November 2013 Member Spotlight

Connie Menor

Fort Family Investments

1.            How did you become a member of CREW Jacksonville? I am a client of Laura Gonzales with BBVA Compass Bank. Laura introduced me to CREW and invited me to attend 2012’s Christmas Party. I was very impressed with CREW and what the network has to offer so I applied to become a member.

2.        Tell us a little about your company and your role. I am the Executive Vice President/Controller for Fort Family Investments. Fort Family develops/owns a property management company, multiple apartment communities and commercial assets throughout Jacksonville. I have been with the company for 19 years and oversee the entire operations on both the management and financial end.

3. If you have been very involved with CREW Network during your time with CREW, can you tell the members how to best take advantage of what CREW Network has to offer? Information is the key in becoming involved with the CREW Network. The Crew Website and Crewbiz offers an array of information on how to take advantage of the educational and networking opportunities available for members.

4. What is the best networking experience at CREW? I am an extreme introvert so networking is very difficult for me. With that being said the monthly luncheons have been my best networking experience. I have found that the luncheons provide a casual and comfortable atmosphere to meet and get to know other members. I can sit at a table where I know no one and by the end of the luncheon I have met and had great conversation with several CREW Members.

5. In the years you’ve been a member what has been your favorite activity? My favorite activity has been participating in the philanthropic activities with the PACE Center. Career Day at PACE gave me the chance to get to know some of the girls and hear their stories of what brought them to PACE. We try to encourage the girls of the positive opportunities that are within their reach not only in the commercial industry but with education and other career fields as well.
 

 

www.perimeter-realty.com

Leigh Gunn, IIDA Principal, Group4 Design - August 2013 Member Spotlight

Leigh Gunn, IIDA

Group4 Design

1. How did you become a member of CREW Jacksonville? 

After being invited by Mel Schock to the inaugural events of CREW in Jacksonville, I became a charter member of CREW.  I left CREW for a short time during a job change but because of the great relationships and the outstanding programs I came right back!

2. Tell us a little about your company and your role.

Group 4 Design, Inc. is a fun and talented group of 15 creative types who deliver amazing design concepts that are unique to every client.  We provide integrated interior design; architecture and landscape design services and pride ourselves on great relationships both with our clients and the general contractors and vendors that we work with.  We strive to have all of our marketing come from repeat business because of the satisfaction of the whole team with not only the final result but with the whole process. 

As interior design principal it is my role to make sure that we have well-coordinated, outstanding designs while keeping each idea fresh and new.  Unlike a lot of firms, which principals and managers are not hands on, I participate in every step of the design process from space planning in the beginning to putting the accessories in place at the end.  Because of the talented designers and architects we have assembled into our group, my job offers me the luxury of enjoying what I do each and every day and being extremely proud of what we have all accomplished together in such a short amount of time.  I am so lucky to be inspired every day by the amazing people around me.

3. If you have been very involved with CREW Network during your time with CREW, can you tell the members how to best take advantage of what CREW Network has to offer?
JOIN A COMMITTEE!!  This is where you get to know people on a personal level, where you learn how well you work together and where you get to celebrate great results within CREW.   It helps your confidence level in how teaming on business projects with the individuals will work and you make great friends in the meantime.

 

4. What is the best networking experience at CREW?

Involvement with the Membership Committee has been my best networking experience.  It has given me the chance to make contact with both potential and new members and strengthen my ability to market.  It’s great to make a call about something for CREW and introduce yourself and your company during someone’s early experiences with CREW, hopefully it makes you memorable to them.

5. In the years you’ve been a member what has been your favorite activity?

The Christmas events and auctions for PACE are always a favorite of mine, I’m always amazed by the enthusiasm of the girls and how it shows through in their art for the auctions and by the dedication of the CREW members who work so hard to put it all together.

Caryn Carreiro, CCIM CREW Member Spotlight July 2013

July 2013 CREW Member Spotlight

Caryn Carreiro, CCIM

How did you become a member of CREW Jacksonville?  I was a member when the CREW Jacksonville chapter was first organized.  I was introduced to CREW by Amy Sterling and Laura Gonzalez and all of the founding members as a professional women’s organization where we could conduct business with individuals whose core industry was in commercial real estate.

Tell us a little about your company and your role.  NAI Hallmark Partners was founded in 1993 as a full-service commercial real estate company with expertise in real estate development of office buildings, retail and multi-family; provider of corporate real estate services; and leasing/managing a portfolio in excess of 3 million square feet – focusing in North Florida.

My role is managing the Asset Management department responsible for asset and property management, operations, finance and construction.  I lead a team 8 in Jacksonville.

  Take time to meet each member and get to know them as they have vast knowledge to share and are interested in helping all members succeed professionally and personally.  The CREW Network has allowed me access to members in multiple cities in Florida and that has been an invaluable resource.

What is the best networking experience at CREW?  Every event has provided me an opportunity to get to know fellow members in more depth.  In addition, when speakers provide updates in their field I have been able to meet new people that I would not otherwise have had access to.

In the years you’ve been a member what has been your favorite activity?  The opportunities to have access to information about current economic conditions and important local/national issues.