HOA - It's A True Story Podcast

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with consultant and former executive Kirk Watilo to explore the importance of strategic planning for homeowner associations. Kirk draws on his extensive career experience to highlight why a clear, collaborative plan is essential for guiding associations toward long-term success.

10/8/24 • 28:07

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Francis Serrano, Director of Operations at CitiScape and Realtor at Vanguard Properties. Together, they discuss the emotional challenges of property management, exploring accountability, the importance of professional detachment, and strategies to help new managers navigate hostility and negativity.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Community Management Challenges02:58 Navigating Hostility in Property Management06:03 Emotional Dynamics in Community Management08:59 Accountability vs. Condescension in Management12:08 Professional Detachment and Personal Boundaries15:12 Legal Counsel and Conflict Resolution18:00 Advice for New Community Managers21:04 Unique Experiences in Property Management23:56 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

9/25/24 • 25:56

Host Regan Brown and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, sit down with Maegan Woytek, President of ACAM and Director of Community Engagement at Vantaca. They discuss the role of ACAM, a unique association group that unites management company owners, operators, and business partners to share best practices and promote industry collaboration. Maegan also sheds light on ACAM's impact within the industry and its ongoing initiatives.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:01 How Megan Got Involved in ACAM09:12 What is ACAM?14:01 ACAM Retreat and Tuesday Talks18:53 Choosing Locations for the Retreat22:25 Membership and Attendance25:21 The Importance of Sharing and Collaboration32:23 Board Structure and Term Limits34:29 Closing Thoughts and Funny Stories

9/17/24 • 37:16

Regan Brown, host, is joined by Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, as they interview Alex Noland of Noland Law PC. Together, they discuss the Corporate Transparency Act and its impact on HOAs.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview01:16 Understanding the Transparency Act03:38 Exemptions and Requirements07:54 Reporting Requirements for Board Members13:28 Fees and Fines18:19 Communicating the Impact to Board Members23:59 Disclosure of Personal Information26:30 Individual Registration for Board Members29:50 Unincorporated Associations and Secretary of State Registration34:06 Pushback and Concerns

9/10/24 • 34:32

Regan Brown, host, along with Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Rich Adams, Senior Reserve Analyst at Barrera and Company. They discuss the accuracy of reserve studies for HOAs, exploring the process of setting up a reserve study and ensuring accurate numbers and a comprehensive list of items.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions02:02 Ensuring Accuracy in Reserve Studies05:34 Costs for Future Projects07:48 Planning for Long-Term Projects12:23 The Importance of Regular Updates16:23 Accounting for Cost Changes18:15 Challenges and Solutions for Older Associations21:31 The Impact of Legislative Changes25:46 Using the Reserve Study as a Tool28:43 Planning for Future Projects31:17 Collaboration and Communication33:39 Funny Stories and Conclusion

9/3/24 • 34:20

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Reale Edgerton, an Account Executive at Axela Technologies, to discuss the critical role of collections in HOAs. They explore the importance of having a solid collection policy and the benefits of offering payment plans to homeowners who fall behind on dues.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:18 The First Steps for Managers06:23 Setting Up Payment Plans08:15 Addressing Special Assessments11:50 Legal Considerations and Involving Attorneys13:57 Penalties and Consequences15:59 Ensuring Fairness and Avoiding Bias18:19 Reviewing and Working with Attorneys20:55 The Impact of Delinquencies on Loans25:07 The Ripple Effect of Delinquencies27:07 Assistance Programs and Grants30:41 Conclusion and Contact Information

8/27/24 • 30:48

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Jeff Reger, President of ACT2EV. In this episode, they discuss the history of ACT2EV, the ins and outs of installing EV charging stations, the associated costs and maintenance, available grants and incentives for HOAs, the importance of unified charging standards, the potential for solar integration, and the future of EV technology.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions05:25 The Potential of EVs to Change Transportation and Energy08:15 The Process and Cost of Installing EV Charging Stations12:44 Grants and Incentives for HOAs to Install EV Stations15:02 Maintenance and Challenges of EV Charging Stations17:30 Unified Charging Standards and Compatibility21:32 The Future of EV Technology and Infrastructure23:34 Life Expectancy and Planning for EV Charging Stations29:06 Educating HOAs and Realistic Cost Expectations32:22 Appreciation for HOAs and Conclusion 

8/20/24 • 31:11

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Adam Balkcom, CEO of CAM Leadership Institute, shares his journey into the community association management industry and the founding of CLI.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background09:21 The Power of CEO Groups17:05 Diversifying Revenue Streams23:31 Outsourcing and Remote Team Members30:02 Automation and AI in the Industry36:02 Transitioning from Manager to Leader

8/14/24 • 38:37

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Kelly Richardson, a partner at Richardson|Ober LLP. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of dealing with negative people in community associations. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction  02:30 Dealing with Negative People in Community Associations  06:31 The Clash Between Independence and Shared Power  10:26 Understanding the Legal Issues Surrounding Harassment  14:45 Balancing Video Surveillance in Common Areas  18:50 The Role of Legal Counsel in Handling Difficult Situations  25:02 Transparency, Communication, and People-Centric Approaches  31:15 Conclusion and Contact Information

8/6/24 • 36:28

Regan Brown, Host, interviews Dillon Graber, Senior Community Manager at Seabreeze Management, who shares tips and tricks on preventing burnout and staying motivated in the HOA industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Career Path02:59 The Importance of Flexibility and Clear Expectations05:47 Prioritizing Tasks and Focusing on the Bigger Picture10:14 Monthly Board Meetings and Setting Realistic Expectations13:21 Hobbies and Work-Life Balance24:52 The Impact of Burnout on Mental Health29:02 Motivated Individuals and the Importance of Self-Management31:35 Favorite Hobby and the Importance of Finding Balance35:12 Story: The Association That Followed Dylan Throughout His Career38:35 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

7/30/24 • 37:57

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Travis Stokes, President of Action Asphalt Paving and Maintenance, Inc., about asphalt projects and maintenance for HOAs.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:37 Best Practices for Asphalt Projects06:31 Scheduling and Phasing Asphalt Projects10:45 Crack Filling and Spot Repairs18:10 Overlay vs. Remove and Replace20:04 Financial Planning for Asphalt Projects25:08 Diversification and Expertise in the Industry29:31 The Importance of Empathy and Communication31:24 Anecdote: Towing Incident32:24 Contact Information and Conclusion 

7/23/24 • 32:55

Regan Brown, Host, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Matt Kraft, Chief Operating Officer of Communitas. They explore the topic of acquisitions and mergers in the HOA industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background04:05 The Increase in Acquisitions and Mergers07:16 The Benefits of Technology in HOA Management09:18 Challenges and Disruptions in the Integration Process15:24 Factors Considered in Acquisitions21:23 National Acquisitions and Local Laws23:19 Investment and Industry Protections30:16 Accountability and Audit in the Industry33:13 A Memorable HOA Story

7/16/24 • 34:35

Regan Brown, Host, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Donald Disbro of Standpoint Construction to discuss storm restoration management and the steps associations can take to prepare for storms and fires.

7/9/24 • 29:47

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview John Gill, Partner at Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti, P.C., about ethics and fiduciary responsibilities within the HOA industry. They discuss core ethical duties of HOA board members, handling conflicts of interest, maintaining confidentiality, and common ethical pitfalls faced by board members. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:02 Ethics and Fiduciary Responsibilities of HOA Board Members07:59 Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure14:28 Maintaining Confidentiality and Transparency36:43 The Role of Managers in Board Dynamics

7/2/24 • 42:24

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Laura Otto, Senior Editor of Digital Content with CAI National, discussing pool rules and etiquette in HOAs.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background01:41 Pool Rules and Specifics03:47 Common Problems and Enforcement06:22 Changing Pool Policies08:45 Pets and Other Considerations11:07 Evaluating and Updating Pool Rules14:30 Pool Monitors and Security Measures20:03 Communication and Education23:12 Indoor Pools and Additional Considerations24:21 Security Measures and Challenges26:18 Supporting Communities in Times of Crisis28:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

6/25/24 • 31:20

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Tasha Parmelee, President of Next Step Community Management. They discuss the role of technology in customer service and the importance of maintaining human interaction in the HOA industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background04:05 Prompt for Writing about Technology and Customer Service06:20 The Role of Technology in Customer Service08:27 Balancing Automation and Personal Touch10:10 Building Trust and Meaningful Relationships12:50 Leadership and Accountability in Implementing Technology21:26 The Lack of Critical Thinking Skills in Today's Education System27:36 Balancing Technology and the Human Touch in Management32:35 The Future of Technology in Management36:27 Challenging Situations in HOA Management

6/18/24 • 37:57

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Doreen Tejeda, Senior Vice President of Operations for Gordian Business Solutions, as she discusses essential leadership skills. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:47 The Four Key Traits of Effective Leadership05:48 Communication and Difficult Conversations in Leadership10:05 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership25:06 Work-Life Balance and Flexibility in the Workplace29:59 Humorous Story: Challenging Community with College Students

6/13/24 • 26:14

Regan Brown, Host, interviews Joe Rocky of Elite Business Conversations about the concept of absentee ownership and its benefits for business owners, especially those looking to retire or transition their businesses to the next generation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview03:00 The Benefits of Absentee Ownership08:49 Implementing Absentee Ownership in Any Company14:46 Creating a Legacy of Income for Future Generations23:23 Empowering Employees for Improved Performance31:54 The Importance of Trusting the Process and Stepping Away36:18 Conclusion and Contact Information

6/4/24 • 36:21

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Stacy Gerowitz, a community manager and board member of CACM, as she shares her community's journey with Pickleball. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background01:48 Converting Tennis Courts to Pickleball Courts05:56 The Noise Issue and Complaints09:05 The Popularity of Pickleball and the Need for More Courts12:08 Community Reactions and Challenges14:57 The Impact of Pickleball on HOAs23:02 Advice for HOAs Considering Pickleball28:04 The Role of HOA Boards and the Future of Pickleball31:05 A Funny Story and Conclusion

5/28/24 • 34:25

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell Senior Vice President of Communitas interview Amy Tinetti, a shareholder at Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti, P.C. They delve into the consequences for HOAs that have not complied with SB 326.

5/21/24 • 35:10

Regan Brown, Host, interviews Barry Gluck from Wasens Water Monitoring. They discuss Wasens technology for preventing water leaks in mid-rise and high-rise buildings.

5/15/24 • 32:47

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Jennifer Viley, founder and CEO of Parker Beth Search Partners, to discuss hiring trends for skilled workers and the challenges that come with them. 

5/7/24 • 31:19

Regan Brown, Host, interviews Jasmine Hale, an attorney and partner at Berding & Weil Law Firm, about the trend of vendors financing repairs for HOAs. 

4/30/24 • 27:00

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Rana Bayadi, the principal consultant for AXIS Building Envelope Design, about AB 11010 and building facade inspections in San Francisco.

4/23/24 • 32:05

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Robert Browning, President of Browning Reserve Group, about national reserve study standards. 

4/16/24 • 36:05

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell from Divergent Consulting interview Sean Hann, the CEO of Dead Inventory Store, discussing their approach to providing savings on building materials by utilizing dead inventory.

4/9/24 • 33:55

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell from Divergent Consulting interview Meagan Svendsen, the Director of Marketing at AVELAR, and Wendy Miller, the Vice President of Sales at CAM Construction and Painting. They share their insights and experiences as women navigating the construction industry. 

4/2/24 • 37:12

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Linda Cunningham, a senior estimator at The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, she shares her experience and challenges as a woman in estimating.

3/26/24 • 30:42

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Lisa Triplett, President of Bay Area Property Services. They discuss the challenges of managing remote employees and the transition to a hybrid work model. 

3/19/24 • 32:15

Regan Brown, Host; Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting; and Kelly Zibell from Divergent Consulting interview Jennifer Wada, the principal owner of Wada Government Relations and a lobbyist for HOA legislation. They discuss updates on HOA-related bills in California for 2024. 

3/12/24 • 32:57