2023 Annual Awards Nominees

Candice Bladt Community Manager of the Year Nominees

I have worked in property management for 16 years, beginning in commercial and residential rental management. Working for a private real estate investor allowed me to gain a wealth of knowledge, as the company was employed by three others, requiring me to wear many hats, allowing me to obtain extensive accounting knowledge and experience. I managed 20+ properties, with over 10,000 tenants and oversaw 15 superintendents. From there, I entered the HOA world and never looked back, in fact I have only proceeded forward into this world. I have held multiple positions within a management company, while managing a full portfolio. I have a proven history of repairing broken relationships with communities, and taking on contracts that have one foot out the door. I have been successful in saving those contracts. I have been a member of CAI since 2017 and am a regular at all of the events over the last five years. I served on the Women’s Leadership Committee in 2020 and have been on the Conference & Expo since 2021. I currently hold the CMCA and AMS designation and am actively pursuing the PCAM, with several of the PMDP already under my belt. I am also a published writer in Community Trends Magazine and continue to seek new opportunities to write articles. I take advantage of the many opportunities and resources that come with CAI-NJ and never miss a chance to learn something new.

12/13/22, 4:33 PM

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Mariaellen Varelis: I would first like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude in being considered for this prestigious award amongst my colleagues and mentors-without whom I wouldhave run screamingmanymoons ago! Iwouldnot bewhere I amtodaywithout their support and encouragement. Starting out in the community association industry as an administrator and now community manager, I have realized over time, that the role of a community manager is ever changing, and the ability to adapt is key. As we know the communication of rules, regulations and laws to our homeowners guide an important piece of our job as community managers. However, I have found that it is equally important to ensure this information is conveyed in such a way that helps them understand that our ultimate goal, is to do everything we can to help maintain and enhance their investment in their home; which is likely the largest purchase an individual will make in their lifetime.

In addition to the experience I have gained as a portfolio manager, I have also found the education and networking within CAI to be a very valuable tool in our ever-changing role as community managers. The CMCA is one of my goals. The CAI -NJ team should all be commended for keeping us up to date virtually through these unprecedented times. When I am not managing my communities, I enjoy serving on RCP’s charity committee, Hands of Hope, and working with individuals with special needs at the Arc of Ocean County. In 2019, I was the proud recipient of the Cabot Celebrity Award from Cabot Cheese Company, for my community service work such as Paddle for Pink with the Hands of Hope and Step up for the Arc Walkathon. I also enjoy time with Fiona and Freddy, the furry additions to the family that rescued me during the pandemic. In closing, it is my belief that the most successful managers are armed with knowledge and strength but tempered with empathy. In the words of Plato, The highest point of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world . Thank you again for the opportunity to be considered for this prestigious award!

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