Celebrating Employee Veterans

November 11th is Veterans Day, honoring all American veterans, living and deceased.  The day gives special thanks and recognition to veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

The military men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life.  They are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and are an important part of the community. 

We are honored to work beside several veterans every day and would like to take this opportunity to recognize them.  Special thanks to the following coworkers that served in the military.  We appreciate your service!

Patrick Sheffield, Maintenance Coordinator, enlisted in The United States Army as an Infantryman in June of 1980 at the age of 17. He served until October 1983 with the main responsibility of specializing in small arms combat training in all types of weather and terrain. Patrick’s basic training took place in Fort Benning, Georgia and he was assigned a duty station in Fort Stewart, Georgia. He ultimately earned the rank of Private First Class and traveled to some very inhospitable places for training, including Alaska, the Florida Everglades, and countless nights in the woods in Georgia. 

Ed Barnett, Maintenance Coordinator, served in The United States Navy for 24 years. Joining in 1974, Ed served as a Damage Controlman Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare Specialist). He made his first overseas tour soon after joining and quickly received his first Sea Service Bronze Medal. Every 5 bronze medals earned equals 1 Silver Star and Ed ultimately earned 2 Silver Stars over a total 10-year period of sea service. Over the course of his service, his duty stations were varied, including Amphibious Assault Ships, Destroyer Duty, and Ship Repair. Ed’s final tour brought him to Houston, where he ultimately came ashore at C.I.A. Services.

Todd Miksch, Community Manager, served in the United States Navy for 4 years. Upon joining in 1992, Todd was sent to "A School" for training and received his designation as an Aircraft Metalsmith (AMS).  He was assigned to work on the structural mechanics and hydraulic systems of F-14D aircraft at NAS Miramar. Todd also served as Training Petty Officer, Collateral Duty Inspector, Plane Captain, and Flight Line Coordinator for the squadron “Grim Reapers - Detachment  West Coast”. Todd left the service with an Honorable Discharge as a 3rd Class Petty Officer.

Leticia “Letty” Burchard, Office Manager, served in The United States Coast Guard for 4 years from 1980 to 1984. Letty attended boot camp in New Jersey and was stationed in Long Island, New York. As the “police on water,” the Coast Guard would stop boats to inspect for illegal cargo. Letty oversaw the radio and provided assistance to boaters, responded to accidents, and investigated items in the water with her crew.

Charles Driskell, Maintenance Coordinator, joined The United States Coast Guard in 1983. He was being trained as a Store Keeper E1 but was released due to medical issues.

Johnny Look, Maintenance Coordinator, served in The United States Army for 2 years.  Johnny went through basic training in 1997 at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He served in Natick, Massachusetts as a Performance Analyst and participated in the testing of new equipment designs.  In South Carolina, he was an Advanced Individual Trainee.  His final assignment was in Fort Drum, New York as a Section Chief and was responsible for 32 Humvee ambulances.  During his service, he completed combat lifesavers training and myriad submerged vehicle recovery operations.

National Night Out
by Kim Cowart

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

In all, over 37 million people participate in National Night Out each year across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. However, Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and various other community events with visits from emergency personnel, civic groups, businesses, and much, much more.

If you weren’t able to make this year’s National Night Out in your community, there’s always next year.

The Community Association of The Highlands was among the thousands of communities that celebrated National Night Out. In previous years residents held block parties on their own streets during the annual event. 2022 was a little different with a large block party held at the Clubhouse. While community members socialized with other community members, children were able to play in a bounce house, have their faces painted, and take tours of the fire engine parked at the event. No successful event would be great without food. The Association invited 2 food trucks to provide dinner options to the residents.  

The Artavia North Village H.O.A. celebrated its first National Night Out this year.  Members of the community met at various outdoor art pieces within the community.  Neighbors got together to enjoy fun treats and each other’s company.  Artavia is a new development which means every neighbor is a new neighbor so an event like National Night Out is such a great way to encourage community fellowship!

Residents from the Cross Creek Ranch Village community were encouraged to unlock their doors, turn on their porch lights, and gather with their neighbors to show unity against criminal activity. This year, a guide explaining how to host a block party for National Night Out was sent out to everyone with ideas of how to come together with neighbors and explained the purpose of National Night Out.  The result was at least twelve block parties!  

What a great event, we already look forward to next year!

North Houston Office Social Committee

Last month the North Houston Office Social Committee collected school supplies to help our neighbors at Inspire ND. Inspire ND, aka Including Kids, is a non-profit Autism Center that serves individuals from ages 2-30. They run a number of programs including a year-round, all-day, program for children, and young adults, on the Autism spectrum. They also run after-school classes that provide much-needed interpersonal skills training for this population. Some of our coworkers have children on the Autism Spectrum and have used the services provided by Inspire ND.  As such, we understand the importance of the services they provide.

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:

• November - Shavano Forest Owners Association San Antonio
• September - Rancho Verde Community Association Houston
• August - Community Association of the Highlands Houston
• July - Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council Houston
• June - Orsinger Lane Homeowners Association San Antonio

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

We are very pleased to announce the newest community to join our San Antonio office effective October 1st.

The Hidden Springs Homeowners’ Association is a gated community with 109 large lots for custom homes in Fredericksburg, Texas. We will be their first management company. 

Join us in welcoming Hidden Springs!

Every month we appreciate the communities that are celebrating their anniversaries with us.  Since this is a double issue, we are celebrating both October & November anniversaries.

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.

Thank you for allowing us to be your partner!

October

• Indian Shores Property Owners Association — 35 years
• Bowling Green Garden Homes Association — 34 years
• Ashcreek Homeowners Association — 32 years
• Kirkmont Section 2 Association — 29 years
• Traces II Community Improvement Association — 26 years
• Belleau Wood Civic Club — 21 years
• Fairway Pointe Community Association — 16 years
• RVTC Property Owners Association — 9 years
• Willow Park Office Condominiums Homeowners Association — 7 years
• Heartstone Subdivision Homeowners Association — 7 years
• Kendall Creek Estates Homeowners Association — 6 years
• Willow Lake Village Community Association — 5 years

November

• Heather Ridge Homeowners Association — 31 years
• Lochshire Maintenance Fund — 29 years
• Community Association of The Highlands — 25 years
• Plantation at Woodforest Community Association — 23 years
• Oak Park Ridge Homeowners Association — 19 years
• The Stable Gate Homeowners Association — 18 years
• Heron Nest Owners Association — 15 years
• Bridlewood Estates Property Owners Association —  12 years
• Dancing Bear Property Owners Association — 12 years
• Riverpark on the Brazos Property Owners Association — 11 years
• Avondale Residential Property Owners Association — 9 years
• Glenmont Estates Property Owners Association — 9 years
• Cypress Forest Lakes Community Association — 9 years
• Walker Ranch Homeowners Association — 7 years
• Plantation Lakes Community Association — 5 years
• Sunrise Pines Homeowners Association — 5 years
• Telfair Office Park Condominium Association — 3 years
• The Summit Homeowners Association — 3 years

Bandera Office Employee Anniversaries

Accounting Office member and Stockholder, Hector Mercado, celebrated 8 years on October 27th. Hector Mercado is an important member of the “Financial Team” in our Accounting Office. He enjoys camping with his son and other outdoor activities as well as spending time with his family, near & far.   

Another Accounting Office member and Stockholder, Tracy Henson, celebrated her 6th anniversary on October 10th.  Tracy keeps busy processing property ownership changes for our communities. She is a one-woman team and rises to the challenge with a smile every day. In her off-hours, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as taking care of all her critters.     

On November 6, Diane Garcia celebrated her 5th year with C.I.A. Services, which means she is one of our newest stockholders!   Diane works dutifully in our “Approvals Dept” of the Accounting Office – forwarding check disbursement reports to board members for approvals so we can get vendors paid on time.  With her many chickens, Diane helps to keep our office supplied with fresh eggs. She also enjoys spending time with her family - especially her grandchildren!

San Antonio Employee Anniversaries

Brandi Brack is a Vice President, Branch Manager, Community Manager, and shareholder out of the San Antonio Office and will be celebrating her 9-year anniversary! Brandi is a great team leader and very loyal to her employees. This year she was given the Portfolio Manager of the Year Award from the San Antonio chapter of the Community Associations Institute. Brandi is big into family and friends. Everyone knows when you stop by her house you always get fed, receive TLC, and might even get to ride in her ATV!  

Valerie Flinn, Community Manager, is celebrating her 5-year anniversary with C.I.A. Services and becoming a stockholder. Valerie meets the challenge of managing community associations every day with grace and dignity. Valerie is very knowledgeable and always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need. She lives with her wonderfully supportive husband, Elby, and their fur babies; Night Train, Juneau & Sitka! Close to Valerie’s heart is her dedication to the Texas Sled Dog Rescue. Valerie is a foster dog mom, giving sled dogs, primarily Siberian Huskies as well as Alaskan Malamutes and mixes, a second chance at a pawsome fur-ever home.

Kristen Dito-Bratton is an ACC Coordinator at the San Antonio Office and celebrating her 1-year anniversary! She is very organized and maybe a little OCD. She has a great uplifting vibe and is always positive at work, which always creates a pleasant work environment. Kris enjoys being with her husband and furry kids.

North Houston Employee Anniversaries

Community Specialist Melinda Diaz is a member of our Customer Service Department, celebrating 17 years at C.I.A. Services! She is one of the friendly voices that homeowners hear when they call in for assistance.  Melinda loves to travel and spend time with her family.  She has two daughters, one at home attending school and another adult daughter that is currently living in San Antonio.

Congratulations to Dannie Gibson for reaching her 8-year anniversary on October 27th.  Dannie is the Publications Coordinator for our Houston communities.  She began at our North Houston office but continued her employment remotely when her family relocated to Oklahoma.  She still loves to visit the North Houston office and we enjoy seeing her and her big family.  Dannie and her husband Brent are the parents of 4: 2 twin girls Izabella and Serenity, her son Benjamin, and her daughter, Marley. 

Please join us in celebrating the 17th anniversary of Brittany Tate! Brittany is the Compliance Manager from our North Office and is critical to operations relative to new home sales, resales and coordinates incoming communities for both Houston offices.  During her personal time, Brittany enjoys working on her home and taking care of her three rescue pets.  Grimley is her loveable tripod dog, Finn is her very friendly cat that does not understand personal boundaries, and Ozzie is a shy, older cat that takes a bit to warm up to new people.

Brenda Ellington is celebrating 17 years at C.I.A. Services.  Coming from our North Houston Office, Brenda’s vast array of knowledge is much appreciated and always put to good use.  When not working, Brenda likes to spend time with her Terrier mix dog, Chico, her cat, Wally, and her family that lives close by.  She has an adult son, 2 granddaughters, 1 grandson, and 2 great-grandchildren! 

West Houston Employee Anniversaries

Ed Barnett celebrates 23 years with C.I.A. services this November! Ed is a Maintenance Coordinator out of our West Houston office.  He enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and their grandchildren.  Ed loves to work with his hands on all sorts of home improvement projects and "honey-do" list items.

Congratulations to Vice President & Aliana General Manager Deniece Reyes.  Deniece celebrated her 11th anniversary in October. Deniece is a part of the company’s Board of Directors and several Executive Committees. She does a great job keeping everything in the Aliana associations running smoothly. When not working to support her athletic shoe collection, Deniece focuses on her family.  She and her husband are raising two boys: Jalen and Julian.  Deniece takes her responsibilities of being a basketball mom very seriously.

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:

• Board Member Orientation
• Practical Deed Restriction Management
• Understanding Collections and Financial Reports
• Meetings and Records - The Legal Requirements
• The Essentials of Architectural Control
• The Super-Budgeting Process
• Advanced Topics for Board Members

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

Associations in Practice

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

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 have broadened our social media presence to include 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.

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.