News & Events
Derrick Crawford – Employee in The Spotlight – March 2025
We are proud to announce Derrick Crawford, General Manager at Riverside Condominium in Washington, DC, as one of our employees in this month’s spotlight for March!
With over eight years at Gates Hudson Community Management (GHCM), Derrick has been an outstanding leader who consistently goes the extra mile for association board members, residents, and his team.
“I had the pleasure of welcoming Derrick to the GHCM family when he started with us at The Clara Barton at Penn Quarter. During his years there, Derrick left such an impression that it was difficult to follow. Derrick’s demeanor, professionalism, dedication, customer service skills and leadership qualities make him not only an outstanding employee but an asset to GHCM. I am personally very proud of all his accomplishments and achievements, which now continue at Riverside Condominium.”- Alberto Ramirez de Arellano, Reginal VP DC office.
His direct supervisor, Michelle Orange-Nolan stated, “I am incredibly lucky to have Derrick as part of my team. His dedication and hard work make a lasting impact every day. Thank you, Derrick, for your commitment to excellence—here is to many more years of success!”
A little about Derrick: “I am a native Washingtonian and attended college at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. I have several hobbies, such as paintballing, gaming, developing short stories, watching, and reviewing movies and TV shows, learning new skills, and coaching youth football. This year, I focused on learning how to develop animations in Unreal Engine 5 to further my interests. I love trying new foods and make the effort whenever I travel to try local mom-and-pop-style restaurants to get an authentic taste and feel for the culture. I also enjoy exploring and creating new memories with my wife, Kimberly, and two little “lunatics,” Karlyn and Knox.
Lori Gross – Employee in the Spotlight – March 2025
We are thrilled to announce Lori Gross, Assistant Manager at Riverside Condominium, as our other Employee in Spotlight this month. Lori’s dedication, hard work, and cheerful outlook have made a significant impact on both our team and the Riverside community.
“To use a Game of Thrones reference, I call Lori my “Strong Right Hand.” Lori is an excellent Assistant General Manager who balances out my madness. Whenever I need to have something proofed, or I need insight into how the community would react to certain changes that I am considering, Lori is always ready to give me honest feedback. The office is never the same when Lori is out, and she is truly a valuable team member and exceptional person to be around.” – Derrick Crawford, General Manager Riverside Condominium
“Thank you for the honor,” stated Lori when she found out she was in the spotlight. “I have been in the property management field for over six years. After retiring as a human resource professional, I was told I had transferable skills which worked out well. I appreciate the opportunity to embark on my second career, which I love. I am an avid reader and enjoy gardening; my favorite vegetables to harvest are cucumbers, tomatoes, and string beans. I feel so at peace in my current position as Assistant General Manager.”
“Lori’s diligence and commitment to excellence truly set her apart, and we are lucky to have her as part of our team. Thank you, Lori, for everything you do! We look forward to many more years of success together.” – Michelle Orange-Nolan, Portfolio Manager DC
Employee in the Spotlight – February 2025
Alberto Ramirez de Arellano commented, “As her Regional Vice President, I can say that it is a privilege to have her as part of the team. Brittany joined the GHCM family in January of 2007. She just celebrated her18th year service anniversary with us! Brittany has worked at several GHCM properties for us in DC and in Virginia.
Employee in the Spotlight – January 2025
This month in the spotlight is the dynamic duo of Jose Barahona and William Cumming, our Resale tag team!
We all know that buying a home is a HUGE responsibility. In fact, a large part of buying a home comes with all the paperwork and legal documentation. One of which includes a community’s resale package – one of the most important sources of information that helps with ensuring the security of the homebuyer’s new home or condominium. There are many facets in completing a resale certificate. Along with answering questions legally required, the resale package includes the release of multiple up to date governing documents that work as a financial overview of the association including the seller’s current standing. Jose and William work diligently along with the managers to make sure these documents are up to date and readily available, whether it is for a homeowner who is refinancing, or a new buyer prior to settlement.
Together, working with operations and accounting to obtain accurate information, this dynamic duo manages the resale process from receipt of order to settlement, and to transitioning the new homeowner for 218 associations with over 30,000 homeowners.
GHCM values and appreciates the hard work and dedication that Jose and William provide daily, and while working against a clock full of deadlines to ensure our customers have a smooth and seamless transition in selling or buying their home.
Congratulations Jose and William…you are in the Employee Spotlight!
Annual Holiday Party
In December Gates Hudson Community Management held its annual holiday party for all employees with a Winter Wonderland theme at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Tysons Corner. After receiving name tags, guests stepped into a festively decorated room of silver and blue, filled with sparkle and light. The event opened with President, Lynn Kiley welcoming employees with heartfelt thanks for their hard work and commitment in 2024. Brian Heisler, AVP of Operations then presented milestone anniversary awards to employees, recognizing five to 20-years of service achieved in 2024.
A family style lunch served to employees included two honorary guests from the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” organization. GHCM has participated in collecting toys in years past, but this year became a sponsored drop off location where anyone outside of GHCM, and its employees could drop off toys for the children. The Marine Corps representatives spoke to the history of the organization which began in 1947 and gave thanks to everyone for their generous donations. GHCM exceeded its goal of over three hundred toys, and this added to the spirit and joy of the holiday season!
The afternoon ended with Tracy Timonere, Director of Training leading an employee favorite, a fun filled raffle of gifts donated by our vendors.
Before leaving with hugs and good-byes, employees gathered to take group pictures with those they work with and those they met for the first time.
Employee Spotlight – December 2024
December’s spotlight shines on Senior Portfolio Manager, Jennifer Cline in the Woodbridge Office. Nominated by her team of Portfolio Managers, Angelika Balik, Michelle Grayson, and Cherrail Curry, it was unanimous to select Jennifer as expressed in the following excerpts of heartfelt testimony of what it means to have a supervisor who is a true leader.
“An extraordinary leader whose dedication, warmth, and resilience set her apart as the heartbeat of our team. Our boss is more than a supervisor; she is the foundation that keeps our team motivated and strong, even in the most challenging of times. One of her greatest qualities is her limitless patience. She never hesitates to answer questions, no matter how many come her way.” (Angelika)
“I fully agree with everything highlighted in Angelika’s spotlight submission for Jennifer. Her comments perfectly capture why Jennifer is one of the best supervisors at GHCM. I am grateful to be part of her team.” (Michelle)
“I have a lifetime of being a leader and observing all scales of leadership. I know that it is not one’s position, status or rank that makes a great leader. It is investment, dedication, making sure supported, has the tools they need, having someone to look to for information, for encouragement, and for whom you can have a solid trust. A leader is a robust member of a team, who leads by example, and will step in to guide or do the work. I am very happy to be on her team.” (Cherrail)
Brian Heisler, AVP of Operations commends his team for submitting Jennifer for the spotlight, and added to their testimony, “Coming from the hotel industry, I knew Jennifer would be a great fit and addition to the GHCM team as she excels in customer service and putting the client first. The Woodbridge office has seen its fair share of changes and turnover since she started back in 2018, but Jennifer has always kept a positive upbeat attitude which keeps the office in great spirits. Jennifer is continuously available to assist and mentor the Woodbridge team whenever needed, and I truly would not be able to manage (or keep sane) without her. With her hard work and dedication, she shows both our clients and GHCM team members what it means to be an integral part of a winning team.”
Employee Spotlight – November 2024
Terry Osborne joined the staff of Gates Hudson Community Management at Sumner Village in early 2020 and hit the ground running. After several years as a national maintenance manager, Terry put his experience to work implementing a work order tracking system in BuildingLink that is responsive to homeowner requests and then reported on those requests at the meetings of the associations. Terry also inherited a maintenance team of six employees and boosted morale while working through the challenging protocols required during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Terry presided over a major grounds’ maintenance renovation, began overseeing the security staff, and oversaw and coordinated major projects including a community wide terrace rehabilitation project. He has taken initiative to keep residents informed through timely communication and updated his Boards of Directors on upcoming plans and issues that will be challenging to work through.
“Terry’s service at Sumner Village cannot be overstated,” says Phil Dunn, Senior Portfolio Manager in the DC office. “His oversight and positivity have served that community better than we could have imagined. My job and the general manager’s job have changed under his leadership.”
Alberto Ramirez de Arellano, Regional Vice President for DC noted that, “Sumner Village is a large property, governed by several Boards. Over the years, and with many changes of board members, Terry has received compliments on his work and is highly respected.”
In October of this year, the President’s Council of the communities jointly commended all of the work he has done in a letter to GHCM. Specifically stating that Terry “renders invaluable service to our property and owners.”
We could not agree more and are proud to recognize Terry in November’s Employee Spotlight!
Employee Spotlight - September 2024
We want to shine our spotlight this month on a very special GHCM employee – Janet Yin! Janet has been with us since 2011 and currently serves as Assistant Controller within the GHCM Corporate Accounting team.
If you think you haven’t met her – you have met her indirectly! Janet is behind the scenes everywhere that Accounting touches and everything she touches becomes better than it was. Her mind is a machine, but more importantly, she has a huge heart and gives all that she has and more to her team and the company as a whole.
Janet enjoys spending time with her family, and absolutely loves vacationing via cruise!
Thank you, Janet! Even if not said out loud, you are recognized and appreciated every single day.
GHCM Manager Published in Industry Magazine
GHCM congratulates Community Manager Rebecca Pozo-Olano on being published in the July/August 2024 issue of CAI’s Community Manager magazine!
For this article, Rebecca relied on her years of experience to suggest proven ways to build community through memorable events. Check out Rebecca’s piece here at blog.caionline.org.
Rebecca manages a large-scale developing HOA community in Virginia, and is currently working towards obtaining her PCAM designation.
We appreciate Rebecca’s hard work and dedication to making her community a great place to live.
Accounting & Resale Departments Event
The Accounting and Resale employees met on July 9th for a team building session. The event started with a delicious lunch at Guapo’s and finished with each person sharing items in their goody bags containing all things summer, such as a beautiful microfiber beach towel (no two were alike), a neon beach cup filled with a Tropical Smoothie Café gift card, and a Summer Olympics game scratcher…Go Team USA!
Among the many tasks performed each day, Accounting and Resale work closely together to ensure our customers have a smooth account transition when selling or buying their home.
GHCM recognizes the hard work and commitment of both teams and appreciates all that they do!
Celebrating International Community Association Managers Day 2024!
GHCM celebrates our 80+ Managers on International Community Association Managers Day, June 13, 2024. We appreciate the hard work and efforts of our Portfolio Managers, Community Managers and Assistant Community Managers. You are all important to GHCM and our success.
GHCM would like to take this opportunity to recognize two of our stellar managers: Angelika Balik and Margie Nichols.
Angelika Balik holds dual roles as both a Community Manager and Portfolio Manager overseeing associations in Fairfax County and Prince William County Virginia.
A Manager must wear many hats, and Angelika certainly knows what it means to do that. After two years of relentless work, reviewing countless bids and meeting with many vendors, the HOA Board and GHCM were finally able to open doors to the newly renovated, stunning pool at Terrace Towne Homes of Gunston.
Brian Heisler, Assistant VP of Operations for GHCM proudly puts the spotlight on Angelika for her due diligence and perseverance in managing the pool project for Terrace Towne Homes of Gunston. “We are beyond thrilled to be able to share in the success of this community.”
Margie Nichols has been with GHCM for more than 11 years successfully managing a substantial association of the firm’s portfolio located in NW Washington, DC, and also taking on the task of completing annual Energy Benchmarking reporting for 15+ properties managed by GHCM.
She has presided over and driven progress for major projects and renovations to the association’s property, facilities, amenities and staff. It is her focused attention to detail that has kept these projects on schedule and within specification and budget parameters. She accomplished all of these projects while maintaining constant and up-to-date communication with both residents and the Board of Directors.
Margie inherited more than $60,000 in delinquencies. She not only got that reduced to zero, but she has maintained minimal delinquencies ever since. This enables her association, it’s Board, and the residents the freedom and ability to participate in and enjoy a thriving and robust community.
Anita Amini, GHCM Portfolio Manager, says, “Despite the successes she has accumulated, Margie remains energetic and proactive on behalf of her association and its needs and goals. She is an exemplary part of their community, and I am proud of the work she performs on behalf of GHCM.”
Amini enjoys the wonderful combination of professionalism, personality, and proactiveness that Margie brings to work with her every day. “I consider her to be a guiding light of influence towards her peers, and in a larger sense, our shared industry of Community Management Professionals.”
Congratulations and thank you, Angelika and Margie!
Take Your Child to Work Day, April 25, 2024
GHCM welcomed six of our employee’s children to our office in Fairfax for Take Your Child to Work Day. They received “Employee-in-Training” badges which were a big hit! Next up was a tour of the office and an assignment to ask employees what they do. They then helped with a community mailer, and a pizza lunch was enjoyed by all.
The day ended with a scavenger hunt where a leader was assigned to each team. They learned about leadership, listening skills and communication skills, and most importantly how to work as a team to achieve goals, which in this case was to complete the assignment to receive their goody bags.
Parents reported the employee badges were taken to school the next day to share their special day with their classmates!
Administrative Professionals Day 2024
Celebrating and recognizing our administrative support team on April 24th for their hard work and invaluable contributions in the success of our company.
We appreciate you and your efforts!