Congratulations Lifetime Achievement Award Winners; Welcome 2012-2013 Chapter Board By Paul J. Hanscom, CAE, CAI-MN
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he Community Associations Institute of Minnesota (CAI-MN) recognize industry icons with Lifetime Achievement Awards and best performers of 2011 at its Annual Meeting, Thursday, June 7.
As Reginald looks to the future of the company, his priority is to remain a Minnesotaowned company committed to being the very best at providing its association clients with superior customer service that is beyond their expectations!
CAI-MN recognized two leading figures in Minnesota’s community association management industry with the association’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award – Reginald Gassen, founder of Gassen Company; and Melvin Gittleman, founder of Gittleman Management Corporation. Both were recognized along with top performers in community management at the CAI-MN Annual Meeting & Vision Awards Ceremony held at the International Market Square on June 7, 2012.
Melvin Gittleman is widely recognized as one of the pioneers and leaders in condominium development and management in Minnesota.
Reginald Gassen has been serving the real estate and property management industry since 1969. In 1989, Reginald, along with his business partner and wife, Catherine Gassen, made the decision to focus exclusively on association management in Minnesota. Today Reginald, Catherine, son Kirk and daughter Beth are active in the daily operation of the business. Gassen Company has earned its excellent reputation through the dedication of its educated, professional team of employees. The professional organizations in which Reginald is a member assures clients the company is run with high standards and integrity. Reginald holds the Certified Manager of Community Associations designation through Community Associations Institute. He holds the designation of Certified Property Manager with the Institute of Real Estate Management. As a member of the Minnesota Realtors Association, Reginald holds a Broker’s license. Gassen Company is a member of Minnesota Multi Housing Association. Reginald is most proud of the company’s achievement of earning the Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) designation from Community Associations Institute in 2011.
In the 1970s and ‘80s, Mel Gittleman developed 15 condominium developments and three apartment communities in the Twin Cities, all of which exemplified Mel’s vision for a community association experience that was beautiful, sophisticated, built with an unwavering commitment to quality, and well managed. Some of the more notable residential buildings that he developed – Loring Green East and West and Marquette Place – remain fixtures in the Downtown Minneapolis skyline. All of the condominium associations that Mel created, both urban and suburban, have remained long-term successful condominium associations in the marketplace. In fact, it has been common for knowledgeable shoppers of condominiums over the last 30 years to search for a “Gittleman” built building in their marketplace.
On behalf of CAI of Minnesota, we thank Mel for all he has done for our industry. Preceding the Vision Awards Ceremony, the 2012-2013 Board of Directors was seated at the association’s annual meeting. Those serving on the CAI-MN Board of Directors include: President: Traci Lehman, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Vice President: Michael Klemm Treasurer: Halo Stafford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Secretary: Nancy Polomis, Esq. Director: Thomas C. Engblom, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Director: Steve Hoogenakker Director: Rich Klobuchar, CFP ® Director: Russ Lis, CMCA, AMS Director: Jim Rezek Director: Michelle Stephans, RS Director: Gene Sullivan CAI-MN thanks the numerous volunteers who have dedicated their time and talent to making CAI-MN relevant and valuable to all of those involved in community leadership in Minnesota.
As CEO of Gittleman Management for more than 25 years, Mel offered – day in and day out – his compelling vision for community living, dedication to clients, and commitment to quality until his retirement in 2009. During this time period, the company grew substantially and expanded its management services to condominium, townhome, mixed use, and single family home associations across the metropolitan marketplace. Mel was instrumental in the growth of Gittleman Management. A key part of his success was the dedication and commitment to clients that he fostered among employees of the company, which helped set a standard of quality and excellence within the industry. Mel enjoyed and maintained many ongoing, long-term relationships with clients over the years and was pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to a high quality of life within their communities.
July | August 2012
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