HOA - It's A True Story Podcast

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Alan Jenkins, CFO of The Management Trust, as he shares his journey into meditation and how it has become part of his company’s culture. He discusses the impact of meditation on stress reduction and mental well-being, how sessions are structured within the workplace, and the value of fostering a suppor...

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Dawn M. Bauman from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) to discuss the ongoing developments surrounding the Corporate Transparency Act. They explore its implications for compliance, legal challenges, data security concerns, and the vital role CAI plays in advocating for community associations. S...

Host Regan Brown, along with Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting welcome back Steve Weil, founding partner of Berding Weil Law Firm. They discuss the evolution of HOA law, the challenges faced by homeowner associations, and the importance of effective communication and public speaking in the legal field. Steve shares insights from his career, including his recent recogniti...

Host Regan Brown welcomes back Michael Kennedy, Partner at Berding Weil Law Firm, and Melissa Ward, Partner at Adams Stirling Law Firm, to dive into the impact of SB 326 on California HOAs. They break down the legal responsibilities of associations, the potential risks of non-compliance, and what homeowners need to know about their rights under the law. Send us Fan Mail

Host Regan Brown, along with Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, and Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, welcome back Leslie Alvarez, author and community manager, to discuss her new book, Hot Mess Express. Leslie opens up about her journey through loss, its impact on her professional life, and how she learned to embrace imperfection while prioritizing self...

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Demetrius Xanthos, President of SAX Insurance, to break down the complexities of insurance claims for HOAs in the wake of California wildfires. They discuss the claims process, the challenges of claim denials, and the importance of thorough documentation before and after a loss, plus how to access and...

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, tackle the challenges California HOAs face with the rising frequency and intensity of wildfires. They are joined by Matt Meadors, COO of HOA Organizers, to discuss the impact of wildfires on communities, the importance of effective communication and thorough documentation, navigating insurance claims and FEMA assist...

Host Regan Brown welcomes back Melissa Ramsey to share her journey with Mosaic Community Consulting and her insights as President of the CAI Board of Trustees. Together, they delve into the vital role of emotional intelligence, self-care, and mental health awareness in community management. Send us Fan Mail

Host Regan Brown sits down with Brian Butler, President of FirstService Residential Illinois, to explore the growing trend of deconversions and how it's reshaping the landscape of homeowner associations (HOAs) in Illinois. Send us Fan Mail

Host Regan Brown and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Kelly Zibell, Senior Vice President of Communitas, to discuss the recent Vantaca conference, which centered on HOA management software and the integration of AI tools. Kelly provides valuable insights into the conference highlights, including the educational tracks offered, and explores how advancement...

Regan Brown, host, and Bill Mann, President of GB Group Construction & Painting, sit down with Leslie Alvarez, President & Founder of Community Association Consulting Experts, Inc. Leslie shares her inspiring journey from overcoming challenges in the HOA industry to becoming a successful community manager and author. She discusses the motivation behind her book, 'When Life Gives You L...

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. Send us Fan Mail

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 Chan...

 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 Transp...

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 i...

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 fee...

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 H...

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 construct...

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. Send us Fan Mail

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....

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 imp...

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...

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...

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 Backgrou...

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 integrat...