Volunteer Spotlight
Fadi Ghuneim of RiverPark on the Brazos
For the October Volunteer Spotlight article, our team at C.I.A. Services is honored to recognize RiverPark on the Brazos Treasurer, Fadi Ghuneim. Fadi moved into the community a little over five years ago, and he immediately demonstrated dedication to the neighborhood. He quickly saw areas for improvement and made it his mission to get on the Board of Directors. He prioritizes the community’s long-term success through rigorous financial management and hands-on involvement in community maintenance. Because of him, RiverPark on the Brazos is a better place.
As Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Fadi plays an instrumental role in maintaining the neighborhood’s financial health. Time and time again, he has raised the bar through thoughtful budgeting, future-conscious frugality, and a deep commitment to his fiduciary duty. He does not impulsively accept the easiest, most convenient answer; instead, he challenges himself to consider long-term financial goals and make difficult decisions. As a result, Fadi has helped the community significantly increase its reserve funding; his impact means that the community continues to invest and fortify its financial reserves. This achievement reflects hours of thoughtful planning and disciplined financial management. Because of Fadi’s diligence and sacrifice, RiverPark has increased flexibility to address resident needs and prepare for future spending.
Fadi’s contributions do not end with his Treasurer duties. Between balancing books, he finds time to conquer the community’s numerous maintenance projects. He is always willing to tackle the difficult details that keep the community running smoothly. From overseeing improvements to budgeting for the association’s maintenance, Fadi takes on any of the community’s needs with enthusiasm and care. His involvement indicates his genuine investment in RiverPark’s quality of life.
When he is not volunteering time and energy in his Board role, Fadi enjoys time with family. With his passion for family and years spent living overseas, he brings a wealth of experience and unique perspective to his role. He consistently manages community matters despite the many responsibilities that compete for his attention. His ability to be present in his personal life and as a volunteer is a testament to his organization and reliability.
Fadi’s service to his community exemplifies stewardship, resourcefulness, and a willingness to always raise the bar. In his ability to juggle his duties as Treasurer and the responsibilities of the Board in general, Fadi has helped the community move on from previous challenges and work toward an attainable, sustainable future. Our team is grateful for Fadi’s continued service and the long-lasting positive impact he has made on his home community. Thank you, Fadi, for your dedication to your neighbors and your commitment to the community’s well-being. Every day, you make your community stronger.
Community Spotlight
We are proud of every one of our communities, so it’s always hard to find just one to spotlight. However, we are always eager to share!
Here are the most recent selections:
- October Hidden Springs Homeowners Association San Antonio
- September Westover Valley Homeowners Association San Antonio
- August Traces Section II Community Improvement Association Houston
- July Kendall Pointe Homeowners Association San Antonio
- June Bay Pointe Community Association Houston
To see the full story on these communities and more, visit the Community Spotlight page on our site.
Community Anniversaries
Every month we appreciate the communities that are celebrating their anniversaries with us. Here are the clients that started with us in October.
- Indian Shores Property Owners Association — 39 years
- Ashcreek Homeowners Association — 36 years
- Kirkmont Section 2 Association — 33 years
- Traces II Community Improvement Association — 30 years
- Belleau Wood Civic Club — 25 years
- Fairway Pointe Community Association — 20 years
- RVTC Property Owners Association — 13 years
- Willow Park Office Condominiums Homeowners Association — 11 years
- Willow Lake Village Community Association — 9 years
- Twin Oaks Village Community Association — 5 years
- Hidden Springs Homeowners Association — 4 years
- Big Country Homes Association — 3 years
- Rosillo Creek Industrial Park Owners’ Association — 1 year
- Granger Estates Homeowners 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.
Employee Corner
Employee 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.
Read on for this month’s company anniversaries.
Stockholder Anniversaries
This October, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the dedication of our valued stockholders whose passion and commitment continue to make a meaningful impact on our organization.
Their hard work shapes our company’s success every day.
Twenty-one years represent countless experiences, accomplishments, and memories.
Today, we celebrate Melinda Diaz, Community Specialist, and the extraordinary journey she has shared with C.I.A. Services Inc.
Something She’s Proud Of:
Melinda takes great pride in being part of this family. She appreciates the wonderful people she works alongside and values the supportive, helpful, and collaborative spirit that makes her workplace such a rewarding place to be.
Life Beyond the Office:
- When she’s away from work, Melinda enjoys keeping her weekends wonderfully simple by relaxing at home, watching movies, and occasionally embracing the joy of doing absolutely nothing.
- She believes that sometimes, a perfect weekend is one with plenty of downtime, a good movie, and no agenda at all.
Fun Facts:
- Fourteen years ago, on Christmas Day, Melinda accidentally walked into a stranger’s house, thinking she had arrived at her grandmother’s home! The unlocked door made the unexpected entrance possible, but the family sitting at the table was understandably surprised to see a holiday guest they weren’t expecting. Although Melinda was understandably embarrassed by the unforgettable mix-up, her cousins still love bringing up the story to this day—proving that some family truly never goes away!
Celebrating twenty-one years is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on a journey filled with growth, dedication, and meaningful contributions.
Congratulations to Brittany Tate, Compliance Manager, on this incredible milestone with C.I.A. Services!
Something She’s Proud Of:
- Brittany takes great pride in the hard work she has invested in organizing and strengthening her departments.
- Through thoughtful improvements and commitment to making things better, she has helped create more organized and effective teams.
Life Beyond the Office:
- Outside of work, she enjoys exploring her creative side through drawing and baking, while also finding time to unwind with a good book or her downtime a fun mix of creativity, relaxation, and entertainment.
Fun Facts:
- Brittany originally went to college to study Anthropology and Archaeology, reflecting her curiosity about people, cultures, and the fascinating stories of the past.
- In the office, you can count on Brittany to brighten your day with laughter or a delicious sweet treat that she shares from home.
- She comes from a lively family with three sisters, three nephews, and two nieces, making family time extra special. Even more fun, several of her family members also work at C.I.A. Services, so for Brittany, “keeping it in the family” has taken on a whole new meaning!
Let us celebrate Brandi Brack, Vice President and Director of Management Services, for her thirteenth work anniversary.
It is more than just a milestone; it’s a reflection of trust, relationships, challenges, and accomplishments she built along the way.
Something She’s Proud Of:
- Brandi takes great pride in the journey that has shaped her into a trusted leader within C.I.A. Services Inc.
- Over the years, she has dedicated herself to becoming someone the company can confidently trust with employees, clients, challenges, and the future – a testament to her resilience and leadership.
Life Beyond the Office:
- Outside of work, Brandi loves to travel and is always ready for a fun girl’s trip, whether it involves relaxing lake days, boating adventures, or getting out on an ATV.
- She is just as happy enjoying a cozy day at home, especially when it involves settling in for an entertaining reality TV binge. Some of her favorite moments are spent playing with her grandchildren and enjoying musical theater outings with her daughter.
- She also loves gathering with friends for cards and dominoes, especially when there is good food, plenty of laughter, and a little adventure involved.
Fun Facts:
- Brandi knows so much about HOAs that she jokes she probably knows more about them than any “normal” person should! Spelling and typing may not be her strongest skills, but she embraces her dyslexia with honesty and humor, proving that everyone has their own unique strengths and talents.
Cheers to twelve years, Hector Mercado, Financial Team Member (and our "Wildlife Management Expert")!
We are proud to recognize your positive perspective and professionalism at work.
Something He’s Proud Of:
- He appreciates being part of an organization where its core values remain present and meaningful throughout the work.
Life Beyond the Office:
- Outside of work, Hector enjoys spending quality time with his family and cherishes most of those special moments together.
- He especially enjoys playing arcade games with his son, turning game time into fun-filled opportunities to bond, laugh, and make lasting memories.
Fun Facts:
- Hector has a serious sweet tooth and happily admits that he has a particular fondness for sweet treats.
- Hector has taken on a special and informal role in the Pipe Creek/Bandera Office. Hector spends time in his morning routine feeding the herd of deer that stop by our office. With his temperate temperament, he is the perfect person to earn the trust of our wildlife visitors.
What started as a job has grown into a 10-year journey filled with experience, accomplishments, and treasured workplace relationships.
Congratulations to Tracy Henson, Accounting Clerk, on this special anniversary!
Something She’s Proud Of:
- Tracy is especially proud of reaching the point where she feels she has truly mastered the Liens and Releases process, a reflection of knowledge and confidence she has developed over the years. Yet, her greatest source of pride is the people around her.
- She considers her C.I.A. Services colleagues her work family and feels incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a supportive group.
Life Beyond the Office:
- Family takes center stage for Tracy outside of work, and she loves being in the stands cheering on her grandchildren as they dive into water polo and take the field for football. Whenever everyone’s calendars cooperate, she enjoys gathering the family for lively game nights filled with playful competition, laughter, and quality time together.
- She shares a special holiday tradition with her son, decorating for Halloween and Christmas and transforming their home into a festive seasonal showcase.
Fun Facts:
- Tracy is an enthusiastic Mickey Mouse memorabilia collector, and her passion has grown so much that she has dedicated an entire spare bedroom to her beloved collection!
- She is also a steadfast Dallas Cowboys fan, proving that true fandom means sticking around through the victories, the defeats, and all the nail-biting moments in between.
From strengthening teams to cultivating a supportive office culture, Valerie Flinn, Community Manager – Lead, has spent nine years making a lasting impression at the company. Join us in celebrating her outstanding journey!
Something She’s Proud Of:
- Valerie takes pride in the team her office has built and the uplifting internal culture they have cultivated together.
- She values creating an environment where colleagues encourage one another, feel supported, and are inspired to bring their best to the work they do.
Life Beyond the Office:
- Beyond working hours, Valerie treasures time with her husband and enjoys taking leisurely walks, getting lost in a good book, and tending to her garden.
- Family time is always an adventure for Valerie, and she enjoys the fun and spontaneity of family flash mobs, creating unexpected moments of laughter and connection with the people she loves.
Fun Facts:
- Valerie’s family tree stretches across an impressive expanse, with relatives living from the United Kingdom to Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories of Canada, and all the way to the southernmost tip of Texas.
- She has a deep fascination with history and has been a Pre-1840 Fur Trade re-enactor since 1990, bringing the past to life through hands-on historical experiences for more than three decades.
- Her passion for education and cultural learning extends beyond re-enactment; she is also President Emeritus of the Women’s Teaching & Learning Hanta Yowin (Woman Who Clears the Way) Society.
Eight years of learning, growing, leading, and giving back! We’re proud to recognize Patty Cobarrubia, Director of Communications, and her meaningful full-circle journey, which has allowed her to help others grow while continuing to build upon her own experiences.
Something She’s Proud Of:
- Patty takes immense pride in the team she has had the opportunity to lead and watch flourish. Having once been part of the team herself, she understands the everyday triumphs, challenges, and growing pains her colleagues experience. What makes this journey especially meaningful is being able to now coach, encourage, and celebrate the growth of the very team that helped shape her own professional journey. Though Patty may call the Customer Care department a "well-oiled machine," the team would not thrive without the time and energy Patty pours in.
Life Beyond the Office:
- Patty considers herself incredibly blessed to have a loving family that makes her life feel complete. She shares that joy with her husband, five bonus adult children and their spouses, and 12 beautiful grandchildren who bring endless laughter, energy, and cherished memories into her life. Her grandchildren hold a particularly special place in her heart, and she treasures every opportunity to watch them grow and create new family memories together.
- Patty has always had furry family members in her life, and today, her beloved dog Goosey holds a special place in the family. At eight years old, he may be grown up, but to Patty, he will forever be her baby boy. Goosey never fails to find his way into antics and is recently recovering from a run-in with a skunk!
- She finds joy in the simple pleasures of home life; good food, heartfelt conversations, laughter, and quality time with the people and pets she loves most.
Fun Facts:
- Patty proudly considers herself a homebody and is perfectly content being the “dull” one! While others may crave their next big adventure, her idea of a perfect evening is a cozy night at home surrounded by family, friends, and her furry companion.
- She believes that the best memories don’t necessarily require an exciting destination; sometimes, all you need is good company, a comfortable home, delicious food, plenty of laughter, and nowhere else you need to be.
Knowledge becomes even more valuable when it’s shared. For seven years, Tracey Cavasos, Publications Coordinator – Lead, has been someone her colleagues can turn to for answers, guidance, and a judgment-free place to learn.
Join us in celebrating her patience, encouragement, and willingness to share what she knows!
Something She’s Proud Of:
- Tracey takes pride in being someone others can turn to for guidance, whether they need an answer or are learning something completely new.
- She believes that asking questions is how we all learn, and she makes a point of creating a welcoming, judgment-free space where people feel comfortable seeking help and growing their skills.
Life Beyond the Office:
- At home, Tracey loves getting creative in the kitchen while baking alongside her daughter and making sweet memories together.
- She enjoys imaginative play with her son, especially when it involves joining him on exciting prehistoric adventures with his dinosaurs.
- Family outings to the zoo are another favorite, giving everyone a chance to explore, discover, and enjoy time together.
- When she finds a quiet moment, Tracey enjoys settling in with a good book, and she also loves playing computer games with her husband.
- She has a particularly quirky creative tradition of decorating the two concrete geese on her front porch for the seasons and holidays; currently they’re dressed as Frankenstein’s Monster and his bride!
Fun Facts:
- Tracey was born in Oklahoma, adding a little Sooner State pride to her story.
- Those who have read community newsletters Tracey prepared may know: she has an affinity for gnomes, and the mythical beings may occasionally find their way onto the page.
Thank you ALL for being such an important part of our journey. Your years of service with the company are more than just a number; it’s a story of growth, resilience, and dedication.
Cheers to many more work anniversaries and to successful years ahead!
Seminar Series
Associations in Practice
Our Associations in Practice Series is an offering of short videos with specific topics.
We also have a series of essential seminars providing important basic insights.
All of our videos are 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.
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.
Find Us on Social Media
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 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.
