2023 Annual Awards Nominees

Candice Bladt Community Manager of the Year Nominees

Shelia Adams, CMCA, AMS: I am honored to be nominated for the Candice Bladt Community Manager of the Year Award. Understanding that Candice left big shoes to fill, I am inspired by her legacy, and I am striving to follow in her footsteps. In 2003, I was offered an opportunity to manage a 214-unit co-op property. Little did I know this transitional job would actually kick-start my career in property management. It’s been a long journey that hasn’t been easy. I was devastated when I learned I didn’t pass my CMCA exam. I felt like giving up. But there were people in my corner that encouraged me to take it again. So, I pushed past my fears, and in 2014, I obtained my CMCA. In 2017, I received Taylor Management’s North Region, Rising Star Award. I used this recognition to motivate myself to continue my studies. I went on to receive my AMS designation in 2018. Last year, I joined the CAI Conference & Expo Committee, and this year, I have accepted the position of Vice Chair.

I am currently the on-site manager of a 300-unit condominium in West Orange. Here, I oversee the day-to-day operations, and work closely with the Board of Trustees to guide them on policy development, budgeting, and contract negotiations. My homeowners credit me with resurrecting a sense of community through a variety of social events. In addition to my Property Manager designations, I have a Bachelor of Science in health education from Montclair State University. I am the founder and CEO of Bikers Against Breast Cancer, Inc., a founding member of the Women of Wisdom (W.O.W.) Sisterhood, and an ordained missionary. I love motorcycling, dancing, and traveling. As your Candice Bladt Community Manager of the Year, my commitment would include my continued support and promotion of CAI’s mission and vision. I vow to remain teachable, available to help when needed, and role model the characteristics of a quality Property Manager. My goal is to learn more, so that I can do more. Therefore, I implore your vote to help me move to the next level in my career. I believe I deserve this award because of my abilities: 1. My Flexibility – Over the years, I’ve learned that as a property manager, I must be able to bend or accept change without breaking down. I’ve also learned not to allow that change to discourage me. 2. My Adaptability – Learning to adapt to sudden changes in the work place takes skill. I’ve mastered working with new board members, owners, and vendors. This is not always easy. But often necessary. Adapting to new environments and situations could cause inexperienced managers to throw in the towel. But my go with the flow attitude has helped me to hold on. 3. My Durability – I believe 19 years, shows I’m tough and I can withstand the many pressures of the job. These 3 characteristics coupled with my sensibility, reliability, and capability warrants why I should receive this award.

Nicole Ancona: How do you sum up 4 years of incredible opportunities, powerhouse leaders, and learning experiences in a short paragraph? Two words ‘You Can’t’! In 2018 I was hired by RCP Management Company, AAMC as a temporary/seasonal CSR. I had zero experience in property management but many years in customer service and restaurant management. As always I jumped in feet first to learn anything I could about the job at hand. My career in community management moved quite expediently!

Within two weeks I was called into our HR department for a “talk”. I was asked to join RCP full-time as a CSR. I was excited, to say the least, to be joining a company that treats every employee like family. I quickly began to learn anything and everything I could about how our communities are run. I had seen firsthand something extraordinary and I wanted to learn more! Fast forward 5 months and I am called into HR again for another “talk” but this time it was much bigger. I was asked to take on an admin position at a new community. A year later I was promoted again, this time to a portfolio admin position, assisting some of the most amazing managers and individuals I have ever met.