November 11th is Veterans Day, which honors all American veterans, living and deceased, but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.  We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the veterans that we work with daily.

Ed Barnett, Maintenance Coordinator, served in The United States Navy for 24 years.  Joining in 1974, Ed served as a Damage Controlman Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare Specialist). He made his first overseas tour soon after joining and quickly received his first Sea Service Bronze Medal. Every 5 bronze medals earned equals 1 Silver Star and Ed ultimately earned 2 Silver Stars over a total 10 year period of sea service. Over the course of his service, his duty stations were varied, including Amphibious Assault Ships, Destroyer Duty, and Ship Repair. Ed’s final tour bought him to Houston, where he ultimately came ashore at C.I.A. Services.

Patrick Sheffield, Maintenance Coordinator, enlisted in The United States Army as an Infantryman in June of 1980 at the age of 17.  He served until October 1983 with the main responsibility of specializing in small arms combat training in all types of weather and terrain.  Patrick’s basic training took place in Fort Benning, Georgia and he was assigned a duty station in Fort Stewart, Georgia.  Patrick ultimately earned the rank of Private First Class and traveled to some very unhospitable places for training, including Alaska, the Florida Everglades and countless nights in the woods in Georgia.  Patrick attributes his team work skills and willingness to try his best at everything to his time spent in the Army.

Daniel Harris, Maintenance Coordinator, also served in The United States Army.  Originally born in England, Daniel became a United States citizen and holds dual citizenships in both countries. He attended basic training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and was a part of the last platoon to receive an older style of basic training in the summer 1991.  Daniel served for several years and went on to become a Communication Specialist for both radio and satellite communications and had to hold numerous security clearances.  Daniel was awarded the National Defense Service Medal during his tenure. 

Zack Fore, Maintenance Coordinator, served in The United States Navy from 2011 until 2016 as an E-3 Navy Corpsman.  While stationed at the Naval Health Branch Clinic in Capodichino, Italy, Zack worked as the Supply/Equipment Manager at the family practice clinic.  At Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Zack was a Tactical Combat Casualty Course Instructor teaching 800 Department of Defense personnel to save, treat, and evacuate patients on the battlefield. He was also an Advance Trauma Life Support Course Coordinator teaching tactical battlefield treatment.  During the course of his service, Zack was honored with the Global War on Terror Medal and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal. 

Leticia “Letty” Burchard, Community Manager, served in The United States Coast Guard for 4 years from 1980 to 1984.  Letty attended boot camp in New Jersey and was stationed in Long Island, New York.  As the “police on water,” the Coast Guard would stop boats to inspect for illegal cargo.  Lettie oversaw the radio and provided assistance to boaters, responded to accidents, and investigated items in the water with her crew.

Charles Driskell, Maintenance Coordinator, joined The United States Coast Guard in 1983.  He was being trained as a Store Keeper E1 but was released due to medical issues.

Thank you all for your service to our country!  Happy Veterans Day!

Woodforest North Section II Homeowners Association - Mickey Berguin
by Kristen Craig

The success of any community lies with the volunteers who give their time freely.  It goes without words to say that Mickey Berguin has been a dedicated member of the Woodforest North Section II H.O.A. Board of Directors.  Mickey has served on the Board for the last 14 years and as the President for more than 10 years.

Mickey also works with the Woodforest North Section II Architectural Control Review Committee who reviews the Home Improvement Applications and works diligently to ensure all HIR’s are reviewed and approved in a timely manner.

When we receive reports pertaining to the maintenance in an area, Mickey is more than willing to graciously meet with a resident or vendor to identify the problem and work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. There is rarely a concern within the community that Mickey is unaware of or does not assist with. 

When asked about being on the Board, Mickey stated the following:  “I was appointed as the President of Woodforest North II Homeowners Association (WFNIIHOA) July 2006.  My family and I have been in this community for approximately 17 years and in the Woodforest neighborhood for a total of 22 years.  I have been a member of the WFNIIHOA Board of Directors for approximately 14 years. I have also been a member of the North Channel Emergency Medical Services Board of Directors for a total of 5 years. I am currently retired from the United States Postal Service and a Veteran of the United States Army.

I am married to Felicia Berguin and we have 4 children, Mickey Berguin, II (39), Shantay Berguin (38), Frankie Hall (33), Mickayla Berguin (16) and six grandchildren.   My wife and I are family oriented people and would like to see our community come together as a family.  My goal is to work with our community to continue the safe and beautiful standards we all have been accustomed to enjoying.”   

Mickey’s continuous dedication and knowledge is a huge benefit to Woodforest North II and C.I.A. Services, Inc.  We are so happy to feature Mickey as this month’s Volunteer Spotlight. C.I.A. Services and the Woodforest North Section II Homeowners Association would like to thank Mickey for all of his hard work, time and dedication.  It is individuals like Mickey that make the communities shine!

Hockey Night

C.I.A. Services will be hosting our 9th Hockey Night with the San Antonio Rampage on Saturday, January 28th when the Rampage take on the Ontario Reign.  

Each year, we invite our community volunteers, employees, families and friends to join us for a fun-filled evening watching a great sport.  If you’ve not seen a live game, it’s a real treat. 

Click below to see photos of the fun from the last eight years.

2016      2015      2014      2013      2012      2011      2010      2009

We are pleased to present the C.I.A. Services Seminar Series. During our series, we present seven classroom seminars and one webinar throughout the year - each at multiple locations for a total of 28 training sessions. Click here to read the full seminar descriptions and see the schedule.  

Each seminar concentrates on the practical aspects of the topic and provides board members with background knowledge to help them in their decision making. We consistently receive positive feedback on the content and presentation.

• Board Member Orientation
• Advanced Topics for Board Members
• Meeting & Records - The Legal Requirements
• Understanding Collections & Financial Reports
• The Super Budgeting Process
• Practical Deed Restriction Management
• Essentials of Architectural Control
• Community Website Administrator (Webinar)

Each two-hour seminar begins at 6:00 pm and we provide deli sandwiches in case you come straight from work.  You’ll leave with a wealth of practical information and a notebook for future reference.

Community Website Administrator Training

This is the required training course for certification as a Community Website Administrator (CWSA) on the C.I.A Services web site (www.ciaservices.com). As a CWSA you’ll be able to maintain the pages for your community. You’ll be able to create news and events, update key personnel, add community information, display photos, conduct surveys and much more. Being a website administrator is very easy on www.ciaservices.com and you can do it from anywhere you have an Internet connection. All CWSA training is done by webinar in the comfort of your home.

Space is limited and advance registration is required.  To register, please send an email to seminars@ciaservices.com.

We are proud of every one of our communities so it is always hard to find just one to highlight. We start by having each of our Community Managers write a nomination for one of their communities. We then read them and take a vote. Here are our most recent selections:

• November - Dancing Bear Ranch - San Antonio Office - Brandi Brack 
• October - Rancho Verde Community Association - North Office - Jennifer Northington
• September - Deerfield Owners Association - San Antonio - Ralph Troiano
• August - Kirkmont Section II Association - Southwest Office - Catina Hunter
• July - Inwood Northwest Neighborhood Association - North Office - Brenda Ellington
• June - Colony Grant Homeowners Association - Southwest Office - Libby Hodges

To see the full story on these communities and to see the past winners, visit the Community of the Month page on our site.

We are very pleased to announce that another outstanding community has joined C.I.A. Services at our San Antonio office effective November 1, 2016. 

The Secluded Oak Villas Condominiums are located very close to our San Antonio office.  There are 52 units in seven buildings.  The community was originally built as apartments and converted to condominiums about 10 years ago.

Welcome to the family!

Every month we appreciate the communities that are celebrating their anniversaries with us. Here are the clients that started with us in November.

• Heather Ridge Homeowners Association — 25 years
• Lochshire Maintenance Fund — 23 years
• Atascocita West Community Improvement Association— 19 years
• Community Association of The Highlands — 19 years
• Pine Brook Community Association — 16 years
• Plantation at Woodforest Community Association — 16 years
• Oak Park Ridge Homeowners Association — 13 years
• The Stable Gate Homeowners Association — 12 years
• Heron Nest Owners Association — 9 years
• Bridlewood Estates Property Owners Association —  6 years
• Dancing Bear Property Owners Association — 6 years
• Riverpark on the Brazos — 5 years
• Avondale Residential Property Owners Association — 3 years
• Cypress Forest Lakes Community Association — 3 years
• Glenmont Estates Property Owners Association — 3 years
• Lakes at Edgewater Estates Homeowners Association — 3 years
• Walker Ranch Homeowners Association — 1 year

Our goal has always been to create a positive, long term relationship with all of our client communities. We are very proud to be managing all of these communities.

Anniversaries

We love to celebrate special milestones with our employees. In the Employee Corner of each eNews issue, we will list all employees that have reached their 1 year anniversary with our company.  Additionally, once employees reach five years, we recognize them each year on their anniversary month.

Happy 17th Anniversary to Ed Barnett, Maintenance Coordinator out of the Southwest office.  Ed oversees the maintenance issues for several communities, including a growing master planned community.

Summerwood Activities Coordinator, Roxanne Bailey, is celebrating her 9 year anniversary!  Roxanne is the lady that makes sure the residents of Summerwood enjoy fabulous community events.

Congratulations to both of these special people on their company anniversary!

Bandera Chili Cook-Off
by Kimberly Terry

In honor of National Chili Month, the Bandera office held its “1st Annual Chili Cook-Off” last month.

Judges graded each entry based on aroma, texture, flavor, heat/aftertaste, and appearance.

The winners for 2016 were:   

• 1st Place = Belinda Flores
• 2nd Place = Kimberly Terry
• 3rd Place = Jo Ann Peterson

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all for participating!

Every month, we issue an electronic newsletter, eNews Monthly, to keep clients informed about Association items, spotlight clients, answer frequently asked questions, and let you know what is happening with the company. Old issues of eNews Monthly are available on our Library page.