December 2011
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Youth Movement, Education, Value Adds: New Leadership Sets New Goals for 2012

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Lou Mantia’s story is pure New York—rising through the operational ranks to become a building manager and then, after 9/11, when his talent and leadership were recognized by the corporate office, recruited by headquarters to take on portfolio management, corporate responsibilities and client service. It’s a story many of BOMA/NY’s leaders have shared, but generational shifts are writing new chapters for that story—more women are being promoted from administrative roles and and both sexes are entering property management with business backgrounds.

As property management’s career path broadens and transforms with the times, Lou and his new administration have made cultivating new—and younger—members their prime focus. Here are a few thoughts he shared in a recent interview with BOMAFACTS.

Q. What’s your number one goal for BOMA/NY in 2012?

A. To increase membership, and part of that would be to establish a "youth movement," a program to get new blood into BOMA/NY. Our Associate membership category is ideal for people who want to develop their careers and professional opportunities. 

Q. How will you accomplish that?

A. Clearly, our educational offerings are a plus—our seminars always focus on an issue our industry is facing in real time, or that looms ahead in the very near future. We bring together the best in the field to give practical answers. We give our seminar participants tools from better management techniques to ways of achieving cost efficiencies...and that in turn is a "value add" for the owners and companies who support BOMA/NY.

Q. And the BOMI designation courses? How can BOMA/NY help young people take advantage of those?

A. We have a very well-funded scholarship program that will cover any employee of a BOMA/NY member firm—let me emphasize that again—any employee, if they want to pursue a BOMI designation and their company does not underwrite the cost. 
BOMI courses are the foundation for a career—take them and you will be armed with basic management tools, from design and management to finance and marketing. A BOMI designation is a mark of accomplishment and expertise...it’s a vital part of the career path we offer. You’ll also rub shoulders with colleagues from other buildings; many people form life-long friendships in the process.

Q. That brings us to another signature BOMA/NY feature: networking. How do you see that increasing membership?

A. Our members provide the greatest single resource pool in the industry, and when you are a member, you have access to professionals at all levels. I am a  firm believer in our Annual Directory. It’s available only to members—a measurable member benefit. I reach for it whenever I need a new source, whether that be a consultant, contractor or a fellow professional I can call on for advice.
I’d like to expand networking to include real estate associations with whom we have positive relationships, such as REBNY, possibly IFMA, and other organizations with which we have common ground. With so many demands on people’s time today, we might all be able to benefit from pooling our talents to give our members the most bang for the buck.

Q. Are you looking for member feedback, or assistance with reaching the next generation?

A. Absolutely. I have an open door and welcome members’ input. Send your ideas to president@bomany.com, which is on our www.bomany.org website home page. Working with my officer team, we’ll review all suggestions and build a better BOMA/NY together.