Dan Hamelberg of The University Group, and Susan Jepsen of Reynolds Towing, Inc. were awarded the Property Professional of the Year Award and the Vendor of the Year Award for 2009 respectively by unanimous vote of the Nominating Committee and the C.I.A.A. board.

If you don’t know Susan by name, you have seen her. She is not only participating at virtually every function, she is a driving force behind making it happen. She has served four years as treasurer for the association, and has also put sweat and effort into recruiting new members, organizing events, making recommendations for the Trade Show, and getting out to show support for property owners with politicians, among other acts. She is even ready to take tickets for an event at the door if needed. Susan says she does it because she knows the direct impact her volunteering can have for Reynolds Towing. According to Susan, “Towing is not a typical business and being a vendor member of the association helps customers to better understand our business. We have gained many customers over the years for anything from a jumpstart to a heavy duty equipment hauling job.”

It should be noted that Susan’s dedication to giving back is a philosophy endorsed by her employer. Susan adds “Reynolds Towing is also very involved in the community, we participate in Touch a Truck day, Fourth of July parade, Christmas parade, and this year will be helping with the Illinois marathon. As our motto says Any Time – Any Place – Any Size.”

Dan Hamelberg’s support of your Central Illinois Apartment Association goes back to its infancy. Dan was there when it all got started and has been prepared at every turn to nurture it to its current health and vitality. Dan has always been prepared to give, serving twice as association president, being vocal in the community about issues affecting the real estate investor, encouraging membership education by hosting a library of resources, and being the catalyst behind a string of successful Trade Shows, to name just a few of his contributions.

The growth of The University Group is due in part to the lessons Dan has been able to learn and teach during his years with the association. Dan is particularly proud of the opportunity the C.I.A.A. provides to investors who are new to the industry or for whom it is a secondary source of income. He is pleased to be involved in shaping a leasing marketplace that is fair for resident and investor alike. Dan’s efforts in the association to foster cooperation and collaboration fit nicely with those of The University Group, a family-owned and family-run business that prides itself on offering safe, centrally-located and reasonably priced apartments on the University of Illinois campus. When we work together, we all can thrive.

Thank you Dan and Susan, for giving to us, your peers in the association, in 2009 and years past. We are grateful for your example.