News from the Chicago Chapter

Eleven Commercial Property Managers Installed During IREM Chicago April 4 Chapter Meeting and Luncheon

Chapter 23 Leaders Share Industry Insight in Spirited Q&A Session

CHICAGO – Eleven commercial property managers representing a wide range of property types and organizations were installed for earning IREM professional designations at the IREM Chapter Meeting and Luncheon April 4.

The event, held at Petterino’s Restaurant in Chicago, also featured a lively question-and-answer session with Chapter 23 leaders, and attendees were introduced to the chapter’s official charity for 2017 and learned updates regarding the Golf Outing and Silent Auction August 7. Angela Aeschliman, CPM®, 2017 chapter president, welcomed more than 135 members, Industry Partners and guests.

These members were installed for earning the Accredited Residential Manager® or Certified Property Manager® designations:

• Ranju Ahuja, ARM®
• Christy Casey, ARM®, Tailor Made Property Services, Inc.
• Maria Catanag, ARM®, Alden Property management
• Shawanna Collins, ARM®, Noble Square Cooperative
• Viridana Del Bosque, ARM®, Draper and Kramer Inc.
• Tracey Wheeler, ARM®, Catholic Charities
• Brian Bell, CPM®, Harbor Bay Real Estate Advisors
• Sandra Kowalczyk, CPM®, Draper and Kramer Inc.
• Robin Lay, CPM®, Leasing and Management Company Inc.
• Colleen Needham, CPM®, Draper and Kramer Inc.
• David Newton, CPM®, Draper and Kramer Inc.

Following lunch, 2016 Chapter President Brian Lozell, CPM® led a discussion on the current state of the property management industry in Chicago. Three members first shared thoughts on their careers and the profession. Here are highlights:

Judy Ziner, CPM®, Vice President of Management at Lieberman Management Services. A 30-year industry veteran, Judy has managed “all the places people live in.” Working in property management allows one to “use all parts of the brain and help improve the lives of the residents,” she noted.

Kimm Byrne, CPM®, 2009 Chapter President. The challenge for multifamily residential managers today is to keep pace with the many new properties coming on line. Managers need to focus on updating amenities, providing great customer service and maintaining staff training.

June McCrory, CPM®, 2015 Chapter President. Working in property management is always exciting and challenging because the work “gets you out of the office.” Professional relationships built up through the IREM network proved invaluable throughout one’s career.

Attendees also learned that Camp I Am Me will be the Chapter’s official charity for 2017. The camp is an initiative from the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance that provides a weeklong summer camping experience for children who sustained burns. During the luncheon, a raffle and cupcake sale raised $1,000 for Camp I Am Me, which also will be the beneficiary of other events throughout the year.

Details of the 2017 Golf Outing, which will be held August 7 and the Kemper Lakes Golf Club, were shared by event co-chairs June McCrory, CPM® and Katelin Dorsey, CPM®. Event sponsorships were still available for the popular summer event.

Beth Wanless, senior manager for government affairs for IREM headquarters, shared insight on statewide issues that impact real estate, including proposed source of income and rent control legislation. On a national level, members were highly encouraged to set up meetings with members of Congress in the upcoming weeks.

These IREM Chicago Industry Partners helped sponsor the April 4 meeting and luncheon:

• Blinderman
• Bulley & Andrews
• CenterPoint Energy
• Clarence Davids & Company
• Essential Water Technologies
• The Patching People
• USA Fire Protection

The next Chapter 23 event will be the Active Shooter Preparedness Lunch N Learn event April 27 at Chapter headquarters in Oak Brook.

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