Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Aspen Glen Apartments
Hamden, CT
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
To Register Click Here

Mid-Year Membership Meeting
Join us for a panel discussion on maximizing your CTAA membership. Networking will follow during the cocktail hour.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Hawthorne Inn - 2124 Berlin Turnpike
Berlin, CT 06037
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
To Register Click Here

CTAA Annual Tradeshow & Nutmeg Awards
The Connecticut Apartment Association is proud to introduce to you our 2007 Fifth Annual Tradeshow. More information on speakers and vendors to come soon!
Friday, November 16, 2007
One Mohegan Sun Blvd.
Uncaseville, CT
Vendor Booth Registration Click Here

Member News

Promotions, Changes, New Hires...

Fairfield Residential
Chris Crampton was transferred to NY to manage Fairfield's first property there. 
Kara Simonian was promoted to the position of Property Manager for Hillcroft at Danbury.

Tarragaon Management
The Gianotti @ 278 Main in West Haven welcomes Stephanie Pelletier who has been hired as Property Manager.

At Hamden Centre/Dogwood Hills in Hamden Laurie Knowles has been promoted from Business Manager at Woodcliff Estates to Property Manager at Hamden Centre and Dogwood Hills.Willie Texidor has been promoted from Maintenance Technician at Woodcliff Estates to Maintenance Supervisor at Hamden Centre and Dogwood Hills.

Parkview Apartments in Naugatuck welcomes Juanita McClellan as thier new Property Manager and Angelica Gomez has been hired as a Leasing Consultant at Parkview Apartments.

At Sagamore Hills in Middletown Paul Torres has been hired as the Maintenance Technician.

At Woodcliff Estates in East Hartford Heidy Villanueva is acting Manager while thier Property Manager is out on maternity leave. Dia Outing has been transferred to Woodcliff Estates as thier Business Manager.

Profiles
Every month, the CTAA eNewsletter will profile two members of the Board of Directors for a glimpse behind the scenes of the workings of the CTAA.

Andrew Harrison
Director of Associate Affairs & Finance Committee Chair
ForRent.com - The Magazine



Q: How did you enter the multifamily industry?
A: I entered the multifamily industry as a leasing agent with Northland in Tucson Arizona.

Q: What led to your current position?
A: After being with Northland for 7 years, most recently as a property manager at Bigelow Commons, an opportunity arose at For Rent Media Solutions and I thought it was a good time for a change.

Q: What made you want to volunteer with CTAA?
A: When I was with Northland, Diane Yensen encouraged many of her managers to be involved with the CTAA.  I have enjoyed the networking and have been on the board in one capacity or another for 5 years now.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your service to CTAA? or Do you have a vision of what you would like CTAA to become?
A: I would just like to be a part of helping the CTAA grow into an organization in CT that really benefits its members.

Brian Lemire
Director at Large
Tarragon Management

Q: How did you enter the multifamily industry?
A: When I was 16 years old I became a Porter / Maintenance Technician for Accord Ventures.  Ever since then, I have been involved with the industry in some way or another.  From Maintenance Tech, to Leasing Consultant, and now Regional Manager with Tarragon Management, I have seen most aspects of the industry. 
 
Q: What led to your current position?
A:  Hard work, dedication, and a phenomenal network of teachers and supporters in Tarragon.  Jackie Carangelo, Jeff Ferony, and Eileen Swenson have all been instrumental in my development in the Property Management industry.   Also, I cannot forget my staff members that I have worked with over the past 14 years.  If Tarragon Management did not have such a great family atmosphere, then I'm not sure where I would be today. 
 
Q: What made you want to volunteer with CTAA?
A:  Jeff Ferony became President Elect and asked me to be more involved.  At first, I was not sure if my schedule would allow me to volunteer but I am happy with the decision that I made.  The network of individuals is outstanding.  You truly meet the leaders in the local and national industry being involved with the CTAA.  
 
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your service to CTAA? or Do you have a vision of what you would like CTAA to become?
A:  I would like the CTAA to continue to grow and be known as the one and only Apartment Industry Organization in CT and nationally.  I feel that we are on our way there as our member base keeps growing every year.   Articles and information you can use….

Noncompliance with Specially Designated Nationals List Regulations
Can Result in Criminal Violations for Apartment Owners

By Jay Harris, Vice President of Business Services, First Advantage SafeRent


Under Presidential Executive Order 13224, apartment owners are among a broad range of entities that are prohibited from entering into a lease or other real property transactions with Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. This list, which is maintained by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), includes known and suspected terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and their representatives. Though the 2001 Executive Order is not new, there is some confusion among property owners and managers on what these regulations are and how to comply with them. Since penalties for noncompliance can be severe, it is advisable for apartment communities to develop a compliance program and make sure all employees adhere to it. The following will provide details about OFAC, SDN List regulations, and resources that assist with compliance.

What OFAC Does
OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These entities are subject to transaction blocks or may lose access to assets that are under US jurisdiction.

SDN List
OFAC has identified foreign agents and front organizations, as well as terrorists, terrorist organizations, and narcotics traffickers, on its SDN List. The list, containing over 5,000 names of individuals, governmental entities, and companies, is updated frequently.

OFAC and Investor Agreement Requirements
As OFAC notes, “All U.S. persons (including individuals and organizations) are responsible for ensuring that they do not undertake a business dealing with an individual or entity on the SDN list.” Regulated entities, such as apartment communities, must verify the identification of residents and check that identification against the SDN List.

In addition, some institutional multifamily investor agreements obligate property management to screen against other suspect lists, as well as the SDN list. For example, operators may be obligated to check against state fugitive suspect lists and other lists of prohibited parties maintained by federal agencies.

OFAC’s broad prohibition on transactions with persons and entities on the SDN list also extends to multifamily investors. Prudent investors should review their co-investors’ identity to ensure that they are not entering into a transaction with an individual or entity who appears on the SDN list.

Penalties for OFAC Violations
No US citizen or any person located in the US (including organizations) can conduct a business transaction with an individual or entity on the SDN List. Violations of OFAC regulations can result in criminal penalties ranging from $50,000 to $10,000,000 and/or up to 30 years imprisonment. OFAC also has authority to impose civil penalties of up to $1,075,000 per violation.

Compliance Program
Your compliance program should reflect your organization’s exposure to potential SDN transactions. You may wish to review your program with legal counsel before implementation. Educate your employees about the compliance program and make sure they follow it. More information about OFAC and the SDN List can be found at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/.

A member of the Virginia State Bar, Mr. Harris is responsible for First Advantage SafeRent’s industry and legal matters. He frequently speaks at industry events on legal matters related to resident screening. Prior to joining First Advantage SafeRent, Mr. Harris served as Vice President of Property Management with the National Multi Housing Council. He can be reached at jharris@FADVSafeRent.com.