Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcy Kravit.
Marcy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to South Florida when I was 14 years old. My grandparents retired to South Florida and purchased one of the first condominium developments ever built in Aventura, FL. We enjoyed visiting them every summer and after my father suffered a heart attack, we decided to give up the cold winters and moved their retail business to South Florida. My parents taught me to always be kind, considerate of others, unselfish, productive, and in business, the customer is always right and to always put yourself in the other person shoes. As a child and through young adulthood, I worked in my father’s yarn and knitting stores. He had three stores, Pittsburgh Yarn Outlet located throughout Miami and based in North Miami Beach. My father encouraged me to sign up for small business management and Dale Carnegie courses. My favorite Dale Carnegie book is “How to Win Friends & Influence People.” My Small Business Management coursework was extremely valuable; however, not has beneficial as the $800.00 Dale Carnegie Training that my father told me to take. He said, “I don’t care how many college courses you take, someday you will thank me for taking the Dale Carnegie Training,” and he was right. One of my favorite Dale Carnegie quotes is, “Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all of your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you thought you could never be yours.”
My mother worked in retail at Bloomingdales in Aventura, Florida for several years and many of the residents I have met managing luxury high rises knew her well because she delivered the same 5-star customer service that I carry out in my everyday work. She taught me to work hard, never doubt myself, have confidence and pursue my goals. I encourage my children to do the same.
I met my husband Jaime on a blind date over 33 years ago. We were set up through a mutual customer, Sidney Yablonsky. Sydney’s sister, Rose worked for my husband and his family, coincidentally, in a local retail jewelry business in Hallandale, Florida. It was love at first sight and I am proud to say we have been married for 32 years and have two adult children, Sean & Lindsay.
We moved to Weston, Florida in 1989 when the community was located west in unincorporated Fort Lauderdale and part of the Everglades. The developer, Arvida (built Disney World) and its goal was to create a hometown suburban community of stately palms, manicured lawns, tree-lined, cozy winding streets with designer mailboxes and lamp posts. This was the place where my husband Jaime and I wanted to raise our children.
As we settled into the community, I volunteered and served on several sports organizations boards, PTA and the Board of Directors of my 206 homeowners association community. I assisted our Property Manager in developing a Microsoft Access database and volunteered to serve on the Master Homeowners Association. I also volunteered to serve on the campaign committee for the first mayor of Weston, Harry Rosen. In 1996, Weston became incorporated as a City. Mary Molina Macfie, President of Bermuda Springs Maintenance Association and recently elected as Weston’s City Commissioner and I worked to obtain our CAM license to better educate ourselves in serving and governing our community. We soon learned that other community leaders were in need of advanced education and established relationships with industry leaders, experts, service providers and shared the knowledge by hosting a series of educational seminars. It was well received and the start of my passion to share the knowledge and “Pay it Forward”.
I had a strong passion for this industry and desire to apply my retail business management skills in taking the next step in managing a community. My first job was managing a 452-unit multi-condominium community in Miami, Florida. Shortly after, I was contacted to manage a luxury high rise in Fort Lauderdale. I was so excited to have the opportunity as I was fascinated by high rises and had such great memories as a child visiting my grandparents, as I referred it to “a permanent hotel with all of the amenities.” The high rise was located on the intercostal in Fort Lauderdale and included boat docks. I proudly welcomed the opportunity. The Board of Directors supported my thirst for education and my quest to pursue the Community Associations Institute Professional Management Development Program. I have earned the CMCA, AMS, PCAM and now the CFCAM designation.
I believe that in order to survive in the community association management industry, education, relationships, communication, teamwork, exemplary customer service, and professionalism are critical. My advice for a new CAM ( Community Association Manager) is to work closely with a mentor, attend continuing education courses and read as much as you can about the industry in the Florida Community Association Journal and other industry publications.
In my spare time, I serve on my homeowner’s association board as Vice President. It keeps me in check with my work as I see both sides of the coin. I also volunteer for the American Cancer Society and other organizations. I enjoy writing, dining, reading, the beach, cycling, parks, visiting my adult children, and taking nature walks with my husband Jaime and our four-year-old whippet dog, Party!
It can be challenging to balance one’s work and home life. As an overachiever, I like to give 100% to both. If I could give advice to someone starting out, I would tell them to be well prepared, well educated and to enjoy the opportunities the property management field has to offer.
Marcy’s 2018 Promotion Announcement
Last year, AKAM on-Site was pleased to announce the promotion of Marcy Kravit as AKAM’s new Managing Director.
Marcy has 20+ years’ experience managing community associations and specializing in luxury high rises. Her knowledge and expertise in the industry is of tremendous value to each and every client AKAM On-site serves.
Marcy has earned the CMCA (Certified Manager of Community Associations), AMS (Association Management Specialist) and the PCAM (Professional Community Association Manager) designations from the Community Associations Institute and most recently the CFCAM (Certified Florida Community Association Manager) from FCAP.
Marcy writes a monthly column for the Florida Community Association Journal/Florida Community Association Professionals called “CAM to CAM.” She is the Education & Training Coordinator for FCAP and assists in improving advanced training materials for those pursuing the CFCAM (Florida Certified Community Association Manager) designation.
She has served as an on-site manager and held senior positions managing luxury high rises, condo-hotels, mixed-use and developer startups overseeing 120 properties, 34,000 units throughout the state of Florida.
Her passion, drive, and motivation were awarded in 2014 as National Onsite Manager of the Year and most recently she was selected as a Top 10 Finalist for 2018 National Onsite Manager of the Year.
Let us all congratulate Marcy on her outstanding performance in previous years which led to her promotion. We wish her continued success in working with AKAM On-Site in supporting our Managers and clients.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I welcome adversity. Struggle builds character. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger holds true for me. I was challenged with losing everything I worked so hard for. I was given the opportunity to be the Director of CAM and oversee the Florida operations for a company when I was faced with a noncompete that was enforced. I gave up a job I loved for a dream job that was ripped out right out from under me. I had to start all over again and work harder than ever. I was inspired to share my knowledge with others and shared my passion with my colleagues in building a team. I focused on the positive, was unstoppable in pursuing my passion. The reality is that at some point in life, we all go through struggles.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I have established a reputation as a leader who is driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to raising the level of professionalism in the industry. I have a proven track record of maximizing productivity by harnessing team strengths and improving performance in overseeing luxury high rise buildings and working and establishing relationships with the Managers, Board of Directors and residents I serve.
AKAM has been dedicated to providing exceptional management services that protect and enhance investment value and quality of life for the discerning owners who have entrusted their assets to them.
Kravit has represented the Community Association industry for over 20 years as a seasoned professional and a team player serving as Managing Director for AKAM and was the recipient of the “2014 National Manager of the Year Award” and “2018 Top Ten National Managers of The Year Award.”
Marcy is a contributing writer for The Florida Community Association Journal CAM to CAM column and the Education & Training Coordinator for FCAP (Florida Community Association Professionals).
Marcy applies her passionate leadership style to improve community operations and strives to provide her support and knowledge for her organization.
Featured “Women Of The Industry” 2 years in a row for the Florida Community Association Journal
Florida Community Association Journal Writer “CAM to CAM” monthly column. www.fcapgroup.com
FCAP (Florida Community Association Professionals)
Education and Training Coordinator
Has earned the highest designations in the community association industry:
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER (PCAM)
The pinnacle of community association management. The PCAM designation is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management.
ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (AMS)
The AMS designation demonstrates a higher level of commitment to managing and the community association industry.
International Certification Board’s (CAMICB)
The Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) certification program, the only internationally accredited certification program in the field.
(CFCAM) Certified Florida Community Association Manager
FCAP Manager Members have the unique opportunity to work towards and achieve the only Florida-specific professional designation available for CAMs.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve had several great mentors and supporters in my life. My dear stepmother and my father always taught me to be caring, pay it forward, take an interest in others and to have confidence in everything I do. My mother always pushes me to work hard and play hard and be comfortable with myself.
When it comes to a business mentor, there’s been no one better for thirty plus years than my husband and partner in life, Jaime. He is a third generation jeweler and always encourages me to do my best, mentor others and work to perfection. He taught me the importance of spending time with family and friends. I have learned so much from him: respect, commitment, resourcefulness, staying focused balance, strength, and patience. I couldn’t have a better mentor. He means the world to me. We are soul- mates.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1815 Griffin Road, Suite 101 Dania Beach, FL 33004
- Website: www.akam.com
- Email: mkravit@akam.com
- Phone: 954.843.2526
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
