SDCAA Presents Mark of Excellence Awards

By Teresa O’Dea Hein,, Managing EditorSan Diego–More than 1,100 industry professionals recently attended the San Diego County Apartment Association (SDCAA) 15th annual Mark of Excellence awards ceremony, where more than 80 awards were presented. Michele Champion, SDCAA Director of Education and Events, tells MHN that nominations and attendance at the awards ceremony were both up this year. Furthermore, she adds, “Over the last several years, I’ve noticed that people have become more professional and more set on getting industry credentials and certifications. There is also a greater awareness of multifamily trends outside their individual properties, as well as the need to give back to their communities.”Among this year’s winners at SCCAA’s “Red Carpet Affair” was San Diego’s H.G. Fenton Co., which took home 18 awards, the most of any company.“H.G. Fenton Co. is honored to be recognized for providing San Diego with well-managed and maintained communities,” says Carroll Whaler, H.G. Fenton’s vice president of residential property management. “The staff and management for our 11 local apartment communities are committed to providing residents with a place they can be proud to call home and these awards acknowledge their efforts and, most importantly, the satisfaction of our customers.”Founded in San Diego in 1906, this company manages 2,800 apartment homes. H.G. Fenton Co. communities receiving Mark of Excellence awards in the category of Rental Community of the Year were:•    Portofino, a 396-unit community in Mission Valley, Calif. received the first-place award for properties with 301+ units. •    Bella Del Mar, a 96-unit community in Del Mar, Calif. received the second-place award for properties ranging in size from 51 to 100 units.•    Seagate, a 272-unit community in Carlsbad, Calif., earned the third-place award for properties ranging in size from 101 to 300 units.•    El Dorado Hills, a 455-unit community in Tierrasanta, Calif., earned third-place recognition for properties with 301+ units.In the category of Rental Manager/Owner-Operator of the Year, the recognized H.G. Fenton Company professionals were:•    Irina Polyak of Portofino was honored with the first-place award for projects with 301 to 500 units.•    Kimberly Brown of Riverfront, a 229-unit community in Mission Valley, earned the first-place award for projects with 101 to 300 units. •    Leslie Velho of El Dorado Hills was second place for projects 301 to 500 units.•    Robin Duma of Seagate was honored with the third place award for projects 101 to 300 units.In the Property Team Achievement of the Year category:•    Portofino received the first-place award for 101+ units•    Club River Run received the second-place award for 101+ units.In the category of Leasing Professional of the Year, the following H.G. Fenton professionals were honored:•    Beatrix Kiss of Portofino was first place for projects with 300+ units.•    Scott Rovello of Solana Highlands was second place for projects 1 to 300 units.In the category of Maintenance Supervisor of the Year, the following individuals were recognized:•    Silvestre Saucedo of Portofino earned third-place recognition for projects with 301+ units. •    Jose Guerrero of Seagate was named third place for projects with 1 to 300 units.In the category of Maintenance Technician of the Year, two more H.G. Fenton employees were acknowledged:•    Auturo Jauregui of Club River Run, a 368-unit community in Mission Valley, was awarded first place for projects with 301+ units. •    Alex Perez of Portofino earned second place for projects with 301+ units.The Porter/Groundskeeper/Housekeeper of the Year category honored the following from H.G. Fenton Co.:•     Solana Highlands received first place for projects with 1 to 300 units.•     Hilda Munoz of Portofino earned second place for projects with 300+ units.