Nine years ago, our industry began to feel the tide of legislation shifting in Arizona. Guidelines were quickly becoming mandates, as the wave of new laws regarding community associations moved east from California. So, I sat down with 6 of my peers for a little powwow. How could we ride this wave to raise the level of professionalism and accountability for community managers – and still act as the voice of reason for the future? Our answer? Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM): an organization where competitors come together to promote a positive understanding of our trade, by providing professional education and impacting public policy. Since inception, AACM has awarded 618 Certified Arizona Association Manager (CAAM^®) certifications (I actually hold the very first). What started out as 7 founding members has now grown to an influential organization of more than 55 community management companies and 200 affiliate partners, representing more than one million Arizona households.

So what does all this have to do with Sandra Day O’Connor? Well, AACM brought us together. That’s right, O’Connor was recently the keynote speaker at an AACM luncheon. She was there to emphasize the importance of voting and how individual involvement can make a big impact. Later, she would administer the oath to our new CAAM^® graduates, including two from CCMC. Never did I imagine that our little organization would someday warrant a guest like O’Connor. I guess it’s just one more example of how individual involvement can, eventually, become a very big force.

This year, The Tally Awards partnered with Capital City Youth Services (CCYS) , a local nonprofit agency serving young people, ages 10-17. Proceeds from this year’s awards gala will help build a new facility for older youth who are transitioning to adulthood. The facility will be the foundation of a program designed to help teach the life skills needed to build a successful future.

Morrison Ranch

At CCMC, the hits just keep on coming! That’s because we manage many of America’s most outstanding master planned communities — including eight of the top-sellers for 2011! Congratulations to Alamo Ranch (San Antonio, TX), Mountain’s Edge (Las Vegas, Nevada), Providence (Las Vegas, Nevada), Morrison Ranch (Gilbert, AZ), Daybreak (South Jordan, UT), Frisco Lakes (Frisco, TX), Vistancia (Peoria, AZ) and Estrella (Goodyear, AZ) for making the 50 Top-Selling U.S. Master Planned Communities for 2011 list from Irvine, CA-based John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

According to Howard Morrison of Morrison Ranch LLC, “We were surprised to learn of this accomplishment for Morrison Ranch. We continue to work hard to make this a community of true character – not just high volume sales. We are pleased to see that our commitment has been rewarded.” Morrison Ranch was the highest ranking Arizona community on the list, number 23 nationwide.

This is the second year for John Burns’ ranking, which includes sales data from 136 master planned communities throughout the country. This represents nearly 24,000 new homes.

Wendy joined CCMC in 1990 as a part-time leasing agent, while still attending Southwest Texas State University. She would later serve as administrative coordinator, accountant, assistant manager, portfolio manager, community manager and regional vice president. For the past five years, Wendy has served as community manager for Toscana in Phoenix, Arizona. “Very few people in our firm have this type of breadth and depth – and know what it takes to be successful and grow at every level within CCMC,” says Delores, “Wendy’s personal experience will translate into stronger teams that fully embraces the core values of our firm. This will allow us to better meet and exceed our clients’ expectations.”

Wendy holds the coveted Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation from Community Associations Institute (CAI). She has also earned her Certified Arizona Association Manager(CAAM) certification from Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM). Her most notable accomplishment to date? Parenting her two children, Lily (10 years) and Louis (8 years); with David, her husband of thirteen lucky years.

Passionate, loyal and tenacious; Wendy understands how the CCMC heart beats — and what makes our company different. “I believe in empowering our people and leading without hesitation,” she says, “Ultimately, it all comes back to our mission of integrity, respect, innovation and caring. I look forward to sharing my passion with our team and growing a new generation of CCMC leaders.”

Wendy will assume her new role on March 1, 2012. Please join us in congratulating her on her promotion.

CCMC community manager at Siena, DC Collins was, once again, named CMCA of the Year. This prestigious award is presented to the Certified Manger of Community Associations® (CMCA) who exemplifies the ethics and goals of CAI, and supports and fosters the educational and management goals of the association he serves. DC was also CMCA of the Year for 2010. “We are honored to see the service and dedication of our team recognized in this way,” explains CCMC Division President Tony Ledvina, “It is our privilege to be involved with such exceptional communities.”

About CAI
Dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, competent associations; CAI is committed to educating responsible leadership and achieving harmony in association living. The Nevada chapter currently serves more than 700 members; including business partners, community mangers and homeowner volunteers. It is one of the largest and most active of the 58 chapters across the nation.

Tod Bean

Funny thing about heroes, they almost never view themselves as such. But at CCMC, I see them everywhere. They are unspoken, unassuming and uninterested in recognition. Take for example Tod Bean, our community manager at SunCrest in Draper, UT. His uncle needed a kidney. He was a match. So he gave him one. No hesitation. No second thoughts. No regrets.

Consider Marie Disney and Maury Ellerbusch from our Shared Services team in Scottsdale, AZ. Always looking for ways to identify and assist homeowners in need, they will stop at nothing to advocate on their behalf and find workable solutions. Marie and Maury do not consider themselves heroes. In their minds, they are simply doing their jobs.

How about Lauren Stephan our lifestyle director at Vistancia in Peoria, AZ? Did she consider herself a hero when she worked with Make a Wish Foundation to create a backyard concert for a young, terminally ill boy? Or when she activated her network to help find employment for a neighborhood father-in-need? Actually, she never even mentioned it.

CCMC, I’m proud to say, has many true heroes. Day after day they go about their business. And, in the process, make life a bit sweeter for everyone around them. My wish for 2012? A year filled with quiet heroes… just like them! Happy New Year.

The Home Builder Association of Metro Denver gathers each year for the annual Builder Associate Recognition (BAR) awards. These awards are presented to Denver builders who “raise the BAR” on the standard of excellence in marketing, sales, interior design and architecture.

Additionally, the community also took home Best Clubhouse and Best Brochure. To learn more about this amazing neighborhood, visit www.backcountryco.com. Congratulations to Shea Homes on these fantastic (and well-deserved) honors!

Vicky responded to Danylle’s email, not with a lot of questions or excuses. She only asked what type of tree Danylle would like. Why? According to Vicky it was, quite simply, the right thing to do. She quickly contacted the community’s landscaper and shared this tragic story. They chose to donate a Chinese Pistash tree for its gorgeous, deep red fall foliage – a beautiful reminder of this young vibrant life. They hand-picked a special place in Exploration Park to plant Philip’s tree, next to a bench and away from all other trees. A place of refuge. A place of tranquility. A place that was possible because of the power of community and because one community manager believed in being there. Rest in peace, Philip. RIP.

Andy joined CCMC in 2006 as the community manager for Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated a commitment to board relations and community engagement. Previously, he worked with several municipalities in Texas and California, specializing in community operations and recreation programming. “Many of the communities we manage include commercial and municipal districts,” explains Todd, “Andy’s extensive knowledge and experience with these types of entities will greatly benefit our clients, and furthe-advance our place in this market.”

A graduate of Concordia University Irvine, Andy is a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) and has earned his Association Management
Specialist (AMS) and Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designations from Community Associations Institute (CAI). For the past four
years he has chaired the social committee for the Dallas Fort Worth chapter of CAI, and was awarded the chapter’s Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008.