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Archived Newsletters

Every month, we issue an electronic newsletter, eNews Monthly, to keep clients informed about Association items, spotlight clients, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know what is happening with the company. Old issues of eNews Monthly are available on our Library page.

February 2024
eNews Monthly
Awards
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CAI Gala - Houston

Each year, the Houston Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) holds its Annual Gala to honor exceptional companies and individuals in the community management industry. CAI is a national organization dedicated to building better communities through information, education, and resources to the homeowner volunteers who govern communities and the professionals who support them.

This year, the gala was held on January 12th, and many of our employees attended. Please join us in congratulating the following employees and communities for being recognized and nominated for their achievements and dedication to the industry!

  • Newcomer Manager of the Year - Stacey Hitchcock
  • Newcomer Manager of the Year - Sabrina Padgett, CMCA, AMS
  • Newcomer Manager of the Year - Jessica Soto
  • Community Spirit Award - ARTAVIA Community Council
  • Community Spirit Award - Cross Creek Ranch Community Association
  • Support Staff Member of the Year - Alexandria Bakeman
  • Support Staff Member of the Year - Rhonda Duffield
  • Support Staff Member of the Year - Steven Soto
  • Manager of the Year – Portfolio - Adam Bruce, CMCA, AMS
  • Manager of the Year – Portfolio - Kimberly Cowart, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
  • Manager of the Year – Portfolio - Laura Tate, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
  • Community of the Year - Category III - Cross Creek Ranch

Although we didn’t have any wins this year, we are proud of all of these great people and communities!

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CAI Gala - San Antonio

Similarly, the San Antonio Chapter of the Community Associations Institute held its Gala on January 26th. We had many nominations and a win to celebrate!

Please join us in congratulating the following employees and communities on being recognized and nominated for their achievements and dedication to the industry:

  • Management Company of the Year - C.I.A. Services, Inc.
  • Community Manager of the Year Award - Valerie Filnn
  • Rising Star Award - Leslie Rodriguez 
  • Homeowner Volunteer of the Year - Angela Ingalls, The Mesas and Ridge at Canyon Springs Homeowners Association
  • Community of the Year - Large - The Mesas and Ridge at Canyon Springs
  • Community of the Year - Medium - Westover Forest Homeowners Association
  • Support Staff of the Year - Leticia Burchard
  • Support Staff of the Year - Charles Driskell

On top of all of these nominations, we are excited to announce that the Westover Forest Homeowners Association won the Medium-sized Community of the Year award!

Congratulations!

Volunteer Spotlight
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Pat Lewis: A Dedicated Steward of Community and Financial Stability
by Nancy Bowling

In the vibrant community of Bridlegate Ranch, Pat Lewis stands out as a beacon of dedication and passion for the welfare of its residents and the overall financial health of the association. A proud property owner since 2012, Pat has not only been an active volunteer but has also assumed a significant role as a member of the Board of Directors in the Bridlegate Ranch Property Owners Association (BGRPOA).

Pat Lewis and her husband Craig have been integral members of the Bridlegate Ranch community since 2012 when they became property owners. However, it is not just the length of ownership that defines their commitment, but the active involvement in the community’s betterment. Pat’s volunteer journey began almost concurrently with their property ownership, showcasing a deep-rooted passion for the community’s well-being.

In November 2020, Pat was appointed to the Board of Directors, a testament to her dedication and the trust placed in her by the community. Her election to the Board in March the following year further solidified her role as a community leader. Before her Board tenure, Pat contributed her time and expertise to the Advisory Committee for several years and served as the Chairperson of the Parks and Rec Committee for 14 months.

Pat’s financial acumen, backed by her accounting degree from the University of Houston, has been a valuable asset to the BGRPOA. With experience as a revenue accountant for major oil and gas companies and in general accounting for a construction company, Pat brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as the Treasurer of the Board, a position she has held for the past two years.

The Finance Committee has assured Bridlegate Ranch has maintained fiscal responsibility while upholding the high standards that define the community. Pat’s commitment to financial transparency and open communication is evident in her role as a liaison to both the Board and the Finance Committee. Together, they diligently work to ensure that Bridlegate Ranch continues to have funds to maintain the community common areas and roads, a key element in preserving the community’s quality of life.

In addition to financial matters, Pat actively participates in monthly inspections to ensure that the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs) are being followed. Her dedication to maintaining the pristine appearance of Bridlegate Ranch is not just about aesthetics; it’s a strategic effort to preserve and enhance property values for all owners.

Pat’s temperament and relaxed disposition make her not only an effective leader but also someone easy to approach and communicate with. Her passion for community service is infectious, encouraging fellow property owners to actively engage in the betterment of Bridlegate Ranch.

Pat Lewis exemplifies the spirit of community service and financial stewardship in Bridlegate Ranch. Her journey from a dedicated volunteer to a key member of the Board of Directors reflects her unwavering commitment to the community’s well-being. Through transparent financial management, active participation in community affairs, and a welcoming demeanor, Pat Lewis has become a driving force in ensuring Bridlegate Ranch remains a thriving and desirable place to call home.

Manager Designation
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We are proud to announce that Community Manager Lee Sexton-Mendoza has earned his AMS designation! The AMS (Association Management Specialist) designation is the second level in the career track for community association managers developed by the Community Associations Institute.

The AMS designation demonstrates a higher level of commitment to the community association industry and requires two years of experience in multiple aspects of association management. To qualify for an AMS, managers are required to earn the CMCA designation and take at least two approved continuing education classes on various association-related topics.

Join us in congratulating Lee Sexton-Mendoza on achieving his latest professional goals!

Office Move
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Our West Houston Office is excited to be moving to a new location effective April 1st! We will be combining with our North Houston Office in our recently-constructed building. We will continue to serve clients and manage communities in the same areas as before but with a well-designed space better suited for our teams. 

Our North Houston Office is located in Humble at 18333 Timber Forest Drive, Humble, TX 77346

Community Anniversaries
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Every month we appreciate the communities that are celebrating their anniversaries with us. Here are the clients that started with us in February.   

  • Oak Hollow Homeowners Association — 23 years
  • Eastpoint Subdivision Homeowners Association — 21 years
  • Greensbrook Community Association — 18 years
  • Eilan Property Owners Association — 10 years
  • Eilan Condominium Association — 10 years
  • Colonial Lakes Office Park Owners Association — 9 years
  • Quiet Creek Homeowners Association — 6 years
  • The Mesas and Ridge at Canyon Springs Homeowners Association — 6 years
  • Westridge Cove Community Association — 2 years
  • Community Association of Avondale — 2 years
  • Grand Vista Community Association — 1 year
  • Bonterra at Woodforest Community Association — 1 year

Our goal has always been to create a positive, long-term relationship with all of our client communities. We are very proud to be managing all of these communities.

Community Spotlight
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We are proud of every one of our communities, so it is always hard to find just one to highlight. However, our managers are always eager to share the great things they see their communities doing!

Here are the most recent selections:

  • February The Mesas and Ridge at Canyon Springs Homeowners Association San Antonio
  • January Riverpark on the Brazos Property Owners Association Houston
  • November Churchill Homeowners Association San Antonio
  • September Colony Grant Homeowners Association Houston
  • August Willow Park Office Condominiums Homeowners Association Houston

To see the full story on these communities and all past winners, visit the Community Spotlight page on our site.

Employee Corner
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Stockholder Anniversaries

We love to celebrate special milestones with our employees. In the Employee Corner of each eNews issue, we will list all employees who have reached their first anniversary with our company. Additionally, once employees reach five years and become stockholders, we recognize them each year on their anniversary month. This month, we have 2 stockholder anniversaries to celebrate!

Evan Ducote is celebrating his 10th year with C.I.A. Services this February! Evan is a Maintenance Coordinator with an extensive knowledge of landscaping and eagerness to be cooperative is what makes him a great asset to our team. Evan is an incredibly kind person and a pleasure to work with. When not in the field, Evan enjoys traveling, music, and partaking in various new fitness adventures. He has a newfound love for CrossFit and recently competed in the Beast Mode Games, which is a city-wide competition, and took home 7th place.

Congratulations to Charles Driskell for reaching his 9th anniversary this month! Charles is one of our Maintenance Coordinators and brings a lot of HOA experience. Before joining us in San Antonio, he was the Board President of his community. Charles enjoys riding motorcycles, sitting around a fire with family & friends, hunting, and fishing.

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One Year Anniversaries

Congratulations to Stacey Hitchcock, Community Manager, for reaching 1 year with C.I.A. Services this February! Stacey is already doing well here; she was nominated for Newcomer Manager of the Year at the CAI gala! Stacey’s career background includes education and property management. She lived in Puerto Rico for over 20 years, where she met her husband. Stacey enjoys cooking authentic Puerto Rican food and spending time with her 4 adult children.

Jonathan Maldonado-Hitchcock is a Community Specialist celebrating his 1 year anniversary this month.  Jonathan is incredibly prompt and efficient and always makes sure our callers are well taken care of.  Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys creative outlets; he reads sci-fi books and plays tabletop games, like Dungeons and Dragons, with friends.

Alex Oshman is also celebrating her 1st anniversary this month as an HIR Coordinator. She is about to graduate from Atascocita High School in the top 4% of her class and intends to major in economics or history. She has many scholarships lined up - Texas State University, University of Houston, University of Texas, and Trinity University are all offering her recurring financial packages to pursue her pre-law degree!

Eric Somers, Maintenance Coordinator, is also celebrating his first year with C.I.A. Services! Eric brings a wealth of experience, including 4 years serving in the United States Navy. He has really hit the ground running this year and does a great job for our clients!  Outside of work, he enjoys going hunting. Eric and his wife, Roxana, are having their first child this year!

Congratulations to all of these employees!

Seminar Series
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Stay Plugged in With Webcasts

We offer each of our seminars in the form of a recorded webcast on demand for you to watch at any time! If you are interested in one of our seminars, they are available on our YouTube channel. The following seminars are now available:

To watch any of the webcasts, simply click on the links above.

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Associations in Practice

Our Associations in Practice Series is an offering of short videos with specific topics.  

The 2023 session of the Texas legislature had some impact on property owners’ associations.  The short 17-minute video, Texas 88th Legislative Session, provides a concise review of what passed and what didn’t, and what’s next for POAs based on the Session.

Although the 88th Legislative Session came to a close on May 29th, an extraordinary event unfolded when Governor Abbott opted to veto several bills, including one that had a direct impact on POAs. In light of this development, our Texas Legislative Session Update video, a follow-up to the above, provides crucial insights and an in-depth update regarding this situation.

Also available is Texas 87th Legislative Session.  The 2021 session of the Texas legislature produced significant changes to the Texas Property Code affecting property owners’ associations. This video explores those changes and provides specific follow-up recommendations. 

Super-Budget Concepts is a great introduction (or refresher) to our Super-Budget and a nice refresher or opening to the full webinar offered in our Seminar Series. 

In our video, Short Term Rentals, we offer insight into short-term rental properties. We have an expert panel on board discussing everything from what a short-term rental is, to potential problems and possible solutions.
 
All of our Associations in Practice Series videos will be available on our YouTube channel. We will send updates when new material is added. You can also subscribe to our channel for news on the latest additions.
Find Us on Social Media
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C.I.A. Services, Inc. has a long and proud history of providing up-to-date news on our company happenings, industry news, and association governance.  Each month, we are pleased to share with you our eNews Monthly.  Each issue is loaded with great information! 

We also provide updates through LinkedIn and Facebook. With these additional layers of communication, you can always find the latest information about our company, employees, association management, and other related news.  

If you are not already following us, please ”Like” us on Facebook and “Follow” us on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all things C.I.A. Services and beyond.

Read Past Issues of eNews Monthly

Every month, we issue an electronic newsletter, eNews Monthly, to keep clients informed about Association items, spotlight clients, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know what is happening with the company. Old issues of eNews Monthly are available on our Library page.