"New FAA President Shares Goals for His Term in Office",  October 02, 2007

By Teresa O’Dea Hein, Managing Editor

The recently installed president of the dynamic Florida Apartment Association (FAA) is Mark C. Ogier, CPM, partner and executive vice president of ContraVest Inc., which is based in Lake Mary, Fla. A 10-year veteran of this apartment association, Ogier is enthusiastic about his plans for FAA over the coming months, which he shares with MHN in the following interview.

MHN: What do you most want to accomplish in your year as president of the Florida Apartment Association (FAA)?
 
Ogier: I have many goals this year for FAA. My primary focus is to continue the positive growth of the association by increasing the involvement of the membership. 

Florida is the third-largest state represented in the National Apartment Association (NAA). I would like to harness that energy and size to enhance an environment where management and associate vendor members can interact with each other to improve their business. My vision is that when there is an Apartment Association event, everybody in the industry, in that local area, will want to be there! I also want to continue to be a relevant force in the state and federal legislative process.
 
MHN: What FAA goals and programs are most important to you?

Ogier: I would like to increase member involvement, become more relevant in the political process, exceed our goal of raising $80,000 for the Apartment Political Action Committee (APAC), and have the most successful Education Conference and trade show to date.

MHN: As you moved up the officer ranks within FAA, what FAA programs have you been especially involved in?

Ogier: FAA just conducted its first education seminar pertaining to residents with disabilities and I also worked on the FHA Fair Housing guidelines for new construction and community rehabs.

We also recently completed a strategic planning session for APAC fundraising and have a long-range planning session scheduled for January.

MHN: What aspect of FAA is most valuable to you? What would you most like people to know about how FAA helps multifamily property managers?

Ogier: Involvement in any professional association’s is imperative for individuals who want to excel in their industry. The multifamily industry is no different. Our industry requires a diverse set of skills to be successful. Association involvement allows all of our members -- management and associate/vendors -- to share their experiences, successes and failures. This process provides the members with important perspective and will enhance their careers. Another important point not to be forgotten….we have a bunch of fun doing it!

MHN: What subjects do you think that property managers most need to learn more about?

Ogier: All property managers need to realize that they are operating an income-producing machine that is very much like any other multi-million dollar business. To that end, they need to continue to better their skills in accounting, marketing, sales, customer service and being leaders of personnel.

MHN: How long have you been involved in FAA? 

Ogier: I have been an industry association volunteer leader in the state for 10 years.
 
MHN: Why does your company participate in an association like FAA and devote resources to that purpose? 

Ogier: We participate because we value the networking opportunities, the people/companies we meet and legislative initiatives.

MHN: How can people learn more about FAA? 

Ogier: A lot of general information is on our Web site at www.fl-apartments.org. Headquartered in Maitland, Fla., FAA has 11 local chapters and reaches about 2,400 apartment managers, property supervisors and apartment owners throughout the state.

Contravest, created in 1986, develops, builds and manages multifamily properties, both for its own portfolio and for other companies. The founding philosophy of ContraVest, as suggested by its name, has been to move counter to the prevailing dynamics of the multi-family real estate market. This contrarian strategy calls for the company to acquire land and develop apartment communities during stagnant market periods, so that it can seize the initiative from a strong position when the market rebounds.

The firm's apartment portfolio has grown from 200 units in 1989 to several thousand, with properties in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Colorado. In addition, another 6,604 units formerly managed by the company have been leased up and sold.