Toni started out 20 years ago in customer service and took care of 6 managers and customer service for a year.  The owner of the company, Janet Lang,  offered her a position in property management because she stated that she had the personality and organization skills to be a great manager. 

Toni worked for Lang Property Management for 12 years and then with Advocate Property Management to the present day.   Toni enjoys working with boards and helping them to figure out what is best for the associations. She enjoys helping the homeowners as best as she can and if not, will work between the board and the owners to resolve any issues that may come along. 

Toni is very grateful for all the people that she has met in the 20 years of doing this line of work and hopefully will continue until I she retires. 

Kerry Bartell is a principal with the law firm of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit and has been practicing with the firm for over 16 years. She concentrates her practice in the area of Common Interest Community Association
(condominium, townhome, homeowner, Master) law.

Kerry's expertise includes providing guidance on general matters relating to associations, as well as counseling the board of directors for an association on corporate actions, contracts, dispute resolution and other issues relating to the association as a corporation.

Kerry conducts seminars and webinars on community association law for homeowners, property managers and community associations in the Chicago land area. She is a frequent speaker at industry tradeshows and has written numerous articles featured in publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Common Interest, and Chicagoland Cooperator.

Kerry is also actively involved with Community Association Institute (CAI), where she served on the Board for six years and as Illinois Chapter President for two years. She currently serves on the Chapter Awards and Nominating Committees.

Kerry received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

KSN attorney Nicholas Mitchell serves as Chairperson of KSN’s Litigation Department. Nick focuses his practice on general litigation and construction defect litigation as it applies to condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Nick has extensive experience at representing clients with various backgrounds through all phases of litigation. 

Anthony Dister started with Community Advantage in August 2004 and currently serves as a Vice President and is responsible for new business development and portfolio management for our management company and association clients. Mr. Dister brings over 15+ years of experience to Community Advantage.

Before joining Community Advantage, Mr. Dister was a Personal Banker at a northwest suburban bank for three years. Upon his arrival at Barrington Bank & Trust in 2002, he managed the teller line and then transferred into operations. Mr. Dister transferred to Community Advantage in 2004 where he worked as a Financial Analyst for two years before being promoted to a Commercial Loan Officer, Assistant Vice President and later Vice President.

Mr. Dister was previously named a Certified Manager of Community Associations® (CMCA) by the National Board of Certification for Community Associations Managers. He joins many CMCAs nationwide who have mastered the fundamental knowledge to manage condominium, cooperative and homeowners associations.

Education
University of Phoenix – Bachelor of Science in Finance
Harper College – Associates Degree
Wintrust Academy, Credit Training

Professional Affiliations/Designations
Certified Manager of Community Associations® (CMCA)
Community Associations Institute (CAI) Illinois Chapter
-Board Member and Treasurer, 2015-current
-Finance Committee Co-Chair 2016-current
-Committee for Community Development Chair, 2010-2014
Association of Condominium, Townhouse & Homeowner Association (ACTHA)
Media/Condo Lifestyles
-Media Event Planning Committee
-Institute of Real Estate Management (Friends of IREM)
Barrington Bank & Trust
-Community Reinvestment Act Committee Member

Awards
2016 Olympus Service Award – Community Associations Institute
2010 Community Banker of the Year – Barrington Bank & Trust
2007 Rising Star Award – Community Associations Institute
2005 Community Banker of the Year – Barrington Bank & Trust

Jamie Stevens advises community associations on a range of issues related to their daily business operations, serving as their general legal advisor. In his work with the leaders of condominium and other common interest communities on governing documents, finances, litigation and transactional issues, Jamie provides them with perspective and broad knowledge in their legal matters. His experience includes: drafting easements, bylaws and declarations; advising on developer turnover matters and assessment collection; interpreting governing documents; and counseling on the variety of contract, dispute, and business concerns they face. In litigation, Jamie represents associations in covenant interpretation and enforcement matters and defends associations against various claims, drawing from broad on-the-ground experience with associations in their life cycles

Aside from his role as counselor, Jamie relies on his familiarity with the Illinois Condominium Property Act and Common Interest Community Association Act to assist clients in transactional matters such as deconversion sales of entire properties, lending transactions in the community association marketplace, and development of condominium and common interest properties. His experience includes drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements and preparing documentation to establish and develop condominium properties. He also assists with distressed property redevelopment, financing and receivership actions to resolve properties in crisis.

In 2006, Michael Kreibich joined Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit's litigation department, where he advised and guided association clients through the resolution of disputes and issues with unit owners, developers, subcontractors, service providers, and other vendors. During that time, Michael successfully represented numerous clients through all phases of litigation, including mediation, arbitration, and both bench and jury trails.

In 2011, Michael transitioned into the firm’s Community Association Department where he now advises Common Interest Community Association (condominium, townhome, homeowner, Master) clients on a variety of major and day-to-day issues. He uses his extensive litigation background to assist association clients through the difficult disputes and decisions they inevitably face. Prior to joining Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, Michael practiced in the area of insurance defense litigation, defending insureds in hundreds of lawsuits and obtaining countless favorable outcomes for his clients. During law school, Michael served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Brigid Mary McGrath in the Law Division, Jury Trials section at the Daley Center in Chicago. During that time, he assisted with the proceedings of several large jury trials  resulting in verdicts of over $10 million each. Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Elizabeth focuses her practice on counseling community associations both in litigation and on day-to-day operational issues. Elizabeth’s litigation experience includes litigating constitutional claims, administrative review actions, government investigations, and business litigation, such as preliminary and permanent injunctions, declaratory judgments, insurance issues, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and breaches of contract, in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Elizabeth offers the following services, among others, for community associations:

*enforcement of association governing documents, including seeking injunctive relief and governing rule violation proceedings from start to finish;

*amendment of association governing documents, including amendments to condominium declarations to comply with the Illinois Condominium Property Act, amendments transferring limited common elements (such as parking or storage spaces), and substantive rule change amendments (such as prohibiting smoking or limiting rentals);

*advice on collection of unpaid assessments;

*review of association contracts, including but not limited to management contracts, elevator maintenance contracts, landscaping contracts, bulk cable and internet contracts, pool maintenance contracts, laundry contracts, parking contracts and construction contracts;

*review and provide advice regarding financing options for large-scale projects, including review of proposed loan terms and assistance in loan closing and requirements for special assessments;

*resolution of disputes between homeowners and the association; and

*assistance with board meetings, membership meetings and board elections.

Elizabeth also has experience handling complex commercial litigation matters, in administrative, state, and federal courts.  She has also litigated appeals in the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Court, and the Seventh and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, including preparation of appellate briefing and oral argument. 

Prior to joining the firm, Elizabeth clerked for the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. There, she had gained experience researching and drafting opinions on a variety of equity issues, including insurance declaratory judgments, constitutional questions and administrative review cases. 

Nancy Ayers manages the Residential Risk Management Practice at  Alliant/Mesirow Insurance  She specializes in designing customized programs for building owners and property management companies.  She is a member of the Broker Advisory Council for Affiliated FM/FM Global Insurance and former board member of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers in Washington DC.DC.

Kathy began working in the insurance industry in 1989 while earning her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

She began her insurance career selling and servicing personal insurance and shortly after college graduation in 1993, became manager of a Personal Lines Department for a downtown Chicago agency where she received her introduction to commercial insurance.  She became especially interested in the area of community association insurance.  She realized that working with property managers, board members, and homeowners was similar to the goals she set for herself in working with her home and auto insurance clients.  Her goals being to create a long term relationship with the client through open communication, education, service, and to earn the position as their trusted insurance advisor.  Working with community associations quickly became the focus of her career and passion.

Kathy demonstrates her commitment to the advancement of community associations as well as her professional development by being a member of CAI, earning both the CIRMS (Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist) and Educated Business Partner credentials from CAI, she volunteers on the CAI Magazine, Membership, and Homeowner Leader Education committees and is also a member of ACTHA (Association of Condominium, Townhouse, and Homeowners Associations).  Kathy is also involved with other industry related groups and committees.  

David Burke is the Executive Account Manager at Custom Installations based out of Lake Forest, IL. David manages creative consultation pertaining to large loss prevention. Operating with an advanced construction management team, performing work on the outer envelope of residential and commercial structures. 

Prior to his time with Custom, David spent extensive time contributing in Sales, Marketing and IT services with a specialty in improving systems. Automating modern processes while implementing construction efficiencies, allow large scale savings capitalization. He has also worked with the founder of Groupon in collaboration of two startup companies, Innerworkings and Echo Global Logistics where he introduced many Enterprise revenue generating activities, successfully securing lucrative accounts. 

David is an active member in his community, assisting many to secure a solid connection to religious studies. David gives his large family up-bringing much of the credit for his success in life. As he puts it, “having to negotiate others for breakfast every morning increases your willingness to work hard.” 

Brian Butler is Senior Vice President in Chicago, Illinois for FirstService Residential, North America’s largest professional community association management firm. A CAI member since 2012, Brian oversees a dynamic team of vice presidents, operational leaders, regional directors and community managers, serving hundreds of high-rise communities in downtown Chicago.

Brian currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Chapter of CAI, where he is a past recipient of the CAI Olympus Award and Rising Star Award. He is a licensed attorney and also serves as the co-chair of the CAI Illinois Legislative Action Committee (ILAC). Brian holds a Community Association Manager license, earned his CMCA and AMS designations, and has attained the industry’s highest professional accreditation, the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation.

Brian also serves as the Vice President of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) which is dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the quality of life and community in this highly-visible downtown Chicago neighborhood sitting between the Mag Mile/Michigan Avenue, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan. 

Howard S. Dakoff is a partner heading the Community Associations Practice Group of Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC.  He concentrates his practice in condominium, real estate, and general corporate law.

 Howard is the co-author of the current chapter on "Condominium Management" for the Condominium Law textbook published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.  Howard also regularly publishes articles on a variety of community association topics and lectures extensively at state and national seminars and is an elected member to the College of Community Association Lawyers of the Community Associations Institute.  

You may recognize Howard’s name as the Condo Adviser columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Sunday Edition.

Todd Walter, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Illinois,is the Great Lake Regional Executive Director for Reserve Advisors, which is dedicated toserving community associations throughout the United States.  Mr. Walter has conducted nearly 2,500 ReserveStudies since starting with Reserve Advisors in 1999, primarily in the Chicago andMinneapolis areas.  Mr. Walter severed asthe Vice President of Engineer at Reserve Advisors for numerous years and wasresponsible for building at team of 30+ engineers.  

Kara Cermak is part of the RealManage Family of Brands as Senior Vice President of Learning and Development.  She previously served as the President and daughter of the founding owner of Rowell Incorporated for over 20 years until merging with RealManage LLC.  Kara graduated from Northern Illinois University with an Operations Management Degree and a minor in English Literature.  She has over 30 years of experience in the industry, managing communities, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of a team. As a leader in the industry, Kara realizes the importance of improving the industry as a whole. She obtained the CMCA®, AMS®, and PCAM® (the pinnacle of CAI designations).  She served as a Board Member for the Illinois Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) for 8 years and also served as President of the Chapter for a year. She became National Faculty for CAI’s Professional Designations Program in 2009 and continues to teach throughout the country. Kara earned the Educator of the Year Award in 2017 and served from 2017 through 2019 on the National CAI Board of Trustees, and the National CAI Community Manager's Council. She is now a member of the Community Manager Success Group (CMSG) for the RealManage family, and teaches, mentors, and supports community managers and board members.

Pat Costello is one of the founders of the firm of Keay & Costello, P.C. He is an attorney and with offices located in Wheaton and Batavia. Since 1993 Pat has concentrated his practice in the area association law, representing condominium, and community interest community associations. In his practice Pat has appeared before courts in DuPage County, Kane County, Will County, Kendall County, Lake County and Cook County. Pat has been licensed in the State of Illinois and by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois since 1993. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois. Pat is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association, ATCHA and CAI. Pat currently serves as the Co-Chair of the CAI Illinois Legislative Action Committee.

Patrick T. Costello - Keay and Costello, Attorneys at Law (keaycostello.com)

Sheila Malchiodi has been an integral part of the community association industry for over 13 years. She brings both knowledge and personal skills to capital improvement, small scale, and disaster related projects. As a speaker, educator, and master networker, she joins people together to learn everything possible in this fast paced construction world while delivering practical information that can be used to create an impact in your daily practice. Locally, Sheila is a Past President of CAI-Illinois and serves on the Business Partner Council at CAI Illinois well as other committees in the industry. In her current role, Sheila has a direct working relationship among board members, community managers, and Business Partners creating synergy through every part of the project process. A mother and a wife, she spends as much time as she can with her family and absolutely loves DIY projects.

Tom has been in the property management industry for over 35 years.  Tom is currently the Vice President for ACM Community Management and is responsible for marketing, sales, Board member education and monthly manager training.  Tom is a licensed community association manager through the State of Illinois.

 Tom was an Adjunct Faculty member at the College of DuPage for twenty-five years in the facility and property management department and is an Advisor at DePaul University in their School of New Learning.

 Tom is on the Board of Directors of ACTHA (the Association of Condominium and Townhouse and Homeowners Associations), and an Education Committee member, a member of CAI (Community Associations Institute) and a Past-President of ABOMA (the Apartment Building Owners and Managers Association).  Tom is also an Advisory Committee member for CondoLifestyles magazine.

  Tom was the Board Secretary for his former condominium association and a past Board member of the Hinswood Homeowners Association, where he and his family currently live. 

Nicholas Bartzen is one of the founding partners of Bartzen Rosenlund Kasten, LLC and exclusively represents Illinois community associations. He currently serves as the co-chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Condominium Subcommittee, and is an active member of CAI-IL, the Illinois chapter of the Community Association Institute, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Nicholas is also the co-author of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education 2021 Edition of “Condominium Law: Governance, Authority, and Controlling Documents.”

Nicholas is both frequently published and interviewed on condo and HOA legal issues in a range of local and national industry publications, including Condo Lifestyles Magazine, Common Interest Magazine, the CAI-Illinois publication, The New York Cooperator: The Co-op and Condo Monthly, and The Chicagoland Cooperator: The Condo, HOA and Co-op Monthly. He is also a frequent lecturer and host of legal seminars for industry organizations and area property management companies and regularly serves as a panelist on community association law podcasts. For more information, please go to https://brkchicago.com

Adam Busch owns Amada Senior Care of Chicago together with his wife, Jennifer. Amada Senior Care provides qualified and supervised in-home caregivers and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), senior housing guidance, and financial coordination including long term care insurance claims assistance. Amada Senior Care of Chicago is an A+ certified agency by the Home Care Standards Bureau and a certified partner of the National Readmission Prevention Collaborative. Adam is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison and has presented for associations, community-based groups, and at leading hospitals and medical facilities on the topics of aging and senior care options.