Her Story
About Vicki
I've been working as a Community Association Manager for over 20 years. When I first started, I was on site at a single location IN Jacksonville, and I really, enjoyed being there. When I came back to Pensacola, it became totally different as I moved into managing multiple units with a huge number of organizations and subdivisions. Our mamangement team, manages approximately 40 associations with just 3 people. Some associations are as large as 300 units, some as small as 30. It's intense with so many owners that just don't really realize what they're signing on for. It's a legal document that's filed with the courts, and they are obligated to comply with the restrictions outlined. We help enforce that and make sure everybody is in compliance with those documents. I do a lot of the compliance work, which means I do inspections, and residents get letters citing any violations, I also review and record all Architectural Requests and forward them to the committee's for approval. The basic reason for an HOA is to maintain your property values, trying to make sure that everyone does the maintenance required to keep property values high. .When they decide to sell, they're going to get the max for their efforts. I think the most rewarding part is feeling like I handled a problem or issue well, that people are happy and that they are satisfied with how the issue was addressed and resolved.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vicki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I'm good at what I do because I am along with people. Having just listened to people is really where it's most rewarding to me. When people call and they're really wound up, they're angry, they're upset, if you just quietly listen and let them hear them out, usually they deflate and then everything is okay. You can end on a good note. Sometimes they might have a legitimate issue that you can resolve, and you want it to end well. You want them to feel good about it, and you want to feel good about what you told them. It's feeling like I handled the problem or whatever the issue might be, and that they are not unhappy, that they are satisfied and feel okay about what went on with no hard feelings. That makes me feel good. For the most part, there's some people you're never gonna please, but for the most part, their whole demeanor changes when you listen to them and they become friendly and open up, and it makes me feel good because I feel like I did a good job with their issue.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think it helps if you're a people person. You have to be patient, you have to be empathetic. The best thing to do, because I do a lot of the compliance which means I do inspections and people call me, is you have to just listen sometimes. Some people will call and they're just really wound up, they're angry, they're upset, but if you just quietly listen and let them hear them out, usually they deflate and then everything is okay. You can't just react when somebody calls like that. You have to listen, hear them through. Sometimes they might have a legitimate issue that you can resolve, and you want it to end well. You want them to feel good about it, and you want to feel good about what you told them. I think you just have to have patience and empathy and be able to handle people.
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