What Makes A Winner?

By Ryan Kwon, Communications Manager, CACM

So what did Vision Award winners do to edge out their competition? How did they stand out from their peers? This year’s honorees faced particularly challenging situations over the past two years as our world was faced with a pandemic that forced us to change the way we work and manage our communities. Many of the managers listed below won because of their creative problem solving and leadership. Read on to learn about their achievements.

1. Newcomers with Grit and Talent

Managers with less than two years of experience who have shown drive, determination, exceptional abilities and have exceeded a board’s expectations by solving a challenging situation or problem are recognized as Rising Stars.

All of the winners in this category have shined though the darkest times in their career and truly deserve the title of being a Rising Star, because they haven’t only risen and shined themselves, but the work and challenges they have overcome serve as an inspiration to other managers.

One of the winners stepped in for a manager who had to go on maternity leave and had to manage six associations at the peak of COVID. Despite having no prior experience and connection with these communities, she was able handle several projects including major structural repairs to a building and asphalt repairs. “The pandemic did not stop plumbing leaks, roof leaks and other necessary interior repairs. This nominee ensured that they were handled in a timely manner,” her nominator said.

Another winner took on managing seven communities and was able to unite a divided board through education. In addition, she was able to find resolution for a longtime homeowner who harassed her and the board members.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Beasley, CCAM

Kelsey Kozub, CCAM

Amanda Nevarez, CCAM

Wendy Miller, CCAM

RISING STAR AWARD WINNERS

Northern California

2021: Jacqueline (Jackie) Beasley, CCAM

2022: Kelsey Kozub, CCAM

Southern California

2021: Amanda Nevarez, CCAM

2022: Wendy Miller, CCAM

2. Setting Trends & Making Waves

During the pandemic managers were forced to think outside of the box and quickly adapt to the speedy changes of the HOA landscape. Managers who won the Innovator award took a new approach in how they worked with boards, association financials, and community management.

Following the COVID crisis from the beginning and anticipating the national response, one manager quickly went to work on creating a plan for remote working, and due to her forward thinking and quick action, upward of 90% of the employees in her company were able to keep their jobs and benefits during this unprecedented pandemic.

Deferred maintenance can become a real costly problem that’s hard to fix. But one innovative manager who found a board had been putting off routine repairs managed to –through various budget preparations, special assessments and amendments to CC&Rs—correct the problems the community had inherited. Through integrity, honesty, and tenacity, this winner successfully sorted out this deferred situation with a project with an ETA of March 2022 and a final budget of $6,000,000.00.

Kimberley Flickner, CCAM-PM

John Muller, CCAM

INNOVATOR AWARD WINNERS

Northern California

2021: Kimberley Flickner, CCAM-PM

2022: Dean Jackson, CCAM-HR

Southern California

2021: Sabrina Davoodian, CCAM, CAFM

2022: John Muller, CCAM

3. Guidance & Leadership

A leader is only as good as their team, so a leader that takes the time to extend a helping hand to provide guidance or foster another’s professional growth is one that should be recognized. Out of all of the awards, the Leadership award is the most highly contested category with several nominations.

With five years of experience as a manager, one of the winners was recently promoted to the position of director within her company and took on the supervisory role despite a full plate as a manager and wearing other hats. Despite two of her three direct reports being new to the industry, she provided guidance and direction to her pupils, and now, one of her managers, who has only been in the industry for a year, already has a full portfolio of seven accounts.

Servant leadership is a key attribute and another of the winners stood out for this. She jumps in to assist before being asked. She identifies needs by listening to her team and inspires her team to take ownership of their potential, reach higher, and care deeply of those in their charge whether it be fellow employees or clients. She has been instrumental in fostering a high functioning and productive team that connects on a personal level to the company’s mission.

Understanding, integrity, focus, vision, and reflection characteristics of a great and these winners have exemplified these characteristics and have earned the title of “leader.”

Katherine (Kate) Drobny, CCAM

Brenda Hendricks, CCAM

Karen Newsome, CCAM-PM

Kylie Decker, CCAM

LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS

Northern California

2021: Katherine (Kate) Drobny, CCAM

2022: Brenda Hendricks, CCAM

Southern California

2021: Karen Newsome, CCAM-PM

2022: Kylie Decker, CCAM