Professional Community Association Management Since 1984
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Houston 713-981-9000
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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.

September 2014
eNews Monthly
Anniversary Celebration
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30th Anniversary

You might be hearing some whoops and hollers coming from our offices this month as September marks our company’s 30th anniversary!  We are both proud and happy to be celebrating this benchmark of success.

It all started in the summer of 1984.  Four community volunteers were at their neighborhood pool and the idea of a new kind of management company was born.  They thought it could be done better.  Better by achieving results.   Better by managing instead of simply administering.  Better by being on the leading edge of technology.  And better by being cost effective. 

On September 29, 1984, C.I.A. Services was created with the vision to provide guidance, support and resources which make a positive impact on communities and the families that live in them.  They thought it could be done better – and they were right! 

Those four community volunteers were Ralph Troiano, Tina Jameson, Tony Victorino and Cynthia Wood.  They were the first team at C.I.A. Services.  The team has continued to grow and today we have more than 100 employees.  All of our employees have worked very hard to get here and are very proud to be part of a company that on a daily basis supports the success of our communities and each other.

To mark the special occasion, employees and guests were invited on a 4 day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.  We had about 150 employees, friends and family join us for this magical weekend.  There was food, dancing, singing, fun, sun and more!  Everyone was invited to join the stockholders meeting held onboard and enjoy a special anniversary presentation.  As evidenced by these photos, a great time was had by all.

We are very pleased to be moving into our 30th year of business and extend our sincere appreciation to all of our communities for being a part of our success.

"Nothing Happens Unless First a Dream"  ~ Carl Sandberg

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Where Were We Then?

Because our employees are the foundation of our company and our future leaders, one of our goals is to motivate and foster their growth.  Employees are awarded with company stocks upon their five year anniversary with the company. We currently have 32 stockholders with the anticipation of many more in the next few years!   

Since it’s our anniversary month, we are being quite nostalgic and asked each of the stockholders what they were like in 1984.  Some already worked for C.I.A. Services. Others were in school.  Some were not even born!  Walk with us down memory lane as we enjoy photos of our stockholders then and now!

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In Great Company

We are not alone in celebrating the big 3-0 this year!  We are in some great company.  Check out just a few of the things that debuted alongside C.I.A. Services.  

  • Transformers – these popular action figures rolled out Generation One which consisted of 29 figures, including the most famous of them all: Megatron.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – the comic book went on sale this year and has gone on to inspire cartoons, movies, books, and more.
  • Tetris – first version released June 6, 1984 and some of us are still playing!
  • The Mac debuted on January 24, 1984 and Apple has gone on to be a huge success!
  • The MTV Video Music Awards premiered with Cyndi Lauper winning Best Female Video for Girls Just Want to Have Fun!
  • The popular software package The Print Shop allowed computer users to create cards and banners on their dot matrix printers.
  • Dell, known at the time as PC’s Unlimited began selling customizable PCs.
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1984 Was Such a Great Year

As we celebrate our anniversary, it is only natural to look back.  Here are some fun facts.  

  • The first CD players by Sony and Phillips hit the market.
  • The Cosby Show debuted.
  • Album of the Year was Thriller by Michael Jackson
  • Popular movies: The Terminator, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, Star Trek III, Police Academy. Still popular today thanks to sequels and cable channels.
  • The infamous “Where’s the Beef” campaign by Wendy’s was all over the airwaves.
  • Cost of a first class postage stamp was only 20 cents.
  • Cost of 1 gallon of milk was $1.10; today’s price is $3.69.
  • Average household income was $21,600 compared to $57,000 today.
  • Average new home price was $84,700.  Today’s is more than three times that at $269,800.
Accomplishments
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Manager Earns International Certification

Congratulations are due again this month as another manager is named a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB). Congratulations Susan Bratton, of our Southwest office, for meeting this accomplishment!

The board administers the CMCA examination, a rigorous test that measures knowledge of community management best practices. Susan joins more than 11,000 CMCAs worldwide who have demonstrated the skills essential for managing homeowner associations.

The CMCA is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and complies with the NCCA’s stringent international standards for a professional certification program.

CAMICB is an independent board that sets the standards for community association managers worldwide. It is the first and only organization created solely to certify community association managers and enhance the professional practice of community association management.

Susan is proud to join the list of CMCAs working diligently for our company and our clients. Well done!

For more information, visit www.camicb.org.

Mutual of Omaha Bank
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On Top Again
by Kristin Batts

Congratulations to Mutual of Omaha Bank for again receiving the top five-star rating from Bauer Financial (www.bauerfinancial.com).  Since 1983, Bauer has been analyzing, rating and reporting on the financial fitness of U.S. banks and credit unions using their independent ratings system. Using data reported to federal banking regulators, Bauer looks at capital protection, profitability/loss trends, the level of delinquent loans, liquidity and much more.

For the last 10 years, C.I.A. Services has partnered with Mutual of Omaha Bank as the primary provider of day-to-day banking services for our associations.

Why is Mutual of Omaha Bank the right choice?  

  • Mutual of Omaha Bank is the industry leader servicing the specialized needs of community associations
  • Seamless integration with leading management software including customized, efficient communication with our software
  • A complete array of the financial services needed by associations from one place
  • Personal relationship managers who are ready to assist with any of our client needs or daily business challenges
  • Interest bearing, no fee checking and money market accounts
  • Competitive certificates of deposit rates as well as several other options for safe, insured investments
  • Credit and debit cards available for association use
  • Owner assessment payments mailed directly to bank for daily processing into the association’s account
  • Payments received at our office are electronically deposited on a daily basis
  • Convenient and secure online payment options for owners by credit card or electronic check
  • Loans for community projects by bankers who understand the unique collateral of associations
  • Numerous benefits available to community residents in bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, insurance and other services provided through Mutual of Omaha
  • Mutual of Omaha Bank maintains the banking industry’s top five star Bauer rating
  • The bank is a part of the 106 year old, established, stable and respected Mutual of Omaha family of companies 

With bank failures, mergers and reorganizations frequently in the news, it it comforting to partner with a bank that has extraordinary stability, strength and knowledge of our industry.  We are pleased to be associated with Mutual of Omaha Bank.

Seminar Series
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The C.I.A. Services Seminar Series is a great resource for community volunteers, both new and those that have been at it for a while.  We are pleased to present seven seminars throughout the year - each at three locations for a total of 21 training sessions.

Click here to read the seminar descriptions and see the schedule.  We have a great lineup:

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

Each two-hour seminar begins at 6:00 pm and we provide a light dinner in case you come straight from work.  You’ll leave with a wealth of practical information and a notebook for future reference.

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The Super-Budgeting Process

"Super-Budgeting" is our term for preparing a comprehensive long term budget and business plan. This isn’t something you do on the back of an envelope an hour before the budget meeting. We’ll break the process down into understandable components and show you how assets and reserves fit into the picture. We’ll start with a simple question that very few people can answer correctly: "How much money should our Association have in the bank?" By the end of the seminar, you’ll know the correct answer for your Association. This is a critical seminar to take before you start looking at budgets.

     

10/02/14 - Thursday

6 – 8 pm

North

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Board Member Orientation

This seminar is a must for all new Board members and a great refresher for seasoned veterans.  It will help you get up to speed quickly by understanding your responsibilities and authorities.  We’ll review the documents and laws that govern the way you do business.  We’ll give you an overview of the governing documents, basis of authority, organizational roles, responsibilities & authorities, conduct of meetings, and we’ll cover insurance and taxes.

10/15/14 - Wednesday

6 – 8 pm

Bandera

10/20/14 - Monday

6 – 8 pm

North

10/23/14 - Thursday

6 – 8 pm

Southwest

Community Spotlight
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Belleau Wood Civic Club

We are proud of every one of our communities so it is always hard to find just one to highlight. We start by having each of our Community Managers write a nomination for one of their communities. We then read them and take a vote. Here are our most recent selections:

  • September - Belleau Wood Civic Club- North Office - Colline Chavera
  • August - Eastpoint Subdivision Homeowners Association - North Office - Kim Cowart
  • July - Cinco Ranch Commercial Association II- Southwest Office - Candace Look
  • June - Atascocita Trails Homeowners Association - North Office - Linda Morris
  • May - Colony Grant Homeowners Association - Southwest Office - Amanda Jensen
  • April - Telfair Commercial Association - Southwest Office - Libby Hodges
  • March - Bridlewood Estates Property Owners Association - Southwest Office - Kim Moore

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

New Communities
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We are pleased to welcome 2 new communities that recently made the move to go to the best management company in Texas!  

Welcome Aliana Commercial Owners Association, Inc., a commercial association within the boundaries of the master planned community, Aliana located near Sugar Land. Aliana’s Management Team will initially be based out of our Bandera Office with  Ralph Troiano as the Community Manager and Rosanne Ashe as the Administrative Assistant.

We would also like to welcome the Rancho Verde Community Association, Inc.  Rancho Verde is located off Wallisville Road in Channelview and has 459 homes with a pool, small playground, fountain and walking trails.  Rancho Verde’s Management Team is Jennifer Northington as the Community Manager, Kris Batts as the Administrative Assistant and Dawna Woods as the Maintenance Coordinator.    

We look forward to working with both of these communities and confirming for them that they made the right choice! Warm welcomes to you both!

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 August and September.

  • Valley Lodge Property Owners Association— 21 years
  • Westfield Glen Property Owners Association— 14 years
  • Eldridge Park Village Community Association— 12 years
  • Woodforest North II Homeowners Association— 12 years
  • Clear Lake City Boulevard Association— 9 years
  • Telfair Community Council— 8 years
  • Fairway Place Homeowners Association— 7 years
  • Morningside Place Homeowners Association— 7 years
  • New Forest Homeowners Association— 7 years
  • Westfield Forest Homeowners Association— 7 years
  • New Forest West Townhomes Homeowners Association — 6 years
  • Lakeridge Homeowners Association — 2 years
  • Treasure Island Homeowners Association — 2 years

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.

Employee Corner
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Anniversaries

As our company has reached a new milestone, so have two of our founders.  Ralph Troiano and Tina Jameson have reached 30 years of service. Congratulations to both of you on this wonderful milestone!

Debra Bearden is celebrating her 1 year anniversary with the company.  Debra works in the accounting department in our Bandera office.

Sheila Montes is also celebrating her 1 year anniversary.  Sheila is also in our accounting department in the Bandera office.

Congratulations ladies!

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.