President’s Message
Mike Perlof, CMCA, President, CAI-OC
This year, my theme as President is in memory of my late, wonderful, and amazing best friend, Alex Terzich, who we lost to leukemia about 10 years ago. Alex, one of the founders of what is now 24HRC, was the kind of person who made everyone feel better just by being around him. His genuine spark for people was infectious and inspiring. Whether you were a prospective client or a fi erce competitor, when you spoke to him, you could see in his eyes that he truly cared and genuinely wanted to help.
To honor him, I’ve created the mantra: “Be Like A.L.E.X.”
When I started my career 22 years ago as an assistant community manager, I had no idea where the journey would take me. My fi rst boss, who is now a great friend and lifelong mentor, Craig Stevens, founder of MarWest Real Estate, can attest, I didn’t even know what Microsoft Excel was or what HVAC stood for. Like many in this industry, I stumbled in, learned by doing, and graduated from the “school of hard knocks.” But everything changed the moment I became involved with CAI. What was once just a “job” became a career, and before I knew it, opportunities, friendships, and knowledge started coming my way faster than I could eat a hotel rubber chicken lunch.
I truly feel like a walking testament to the saying: “If I can do it, anybody can!” When you get involved in CAI and when you show up, participate, and learn from the best, your career can absolutely skyrocket. And now, as I step into this role as President of the Chapter, my mission is simple: to bring all of us together more than ever before.
Being involved with most of the SoCal chapters, I’ve often heard rumblings that “OC can feel a little cliquey.” Well, I want to make it crystal clear: you CAN sit with us. Everyone is welcome at the table, whether you’ve been in the industry for decades or you’re just starting out like I once did. This Chapter is only as strong as the connections we build, the relationships we nurture, and the laughter we share along the way.
A = Always Welcoming – Alex never met a stranger. His warmth and friendliness lit up every room, and I want our Chapter to radiate that same spirit.
L = Leading by Example – He was a man of integrity. If Alex said it, he meant it, and he lived it. That’s the kind of leadership we should all aspire to.
E = Empowering Others – He believed in people, sometimes more than they believed in themselves. Our goal should be to lift each other up and create opportunities for one another.
X = X-ray – Because Alex loved cheesy dad jokes, and I couldn’t resist. He reminded us never to take life too seriously and to “whistle while we work.”
So, as we move forward together, let’s Be Like A.L.E.X. Let’s be welcoming, lead with integrity, empower our peers, and yes, share a few dad jokes along the way.
This is going to be an incredible year for our Chapter. I’m honored to serve you, to learn alongside you, and to laugh with you. Let’s make Alex proud!
PCAM
Congratulations to ourNewest Designees! CMCA
REBECCA ARROYO Keystone, AAMC
NINDER KAUR CHIMA-JORDAN Bayview Property Management
KRISTY MAYE STENGER Keystone, AAMC
BRADLEY R. COLLINS Seabreeze Management Company, Inc., AAMC
ESTHER CISNEROS MONTIE FirstService Residential, AAMC
KARIN KROENER-VALDIVIA Oaktree Properties
NATALIE LOZANO Keystone, AAMC AMELIA MARQUES
Huntington West Properties, Inc.
www.caioc.org 7 NICHOLE ORNELLA
Optimum Professional Property Management, Inc., AAMC
DANICA PETROFF Keystone, AAMC
GAIL SMALL Dynamic Property Group, LLC
AMS IAN AMENY-LUTHI
Seabreeze Management Company, Inc., AAMC
KIRSTI CRUZ
CREDE (formerly Murow) GAIL SMALL
Dynamic Property Group, LLC
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