Condo Media - October 2015 - 64

Ask a Busy Person
I can't imagine being in this industry
and not being involved in CAI at some
level. I'm always honored when I'm
asked to speak at CAI programs. I love
to interact with the people who attend.
It's an opportunity to exchange information and share experiences-and you
get to hear their stories. Condominium
management certainly isn't glamorous
or flashy, but you do accumulate some
interesting stories.

What do you like most about
association management?
Seeing things change for the better in
a community over time. When a community that hasn't been putting money
in reserves starts to do that or when I
convince a community that has been
spending money on Band-Aid repairs to
invest in a large-scale envelope or roof
replacement project-those victories
are very satisfying.
What's most frustrating for you?
Trying to satisfy owners or board
members who may have unrealistic
expectations. That can be stressful. But
it's useful to remember that today's angry
homeowner may become tomorrow's
chairman of the board. And often the
owners who are most vocal and most difficult come full circle when they become
part of the solution and understand
what it takes to manage a community.
The manager's job can be like running a
complaint department. But we also get
the periodic displays of owner appreciation-not often, but we do get them and
they outweigh the frustrations.
You've been active in CAI-NE for a
long time. What do you get out of
those volunteer activities?
I discovered early on that being
involved in CAI is a great way to validate
an odd career. It provides a way to connect with other industry professionals,
share ideas, and keep up with new rules
and regulations. It's helped me provide
better service to my association clients.

CONDOMEDIA

JARED MCNABB, CMCA, PCAM
Vice President of Acquisitions,
Crowninshield Management Corporation, AMO
Like many association
managers, Jared McNabb didn't
choose the career. He fell into it.
When he graduated from Babson
College with a business degree in
2002, the economy was sour and job
opportunities were scarce.
So when a friend who owned a
small condo association management
company asked McNabb to help, he
agreed, thinking that would tide him
over until something more permanent
came along. But as his friend's
business took off, McNabb got more
involved, and he discovered that he
enjoyed association management.
"It incorporated a lot of my interests-
business, finance, marketing, and
interacting with homeowners." That's
how what started as a temporary
holding action turned into a career.
Several years later, when his
friend accepted a job offer from
Crowninshield, McNabb moved with
him. When his friend eventually left to
pursue another opportunity, McNabb
stayed at Crowninshield, acquiring
association accounts of his own and
moving up the corporate ranks.
A past-president of CAI-NE and an
active volunteer, McNabb has served
for many years on the Membership
Committee (including several terms
as chair) and is currently president of
Condo Media.

What's the biggest challenge facing the
association management profession?
Apathy, without any question. It's
very difficult to convince owners to
take an active role in their community.
That's a huge problem, and all of us are
dealing with it.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love the outdoors. In spring and summer, I go kayaking just about every weekend. I also enjoy fly-fishing, camping,
and hiking, and I go snowboarding in the
winter. I enjoy reading as well, especially
old books. I'm a member of the Boston
Athenaeum. That's where you'll often
find me on rainy days and in the winter.

What would it surprise
people to know about you?
I'm a magician. That's been a hobby
since I was very young. When my friends
were doing landscaping or scooping
ice cream during the summers, I was
performing magic at birthday parties,
libraries, or festivals. I've always been
intrigued by magic-it has universal
appeal. You hardly ever meet anyone
who doesn't like it. It's an opportunity to
be an honest liar.

Condo Media - October 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - October 2015