Real Time Solutions for Homeowners

Homeowners and association members often have questions or concerns that need to be answered or addressed. The Homeowner Service Center (HSC) provides an immediate contact with a “live person” that can handle their concern in a professional and quick manner instead of trying to contact the Community Association Manager (CAM).  The HSC is made up of two groups that work together to provide front line support to all communities.  The first consists of Homeowner Service Reps who answer initial inbound calls.  The second consists of Administrative Assistants who take property specific calls and provide vital administrative support to the CAMs.  Together, their efforts result in the CAMs having more quality time to devote to their associations.  Seventy percent of clients’ concerns are resolved during their initial phone call to the HSC.  Contacts requiring the CAM’s involvement are logged with detailed comments which allow them to return the call with a solution.  Ghertner & Company realizes the value of solving issues and providing timely answers with experienced team members who engage and provide solutions. 

Ghertner & Company is an industry leader in offering this service to middle Tennessee Homeowner Associations.  

Ridgeport Community Enjoys Holiday Fun!

Children and adults of all ages enjoyed the Halloween Bash organized by the Ridgeport Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors and community leaders.  The event included inflatable bounce houses, a variety of games, catering from Moe’s Southwest Grill, raffles and other prizes.  A highlight of the celebration is the costume contest where even the pets participate.  Ghertner and Company encourages its communities to develop a “sense of belonging” through neighborhood events.  

Monthly Team Meeting Ensures Better Service

A significant factor in Ghertner & Company’s success is the supportive team culture promoted from the leadership to all associates.  

Once a month, the entire team comes together over lunch, to hear reports from a variety of department heads such as accounting, human resources, training, homeowner service center, IT, and maintenance. 

This transparency allows for informed and engaged team members who can better respond to customer concerns with knowledge of how the company is committed to the client. 

Good Work Noticed!

Two home owner association board presidents recently took the time to comment on the quality of services they received from Ghertner & Company associates.

“I want to express my gratitude for the help that Angela Perry gave me last week when a large tree fell on one of our units. Our property manager was on vacation. Angela was wonderful and made sure that I was connected to an administrative assistant who could help. This is the second time she has rescued me recently and I cannot compliment her enough. Also, Dorothy Ratliff has been an invaluable asset to our community.  She has been instrumental in helping us achieve the goals we have set and the board and owners have been so glad to have her. A board member at River Plantation has been contacting me because they have noticed our improvements and asked about our property manager. I recommended Ghertner and Dorothy. Thanks for the excellent service and your great employees.”

Angela Perry                          Dorothy Ratliff

                                                

“The job of a property manager is probably one of the least thankful and appreciated jobs that I know of. They always see complaints rather than praise. That is why I would like to tell you how great of a job our property manager is doing. He works very hard for us and our board appreciates him a lot! I just wanted to let you know that you have a great manager doing great work!”

At Ghertner & Company, we work diligently every day to provide excellence in property management.  

Giving Back to the Community through Golf Tourney

In an effort to support the charitable work done by the John D. Floyd Charitable Foundation in Rutherford County, Ghertner & Company participated in the annual Invitational Golf Tournament on September 27-28, 2016 at Indian Hills Golf Club in Murfreesboro.  The proceeds benefited nineteen local non-profit agencies.

Community Association Manager, Reggie Tullis, coached the Ghertner & Company team that placed third in the tournament.  Representing Ghertner & Company were Stacy Adams (Ghertner & Company Human Resources Director), Jimmy Carter (former President of the Innsbrook Crossing Home Owners Association), Bob Welborn (Community Association Manager) and Steve James (Fridrich, Pinson & Associates Insurance, a Ghertner & Company vendor partner).

Lunch & Learn Series Wraps Up Year of Training

The last of the 2016 Lunch & Learn seminars took place on Wednesday, October 5^th with many HOA board directors present.  Kathy Sutherland spoke on the topic of “Vision and Mission Statements for Your community, with many board members exchanging good ideas among the attendees.   

These complimentary professional seminars are provided January through October each year as a valuable resource to Ghertner & Company managed associations’ new and veteran board members who wish to learn more and improve their communities.

Be Informed about Rental Properties in Your Community

Ghertner & Company has a service designed to provide Homeowner Associations with accurate information about the rental properties in their community titled the Rental Registration program.

It is important to maintain a comprehensive database of renters in your community that establishes communication contacts for emergencies, non-compliance issues and HOA news.  Additional benefits include maintaining property values by staying in compliance with mortgage financing rules, which allows prospective and current owners easier access to loans.

Ghertner & Company has team members specialized in developing and maintaining the program who will work hand in hand with the Community Association Manager to introduce, collect, update and consistently maintain the service.

For additional information about the process, please contact your community association manager or  Jennifer Gilliam at (615) 255-8531 or jennifer.gilliam@ghertner.com. 

Ghertner and Company Team Grows in Third Quarter

In an effort to better serve our clients, Ghertner & Company recently hired these industry professionals.  They represent a variety of backgrounds and experience to help us fulfill our mission of providing real estate management excellence.

  

Aaron Aguilar, Community Association Manager 

Aaron Aguilar earned a BS degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University. He worked for six years in resort management before joining Ghertner & Company in 2015 in an onsite management role and recently transferred to the central office.

Megan Baggett, Accounting

Megan Baggett, a graduate of Springfield High School, worked in real estate for two years before joining Ghertner & Company.

Betsy Edgeworth, Controller 

Betsy Edgeworth graduated from Lipscomb University with a BS degree in Accounting with a Minor in Management. She has been the Controller for DVL Siegenthaler and for Digiscope, and was the Manager of Financial Analysis at American Color Graphics.

John Knouff, CMCA, AMS, LEED GA, Community Association Manager 

John Knouff attended Wright State University, and has almost 20 years of customer service experience in the restaurant, hotel, and real estate/property management industries.

Michelle Mubarak, Community Association Manager 

Michelle Mubarak is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she earned a degree in Hospitality and Tourism. She has over six years of experience in guest services management of timeshare resorts.

Angela Stone, Community Association Manager

Angela Stone earned a Master's Degree in Chemistry from Tennessee State University.  She has over ten years of experience in accounting and four years of experience in the hotel industry.  

Investing in Employee Wellness

Encouraging team members to make healthy living choices, Ghertner and Company recently started a Vitality Champs team through the Humana Vitality wellness and rewards program.  These volunteers use custom apps and the Humana website to develop better health habits and record their accomplishments.  These “champs” will also help promote the program with their coworkers, organize fun activity-based events and answer questions. 

The program leads participants toward a better health status by earning points through participation in certain activities that increase exercise and movement instead of the sedentary mindset.  This is just another step in promoting healthy habits for employees at Ghertner & Company that includes fresh fruit provided daily in the break room, paid breaks for walking during work hours and yearly flu shots.

Safety Training a Priority with Managers

Ghertner & Company sponsored training for all its community association managers in Fire Protection and other Life Safety inspections.  Bill Wamsley, a specialist in this subject, told managers what to look for when conducting routine visual safety inspections; how often the various levels of inspections and tests should occur; and when a licensed contractor must perform the safety inspection or test.

Whitehall Driveway Entrance Restored

Over time, water had washed away pieces of the aggregate concrete driveway at the Whitehall Condominiums resulting in a significant pothole and series of cracks and smaller damaged areas.  Under the supervision of Ghertner Maintenance & Remodeling, several sections were removed and replaced with new concrete.  This improvement gave residents a smoother driving surface for vehicles and enhanced the visual appearance of the community entrance as well.

Ghertner & Company Awarded Again!

Ghertner & Company was once again recognized as one of Nashville’s “Top Workplaces” in Middle Tennessee by The Tennessean based solely on surveys about the workplace completed by their employees.  Co-Presidents Scott Ghertner and Steve Ghertner received the award along with Stacy Adams, Director of Human Resources.  Ghertner & Company was also honored as a “Hall of Fame” member for receiving the award four or more years in a row.

Creekstone Celebrates Summer with Neighbors

The Creekstone community in Franklin celebrated the July 4^th weekend with a cookout sponsored by the home owners’ association.  This event featured plenty of good food, family games and activities along with a live concert performed by the musical duo, Jack & Dave.  Jack Grant, Community Association Manager for the Creekstone HOA, proves that he’s more than just a skilled manager, he sings and plays guitar as part of the concert.  The cookout promoted community spirit by giving neighbors and families a time to visit and get to know each other better.  

  Good food and fellowship highlight the cookout.  Community Association Manager  

 Jack Grant plays guitar at the free concert.

Community Board Members Take Advantage of Free Seminar

“Creating a Code of Conduct” was the topic of the August Lunch & Learn seminar for interested Board members.  Led by industry professional Kathy Sutherland, this presentation shares information about what the Code of Conduct should include and how it can help the Board function.  The fiduciary duty of the Board was also reviewed.  Questions and comments from those in attendance led to good discussion that benefited everyone in attendance.

This monthly seminar is provided as a complimentary service to Board members of communities managed by Ghertner & Company.  Lunch is provided along with the opportunity to meet some of the Ghertner & Company Team members in a casual atmosphere.

The next Lunch & Learn will be Wednesday, September 7 from 11:30 – 1:00.  Board members can make reservations by emailing Theresa Savich at Theresa.Savich@ghertner.com or calling 615.277.0346.

Comment from Board member:

The Lunch and Learn Wednesday was really helpful. We want to adapt the Handout that starts, "WHEREAS..." for our community. We do not have such a document and we think it is important.

Common Area Improvements Create Safer Atmosphere

Security issues arose in the land around the pool at Cobblestone Landing and it was decided to add lighting to reduce these concerns.  Under the supervision of the Ghertner Maintenance and Remodeling team additional wiring was run for three strategically placed light poles.  Not only did the lighting source provide illumination for the common area, decorative light poles were installed to enhance the appearance of these community improvements.  

Assisting Kids in Need

Two Ghertner & Company team members show care for fellow members of the Mddle Tennessee community, and especially the children who have unique challenges or situations.  

Rachel Brenner was recently honored for 20 consecutive years of volunteer work with Saddle Up!  A skilled equestrian, Rachel donates her time and skill to introduce children to horse riding and the joy associated with being around these animals.  Saddle Up! is the oldest and largest program of its kind in the region, and the only one exclusively serving children and youth who have disabilities. Find out more at www.saddleupnashville.org.

Rachel has held many roles over her 22 years with Ghertner & Company and currently works in the accounting department.

Rachel Brenner, second from the right, was honored for her volunteer efforts.

Community Association Manager Bob Welborn and his wife, Debbie, recently completed the 4.2 mile run/walk to benefit the charity, A Soldiers Child Foundation.  This organization seeks to serve the children of active duty personnel who have given their lives while defending the United States of America.  The funds raised provide special birthday parties for the children up to their 18th birthday, and also provide mentoring programs and college scholarships.  Learn more at www.asoldierschild.org.

Bob Welborn gained 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry before joining the Ghertner & Company team in 2013.  He lives in Murfreesboro, TN.

Bob Welborn and his wife, Debbie, at the starting line.

Key to Success: Manager Training

Community Association Managers are constantly honing their skills and one way is to participate in the Friday morning Managers’ training held onsite.  Led by experienced team members and outside industry professionals, Ghertner & Company’s community managers meet weekly in small groups to learn more about the important task of serving our communities with professional and practical leadership practices. 

Topics vary from understanding governing documents and contracts, architectural reviews and financial statements to establishing communication within the community and its boards.  Other important items of instruction and review include insurance, meetings and minutes, accounts payable, structural terminology and the development of properties. 

Pictured below Kathy Sutherland reviews processes for budget preparation, including calendars, governing document requirements and communication during a July session held in the training center at Ghertner & Company.

Leadership Team Promotions

Recognizing their strong management and customer service skills, along with their longevity with the company and consistent high performance, Ghertner & Company has recently promoted two managers to the Leadership Team.  Deborah Wallace has been promoted to Community Association Manager Team Leader and Jaye Kloss is now the Director of Compliance and Training.

                 

                                Deborah Wallace                                                                   Jaye Kloss

Deborah’s role will be to train all new incoming portfolio managers. In this role, she is working one on one with new managers to ensure that they are adequately trained and tested in their role. She will also problem solve with them on a day to day basis.

  

Jaye’s new role is to work with current portfolio managers to assist in communication and implementation of best practices. She will work with fellow leadership on problem solving with managers and client relations.

Both Deborah and Jaye will keep a small number of clients, in addition to their new roles, in order to remain involved in the day to day operations of association management and stay close to the customer service facet of the industry.

Kathy Sutherland will continue in her role as Director of Training and Technical Services for company managers and clients.

Co-President Scott Ghertner states, “Given the growth of the company, it is necessary that Kathy have the assistance of two new team members to the leadership team. It is an incredible asset that both of these managers have been promoted from within the company after a long and successful tenure as portfolio managers.”

Honey bees safely relocated from clubhouse

Written by: Margo Rose Ghertner

It was a regular workday for Jason Johnson of Ghertner Maintenance and Remodeling at a community clubhouse. Built in 1840, the clubhouse is a restored mansion residents in the community can use for social gatherings and physical fitness.

            Jason noticed that a group of bees were swarming from a pipe, which extended from a brick wall outside of the historical clubhouse:

Through efficient communication, Jason contacted Tim Struzynski, manager of the property, and eventually, Ghertner Maintenance and Remodeling contacted Patty Ghertner, beekeeper extraordinaire, to evaluate the situation.

            To her dismay, the bees were too high for her to reach, but instead she sent Kent Knapp of GMR information of how to appropriately preserve the safety of the mass of bees. This lead to the contacting of the notorious “Bee Man” of Hendersonville, who quickly returned Ghertner and Company’s request to take a look at the scene.  Cutting a large section of the ceiling out in order to access the bees, he describes the scenario as “the largest colony he’s ever seen,” consisting of about 160,000 bees.

            This year, the United States considered declaring the honey bee an endangered species, disappearing from 87% of its original range. This is why it’s so important to humanely remove such a high quantity of bees—which is exactly what the Bee Man did.

            After cutting open a 10’X2’ section of the ceiling, the Bee Man successfully vacuumed the bees and moved them to his location.

            After removing the bees, the Bee Man removed the honeycombs as many residents watched from a window in the mansion. He provided the residents with fresh honeycomb for everyone to enjoy.

            Thanks to the swift communication and desire to better our planet, Ghertner and Company successfully made sure that the endangered species and their residents were treated with care… and fresh honey. 

URGENT: Banks To Cripple Your Community, Cost You Money, If Legislation Passes

URGENT! From the Community Associations Institute - Tennessee Chapter

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

We need your help immediately! Please call, email, and even come down to Nashville and tell the House Business Utilities and Senate Judiciary Committees to OPPOSE HB 2401 and SB 2397.

HB 2401 and SB2397 are being pushed through the legislature by banks who are using false and misleading statements to confuse legislators and trick them into passing the bills.

That is why these legislators need to hear from you. They need to hear from their constituents and residents of Tennessee just how these bills will impact communities.

If passed HB 2401 and SB 2397 will:

• Cripple your community's ability to reach financial stability. The bills allow banks to stall and continue to delay in perpetuity foreclosures creating further despair in the housing recovery efforts.
• Force you to pay more assessments. Your assessments go toward maintaining roads, storm water control, public lighting, insurance and other services that protect your community, bolsters your property value and contributes to your quality of life; services once provided by your local government. When one of your neighbors fails to pay their assessments and abandon their property the burden shifts to others in your community to cover the costs through special or increased assessments. Current law provides your association a tool to recover a modest six months of those assessments prior to anyone else, keeping your assessments level. These bills bury that tool.
• Decrease your property value. This bill strips banks' incentive to quickly foreclose on a property, allowing abandoned property in your community to stay abandoned. 

The banks are lying to legislators telling them that the federal government is pushing for this change. They are further saying the federal housing agencies will no longer back mortgages in states that have this law. This is completely false!

The federal government asked banks to work with your associations, not introduce laws that will cripple them. There are 21 other states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that have this law. Are the federal housing agencies really going to stop backing mortgages in 22 states? No!

Please contact the House Business Utilities and Senate Judiciary Committees and tell them to oppose HB 2401 and SB 2397 today and every day for one week. The bills are being heard in Nashville Tuesday and Wednesday, March 22 and 23. Come stand with us and oppose these bills. Tell these legislators what is really going on.

Talk to your neighbors, friends, and anyone you know that owns a home within a community association in our state and direct them to contact these legislators.

Protect your home, protect your investment, and oppose these bills!

Tell these legislators to OPPOSE HB2401		Tell these legislators to OPPOSE SB2397
Representative Marsh	(615) 741-6824 rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Kelsey	(615) 741-3036 sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Calfee	(615) 741-7658 rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Overbey	(615) 741-0981 sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Daniel	(615) 741-2287 rep.martin.daniel@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Bowling	(615) 741-6694 sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Doss	(615) 741-7476 rep.barry.doss@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Bell	(615) 741-1946 sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Dunlap	(615) 741-1963 rep.kevin.dunlap@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Gardenhire	(615) 741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Gilmore	(615) 741-1997 rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Harris	(615) 741-1767 sen.lee.harris@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Goins	(615) 741-6877 rep.tilman.goins@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Kyle	(615) 741-4167 sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Gravitt	(615) 741-1934 rep.marc.gravitt@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Roberts	(615) 741-4499 sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Hazlewood	(615) 741-2746 rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov	Senator Stevens	(615) 741-4576 sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Holsclaw	(615) 741-7450 rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Love	(615) 741-3831 rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov
Representative McCormick	(615) 741-2548 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Powell	(615) 741-6861 rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Reedy	(615) 741-7098 rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Sexton	(615) 741-2343 rep.cameron.sexton@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Sparks	(615) 741-6829 rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Swann	(615) 741-5481 rep.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Wirgau	(615) 741-6804 rep.tim.wirgau@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Zachary	(615) 741-2264 rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov

Sincerely,

CAI Tennessee Legislative Action Committee.