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| Lori Burger |
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I received my CPM designation in 1982. During the past 26 years have been involved in IREM on the local level serving as President of IREM's San Francisco Chapter and the Northern Nevada Chapter. Additionally, served as a Regional Vice President of California and Hawaii. Now, serving on IREM's Executive Committee. Professionally, I am a Senior Vice President for Eugene Burger Management Corporation a firm nearly 500 employees and approx. 30,000 units and several million sf of commercial located in the Southwest.
When I started my property management career, I took on the role of housekeeper, cleaning apartments. At that time, I couldn't believe that I was actually doing what I was. I can't tell you that I was thrilled with the role at the time. In retrospect, I realize that I learned very well what it takes to turn an apartment, how many units can be turned a day and with how much staff, I know what quality should be expected, what products should be used, the costs of labor and supplies and what a prospective client is seeking (yes, many prospective residents do look under the stove top). I have a great appreciation for the housekeeping staff as I never will forget being covered with fleas or having to trash out ransacked units when an eviction occurred. It's hard to learn these things from a book and I believe this experience was a great foundation for me. So...starting from the ground up does have its advantages. You can do anything if you set your mind to it and this is where IREM has made a difference in my career.
I never would have gotten to where I am today without IREM. IREM has been to foundation of my career and giving back to the organization has paid off ten fold. Over the past 26 years I have volunteered in many IREM positions, assisted in writing publications, attended nearly every national convention, taken a plethora of IREM courses and agreed to serve in volunteer positions where asked on the local and national level.
The solid career path the IREM offers has given me the education to personally work through complex HR and staffing issues, finance and corporate issues and the ability to literally every type of real estate from commercial buildings, retail buildings, mini-storage, medical buildings, affordable housing, conventional housing to lastly community associations. There is not a piece of real estate that I do not think I could not personally manage. Bragging? Well...Maybe just a little.
Why I have the confidence I do is because if I felt for a moment that I was lacking in some specific skill set...I could call on anyone of literally thousands of IREM colleagues that would be willing to share their experience or provide assistance. Likewise, my fellow colleagues would, and have, called on me for that same assistance.
IREM's Staff has played a key role in my success. The staff is like "industry feelers" out soaking up my needs, as well as owners, developers, investors, employers needs and they just make it happen. Russ Salzman, Nancye Kirk, Ken Paul, Jane McDonald, Chuck Achilles, Lynn Disbrow, Diane Miller, Phyllis Coneset, Ken Chikow, Kimberly Holmes all provide first class service to the organization and their efforts speak to IREM's leadership throughout the real estate industry.
Probably the most memorable experience is having the honor of the Dalai Lama as a guest in residency at one of the properties I managed for an entire week. I never would have had this opportunity if I hadn't first invested in myself through IREM and obtained "excellence" in property management.
From being the housekeeper to Senior VP. Anyone can do it. Start from the ground up, build on your career through IREM.
Congratulations IREM. Thanks for the great ride!
Happy 75th.
Lori
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