Community Associations Network Industry News

ALEXANDRIA, VA, DECEMBER 14, 2007—T. Peter Kristian, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, general manager of Hilton Head Plantation POA in Hilton Head, SC, will begin his one-year term as president of Community Associations Institute (CAI) on January 1. Kristian was elected by members of the CAI Board of Trustees. He has been involved in community management for almost 24 years and a member of CAI since 1988.

Edward D. Thomas, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, chief executive officer of Property Management People, AAMC, in Frederick, MD, will serve as 2008 president-elect.

The 2008 board will include four newly appointed members:
* Marilyn Brainard, Wingfield Springs Community Association, Sparks, NV
*David I. Caplan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Community Association Management, LLC, Stevenson, MD
* W. Mickel Graham, PCAM, Community Archives, Inc., Atlanta, GA
* Craig E. Koss, AMS, PCAM, Kramer-Triad Management Group, AAMC, Ann Arbor, MI

Kristian, Thomas and the following eight members are returning to the 14-member board:
* Prudence Bachmann, The Masters Condominium Association, Suffolk, VA
* Robert E. Barlow, Jr., AMS, PCAM, CIRMS, Wachovia Insurance Services, Summit, NJ
* Denise Bower, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Community Management, Inc., Portland, OR
* Steven Y. Brumfield, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Toll Brothers, Horsham, PA (Brumfield will join Wentworth Group Property Management on January 1.)
* Kevin Cavanaugh, CPA, Goldklang, Cavanaugh & Associates, P.C., Hurst, TX
* Kathryn C. Danella, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, Boca Pointe Community Association, Boca Raton, FL
* P. Michael Nagle, Esq., Nagle & Zaller, P.C., Columbia, MD
* James M. Rademacher, Rezkom Enterprises, Inc., Ocean, NJ

CAI's three Membership Representation Groups (MRGs) will also welcome new members in January. Elections are held annually to fill open seats on each MRG—the Association of Professional Community Managers (APCM) Board, the Community Association Volunteers Committee (CAVC) and the Business Partners Council (BPC).

Kathryn Danella, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, was elected chair of the 12-member 2008 APCM Board. The following members were elected or reelected:
* David I. Caplan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Community Association Management, LLC, AAMC, Stevenson, MD
* Sandra K. Denton, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, Sienna Plantation Residential Association, Inc., Missouri City, TX (past president of CAI)
* Christi Keller, PCAM, RealManage, Shoreacres, TX
* Rebecca Kim, Urban Property Services, San Diego, CA
* Craig E. Koss, AMS, PCAM, Kramer-Triad Management Group, AAMC, Ann Arbor, MI
* Steven Shuey, PCAM, Team Property Management, Inc., Rancho Mirage, CA

Prudence Bachmann was elected chair of the six-member CAVC. The following members were elected or reelected:
* Marilyn Brainard, Wingfield Springs Community Association, Sparks, NV
* Victoria A. Cohen, Lake Murray Terrace, San Diego, CA
* Fred Mellenbruch, Lake Mission Viejo Association, Mission Viejo, CA

Robert Barlow, AMS, PCAM, CIRMS, was elected chair of the 12-member BPC. The following members were elected or reelected:
* Sara E. Barry, CMCA, PCAM, Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro & Schulman, LLP, Las Vegas, NV
* Harry A. Goodman, Esq., Goodman & Shapiro, LLC, Dedham, MA
* James M. Rademacher, Rezkom Enterprises, Inc., Ocean, NJ
* Drew Regitz, AssociationVoice LLC, Denver, CO

CAI's president and president-elect are elected by members of the Board of Trustees. Four at-large trustees are appointed by a board-selected nominating committee and eight members are appointed by MRGs—four by the APCM Board and two each by the CAVC and the BPC. Board and MRG members are elected to two-year terms and can serve a maximum of three terms.

"The CAI staff is very fortunate to work with leaders who are so dedicated to their industry and the Institute," said Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. "Much like community association board members, it says a lot about those who are willing to step up and volunteer their time and talents. Serving on the CAI Board or an MRG is a major commitment, and I know these leaders take their responsibilities seriously. I look forward to a productive and successful year."

CAI is a national membership organization dedicated to helping homeowner and condominium associations meet the expectations of their residents. CAI members include community management professionals, volunteer homeowner leaders and businesses and professionals who support associations. More information can be obtained at www.caionline.org or by calling (888) 224-4321.

Posted by Joe at 5:02 PM | Permalink

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 7 / PRNewswire/ -- The need to conserve water is a top priority in California. But how do we ensure that while California reduces its water use, landscapes will stay green to absorb CO2, and customers can save money on their water bills?

On Sunday, December 9, 2007, Water2Save, LLC and Storm Manufacturing Group, manufacturer of the Superior brand, will unveil a strategic water-savings partnership that will promote an irrigation water management solution that has been time tested for more than 10 years and has been proven to reduce irrigation water consumption by millions of gallons per year and save hundreds of thousands of dollars for property owners.

The partnership will be unveiled at the International Irrigation Show (Dec. 9-11) at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Dr. in San Diego. The theme of this year's event is "Find Smart Solutions" -- a perfect theme to frame the unveiling of this partnership. Storm Manufacturing Group will exhibit Superior's new two-way fully integrated proactive (forward
looking) weather-based Sterling irrigation controller. At the show, representatives from each company will be available to the media.

Water2Save, LLC ("Water2Save")

Water2Save is a patented remote Look-Ahead ET(TM) weather-based irrigation monitoring, tracking and forecasting weather adjustment service. It uses state-of-the-art internet servers and AT&T's wireless data networks to provide two-way communications access to the customer's irrigation system. Water2Save management service offers a performance guarantee. It achieves water consumption savings through monitoring water meter usage and adjusting irrigation runtimes based on real-time weather conditions. The service is
performed remotely using a trained Water2Save water efficiency manager who monitors and reports to customers on achieved savings performance. This patented methodology employed by Water2Save increases savings by 15 percent or more since its inception.

Water2Save has a proven, audited performance record of saving millions of gallons per year for EACH two-way integrated wireless controller installed by eliminating excess water typically applied by irrigation systems while at the same time enabling customers to have a beautifully green landscape and receiving significant water bill savings. Customers are able to monitor their
water savings and irrigation data by logging onto the secure www.water2save.com website.

Storm Manufacturing Group

Previously, Water2Save's communication interface equipment was mounted as a separate device outside a sprinkler controller. As part of this new collaboration, Water2Save worked with Storm Manufacturing Group to create a Sterling controller that integrates Water2Save's wireless technology into the device. This Sterling controller allows users to remotely access the
controller through the Internet and cell phones. To receive Water2Save's water management services, consumers can sign-up for a savings performance contract.

"Our patented forecasted weather Water2Save monitoring, adjustment and tracking water management service is the innovative solution to California's water conservation concerns," said Gary Gelinas, Chief Executive Officer of Water2Save. "As each new property site activates service, we get one step closer to addressing the severe challenges that plague rain-deficient areas like Southern California as well as save the energy used to pump and treat
water, reduce runoff, and reduce CO2 emissions."

"Water2Save's wireless technology compliments our high-quality Sterling controllers," said Mike Ray, Vice President of the Storm Manufacturing Group. "Our partnership will provide consumers a comprehensive device that will allow them to monitor their water usage from anywhere."

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)

In addition to collaborating on the water-saving partnership with the Storm Manufacturing Group, Water2Save is also working with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which is offering a new Water Savings Performance financial incentive program to: (a) increase participation in outdoor water conservation; (b) ease administrative requirements when applying
for such incentives; and (c) maintain water-savings reliability. This program will encourage property owners to upgrade existing commercial, industrial, institutional, one-acre single family, multi-family and homeowner's association landscapes with more efficient irrigation equipment.

Those property owners who purchase the Storm Manufacturing Group products, which include the Water2Save water management service and are located in Metropolitan's Southern California service area, may qualify for the incentive. Water2Save has worked with property owners to complete the application required by Metropolitan, which includes a complete savings
appraisal based on irrigated landscape area, metered historical usage, project costs, climate needs, and other factors related to savings achievement.

One property site, a home owner association located within Metropolitan's service area, was recently approved for the incentive payment of approximately $50,000 under the district's Water Savings Performance Program using Water2Save's water management service and 2-way wireless communications, proactive adjustment, monitoring and control. This property site has 25 acres of irrigated landscape and is expected to save over 20 million gallons per
year.

"Metropolitan's Water Savings Performance Program is vital to ensuring that customers who upgrade their existing irrigation systems reap the benefits almost immediately, promoting smart environmental policy that rewards conscientious customers," Gelinas said. "The program is user-friendly, consumer-focused, and environmentally smart."

SOURCE Water2Save, LLC

Valerie E. Martinez, +1-909-445-1001, cell, +1-909-917-3368, for Water2Save, LLC; or Lindsay Themea, +1-949-631-1045, cell, +1-951-818-9101, for Storm Manufacturing Group

Posted by Joe at 1:09 PM | Permalink

The Pinewood Forest community, just north of Fruitville Road, is buzzing with a feel-good factor.

It just earned first place in the West Florida First Place 2007 Community Association awards.

The award, while more than welcome, comes as no surprise to Fran Derr, president of the homeowners association.

"Since I've been involved with the association, we have strived to achieve a diligent, safe and welcoming community," she said.

In order to compete for the community award, the Pinewood association members had to submit an application to answer general information as well as describe why they felt that they should receive the award.

In fact, this year the homeowners association has had a double dose of good fortune for Pinewood as last April saw the community being honored with a plank as the West Florida Chapter Community Associations Institute 2007 Community Association of Year, in the category of "small community," under 249 homes.

The volunteers board members of Pinewood Forest Homeowners Association Inc. are Derr, president; Matt Fountain, vice-president; Scott Parizo, treasurer; Donna Migone, secretary; and Don Bennett, member at large.

The CAI (West Florida Chapter Community Association Institute) awarded prizes in three categories: Large Association with over 250 homes, Small Association with 249 or few homes, and self-managed Associations, which was eligible to any association not managed by a professional Licensed Community Association Manager.

The award is designed to recognize the best community associations in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

In addition to Pinewood forest, CAI winners were The Isles of Sarasota H.O.A. for large community, and Rolling Green Golf Village Association Inc. for self-managed.

Posted by Joe at 10:01 AM | Permalink

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Residents began this week moving into The Casey condominiums, on track to be the first multifamily residential building in the United States to receive LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of green building.
The Casey is a 16-story building with 61 luxury homes in the heart of Portland's Pearl District, steps from art galleries, restaurants and boutiques. The building incorporates a comprehensive array of sustainable features including solar panels, a green roof and the extensive use of recycled-content and sustainable materials such as wool carpets and FSC-certified wood flooring. It also has a host of energy efficiency features including sophisticated waste heat recovery ventilators in each unit that help the building achieve a 52 percent energy savings over code.

"The Casey is a bright green building, which means it sacrifices nothing in terms of either sustainability or lifestyle," says Mark Edlen, managing principal of project developer Gerding Edlen Development. "This will be our third completed LEED Platinum building and we are pushing beyond Platinum to develop buildings over the next four years that generate more energy than they use and consume more waste than they produce."

Gerding Edlen Development has a total of 37 LEED-certified and pending projects including four Platinum, 23 Gold and 13 Silver, more than any other private developer in the country. The firm is an innovator of cutting-edge, sustainable techniques and is driving change in building codes and standard practices from L.A. to Seattle. The Casey is one of three Gerding Edlen LEED Platinum projects within several blocks. The other two are the Gerding Theater, a historic renovation of a former munitions armory that opened last year, and a historic office renovation that will break ground next year.

The Casey is also an example of outstanding architecture and public art. It includes original art glass throughout the building featuring the work of different Pacific Northwest glass artists. The facade of the building incorporates a textured glass spire that extends from the second floor to above the green roof. This works represents a collaboration of internationally known Bullseye Glass and GBD Architects. Photos are available at http://www.gerdingedlen.com/project.php?id=22.

Note: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the U.S. Green Building Council's national certification program for sustainable building. http://www.usgbc.org/.

Posted by Joe at 10:19 AM | Permalink