HOA - It's A True Story Podcast

Host Regan Brown sits down with Mike Blaszczyk, President of Northern California Metro Elevator Service and Sales, to explore the often-overlooked world of elevators. Mike shares his unique path into the industry, discusses advancements in elevator technology, and highlights the importance of safety and regular maintenance.

Host Regan Brown sits down with Louie Brown, Partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, to discuss the impact of the recent elections on the HOA industry, covering key topics such as legislative updates, insurance challenges, and the Corporate Transparency Act. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the HOA Industry 01:48 Impact of Recent Elections on HOA Legislation 06:01 Challenges and Changes in Insurance Regulations 09:57 Corporate Transparency Act and Its Implications 13:56 Future of Housing and Community Associations in California 17:58 Addressing Construction and Inspection Issues 21:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

Host Regan Brown sits down with Dawn M. Bauman from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) to dive into the Corporate Transparency Act and its impact on homeowners associations (HOAs). They discuss what the act entails, the obligations it places on community associations, and CAI's ongoing efforts to secure exemptions for HOAs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CAI and the Corporate Transparency Act 02:10 Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act 04:47 Exemptions and Responsibilities for HOAs 07:50 CAI's Efforts to Exempt HOAs 11:29 Current Status of Legislative Efforts 13:32 Consequences of Non-Compliance 15:38 Political Dynamics and Future Outlook 17:18 Recommendations for Community Associations 20:11 Concerns and Resignations Among Board Members 22:22 Call to Action and Resources for HOAs

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Sandra Gottlieb, Attorney at Swedelson & Gottlieb, to discuss pressing issues facing homeowners associations (HOAs), focusing on liability, risk management, and cybersecurity. They explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats, including ransomware, and emphasize the importance of having robust insurance policies in place. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Community Challenges and Legal Perspectives 02:45 Understanding HOA Liability and Risk Management 05:54 Cybersecurity Threats Facing HOAs 09:02 Ransomware and Its Impact on HOAs 12:03 Insurance Solutions for Cyber Incidents 15:13 The Role of Government in Cybersecurity 18:05 Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Defense 21:02 Real-Life Experiences and Lessons Learned 23:57 Conclusion and Future Considerations

Host Regan Brown and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, sit down with Geoffrey Browne, Executive Director at Sun City Roseville Community Association, Inc. and an expert in managing active adult communities. Together, they explore the unique dynamics of these communities, the shift from management companies to on-site leadership, and the critical role of resident engagement and feedback. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Active Adult Communities 01:12 Jeff Brown's Journey into HOA Management 04:39 Understanding Active Adult Communities 07:37 Transitioning from Management Company to On-Site Leadership 11:22 Engagement and Feedback in Active Adult Communities 14:47 Amenities and Programs for Residents 17:39 Adapting to Technological Changes 20:34 Training Residents in Technology 22:43 Volunteerism and Community Involvement 25:51 Succession Planning and Leadership Academy 28:41 Essential Skills for Active Adult Community Managers 34:10 A Memorable Story from the Field

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Sajid Shabber, Executive President of Association Inspector. Together, they explore the complexities of HOA elections, focusing on the evolving election processes, the critical role of third-party inspectors, compliance with civil codes, and the latest voting methods. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to HOA Elections and Inspectors 01:01 Sajid Shabber's Journey in Property Management 02:06 The Role of Inspectors in HOA Elections 04:04 The Evolution of Election Processes Post-COVID 08:48 Current Election Process and Timeline 10:02 Handling Board Vacancies and Compliance 12:22 Voting Methods: Written vs. Electronic 16:08 Ensuring Vote Integrity and Challenges 18:03 Civil Codes and Their Impact on Elections 22:07 Post-Election Procedures and Challenges 24:48 Sajid's Memorable HOA Experience 27:10 Reagan's Voting Fraud Story 30:25 Community Solutions and Engagement 30:43 Conclusion and Contact Information

Host Regan Brown and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Jennifer Wada, principal owner of Wada Government Relations and a lobbyist specializing in HOA legislation. They discuss key bills, including AB 2114 on balcony inspections, AB 2159 enabling electronic voting, and SB 900 addressing repair and maintenance. The conversation also highlights the challenges with construction defect laws and the complexities of California Fair Plan insurance coverage. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Legislative Changes 02:20 AB 2114: Balcony Inspection Bill 03:40 AB 2159: Electronic Voting in Associations 12:11 AB 2460: Quorum Cleanup Bill 14:02 SB 900: CID Repair and Maintenance 19:40 SB 1470: Construction Defect Case Changes 21:19 Insurance Challenges: California Fair Plan

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with consultant and former executive Kirk Watilo to explore the importance of strategic planning for homeowner associations. Kirk draws on his extensive career experience to highlight why a clear, collaborative plan is essential for guiding associations toward long-term success.

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Francis Serrano, Director of Operations at CitiScape and Realtor at Vanguard Properties. Together, they discuss the emotional challenges of property management, exploring accountability, the importance of professional detachment, and strategies to help new managers navigate hostility and negativity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Community Management Challenges 02:58 Navigating Hostility in Property Management 06:03 Emotional Dynamics in Community Management 08:59 Accountability vs. Condescension in Management 12:08 Professional Detachment and Personal Boundaries 15:12 Legal Counsel and Conflict Resolution 18:00 Advice for New Community Managers 21:04 Unique Experiences in Property Management 23:56 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Host Regan Brown and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, sit down with Maegan Woytek, President of ACAM and Director of Community Engagement at Vantaca. They discuss the role of ACAM, a unique association group that unites management company owners, operators, and business partners to share best practices and promote industry collaboration. Maegan also sheds light on ACAM's impact within the industry and its ongoing initiatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 How Megan Got Involved in ACAM 09:12 What is ACAM? 14:01 ACAM Retreat and Tuesday Talks 18:53 Choosing Locations for the Retreat 22:25 Membership and Attendance 25:21 The Importance of Sharing and Collaboration 32:23 Board Structure and Term Limits 34:29 Closing Thoughts and Funny Stories

Regan Brown, host, is joined by Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, as they interview Alex Noland of Noland Law PC. Together, they discuss the Corporate Transparency Act and its impact on HOAs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:16 Understanding the Transparency Act 03:38 Exemptions and Requirements 07:54 Reporting Requirements for Board Members 13:28 Fees and Fines 18:19 Communicating the Impact to Board Members 23:59 Disclosure of Personal Information 26:30 Individual Registration for Board Members 29:50 Unincorporated Associations and Secretary of State Registration 34:06 Pushback and Concerns

Regan Brown, host, along with Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Rich Adams, Senior Reserve Analyst at Barrera and Company. They discuss the accuracy of reserve studies for HOAs, exploring the process of setting up a reserve study and ensuring accurate numbers and a comprehensive list of items. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 02:02 Ensuring Accuracy in Reserve Studies 05:34 Costs for Future Projects 07:48 Planning for Long-Term Projects 12:23 The Importance of Regular Updates 16:23 Accounting for Cost Changes 18:15 Challenges and Solutions for Older Associations 21:31 The Impact of Legislative Changes 25:46 Using the Reserve Study as a Tool 28:43 Planning for Future Projects 31:17 Collaboration and Communication 33:39 Funny Stories and Conclusion

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Reale Edgerton, an Account Executive at Axela Technologies, to discuss the critical role of collections in HOAs. They explore the importance of having a solid collection policy and the benefits of offering payment plans to homeowners who fall behind on dues. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:18 The First Steps for Managers 06:23 Setting Up Payment Plans 08:15 Addressing Special Assessments 11:50 Legal Considerations and Involving Attorneys 13:57 Penalties and Consequences 15:59 Ensuring Fairness and Avoiding Bias 18:19 Reviewing and Working with Attorneys 20:55 The Impact of Delinquencies on Loans 25:07 The Ripple Effect of Delinquencies 27:07 Assistance Programs and Grants 30:41 Conclusion and Contact Information

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Jeff Reger, President of ACT2EV. In this episode, they discuss the history of ACT2EV, the ins and outs of installing EV charging stations, the associated costs and maintenance, available grants and incentives for HOAs, the importance of unified charging standards, the potential for solar integration, and the future of EV technology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 05:25 The Potential of EVs to Change Transportation and Energy 08:15 The Process and Cost of Installing EV Charging Stations 12:44 Grants and Incentives for HOAs to Install EV Stations 15:02 Maintenance and Challenges of EV Charging Stations 17:30 Unified Charging Standards and Compatibility 21:32 The Future of EV Technology and Infrastructure 23:34 Life Expectancy and Planning for EV Charging Stations 29:06 Educating HOAs and Realistic Cost Expectations 32:22 Appreciation for HOAs and Conclusion

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Adam Balkcom, CEO of CAM Leadership Institute, shares his journey into the community association management industry and the founding of CLI. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 09:21 The Power of CEO Groups 17:05 Diversifying Revenue Streams 23:31 Outsourcing and Remote Team Members 30:02 Automation and AI in the Industry 36:02 Transitioning from Manager to Leader

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The GB Group Construction & Painting, interview Kelly Richardson, a partner at Richardson|Ober LLP. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of dealing with negative people in community associations. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:30 Dealing with Negative People in Community Associations 06:31 The Clash Between Independence and Shared Power 10:26 Understanding the Legal Issues Surrounding Harassment 14:45 Balancing Video Surveillance in Common Areas 18:50 The Role of Legal Counsel in Handling Difficult Situations 25:02 Transparency, Communication, and People-Centric Approaches 31:15 Conclusion and Contact Information

Regan Brown, Host, interviews Dillon Graber, Senior Community Manager at Seabreeze Management, who shares tips and tricks on preventing burnout and staying motivated in the HOA industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Career Path 02:59 The Importance of Flexibility and Clear Expectations 05:47 Prioritizing Tasks and Focusing on the Bigger Picture 10:14 Monthly Board Meetings and Setting Realistic Expectations 13:21 Hobbies and Work-Life Balance 24:52 The Impact of Burnout on Mental Health 29:02 Motivated Individuals and the Importance of Self-Management 31:35 Favorite Hobby and the Importance of Finding Balance 35:12 Story: The Association That Followed Dylan Throughout His Career 38:35 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Regan Brown, Host, and Bill Mann, President of The G.B. Group Construction & Painting, interview Travis Stokes, President of Action Asphalt Paving and Maintenance, Inc., about asphalt projects and maintenance for HOAs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:37 Best Practices for Asphalt Projects 06:31 Scheduling and Phasing Asphalt Projects 10:45 Crack Filling and Spot Repairs 18:10 Overlay vs. Remove and Replace 20:04 Financial Planning for Asphalt Projects 25:08 Diversification and Expertise in the Industry 29:31 The Importance of Empathy and Communication 31:24 Anecdote: Towing Incident 32:24 Contact Information and Conclusion

Regan Brown, Host, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Matt Kraft, Chief Operating Officer of Communitas. They explore the topic of acquisitions and mergers in the HOA industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:05 The Increase in Acquisitions and Mergers 07:16 The Benefits of Technology in HOA Management 09:18 Challenges and Disruptions in the Integration Process 15:24 Factors Considered in Acquisitions 21:23 National Acquisitions and Local Laws 23:19 Investment and Industry Protections 30:16 Accountability and Audit in the Industry 33:13 A Memorable HOA Story

Regan Brown, Host, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, interview Donald Disbro of Standpoint Construction to discuss storm restoration management and the steps associations can take to prepare for storms and fires.