FLCAJ’s 2023 Women Making a Difference

FLCAJ’s 2023 Women Making a Difference

Published November 2023

     Editor’s Note: Welcome to FLCAJ’s eighth annual “Women Making a Difference” feature. The women represented in these pages have made an impact on the community association industry in Florida, and they have each made a difference in their respective fields. They are deserving of our congratulations and recognition.


Brenda Annett, LCAM, CMCA

Community Association Manager
Greenacre Properties
Tampa, FL
813-662-0837
GreenacreProperties.com

     Brenda Annett is a licensed community association manager working in the profession for over 15 years.  Currently she is an on-site community association manager for a large golf 

and country club community.  A Purdue graduate with an industrial engineering degree, Brenda’s career has spanned several industries, including organizations such as American Airlines, Mobil Chemical, and Shell Oil. Brenda is process-oriented, enjoys problem solving, and finds great satisfaction achieving noticeable improvements for a community. As an LCAM she is most proud of creating a comprehensive maintenance program, building solid relationships with suppliers, and building a great team to support the association.  


Betsy Barbieux, CAM, CFCAM, CMCA

Owner
Florida CAM Schools LLC
2501 West Main Street #110
Leesburg, FL 34748
352-326-8365
betsy@floridacamschools.com
www.floridacamschools.com

     Since 1998 Betsy Barbieux has been considered an expert trainer and consultant for thousands of condominium, co-op, and HOA managers, staff, and board members. Betsy is a featured columnist for the Journal, was appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott in 2013 to serve on the Regulatory Council for Community Association Managers, and is an expert witness. She is the hostess of CAM Matters™, a monthly YouTube show and podcast that focuses on relevant industry topics and features other industry experts. It is believed that Betsy is the only expert in the field of Florida CAM who is a certified advanced behavior specialist and image consultant, speaker, and author. 


Jen Berry, RS

Engineer
Reserve Advisors
201 East Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1150
Tampa, FL 33062
800-980-9881
jen.berry@reserveadvisors.com
www.reserveadvisors.com

     Jen Berry, RS, has been a member of Reserve Advisors’ engineering team for six years, serving the Sunshine State from Tampa, Florida. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Jen has a degree in mechanical engineering. Having worked with nearly 200 condominium and homeowner association clients, Jen plays a pivotal role in delivering the most detailed reserve study solutions and property condition insights and guidance, setting an industry standard for client engagement. 

     Jen’s passion lies in empowering association stakeholders to understand the true cost of property ownership. Her leadership exemplifies dedication, expertise, and a profound commitment to shaping the future of how communities plan for the physical and financial demands placed upon them. When not working, she enjoys live music, hiking, and spending time with family.


Jane F. Bolin, Esq.

Partner
PeytonBolin, PL 
Offices in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Tampa
877-739-8662
jane@peytonbolin.com
peytonbolin.com

     Jane is a partner and the visionary behind the PeytonBolin law firm. Prior to her legal career, Jane was a community association manager and founded a management company. This unique perspective is why PeytonBolin always supports clients in mastering the business of their association. In today’s volatile world Jane focuses on conflict resolution and shifting the context from powerplays to servant leadership so that everyone can win. As the former mayor of Oakland Park, FL, Jane knows firsthand how to lead and continues to share her knowledge in the community association world. 


Carolyn Braman

Administrative Assistant to the Vice President
R&R Industries
500 Carswell Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
386-253-7627
www.RRIFL.com

     “Ms. Braman’s support to the team and specifically to me has contributed to the overall growth of R&R for the past two years,” proclaims John Carr, vice president. “With a thinking-outside-the-box mentality, Carolyn regularly asks to support aspects of the overall operation that are outside her daily duties. Her professionalism exceeds the standard for R&R, and we are grateful for her continued dedication,” he continues.

     Carolyn’s focus is clients come first by involvement in production, outreach, and client relations to physically working on job sites. She ensures that she goes above and beyond to make R&R successful and unique from the rest. Carolyn always wears a smile and is willing to put in the extra time and energy for the team.

     R&R Industries is proud to have many amazing women in the office and to also highlight Carolyn this year as a woman in the industry making a difference!


Kathy Melikian Bramhall, CMCA, AMS

Executive Vice President of Sales & Retention
Condominium Associates (CA)
Locations in St. Pete/Clearwater, Tampa, Lutz, Sarasota, and Ft. Myers/Naples
866-259-3983
kbramhall@condominiumassociates.com
condominiumassociates.com

     Kathy Bramhall is originally from Indiana, and she began working for CA in 2002. She started in the industry more than 30 years ago. Her background is in management, budgeting, contract negotiations, teaching, sales, and client retention. Currently she oversees sales and transitions. In this present climate she finds herself rethinking how to redo business, focusing on cutting-edge technology to better serve clients and save them money. She is customer-service driven, offering boutique services that she tailors to fit each client, setting  CA apart from its competitors. Kathy is an animal advocate and art enthusiast, and she enjoys public speaking.   


Diane Braswell

CEO
Artemis Lifestyles
1631 E. Vine Street, Suite 300
Kissimmee, FL 34744
407-705-2190
www.ArtemisLifestyles.com

     As CEO of Artemis Lifestyles, Diane is responsible for running all facets of the business, focusing on Artemis Lifestyles’ community-centric execution and growth as a leader in the association management industry. She is passionate about Artemis’s mission of excellence and has inspired the team to share in the vision of creating a positive ownership experience so homeowners love where they live.

     Diane has a proven executive management track record and over 15 years of experience in the central Florida association management industry. Before Artemis, Diane was chief information officer and vice president of technology for a large family-owned association management firm with over 400 communities. Diane earned her designation as a licensed community association manager in 2017 and has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in Alabama.


Kelly Britten

Director of Business Development
Castle Group
12270 SW 3rd Street, Suite 200
Plantation, FL 33325
800-337-5850
www.castlegroup.com

     Kelly has an outstanding willingness to go above and beyond in every one of her endeavors, which explains her success as director of business development. She began her career in the property management industry in 2011; she’s held various positions ranging from property manager, lifestyle director and regional director, to director of business development. Kelly has been a Castle teammate for 12 years and has completely revamped the developer market since joining the business development team in 2022. She attributes much of her success to leadership development resources within the company and the various career advancement opportunities Castle Group has provided. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time by the pool with her family, attending sporting events (especially her kids’), and cooking.


Ashley Brower

Business Development Manager
Kings III Emergency Communications
Headquartered in Dallas, TX, and serving throughout Florida
abrower@kingsiii.com
www.kingsiii.com

     A lover of all things southern, Ashley has a zest for life. When not working, she can be found with those she cherishes most, including spending time with her spirited 17-year-old daughter and on their boat with her dad, whom she considers to be the most influential figure in her life.

     Supporting the Jacksonville market, Ashley views working for Kings III as a privilege as the company’s core values mirror her own, allowing her to assist her customers’ needs more effectively.  Her primary focus is helping mitigate risk and liability exposure through the use of best-value emergency phone solutions.


Jessica Cox, CMCA, AMS

Vice President
Leland Management Inc.
275 S. Charles Richard Beall Blvd., Suite 214 
Debary, FL 32713
386-310-2853
jcox@lelandmanagement.com
www.lelandmanagement.com

     Jessica began her career in the field of community association management 16 years ago as a volunteer member of her community’s board of directors and later obtained her CAM license in 2012. Since joining Leland Management in 2015, it has been her priority to offer a high level of service to her clients to exceed their expectations, having a  perspective of once having served in the role of board member. Jessica has always had a keen interest in promoting  education among her team, her clients, and most recently as an instructor of potential future CAM candidates at Valencia Community College. As a mother of three, Jessica finds much joy in spending time with her family and firmly believes that consistency is the key to success in all aspects of life.


Lisa Elkan, EBP®

Vice President, South Florida Region
Alliance Association Bank
561-212-2091 or 888-734-4567
lelkan@allianceassociationbank.com
allianceassociationbank.com

     After graduating from Iowa State University with a B.B.A. in finance degree, Lisa Elkan moved to South Florida. She joined Alliance Association Bank (AAB) in 2013, and her philosophy is to be an advocate for her clients. “Work hard and be kind, and amazing things will happen.”  This quote from comedian Conan O’Brien resonates with Lisa as she looks back on her ten years working for AAB. She follows through with what she promises in order to meet each client’s expectations. Her position at AAB allows Lisa to establish strong relationships with her clients by listening to them and proposing options that best fit their association banking needs.


Suly Encalada

Director of Business Development
DSS Condo—a Division of SOCOTEC
110 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1620
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
305-985-3772
suly.encalada@socotec.us
www.dsscondo.com

     Suly, the director of business development at DSS Condo, is a prominent figure in Florida’s property management scene. Her outstanding networking skills and event-planning talents have propelled her to success. 

     At DSS Condo, a top owners’ representative and project management firm specializing in condominium restoration and renovation, Suly is a vital asset. Her prior experience as a property manager equips her with deep insights into the challenges of major construction projects. She believes in a transparent, fair process that saves associations money and eases the burden on board members and property managers. Suly’s hands-on experience spans various projects, and her extensive network in South Florida’s property management community, along with her integrity and leadership, solidify her as a respected industry leader.


Dania S. Fernandez

Miami Real Estate Attorney
Dania S. Fernandez & Associates P.A.
Offices in Miami & Coral Gables
305-254-4492
dania@dsfpa.com
www.daniafernandez.com

     Dania S. Fernandez leads Dania S. Fernandez & Associates PA, located in Miami-Dade County. Bringing 23 years of legal experience, Dania is fervent about educating her clients to enhance their proficiency as board directors, ensuring they make informed, community-centric decisions. A former special education teacher, she’s adept at delivering bilingual seminars in Spanish and English, emphasizing transparent and comprehensive communication to bridge linguistic divides. Dania is married with three children and ardently seeks to contribute positively to those around her, holding a steadfast belief that her journey has led her to her true purpose, making impactful differences in her field.  You can reach her at 305-254-4492 or dania@dsfpa.com.


Kathleen “Kat” Chiechi Flores

Executive Vice President, South Florida
AKAM
1815 Griffin Road, Suite 101
Dania Beach, Florida 33004
954-843-2526
kflores@akam.com
www.akam.com

     Bringing a wealth of hospitality and real estate experience to AKAM, Kathleen (Kat) Chiechi Flores sits as AKAM’s executive vice president, leading the Florida division. Kathleen works closely alongside the executive team and is directly involved in helping develop a new industry standard, expanding AKAM’s portfolio in Florida and across the nation, ensuring the delivery of exceptional service to all clients, and fostering a thriving team of individuals within the organization.

     Among her colleagues and clients alike, Kathleen is a trusted team player known for her empowering, hands-on leadership style. Overseeing cross-departmental operations across a complex portfolio, Kathleen directly leads the Florida team and is responsible for management operations, client services, human resources, marketing, and business development.

     Kathleen holds an MBA degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business, a master of education degree from the University of San Francisco, and a bachelor of economics degree from the University of California, Irvine.


Sandra French

Territory Representative—Central, North, and Panhandle of Florida
Pecora Corporation
610-554-8465
frenchs@pecora.com
www.pecora.com/coatings

     To say Sandra French knows a thing or two about the construction industry is an understatement. From a very early age she was immersed within the world of construction through her father and grandfather, who were bricklayers. This early exposure helped in developing a construction-focused career. Having donned various hats such as leading departments in multimillion-dollar property management firms and assisting customers in distribution, Sandra boasts a multi-faceted career.

     Since 2019 Sandra has worked at Pecora Corporation as a territory representative serving the Central, North, and Panhandle markets of Florida. Her passion lies in the hands-on approach to projects, finding fulfillment in helping clients succeed. She’s committed to making a positive impact in the business world. Colleagues often describe Sandra as a results-oriented, enthusiastic, and creative professional who brings both expertise and joy to her work.


Diana Goetz, LCAM

Executive Vice President of Property Management
Condominium Associates (CA)
Locations in St. Pete/Clearwater, Tampa, Lutz, Sarasota, and Ft. Myers/Naples
866-259-3983
condominiumassociates.com

     As an executive vice president with a wealth of experience and knowledge, Diana is a true professional in the field of association management. Originally hailing from California, Diana began her professional journey as the spouse of an Army officer. After raising two amazing sons and spending 20 years in the military, she embarked on a successful career in real estate before finding her calling in association management. Her teaching skills and ability to lead by example have made her an invaluable member of the team. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, including her five grandchildren. 


Kerstin Henze

Firm Member
Kaye Bender Rembaum
1211 N. Westshore Boulevard, Suite 409
Tampa, FL 33607
954-928-0680
KHenze@KBRLegal.com
www.KBRLegal.com

     In August 2023 Kerstin was elevated to a firm member and managing attorney of the Firm’s Tampa, Florida, office. As general counsel to community associations, Ms. Henze assists board members with their day-to-day operations, including, without limitation, budgets/reserves; corporate governance; drafting and amending governing documents; drafting, revising and negotiating contracts (including complex, multi-million-dollar construction contracts); enforcement of association covenants; management issues; and other association-related matters. Ms. Henze is a frequent lecturer on community association law and leads seminars on an array of topics of interest to boards and CAMS.


Star Herbig, CRM, CIC, CRCMP, CASP, BSF

President
Florida Community Association Insurance
813 E. A1A
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
407-920-1116
star@callFCA.com
www.callfca.com

     Star’s entire professional career has been dedicated to the insurance field. With a bachelor of science degree in business finance and a lifetime in the insurance arena, Star is recognized as a highly ethical professional with unmatched experience and skill at customizing insurance plans for inland and coastal associations.  Her concentration on insuring associations has made her an expert in the complexities of insuring condominium and homeowner associations. She has earned the prestigious Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and (CIC) Certified Insurance Councilor designations, which few obtain. In addition, she has earned the professional certification of Community Association Service Provider (CASP) and is a state-certified community association manager (CAM) continuing education trainer. Star loves educating boards, property managers, and residents and helping them understand their insurance needs and solve the “Who Covers What” puzzle.


Lindsay Heysler

Senior Business Development & Marketing Manager
Seacrest Services Inc. 
2101 Centrepark W. Drive, Suite 110
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-697-4990
www.SeacrestServices.com

     Seacrest Services is your full-service community association management solution. Providing tailored property management services to community associations since 1975, Seacrest can customize the right management solution for your association. 

     Lindsay Heysler joined Seacrest Services in 2016 as a sales and lease coordinator.  She pursued her goal and joined the business development team with hard work and determination in 2018 and has been a pivotal contributor to expanding Seacrest’s footprint in the South Florida community association management industry. In 2020 she was promoted to oversee the business development department. Lindsay believes in providing supreme customer service and communication to Seacrest’s communities and is a dedicated resource to the communities that they partner with. She is a Florida native and enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering through Seacrest Sincere organizations.


Pratiksha Jay

Office Manager
J.R. Frazer Inc.
6615 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard, #360
Boynton Beach, FL 33437
561-488-3012
JRFrazerENT@aol.com
www.jrfrazer.com

     Pratiksha Jay (Pattie) is the office manager for J.R. Frazer Inc., which specializes in providing proposals for reserve studies and property/flood valuation reports to HOAs and condominiums. Besides working 50–60 hours a week, she is also a mother and wife who cooks and supports her family members. She came to this country from India back in 1992, not knowing any English except “hello” and “thank you.”  Over the years she not only learned English but also worked for Disney, processed mortgage loan files, became a successful real estate professional, and managed two laundromat businesses. Pratiksha is an inspiration to her company and her family.


Linda Johnson

Owner
LJ Services Group
12000 Biscayne Blvd #406
Miami, FL 33181
305-864-2790
www.ljservicesgroup.com

     Linda started the comp-any over 20 years ago as an advocate for the community association management industry. With 20 years of management experience, she improves properties and streamlines operations for efficiency. Linda is hardworking and resourceful, with a friendly and professional demeanor. She is a skilled community manager with a deep understanding of residents’ preferences and business operations requirements and has a successful history of meeting occupancy and payment goals while improving community satisfaction.

     Linda is knowledgeable about payment collections, maintenance, and documentation. Linda is a hands-on community manager known for excellent public relations and marketing coordination; she is a highly trained professional with a passion for working with and for people.  She also holds an MBA and has experience with project management involving a project that exceeded two million dollars. Linda was awarded the 2021 Property Manager of the Year by CAI-SEFL and is honored to serve as chapter president in 2023.


Manjola “Lola” Kavaric

Executive Vice President of Finance
Condominium Associates (CA) & Precedent Hospitality (PH)
Locations in St. Pete/Clearwater, Tampa, Lutz, Sarasota, and Ft. Myers/Naples
866-259-3983
www.condominiumassociates.com

     Lola is a financial management professional with 33 years of experience and is an integral part of CA and PH, with responsibility for overseeing all financial aspects company-wide. Her areas of expertise include financial analysis, profit improvement, project management, auditing, training, acquisitions, and strategic planning. Lola holds a double bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration and double master’s degrees as well. She is also a certified fraud examiner (CFE) and has been elected to the board of directors of the Tampa Bay chapter of ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners), serving a three-year term. She has been certified by the FL State Department to teach CAMs and board members about preventing fraud in their condominiums and HOAs and budget preparation. Her diverse background includes industries ranging from banking to non-profit to insurance and real estate/HOA management fields.  


Charla Khatib

Director of Community Management
Southern States Management Group
785 W. Granada Boulevard, Suite 5
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
386-446-6333
www.ssmgfl.com

     Charla Khatib has been a tireless and hands-on advocate for her clients, whether in Atlanta, GA, (where she got her start in community management) or in Central Florida, where she is currently serving as the director of community management at Southern States Management Group Inc (SSMG).  The depth and breadth of Char’s experience and her willingness to go that extra mile have earned her a reputation of being one of the best in the business and have made her an indispensable member of countless teams along the way. While historically Char’s role was that of providing counsel to association board members, in 2021 she was elevated to a new role that includes the mentoring of new community managers as well as providing innovative and thoughtful solutions to a far-reaching network of vendors, boards, and property owners.


Trudi King, LCAM

Hi-Rise & BuildingLink Process Specialist 
Campbell Property Management
1215 East Hillsboro Boulevard
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
954-604-5783
tking@campbellproperty.com
www.campbellpropertymanagement.com

     Trudi is the Hi-Rise and BuildingLink process and procedure specialist for Campbell Property Management. She provides property specific preventive maintenance programs and leads state-of-the-art technology implementation, training, and launching at Campbell’s properties. Trudi loves working with the property managers supporting them in their roles.  

     Starting her management career in 2003, Trudi has demonstrated proficiency in budget preparation, analysis and management, staff supervision and support, restoration project management, technology upgrades, and highly effective disaster recovery management.

     Outside of her career Trudi serves on the board of the Backpack Barber Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, which provides haircuts, hygiene bags, clothes, and food to the homeless population. Trudi also enjoys spending time with her loved ones and animals.


Jessica Kopas

Partner
Haber Law
251 NW 23 Street
Miami, FL 33127
305-379-2400
jkopas@haber.law
www.haber.law

     Jessica Kopas is a partner at Haber Law focusing on complex commercial business litigation. Prior to joining Haber Law, she worked at another prominent trial law firm, where she was named the first woman in a substantial leadership role. Throughout her career she has played pivotal roles in high-profile cases that have benefited individuals and the community.

     She prioritizes giving back and supporting women, who today have the opportunity to thrive on equal footing as men. The firm’s supportive culture has facilitated her development as a leader. Mentors have guided her throughout her career, prompting her to mentor others, especially young women.


Marcy L. Kravit, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, CFCAM

Director of Community Association Relations
Hotwire Communications
FCAP Education Program Director
mkravit@fcapgroup.com

     Marcy Kravit dedicated over 23 years to the industry in South Florida, has earned every higher education credential offered by CAI, and is recognized by FCAP as a CFCAM. She recently earned the designation Certified Scrum Master. Marcy has been a contributing writer to the Florida Community Association Journal since 2004 and has written the series “The CAM Employment Process.” She is also serving FCAP as their education program director and is adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College where she teaches the CAM course.

     Her passion, drive, and motivation were recognized in 2014 as she was named 2014 National On-site Manager of the Year and 2021–2022 Mentor of the Year for Women Empowering Women. Marcy has published her book, Common Sense Community Management: A Guide from a Florida Condo/HOA Manager, Board Member, and Business Partner, available on Amazon. This book is a compilation of articles that have been published in the Florida Community Association Journal. This guide will show you how to navigate the waters as well as how to deal with the many challenges in the industry!


Connie Lorenz’sMedical Team

Asphalt Restoration Technology Systems
1523 Pine Avenue
Orlando, FL 32824
800-254-4732
www.asphaltnews.com

      Celebrating women is something Connie Lorenz does daily because she says, “If I don’t do it, most likely no one else will! This year’s celebration of women from me is for all my doctors and nurses who took care of me while I was dealing with some major health issues! These women are the epitome of what a woman represents in today’s world. During my times of crisis, no matter what types of days these women were having, they put me first and made sure that although this was by far the toughest battle I have ever taken on, with them by my side, we were going to ROCK IT! ‘Thank you, ladies,’… and thanks to the guys, too!”


Heather Lyons

Security Consultant
Envera Systems
Sarasota, Florida
855-380-1274
EnveraSystems.com

     Heather Lyons has contributed to multiple departments in her time at Envera, which provides virtual gate guards, active and passive video surveillance, and access control. From onboarding to account management and now sales, “This has allowed me to learn our products and processes and build solid relationships with our clients,” she says. She continuously seeks knowledge and improvement to enrich her personal life and the lives of everyone around her. Her experience, dedication, and kindness make a meaningful impact on our team and Envera customers every day. Heather says, “It’s rewarding to provide solutions that give clients peace of mind. I believe in taking care of our clients and building a successful partnership.”


Laura Manning-Hudson

Managing Shareholder of West Palm Beach Office
Siegfried Rivera
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties 
800-737-1390
SiegfriedRivera.com
FloridaHOALawyerBlog.com

     Shareholder Laura Manning-Hudson with the South Florida law firm of Siegfried Rivera is board certified as an expert in community association law by the Florida Bar.  She is the managing shareholder of the firm’s West Palm Beach office and has focused on representing condominium and homeowners’ associations since 1998.  

     Manning-Hudson is one of the firm’s most active contributors to its community association law blog, www.FloridaHOALawyerBlog.com, which is one of the state’s leading resources on association matters.  She has played an integral role in developing and shaping the firm’s community association practice into one of the largest in Florida. 

     Manning-Hudson received her bachelor of arts from Florida State University in 1993 and her juris doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 1997.


Reini Marsh

Chapter Executive Director
Community Associations Institute, Central Florida Chapter
PO Box 941125
Maitland, FL 32794
exdir@caicf.org
www.caicf.org
407-913-3777

     Reini began her career in the community association industry in 2015 after relocating back to her home in Orlando. She was selected to be the first full-time employee of the chapter due to her extensive experience in hosting group events of all types. What she loves the most about her position is “my members, of course! Many have become great friends. They support me, and I support them. Many times I pray for them when they are going through a tough life event.” Under her leadership the chapter has grown to a large chapter and been able to have new events so that the members have plenty of opportunities to network and grow their businesses. The chapter supports several charities through various programs backed by the chapter and their members, including the House of Hope Orlando, saving families and their kids.


Sarah Miles

Regional General Manager—Melbourne & Vero Beach Offices
Vesta Property Services
907 E. Strawbridge Avenue, Unit 103
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-241-4946
www.VestaPropertyServices.com

     Sarah has been with Vesta since 2016 and has served in a variety of roles, most recently as the newly-promoted regional general manager for our Melbourne and Vero Beach offices. She has done a tremendous job improving our efficiencies and “best practices” throughout the office while mentoring new team members. 

     In her new role Sarah continues to support efforts within the central zone. Sarah has been a part of Vesta Property Services since the acquisition of Oceanside Property Management in June 2020. During her tenure with Vesta, she has worked as a licensed CAM and accounting manager, proving herself to be a loyal advocate for the company. 

     The Melbourne branch provides management as well as janitorial and maintenance services to communities throughout Brevard County and currently manages a portfolio of 40 associations, ranging from a quaint 11-unit oceanside condo to 200+ unit single-family HOA developments. 


Wendy Murray, CAM, CMCA

Executive Vice President of Sales—Southwest Region
Precedent Hospitality and Property Management
Locations in Ft. Myers/Naples, St. Pete/Clearwater, Tampa, Lutz, and Sarasota
239-989-7600
wmurray@precedentmgt.com
www.precedentmgt.com

     Wendy Murray has been in the HOA industry since 1997 and has served as president of her HOA board of directors for more than a decade.  After serving as an executive for two national management companies, she joined Precedent Hospitality and Condominium Associates over five years ago. She is a FL-licensed community association manager and holds the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) designation. She has overseen community management firms throughout the southeastern region of the US and is currently executive vice president of Precedent Hospitality and Property Management, leading business development, education, sales, and acquisitions.


Jodie Ownby, CAM

Director of Client Relations
Cardinal Management Group
239-774-0723 ext.212
j.ownby@cmgflorida.com 

     After relocating to Florida a little over two years ago, Jodie Ownby needed a career path update. She used the education and skills she gained as a behavior therapist and her work educating children with special needs to quickly gain traction in the community association management industry here in SWFL. Her goal is to provide high-quality service and guidance to her clients and provide fun and exciting ways to enhance the client experience. Jodie approaches each day as a fresh slate by always remembering this important quote from Ken Poirot: “Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.”  


Joanna Ribner—President
Gail Hopwood—Customer Care
Jodi Winkler—Accounting

Southern Chute
Locations in Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers, FL
954-475-9191
joanna@southernchute.com
www.southernchute.com

     Women rule at Southern Chute! Joanna Ribner, one of the company founders in 2001, became president in 2016. She runs the daily operations and manages all permitting and construction jobs.

     Gail Hopwood, Joanna’s sister, joined the company in 2001 doing sales. Now she runs the outside and inside sales teams and is a familiar voice to our customers.

     Jodi Winkler joined us in 2016 as the bookkeeper. She was no stranger—her husband, Will, is our repair supervisor and has been with us for 18 years! Jodi has quickly become a highly valued member of the team!


Ana Sanchez Rivero  

President and Business Development Coordinator 
Allied Property Group 
12350 SW 132 Court, Suite 114 
Miami, FL 33186 
305-232-1579 
arivero@alliedpropertygroup.net 
www.alliedpropertygroup.net 

     Ana Sanchez Rivero has been managing communities for more than 30 years. Her experience and knowledge in this field make her one of the most well-informed individuals in property management.  She hosts the podcast Community Association Matters, dedicated to educating association board members with the latest information in property management. 

     She is also a licensed real estate broker and has received the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from IREM (International Real Estate Management); less than 9,000 people hold this designation worldwide.  As president of Allied Property Group, she currently supervises more than 20 employees and more than 100 associations throughout South Florida. Ana is a mom to two wonderful children and is an avid reader. She is constantly growing as an individual and professional.   


Hannah Rullo

Associate Attorney
Ansbacher Law
1650 US Highway 1 South, Suite 201
St. Augustine, FL 32084
904-429-4833
Hannah.Rullo@ansbacher.net
www.ansbacher.net

     Hannah Rullo is an associate attorney with Ansbacher Law. Her practice area focuses on assisting condominium and homeowner associations with general matters, including covenant enforcement and restrictions, bylaw enforcement, legal opinions and advice, the transition from developer control, amending declarations, and reviewing contracts.

     Ms. Rullo earned her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law (J.D., 2020), where she received the CALI Award of Medical Malpractice. Prior to attending law school, she earned her bachelor’s degree in political science in 2015.

     Raised in Pittsburgh, Hannah and her family spent summers in Crescent Beach from the time she was an infant. She enjoys being an active member of the St. Johns Association for Women Lawyers and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, walking her dog Beatrice, reading poetry, and going to church.


Diana Sada

Shareholder
Burg Simpson
100 South Ashley Drive, Suite 200
Tampa, FL 33602
813-816-7140
www.burgsimpson.com

     Diana Sada is a shareholder at the Burg Simpson law firm and heads the FL construction defect group. She has been a trial lawyer since the beginning of her career and has conducted numerous jury trials. Diana is honored to represent homeowner and condominium associations when their communities experience defects against those who performed shoddy construction. Additionally, Diana routinely teaches and presents on various topics to board members and property managers all over Florida. The teacher in her allows her to connect and represent her clients more effectively. Diana also teaches law students how to conduct a trial. Many of her students have gone on to win trial competitions across the country.


Carolina Serrano

Regional Vice President
KW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING
8200 NW 33 St., Suite 300
Miami, FL 33122
305-476-9188
cserrano@kwpmc.com
www.KWPMC.com

     Carolina Serrano is a regional vice president at KW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING, one of Florida’s largest residential property management companies with 2,500 employees and 90,000 units under management. Serrano guides property managers, developers, and association board members on the vision and strategic direction of properties.

     Serrano loves enhancing the living experiences of KWPMC’s residents and inspiring pride in its employees. One of her most satisfying professional moments came when her original assistant, who Serrano took a chance on by promoting, became a regional manager overseeing multiple properties. A dedicated and compassionate professional who aspires to positively impact others, Serrano lives by the advice her mother once imparted: “You are who you are when nobody is looking.”


Tree Tietsort

President & Owner
LCM Engineering PLLC
5294 Summerlin Commons Way, Suite 1201
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-590-0263
Tree@LCM.com
www.LCM.com

     LCM has been providing consulting engineering services to Southwest Florida for many years. Projects range from multi-level, multi-building condominiums and commercial and residential structures to churches, schools, marinas, and hotels.  LCM has grown stronger and increased our services to include milestone surveys and private provider services.  LCM continues to dispense structural engineering services for new construction, inspections, drawings, specifications, condition surveys, master plans, evaluations, repair, and renovation services. LCM has extensive experience analyzing storm-damaged buildings and their components. LCM formulates safe, code-compliant repairs in a time-sensitive manner and takes pride in its personal client service, integrity, commitment to excellence, quality, and successful completion of every project. A huge “thank you” to the loyal clients that have supported LCM through the changes. As president, Tree runs a successful business with an excellent team.  Tree and the staff are active in the surrounding communities and are members of several organizations, including the Above Board Chamber, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, FGCU Concrete Expo, My Autism Connection, ICRI, and CAI, to name just a few.


Nataly Gutierrez Vazquez

Senior Counsel
PeytonBolin PL
nataly@peytonbolin.com

     Nataly is a leader in the association practice for PeytonBolin PL and represents condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners’ associations throughout the state of Florida. As a former assistant state attorney for Miami-Dade, she is a proficient trial attorney; however, she enjoys working with boards and property managers to navigate the day-to-day challenges of community associations. Her no-nonsense approach coupled with exceptional communication skills makes her an excellent partner for her clients. Although the world of community associations can be complex, she has a gift in breaking down the legal matters in words everyone can understand.  


Katelyn Veenschoten, CAM

Director of Accounting
Cardinal Management Group of FL
4670 Cardinal Way, Suite 302
Naples, FL 34112
www.cmgflorida.com

     Katelyn has a decade of experience in property management accounting with Cardinal Management Group. She is a graduate of Florida Southern College with dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration. Her career isn’t just about numbers; it’s a commitment to foster financial health and stability in the communities she manages. She believes that strong communities are built upon solid financial foundations. When not crunching numbers, Katelyn finds happiness in family moments and her two loyal dogs. Her guiding philosophy: “Stay dedicated to your goals, but never lose sight of what truly matters,” resonates in both her professional and personal life.


Heather Ventrone 

Sales Manager, Select Communities
Breezeline
10785 Marks Way
Miramar, FL 33025
786-475-8792 
hventrone@breezeline.com
breezeline.com/communities

     Heather Ventrone grew up in New York, graduating from CUNY Staten Island in 2006, and moved to Florida, where she has been working with multi-dwelling properties in the telecommunications space ever since. Heather is passionate about her role because she loves meeting new people and educating them on how Breezeline can better their community experience. She also loves a good challenge and is inspired every day by her rock-star sales team. Outside of work, Heather enjoys sports and activities with her three children and traveling to new places with her family.


Heather Vogt

Director of Client Success
Creativate
Serving clients across the U.S. 
www.growwithcreativate.com

     Heather Vogt is the director of client success at Creativate, where for the last year she has been responsible for growing and supporting client accounts, strategic planning, content creation, and goal execution. On a mission to build long-term relationships, she is focused on the client’s needs and providing outstanding communication, service, and results.

     Prior to taking on her role at Creativate, Heather spent over 20 years in B2B marketing in the roofing and building materials space, developing strategies to grow sales and elevate the company’s brand while managing and oftentimes conceptualizing and designing. Creativate is a proud HubSpot Gold Solutions Partner.