2005 Awards Gala A Grand Event
Our 6th annual Awards Gala was held in the lovely Fairmont Palliser Hotel on April 7, 2005. Nearly 150 attendees enjoyed cocktails and snacks as they chatted with friends before dinner. Michael Berends, a comedian-magician delighted the audience after dinner with fast-paced, fun-filled entertainment. Audience participation by Pam Bridger of NewWest Enterprise Property Group, and Warren Smith from BFI Canada, Inc. added to the hilarity and MC Sandy Mackenzie provided the guests with plenty of opportunities for laughter.
The Awards presentation followed with the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Direct Energy Business Services, going to Alexander Leith, a long time member of the Calgary Apartment Association. This award recognizes individuals who have been CAA members for over 5 years and have made a significant contribution to the CAA through their leadership, dedication and commitment and have unselfishly given of themselves to enhance and promote the CAA. Alexander was the Chairman of the Multi-Family Council (the predecessor to the CAA), from 1987 to 1989. During this time, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the members and chaired various committees. With the constitution of the CAA, he served as a director. Since that time he has been a dedicated member, attending many events on a regular basis and promoting membership to people he interacts with in his business as a property manager and realtor.
Constable Stephen Snow of the Calgary Police Service, Crime Prevention Unit, won the CAA Safe City Award, which recognizes police officers who provide guidance, advice, assistance and leadership to the residential property management industry in crime prevention to create a safer environment. A 24-year veteran of the Police Service, Stephen has worked in a number of specialty areas. As a member of the Crime Prevention Team, he is responsible for Anti-Counterfeit initiatives for copyright and trademark violations and the Crime Free Multi Housing Program. He is an active committee member with Radio Watch and the Loss Prevention Group. In February 2005, Stephen was responsible for developing and launching the Waste Watch Program, the first of its kind in Alberta, which trains drivers of Waste Management vehicles to look out for criminal activity and to report their observations to Police.
Two Customer Service Awards were presented this year. Home Renter’s Guide Sales Team won the first, sponsored by Boardwalk Rental Communities. Accepting the award were Nicole Pelletier and Roger Brooks, described as consummate professionals who are a joy to work with. With excellent knowledge of their business and the market, they go out of their way to help their customers, always providing ethical service and never promising what cannot be delivered. In addition this team is a generous sponsor and tremendous supporter of the CAA.
Rona Home and Garden won the second Customer Service Award, sponsored by RentCheck Credit Bureau. Bob Ulrich, Sales Manager, Commercial Sales Western Canada, accepted the award on behalf of his company who are recognized for timely service, quality products, competitive prices, and an efficient, friendly and helpful staff. The company is an outstanding supporter of the CAA and provides tremendous service to our members, from event sponsorship to articles in the newsletter, to their very well attended “How To” workshops.
The Tenant Service Award recognizes customer-focused owners and property managers who provide quality service to their tenants on an on-going basis. Winner of the Large Building Category Award, sponsored by the Telus Future Friendly Home, was Weidner Investment Services Ltd., for its building The Pointe at 1620 – 70 St SE, and accepting the award was Larry King. The staff goes above and beyond their daily management expectations by providing services that would most often be associated with all-inclusive facilities, thereby ensuring excellence in tenant service. An example is to ensure that pet owners do not offend other tenants who don’t own pets, by separating the tenants into different wings of the property and by deodorizing the common areas on a daily basis. The property is well maintained. Safety and security concerns have been addressed so the tenants feel truly comfortable.
Winner of the Tenant Service Small Building Category, sponsored by Landlord 911, was Erhard Dallmann of Dallmann Developments, for his building at 653 – 4 Ave NE. Erhard treats his tenants like family, with frequent group barbeques in the back yard, ice cream on hot summer days, dinner for assisting him with yard work or snow removal, and Sunday Brunch in December. This generous man uses his own truck to help tenants move into and out of his building, and has assisted them in buying new homes.
There were four Building of the Year Awards, which recognize owners and managers for the performance of their duties related to the overall management and maintenance of their buildings. Entrants are judged on cleanliness of building, lighting, fire procedures, security, renovations, mechanical room and occupancy levels.
Building of the Year Award in the 1-12 unit category, sponsored by the Calgary Herald, was won by Sylvia Barr for her building Madison Terrace located at 3511 – 15A St SW. This was a second win for Sylvia, who received the tenant service award in 2002.
Building of the Year Award 13-49 unit category, sponsored by BFI Canada, Inc., was won by ExecSuite Inc. for their building Sunnyside Gardens, located at 727 – 1 Ave NW. Accepting the award was a delighted Patricia Graham, a 4-time winner!
Building of the Year Award 50-100 unit category, sponsored by Laird’s Flooring, was won by ExecSuite, for their building Eau Claire Manor, located at 225 – 6 St SW, and accepting the award was a very proud Anna Romaniuk.
Weidner Investment Services Ltd. won the Building of the Year Award 100+ unit category, sponsored by Home Renters Guide from Homebase Media, for their building The Pointe, located at 1620 – 70 St SE. Since he had already been onstage to accept the tenant service award, Larry King was jubilant!
The final presentation was the Gerry Lebsack Award, presented by Jodena Rogers and Lauretta Kaechele, of Emerald Management and Realty, the sponsors of this prestigious award, which recognizes service members for their citizenship, service, leadership and contribution to the residential property management industry. The award celebrates the significant accomplishments made by an individual who has rendered service of the greatest distinction and of singular excellence for, and on behalf of, the residents of Calgary. This year’s recipient was Jerry Gautreau, founder of Aardvark Pest Control Services. Jerry’s list of community involvement includes such volunteer roles as: A devoted scout leader for over 20 years; the commencement of a children’s foundation; holding annual sponsorship events with all proceeds to children’s causes such as the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary; attendance at carnivals across Alberta (at his own expense) selling cotton candy with proceeds to a children’s foundation; an annual fireworks display for the town of Milo; sponsorship of local sports teams by supplying uniforms and advertising funds; hosting ski days for underprivileged children. In addition, Jerry has been President of the Alberta Pest Management Association; board member of the Canadian Pest Management Association; board member for the MD of Rockyview #44 and the Chestermere-Conrich Recreation Board. Jerry’s commitment to the community and the residential property management industry is truly inspiring and he is well-deserving of the Gerry Lebsack award.
