6 May 2011 FLCAJ

hose who have followed the Florida Communities of Excellence Awards in their first three years have seen their phenomenal growth in both participation and attendance. With the addition of the inaugural Managers of Excellence Awards, the program now recog-nizes the broadened spectrum of communities, boards, and managers. The program has benefited hundreds of communities and thousands of Florida community residents with increased community pride, to say nothing of increased property values!

T

2011 Florida Communities of Excellence Conference and Awards Ceremony Recapby Megan McMurry

Kickoff Luncheon and General Session

FLCAJ May 2011 7

The 2011 Florida Communities of Excellence Conference and Awards Ceremony was held April 1, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The expanded event began at 10:00 A.M. with continuing education credits offered in two categories along with the requisite board member training. “Florida-Friendly Landscaping: What’s in It for Your Community?” was taught by Joe Sewards from the University of Florida assisted by Kathy Malone; “Solving Problems for Community Associations” was offered by Betsy Barbieux (Florida CAM Schools); while Ken Direktor (Becker & Poliakoff) presented “Everything You Wanted to Know About Being a Condominium Board Member… but Were Afraid to Ask!” The kickoff luncheon and general session fol-lowed with welcoming remarks by Jim McMurry, publications director of the Florida Community Association Journal. The keynote presentation was winsomely delivered by Patricia Wasson, executive director, Celebration Residential andNon-Residential Owners’ Associations and former national president of the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

Left to Right: Keith Lamb, Kevin Richards, Jim Schneider, Ed Latalladi, Tracy Durham,Cindy Vasquez, Bobbie Golfes, Ron Vassallo, Rachel Forte, and Tom Petty

Patricia Wasson

Jimmy Cefalo

8 May 2011 FLCAJ

The well-attended luncheon saw the presenta-tion of the inaugural Manager’s of Excellence Awards. Twelve managers were honored as the first recipients of the awards saluting professional managers with distinguished Florida Communities of Excellence Awards participation. The Managers of Excellence for 2011 were:• Kevin Richards, Pelican Cove, Sarasota, Florida• Jim Schneider, Seven Lakes, Ft. Myers, Florida• Ed Latalladi, Ibis POA, West Palm Beach, Florida• Tracy Durham, Avalon Park POA, Orlando, Florida• Keith Lamb, The Great Outdoors Premier RV/ Golf Resort, Titusville, Florida• Cindy Vasquez, Vanderbilt Community Association, Naples, Florida • Bobbie Golfes, Pointe Royale, Ft. Myers, Florida• Ron Vassallo, Clearwater Key Association, Clearwater Key, Florida• Rachel Forte, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida• Tom Petty, Madeira Beach Yacht Club Condominiums, Madeira Beach, Florida• Sandy Diaz, Tuscany Bay HOA, Boynton Beach, Florida

Sandy Diaz

Gary Poliakoff

Association Financial Services

First Southern Bank

Betsy Barbieux

Associa

FLCAJ May 2011 9

• Patricia Wasson, Celebration, Celebration, Florida After the luncheon the crowd dispersed to “Think Tank Roundtables” that addressed important issues facing community associations. Discussion leaders included awards finalists, judges, past winners, and sponsors. “Financial Secrets of the Most Innovative Communities: How Savvy Associations Are Adjust-ing to the New Economic Realities” included pan-elists Mark Benson, certified manager of community associations; Keith Lamb, manager, The Great Outdoors Premier RV/Golf Resort Community; Pablo Pino, regional vice president, TD Bank; Ken Arnold, CEO, Association Financial Services; and Tim McKowen, board director, IslandWalk of Naples. The second Think Tank was “Standing Guard: Preventing Crime and Protecting People and Property in the Era of Decreasing Public Services.” The panelists were: Carmen Caldwell, executive director, Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade; Ed Latalladi, executive director, Ibis Property Owners Association; Gil Neuman, CEO, Kent Security Services; John S. D’Agata, general manager, G4S Security; Kristopher Schaeffer, community association man-ager, Solaire at the Plaza; Fernando Dominguez, senior vice president, The Continental Group. “Green Is the New Affordable: How Environ-mentally Smart Communities Are Reducing Costs And Reducing Carbon Footprint” followed and was hosted by Kathy Malone, builder and developer coordinator, Florida-Friendly Landscaping; Tom Petty, association manager, Madeira Beach Yacht Club Condominiums; Darrell Bartlebaugh, manager, The Pointe at Pompano Beach Condominium; and David Allen, conservation supervisor, South Florida Water Management District. The final offering, “Rallying the Troops: Strength-ening Community Ties Through Volunteerism, Action, and Advocacy” offered advice from Beth Hagan, project manager, Community Association Officers Forum; Rachel Forte, general manager, Turnberry Ocean Colony; Todd Gates, manager, University Park Community Association; and Jan March, board member, University Park Community Association. The late afternoon Gala Reception transitioned from the educational sessions to the main event: The Awards Ceremony. Jimmy Cefalo served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Cefalo, a former Miami Dolphin, current “Voice of the Miami Dolphins,” with WIOD 610 AM, president of Cefalo’s International Wines, and wine ambas-sador for Martini & Rossi Wines, was the perfect choice for host. He found a way to connect with almost everyone in the audience offering anecdotes

Left to Right: Pablo Pino, Ken Arnold, Mark Benson, Keith Lamb, and Tim McKowen

Left to Right: Kathy Malone, Tom Petty, Darrell Bartlebaugh, and David Allen

The Continental Group

Aquatic Systems

10 May 2011 FLCAJ

about his time as a resident of Turnberry, one of two Communities of the Year. When the trendsetter awards were announced, Cefalo launched into fas-cinating stories about Don Shula. As an intermission for the awards, Jim McMurry sat down with Cefalo for an informal interview session during which Cefalo entertained the crowd with stories about his youth, the day he met Joe Paterno, and how he learned he had been drafted by the Dolphins. The following winning communities were presented with 2011 Florida Communities of Excellence Awards:

2011 COMMUNITIES OFEXCELLENCE WINNERS:

Best Website and Internet Communications: Presented by: John Storm, regional vice president commercial development, Comcast• Nova Village, Davie, Florida• Green Cay Village, Boynton Beach, Florida

Civic Volunteerism and Advocacy: Presented by: Jimmy Cefalo, WIOD 610 AM, Cefalo International Wines• Turnberry Ocean Colony, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

G4S Security Solutions

Left to Right: Rachel Forte, Todd Gates, Jan March, and Beth Hagan

TD Bank

KW Property Management & Consulting

Florida Shores Bank

Left to Right: Carmen Caldwell, Ed Latalladi, John S. D’Agata, Kristopher Schaeffer, Gil Neuman, and Fernando Dominguez

FLCAJ May 2011 11

• VillageWalk of Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida

Disaster Preparedness Initiatives: Presented by: Beth Hagan, project manager, Community Association Officers Forum and Betsy Barbieux, Florida CAM Schools• Parkshore Plaza Condominium, St. Petersburg, Florida• Ibis Property Owners Association, West Palm Beach, Florida

Energy and Water Conservation/Sustainable Practices: Presented by: Kevin Schleith, Florida Solar Energy Center and David Allen, South Florida Water Management District• Madeira Beach Yacht Club Condominium, Madeira Beach, Florida• Vanderbilt Community Association, Naples, Florida

Family-Friendly Programs and Initiatives: Presented by: Pablo Pino, regional vice president, TD Bank • Palm Bay Yacht Club Condominium, Miami, Florida• IslandWalk of Naples, Naples, Florida

Financial Innovation: Presented by: Tim O’Keefe, CEO, The Continental Group• Jade Residences at Brickell Bay, Miami, Florida• VillageWalk of Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida

Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Presented by: Kathy Malone, state builder and developer coordinator, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program• Heather Hill One, Dunedin, Florida

PD Painting, Inc. Kent Security

Awards Ceremony

The BCH Group

Ken Direktor

12 May 2011 FLCAJ

BB&T

Fast Dry Courts

The stage is set for the 2011 Florida Communities of Excellence Awards

Joe Sewards

Luke Brothers, Inc.

FLCAJ May 2011 13

• Pelican Cove Condominium Association, Sarasota, Florida

Safety and Security Initiatives: Presented by: Eddy Esquivel, vice president of Florida G4S Security Solutions• Turnberry Ocean Colony, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida• Ibis Property Owners Association, West Palm Beach, Florida

Trendsetter Awards: Presented by: George Skrbin, president and CEO, Association Services of Florida; Lisa Magill, editor, Florida Condominium and HOA Legal Blog; and Mark Benson, certified manager of community associations• Pelican Cove Condominium Association, Sarasota, Florida • IslandWalk of Naples, Naples, Florida • Central Park a Metrowest Condominium Association, Orlando, Florida

Communities of the Year:Presented by: Jim McMurry, publication director, Florida Community Association Journal Condominium of the Year: • Turnberry Ocean Colony, Sunny Isles Beach, FloridaHOA of the Year: • IslandWalk of Naples, Naples, Florida

Florida Community Association Journal, Becker & Poliakoff, and The Pen Group express heartfelt congratulations to the winners and gratitude to the sponsors and educators who helped in the suc-cess of the 2011 Awards. To find out more about Communities of Excellence, or how to enter for the 2012 Awards, please visit www.communitiesofexcellence.net.

Comcast Max Osceola

Afternoon Reception

Lukes-Sawgrass Landscape

Empire Roofing