Against a backdrop of stunning automobiles, the East Bay’s rental housing stars got to shine at the GEMM Awards. The prestigious event, held Aug. 21 at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, honored nearly 30 individuals, teams and properties for exhibiting excellence and professionalism. The 11th annual event was presented by CAA’s Contra Costa-Napa-Solano Division and the RHA Serving Southern Alameda.
“Tonight is a special night,” Tom Bannon, chief executive officer for CAA, told hundreds of attendees. “For we again honor those who have gone above and beyond the norm and have reached a level of professionalism that sets the standard for all.”
The awards went to the following:
INDIVIDUALS
- Maintenance – porter/groundskeeper: Antonio Morales, Muirwood Gardens in Martinez. Company: FPI Management, Inc.
- Maintenance technician 1-100 units: Jason Cranson, Villa Palms Apartments in Livermore. Company: Sequoia Equities, Walnut Creek.
- Maintenance technician 101-200 units : Kimo Madali, Woodland Villas Apartments in Pleasonton. Company: Woodmont Real Estate Services, Belmont.
- Maintenance technician 201+ units: Bob Boyd, multiple properties. Company: Castle Management Co., San Ramon.
- Maintenance team supervisor 200 units or less: Jose Castellanos, Pebble Creek Communities in Fremont. Company: Felson Companies, Inc., Hayward.
- Maintenance team supervisor 201+ units: Michael Brown, multiple properties. Company: SPM Properties, Inc., Walnut Creek.
- Assistant community manager: Jacob Yates, Bella Vista Hilltop in Richmond. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
- Leasing professional: Carlos Mazuka, Muirwood Gardens in Martinez. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
- Rental community manager 51-100 units: Nadene Uys, Towpath Village in Napa. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
- Rental community manager 101-200 units: Andrea Kraemer, Sterling Heights and Valley Ridge Apartments in Benicia, and Martinez. Company: Sequoia Equities, Walnut Creek.
- Rental community manager 201+ units: Gina Erbland, Muirwood Gardens in Martinez. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
- Industry partner on-site provider: Alfonso Garcia, Astound, Concord.
- Industry partner individual: >Albert Cavazos, TARC Construction, Fremont.
- Administrative assistant: Nancy Ackerman, Castle Management Co., San Ramon.
- Finance specialist: Zolzaya Ganbat, SPM Properties, Inc., Walnut Creek.
- Regional portfolio manager: Adam Pitzler, Castle Management Co., San Ramon.
- Management company executive: Christina Jackson, FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
COMMUNITIES
- Rental community 100 units or less: Redwood Plaza in Fremont. Company: Vasona Management, Los Gatos.
- Rental community 101-200 units: Sterling Heights, Benicia. Company: Sequoia Equities, Walnut Creek.
- Rental community 201+ units: Twin Creeks Apartments, in Antioch. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
- Senior community: Somerset Senior Apartments, in Antioch. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
- Renovated property: Towpath Village, in Napa. Company: FPI Management, Inc., Folsom.
PROGRAMS
- Green community program: Sycamore Hills by the Bay, in Hercules. Company: Semik and Laurie Oungoulian, Hercules.
- Resident appreciation program: Sycamore Hills by the Bay, Hercules. Company: Semik and Laurie Oungoulian, Hercules.
- Company community service program: The Law Office of Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP, in Walnut Creek.
- Company public affairs program: Castle Management Co., in San Ramon.
COMPANIES
- Industry partner company: A Plus Tree, Inc., in Vallejo.
- Property management company: Aeris Properties Inc., in Pleasant Hill