Leading the Way
“Young professionals cannot afford to sit on the sidelines,” says Jami Vallelonga, a BOMA Greater Phoenix board member. “It has become increasingly important to develop a professional network and get the training and tools needed to advance as a management professional.”
Welcome to the Young Professionals Group
Jami Vallelonga, a real estate manager at CB Richard Ellis, formed the Young Professionals Group (YPG) in January 2009 to offer professionals (age 40 and younger) a forum for interaction and support within the property management industry, and to promote career growth and development.
Marion Donaldson, who co-chairs the Young Professionals Group with BOMA members Colleen LeBlanc and Vallelonga, says, “Our goal is to encourage young leaders to take educational courses and obtain their industry designations, volunteer on BOMA committees, increase community activism and awareness, ultimately fill vital leadership positions in 5 to 10 years, and make sure that BOMA Greater Phoenix remains a viable, effective industry group.”
Donaldson, a 7-year member of BOMA Greater Phoenix, works as a sales and customer service manager for Commercial Service Solutions, a commercial floor care company. With a background in both property management and the services industry, she notes BOMA-YPG is an important group for professionals in both fields.
A subsidiary of BOMA Greater Phoenix, the Young Professionals Group offers the benefits of BOMA membership including:
- industry networking
- enhanced educational opportunities
- career building
- a powerful voice in the industry
LeBlanc joined BOMA 5 years ago for its network.
“We’ve never had a salesperson work for this company,” she says, referring to ProGuard Security Services, a company that provides security to commercial and high-rise properties.
“All of our business has been earned through relationship building, which can be tied to BOMA membership.”
She started with ProGuard Security Services 5 years ago as the director of customer relations, and began running the Phoenix office as vice president 3 years ago.
How it Works
Monthly luncheons and quarterly events enable Young Professional Group members to connect with industry professionals, both inside and outside of the group.
The YPG recently teamed with NAIOP Developing Leaders (NAIOP’s young professionals) to extend industry connections.
These large networking events can be a little intimidating for new members, notes Donaldson. She recalls walking into her first BOMA luncheon as an assistant property manager at age 24 and feeling “wholly intimidated” because she did not know anyone there.
It was at that moment she knew the group needed a way to make members feel welcome and get networking faster.
What resulted is the Ambassador Program, adopted by the Young Professional Group, to personally welcome all new members and help them navigate the monthly luncheons. This includes introducing newcomers to other members.
Additional Value
For management professionals, the Young Professional Group may offer a free ticket to some of their education.
The Young Professional Group raises money through sponsored events to enroll members in the BOMA Real Property Administrator (RPA) and Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) certification courses.
These are important certifications for property managers, Vallelonga says, who started her career in property management as a receptionist and worked her way up the ranks to real estate manager of CB Richard Ellis. She holds the RPA, CPM and LEED AP designations.
However, the group’s education opportunities extend beyond certification classes.
“Every company has different styles of management,” LeBlanc points out. “Our group offers young property managers a chance to interact with many management companies and gather ideas that can help tremendously in their careers. BOMA is kind of a one-stop shop where you are going to find information, mentors, or perhaps your next job.”
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For more information about Young Professionals Group, call BOMA Greater Phoenix at (602) 200-3898.
www.bomaphoenix.org
www.cbre.com
www.cservicesolutions.com
www.proguardinc.com
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