Gene Bicksler's Legacy of Mentorship

Gene Bicksler, CCAM, Owner, Bicksler & Associates

He modeled the importance of doing what you say you’re going to do. Through him, I’ve gained confidence as a manager and as a person.

By Todd Greisen, CCAM

It’s what you do, not what you say.

– Gene Bicksler

Mention the name Gene Bicksler, and you’ll find there are many in California’s HOA industry who know him personally or have at least heard the name. I know. He’s been my mentor for over 13 years, and I’ve name-dropped him many times in conversations with peers and vendors.

Gene got his start in property and community management way back in 1976 after serving in the USAF during Vietnam and finishing his education at the University of Oregon. His career path took him on a broad range of positions, including on-site and portfolio management, leading to an upper management position at a large firm. He also founded his own management companies in both California and Oregon.

Early on, he was mentored by the co-founder of Community Association Institute (CAI), James Laughlin, and became a founding director in multiple chapters of California and Oregon. Along the way, his influence in the industry was felt by serving on many legal and legislative committees that helped create HOA laws we still adhere to today.

He brought this knowledge and experience to the table as one of the individual founding members of CACM in 1991. For CACM, he’s served in many of the same ways, on committees and educational panels.

Now semi-retired and living in Eugene, he continues to be influential, even here in California. He remains active in both CACM and CAI. He continues to be involved in consulting and is frequently called on as an expert witness in cases involving HOAs and PUDs. Gene Bicksler, CCAM, knows the industry!

GENE, THE MENTOR

A well-known line from a movie says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will arrive.” Likewise, a mentor cannot always be sought out. Ultimately, they can only be found.

Gene and I found each other at the right time. He hired me on a chance that I’d stick around long enough to fill a need for an on-site presence at the HOA where I still manage today. I was in the midst of finding a new career, so there was risk for he and the board that I wouldn’t last. My longevity is due in part to him.

Gene delegated responsibility to me quickly. With his company office remote and my office on-site, I faced many of the in-person challenges of HOA management – but not alone. He gave me freedom to fail on occasion. But I knew I could always call, email, or text him when his advice or direction was needed.

He included me in many maintenance and improvement projects, delegating some of those responsibilities to me. I attended meetings that weren’t necessarily part of my routine function. He sought my input for decisions that needed to be made with the board of directors.

Not only did I learn through hands-on involvement, with his encouragement I learned through my certification as a CCAM. Attending the annual CACM Law Seminars together, he’s introduced me to others in the industry that have also been influential in my career.

I watched and listened to how he managed the board, and the value of recruiting good board members. He taught me the need to be well-prepared for meetings. Most importantly, he modeled the importance of doing what you say you’re going to do. Through him, I’ve gained confidence as a manager and as a person.

I knew I could never equal his years of experience, but I could carry on his legacy in my own way. Over time, he and the board gained trust in me to a point that I have now filled his shoes as General Manager, following his retirement. Yet even now, I know I can reach out to him for help.

As Gene was mentored by an industry great, so have I.

Todd Greisen, CCAM

Todd Greisen, CCAM, is General Manager of Contra Loma Estates in Antioch, California.