will focus on client satisfaction and serve as the liaison between The Miller Law Firm’s association clients and legal and expert team. Bonney has 35 years of experience ranging from litigation experience to complex commercial litigation, insurance, product liability, land use, toxic tort, premises liability, construction defect, and other complex general liability matters.

CEO Tom Freeley Featured in HOA Podcast

The HOA Pros Podcast

In case you missed it, CACM’s Tom Freeley, CAMEx, CCAM, was recently featured in The HOA Pros Podcast, co-hosted by Mike Perlof, Director of Client Services at Fenton Grant Mayfield Kaneda & Litt, LLP and Kara Foley, Vice President of Community Management at Seabreeze Management Company, Inc. The one-hour podcast goes into many funny HOA stories, Freeley’s history in the industry, and the latest happenings at CACM. Take a listen here.

Vantaca CEO Named on 40 Under 40 Awards

Ben Currin

Ben Currin has been named on the 40 Under 40 Awards list as he demonstrates leadership and success through his role as CEO at Vantaca. For four years, the StarNews and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to honor some of the area’s best and brightest young professionals. “We are excited for our CEO, Ben Currin, to be recognized as a person of impact in our community,” said Graham Elmore, Director of People + Culture at Vantaca. “As Vantacans we are fortunate to be a part of his smart and kind leadership that supports our ability to grow as we continue to build a world class company culture and employee experience at Vantaca.”

FRONTSTEPS Announces Growth Investment from Onex Falcon

FRONTSTEPS

FRONTSTEPS, provider of end-to-end HOA management software, announced a strategic growth investment that will be led by investment firm, Onex Falcon. The investment enables FRONTSTEPS to accelerate enhancements to the capabilities and performance of its unique HOA management suite. “Community managers, board members, and homeowners deserve better technology that helps them stay connected, informed, and efficient,” said Irene Wang, Managing Director with Onex Falcon. “We’re excited to back FRONTSTEPS and their innovative vision of bringing all aspects of community management under one roof.” FRONTSTEPS also announced that Matt DeWolf has been appointed as FRONTSTEPS’ new CEO. DeWolf is a product visionary who brings more than two decades of software-as-a-service expertise to the role. “FRONTSTEPS is on a mission to transform and simplify how communities run,” said Matt DeWolf, CEO of FRONTSTEPS. “This investment helps us deliver more powerful tools, at a faster pace, to the growing number of management companies that trust us to help them run their business.”