Safe & Sound: The SOCOTEC Condominium Leadership Summit | March 28, 2024

Tue 04/02/2024 - 20:59

Testimonies

EVENT DETAILS

What:

Safe & Sound: The SOCOTEC Condominium Leadership Summit

When:

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Where:

Le Meridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport - 1825 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, FL 33004

128

Attendees

Speakers

Trending Industry Discussions

Talk to Our Experts

Suly ENCALADA

305 903 8447

Suly.Encalada@socotec.us

Jesse RITTENHOUSE

561 801 7576

Jesse.Rittenhouse@socotec.us

Michael YORK

239 304 6939

Michael.York@socotec.us

Captured Moments

Safe & Sound: The SOCOTEC Condominium Leadership Summit Recap

On March 28, SOCOTEC hosted the first ever Safe & Sound: The SOCOTEC Condominium Leadership Summit! This exclusive event, which was dedicated to empowering Florida condominium residents by providing expert guidance on leading safe, financially healthy, and well-maintained condominium buildings, took place at the Le Meridien hotel in Dania Beach, Florida.

We are thrilled to share the incredible journey from vision to reality, and how this event truly magnified the power of collaboration, innovation, and dedication to excellence.

The meeting, bringing together more than 100 industry professionals, association board members, and executives from property management companies under one roof, demonstrated a profound exploration of the condominium sector encompassing vital topics like legislative updates and insurance requirements to best practices and compliance. Esteemed experts, including Legislators, Senior Property Managers, Engineers, Project Managers, Attorneys, Bankers, and Insurance Advisors, led educative sessions tailored to both novice and seasoned industry practitioners.

The summit provided a platform for meaningful connections and networking opportunities. Attendees had the chance to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and build lasting relationships with fellow condominium leaders and property management industry professionals.

The success of the Safe & Sound Summit reflects SOCOTEC's position as a leader in advancing innovation and excellence across architecture, engineering, advisory, and life safety disciplines.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all of our sponsors, partners, speakers, and attendees for their unwavering support and contributions to the success of the summit. Together, we have made a difference in promoting safety, soundness, and excellence in condominium management and beyond!

Stay tuned for future events and initiatives from SOCOTEC as we continue to lead the way in promoting excellence for a safer and sustainable world!

For more detailed information, read our event Press Release.

Download Press Release

Connect with our SOCOTEC Attendees

Suly ENCALADA, Director of Business Development

Oscar HERNANDEZ, Associate

Jared JACOBS, Videographer

Kaeta JARKOW, Marketing Strategist

Zachary NORD, Principal

Amy PHILLIPS, Managing Director

Michael POU, Principal

Jesse RITTENHOUSE, Director of Strategy

Alan SIDES, Senior Managing Director

Adam SNITZER, Principal

Marta VALENS, Business Administrator

Robert VECCHIO, CEO of Specialty Engineering

Massimiliano VOTO, Senior Associate

Casey WARD, Principal Engineer

Michael YORK, Director of Business Development

Testimonies

Key Takeaways

Topics discussed throughout the Summit imparted the following learning objectives:

How your association can best cope with the latest building-safety legislation, insurance requirements, banking realities, and repair costs.
How to comply with the latest state regulations for structural inspections, reserve requirements, and life/safety systems.
How to navigate the insurance industry’s outlook, latest requirements, and future trends.
How to best meet your fiduciary obligations as an association board member or property manager.
How to utilize best practices in efficiently conducting repairs and maintenance.
How to help your community save money and control costs.
How to best understand and manage unit owner concerns.

Registrant Demographic

The summit offered a valuable platform for fostering connections and networking opportunities. Attendees included:

Legislators
Senior Property Managers
Engineers
Project Managers
Attorneys
Bankers
Insurance Advisors

Panel 1: Legislative Update: Latest from Tallahassee

Florida state politicians, attorneys and Tallahassee insiders delve into the latest updates coming from the state capital, unpacking the implications of new building safety rules and regulations surrounding condominium communities. From legal perspectives to community impact, the panel aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape that will shape the obligations of association board members and the future dynamics of Florida condominium living.

Panel 2: Insurance Outlook & Cost Saving Measures

Industry leaders analyze the intricate intersection of Florida's insurance requirements and banking realities, exploring their profound effects on condominium community finances. Delving into the challenges and opportunities, the panel aims offer insights into successfully navigating the increasingly complex dynamics of insurance and banking for condominium communities.

Panel 3: Well-Maintained Building Best Practices

An engineer, project manager, life safety consultant, contractor and legal advisor converge to share strategic insights on optimizing compliance with state building safety regulations. Drawing on their diverse expertise, the panel explores innovative approaches and best practices to meet the evolving regulations efficiently and cost effectively with as little disruption as possible to day-to-day life at the community.

Speakers

Panel 1: Legislative Update: Latest from Tallahassee
Panel 2: Insurance Outlook & Cost Saving Measures
Panel 3: Well-Maintained Building Best Practices

Oscar HERNANDEZ
Associate, SOCOTEC (SLS Consulting, a SOCOTEC Company)
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Morgan MARCOS
President/CEO, Innovative Solutions Construction, Inc.
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Bruce MASIA
Regional Vice President, KW Property Management and Consulting
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Jason RODGERS-DA CRUZ
Shareholder, Siegfried Rivera
{"img":"https:\/\/www.socotec.us\/s3fs-public\/2024-02\/jason-rodgers-headshot_linkedin.jpg","name":[{"value":"Jason RODGERS-DA CRUZ","_attributes":[]}],"job_position":[{"value":"Shareholder, Siegfried Rivera","_attributes":[]}],"linkedin":[],"twitter":[],"description":[{"value":"Mr. Rodgers-Da Cruz has been with Siegfried Rivera since 2005, and practices throughout the State of Florida in the areas of Community Association Law, Complex Construction Litigation, Construction Defect Litigation, and Commercial Litigation on behalf of community\/condominium associations, developers, public health facilities, assisted living facilities, property owners, general contractors and subcontractors.\r\n\r\nIn his construction defect practice as lead or co-lead counsel, he has prosecuted or defended over 100 complex, multi-party, construction defect claims on behalf of homeowners\/condominium associations, developers, public health organizations, assisted living organizations, property owners, general contractors and subcontractors. These claims involve defective design, construction, and manufacturing defects of virtually all building components, including roofs and roofing systems, waterproofing systems, stucco, concrete, steel, post-tensioning, windows, sliding glass doors, balcony railings, re sprinkler and life safety systems, drywall,\r\nand paint\/coatings.\r\n\r\nMr. Rodgers-da Cruz also represents clients in all phases of the construction process, including: pre-construction contract negotiation, construction disputes during the course of the project, and project completion. His construction defect and litigation experience provides him with insight into properly setting up the project, managing project disputes, defects, and overall risks. He routinely represents condominium associations in remediation projects and pragmatically assists in framing the client\u2019s overall goals and objectives has for the project. From there he assists in vetting all pertinent parties to the project and negotiates and drafts all applicable contracts.\r\n\r\nUpon graduating from law school, Mr. Rodgers-da Cruz served as an Assistant Public Defender in Brevard and Miami-Dade counties, gaining significant jury trial experience. He has served on the City of Miami\u2019s Green Commission and the Green Buildings Subcommittee, a commission focused on guiding and molding the city\u2019s environmental policy, whose members represent a cross-section of local experts and community enthusiasts. He is also a member of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry and Steering Committee Member for Division 1 - Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Mr. Rodgers-da Cruz was recognized as a 2009-2014 \u201cRising Star\u201d by Florida Super Lawyers, and as a \u201cSuper Lawyer\u201d in 2019-2021 in the area of construction litigation. He has also been recognized in \u201cFlorida Trend\u2019s Florida Legal Elite\u201d for 2015, 2016 2019 and 2021, and has been recognized in the 2019-2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America \u2013 Construction Law and Construction Litigation. ","format":"plain_text","_attributes":[]}]}
Casey WARD
Principal Engineer, SOCOTEC (formerly Forge Engineering)
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Josh BURKETT
Lobbyist/Consultant, Mark Anderson Consulting
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David HABER
Managing & Founding Shareholder, Haber Law
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Jerrime KITSOS
Senior Vice President, HUB International
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Matt MINCHOW
Executive Director - Community Association Banking, First National Bank of Omaha
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James SCHUMAKER
Executive Vice President of Business Development, Castle Group
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Mark ANDERSON
Founder & CEO, Mark Anderson Governmental Consulting
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Donna BERGER
Shareholder, Becker & Poliakoff
{"img":"https:\/\/www.socotec.us\/s3fs-public\/2024-02\/berger_donna-profile-561x507.webp","name":[{"value":"Donna BERGER","_attributes":[]}],"job_position":[{"value":"Shareholder, Becker & Poliakoff","_attributes":[]}],"linkedin":[],"twitter":[],"description":[{"value":"Donna DiMaggio Berger is a Shareholder in Becker\u2019s Community Association Practice in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She is a member of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), a prestigious national organization that acknowledges community association attorneys who have distinguished themselves through contributions to the evolution or practice of community association law and who have committed themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of community association law. She is also one of only 190 attorneys statewide who is a Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law.\r\n\r\nAs Founder and Executive Director of Becker\u2019s Community Association Leadership Lobby (CALL), Ms. DiMaggio Berger has led various community association advocacy initiatives, working with legislators and other public policymakers on behalf of those who live, serve, and work in common interest ownership communities. She has testified before the Florida Legislature regarding community association law and frequently appears on radio talk shows and in print media discussing these issues.","format":"plain_text","_attributes":[]}]}
Hillary CASSEL
State Representative, Florida State
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Katharine EFFRON
Vice President, South Florida High-Rise Division, FirstService Residential
{"img":"https:\/\/www.socotec.us\/s3fs-public\/2024-03\/katharine-effron-cropped.webp","name":[{"value":"Katharine EFFRON","_attributes":[]}],"job_position":[{"value":"Vice President, South Florida High-Rise Division, FirstService Residential","_attributes":[]}],"linkedin":[],"twitter":[],"description":[{"value":"Katharine Effron serves as Vice President of the South Florida High-Rise Division for FirstService Residential. She first joined the company as a regional director and has more than two decades of community association management experience. Katharine oversees oeprations for a robust portfolio of high-rise condominiums in the region, ensuring delivery of service excellence.\r\n \r\nKatharine is a Licensed Community Association Manager, and holds certifications in property management. In 2020, she received the South Florida High-Rise President's Award for her outstanding contributions to the company.\r\n \r\nKatharine has authored industry articles on property management and operations. She also serves as a company subject matter expert providing broad-based expertise and practical solutions to address community specific needs.\r\n \r\nKatharine's interests include music, cars, cooking and gardening. In her spare time, she supports social causes for children's welfare and animal adoption efforts.","format":"plain_text","_attributes":[]}]}
Rosalind OSGOOD
State Senator, Florida State Senate
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Jason PIZZO
State Senator, Florida State Senate
{"img":"https:\/\/www.socotec.us\/s3fs-public\/2024-03\/jason-pizzo-headshot.webp","name":[{"value":"Jason PIZZO","_attributes":[]}],"job_position":[{"value":"State Senator, Florida State Senate","_attributes":[]}],"linkedin":[],"twitter":[],"description":[{"value":"Jason William Barnet Pizzo is an American attorney and State Senator who has served as a member of the Florida Senate since 2018, representing parts of coastal Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Senator Pizzo received his undergraduate degree from New York University, and a few years later earned his master\u2019s degree from Columbia University.","format":"plain_text","_attributes":[]}]}