Steven Silberman is a partner with the accounting and consulting firm of PBG Financial Services, PLLC.

Steve has provided accounting, tax and consulting services to Community Associations since 1978 and currently provides services to over 300 Associations. Steve has been a presenter for numerous CAI-Illinois, CAI-Wisconsin and ACTHA educational programs as well as authored many articles for newsletters and magazines including Common Interest for CAI-Illinois, Community Leader for CAI-Wisconsin and ACTHA news. Steve has also presented to many management companies over the years. Steve is an active member of CAI-Illinois and CAI-Wisconsin. Steve served six years as a Board Member of CAI-Illinois and Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for five years. He has been chair or co-chair of the Finance Committee for thirteen years. Steve has also been a member of various CAI-Illinois education committees since 2007. He was one of the original members of the Community Development Committee in 2007. Steve is currently participating on CAI-Illinois Homeowner Leader Education Committee. In 2012, Steve received the Olympus Service Award for his profound influence in the development of the Illinois Chapter of CAI. Steve has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Illinois, Champaign – Urbana. He is a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Donna Curtin is an experienced Community Association Manager with seventeen years’ experience.  Currently with FirstService Residential, Donna has overseen luxury high-rise and loft-conversion properties in the Gold Coast, Streeterville, Lakeview, River North, Loop and Hyde Park neighborhoods. Donna has successfully managed roof replacement projects, plumbing riser replacements, fire safety component upgrades, garage membrane repair projects, common area landscape, amenity space and hallway renovation projects and has participated in a co-op to condominium association conversion. Currently serving as Board President of her home condominium Association, Donna has participated on her community Board of Directors for over 25 years, the hands-on experience from which compliments her management expertise.

 Professional Credentials: Donna has a State of Illinois Community Association Manager (CAM) License and a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) designation and an Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation through the Community Associations Institute (CAI). She is a volunteer on the CAI Illinois Homeowner Leader Education Committee. 

Keith concentrates his practice in therepresentation of condominium and common interest community associations, aswell as the areas of general civil and commercial law.  He has extensive experience in preparing andamending association governing documents, including declarations, bylaws andrules and regulations as well as the enforcement of same.  Keith also provides guidance to association clientson a wide range of general corporate matters, such as corporate governance,maintenance/repair questions, and board actions.  He is also familiar with the FHA requirementsapplicable to condominium associations and has assisted numerous condominiumswith applying for FHA certification and re-certification through the HRAPprocess. 

Since graduating Magna Cum Laudefrom Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2006, Keith has been withCostello Sury & Rooney, P.C. where he is currently a senior counsel.  He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economicsfrom DePauw University in 2000.  Keith isa member of the Illinois State Bar Association. He has made presentations at events for CAI-Illinois, ACTHA, andmultiple Chicago Bar Association committees, and previously served as aco-chair of the CAI-Illinois Legal Forum/Conference Education Committee.  In addition to Illinois, Keith is alsolicensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Libby F. Vassmer is a shareholder of Costello Sury & Rooney in Oakbrook Terrace Illinois. Ms. Vassmer has been licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois since 2015 and the state of Indiana since 2022. Her practice is focused on the representation of condominium and common interest communities, cooperatives, as well as general civil practice. With her extensive experience in the collections arena, Ms. Vassmer has helped guide a multitude of associations towards reduced delinquencies and improved fiscal status. Ms. Vassmer frequently appears before courts in Cook County and the collar counties as well as northwest Indiana on behalf of associations. Additionally, Ms. Vassmer provides general counsel guidance to associations on issues such as corporate governance, violation/enforcement issues and contract review. Ms. Vassmer obtained her Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Kerry Bartell is a principal with KSN and has been practicing with the firm for over 20 years. She concentrates her practice representing condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Kerry provides 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.

Pamela Park focuses her practice on representing condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Pamela is one of KSN's senior litigators, concentrating in the defense of discrimination actions. She has successfully handled numerous complaints on the federal, state, and local levels.

James “Jamie” Stevens is a Partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. He is a member of the Firm’s Condominium & Community Associations practice group. Jamie regularly advises community associations on a range of issues related to their daily business operations, serving as their go-to 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 valuable 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 contracts, disputes, and business concerns his clients 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. In addition to his role as counselor, Jamie relies on his knowledge of 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, as well as preparing documentation to establish and develop condominium properties. He also assists with distressed property redevelopment, financing, and receivership actions to resolve properties in crisis.

Matthew Goldberg is Partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. Matthew is a member of the Firm's Condominium & Community Associations practice group and concentrates his practice in the areas of condominium law, real estate, litigation, and collections.

Matthew is an experienced association attorney representing condominium associations, master associations, cooperatives, and common interest communities. He provides advice on governance
issues, declaration and rule enforcement, assessment collection strategies, and foreclosures. Creative solutions and outside-the-box thinking are hallmarks that have resulted in exceptional
results for his clients. Matthew has lectured on many issues involving associations. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Community Associations Institute – Illinois Chapter. Matthew is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Community Associations Institute – Illinois Chapter.

 Areas of Practice

Dawn, a principal with Keough & Moody, P.C., joined the firm in 2000 (then known as Knuckles & Jagel), where she started as a law clerk and then, as an attorney. Dawn concentrates her practice on the representation of community associations. In that regard, she assists boards in all areas of association governance, including drafting and amending governing documents, providing legal opinions, reviewing policies for compliance with applicable laws, and reviewing contracts. Dawn strives to provide proactive and practical advice to her clients.

Education and Admissions

Dawn received her J.D. degree, with honors, from Chicago Kent College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from North Central College in Naperville. Dawn was a member of the History Honor Society at North Central College and was a recipient of the CALI Award of Excellence in Criminal Procedure at Chicago Kent College of Law.

Dawn is admitted to practice law in all state courts in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Industry Involvement

Dawn presents and writes for the firm, as well as industry groups, such as CAI-Illinois' Chapter, Condo Lifestyles, and Association of Condominium Townhome and Homeowners Association (“ACTHA”). She has also presented at the CAI National Law Seminar. In addition, Dawn has contributed to IICLE's ("Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education") book related to Condominium Law

 Areas of Practice

Gabriella, a principal with Keough & Moody, P.C., joined the firm in 1996 and began her representation of community associations. Gabriella is primarily responsible for litigation related to community associations, which varies from breach of contract to seeking declaratory and/or injunctive relief. Gabriella’s practice also concentrates on representing community associations in non-litigation related matters, which includes providing Boards of Directors with opinion letters, drafting amendments to the Association’s governing documents and drafting rules and regulations. She provides all areas of legal counsel to community associations within the Chicagoland area.

Education and Admissions

Gabriella received her J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law after graduating Cum Laude from Loyola University of Chicago. Gabriella is admitted to practice law in all state courts in the State of Illinois. She is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Gabriella is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and DuPage County Bar Association.

Gabriella was admitted to the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). CCAL is a prestigious group of attorneys practicing community association law in the United States. Approximately 200 attorneys have been granted membership in the College.

Industry Involvement

Gabriella was the co-chair for the Chicago Bar Association’s Condominium Subcommittee from 2015 -2022. Gabriella also presents and writes for other industry groups including MCD Media, and Condo Lifestyles. Gabriella has been involved in CAI-Illinois' Chapter. In the past, she was the co-chair of several Committees. Gabriella also contributes written articles for CAI's Common Interest Magazine and speaks at various CAI Chapter Programs, including her presentations at various Legal Forums and trade shows. For the past seven (7) years, she has served as a member of the Planning Committee for the CAI National Law Seminar. She has also presented at the CAI National Law Seminar, including as recently as in February 2024, and in 2023. Since 2020, Gabriella has been a member of the CAI CCAL Amicus Curiae Committee. Finally, Gabriella has contributed to IICLE's ("Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education") book related to Condominium Law. She has also presented for IICLE and the National Business Institute ("NBI") on issues related to community associations, as part of the continuing education they offer for Illinois attorneys.

Laura Marinelli is a partner in and leader of the Community Association Group of Levenfeld Pearlstein. She has extensive experience representing condominium associations and common interest community associations in complex litigation matters involving various injunctive and equitable remedies, as well as covenant enforcement, developer issues, mixed use property disputes, and breach of fiduciary duty matters.

Laura advises community associations on issues related to the association's governing documents, the Illinois Condominium Property Act, and the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act. She also helps associations resolve issues with homeowners, developers, and city/county agencies. She helps associations collect unpaid assessments and represents associations during foreclosure proceedings.

She also assists with board meetings, membership meetings, board elections, and rule violation hearings. She also has extensive experience in general and commercial litigation. She has represented entities and individuals in complex litigation matters in both state and federal court from inception through both bench and jury trials, as well as on appeal. Laura’s litigation experience includes numerous matters seeking equitable relief, including temporary restraining orders as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions.

Her litigation experience includes matters relating to non-compete agreements, probate disputes, partnership agreements, breach of contract, and real estate matters. Laura also represents clients in matters involving violations of Fair Housing laws before both the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

Laura was a 2019 Fellow for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, was named as a Leading Lawyer for Real Estate Law: Associations and Condominiums in 2018 and 2019, and was named to the Illinois SuperLawyers Rising Stars list from 2011-2015.

Adam is an associate in the Community Association Group. He helps cooperative, condominium, and homeowners associations navigate a variety of legal, financial and commercial issues. Whether attending board meetings and offering common sense solutions to governance challenges; reviewing, negotiating and modifying various agreements; or advising his association clients on enforcement of governing documents, Adam is a pragmatic, trusted advisor with a patient and fair approach to problem-solving.

Prior to joining Levenfeld Pearlstein, Adam worked at a New York boutique real estate firm where he offered practical, comprehensive legal advice to community associations. Treating each of his clients as unique, Adam takes a holistic approach to advising community associations. He focuses his practice onreviewing, negotiating and modifying governing documents, lease agreements, policy documents and commercial contracts. Adam’s clients usually request his attendance at monthly board meetings, where his level head and industry acumen prove instrumental in effective policy-making and business planning.

Adam was presented with the Minister Gloria Jean Fowler Angel Award in his final year at Emory University School of Law, which recognizes one student who embodies the kindness and grace of former Emory employee Gloria Jean Fowler.

Of Counsel/SFBBG LLC, Mike received his undergraduate degree (Political Science Major) from the University of Hawaii (Manoa Campus. Honolulu, HI) and his law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (Chicago, IL).  He is licensed to practice in Illinois and its courts, and also before various federal courts, including the U.S. District Court (Northern District, IL) (both General and Trial Bar), the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

His practice is focused on community association law, construction law, real estate law and civil litigation.  He has practiced law for over 40 years.  He has personally handled a wide and diverse range of transactions and litigation for all types of community associations, developers, lenders, insurance companies and homeowners.  He has served as an expert witness on association legal issues.

As an adjunct professor with the John Marshall Law School, he taught at the School’s Graduate Program in Real Estate Law on condominium, cooperative and common interest community law.  Mike co-authored the Historical and Practice Notes to the Illinois Condominium Property Act, has long been active in legislative efforts involving the Act and has written extensively on condominium law and issues, including articles published by the John Marshall Law School, Community Associations Institute (CAI) (both National and Illinois) and the Association of Condominium, Townhome and Homeowners Associations (ACTHA).

Mike has taught numerous times at CAI-National’s prestigious Community Association Law Seminar, has spoken at CAI National Conferences, has taught other attorneys at the Law Education Institute, National Business Institute and Lorman Education Services seminars, and has lectured for the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.  He has participated in webinars on rule enforcement for HOA Leader and reserve funds for The Cooperator.

He has served on the Board of Governors of the CAI College of Community Association Lawyers, of which he is a charter member; the College was established to recognize distinguished service to community association law and commitment to highest ethical and professional standards.

He also served as President of CAI-Illinois, during which time he encouraged use of alternative dispute resolution for community associations.  Mike has served as Chair of the Real Property Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association as well as its Condominium Law Subcommittee and also as Chair of the Condominium Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association Real Estate Law Section Council.  He is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property Law Section. 

His pro bono activities have included work to develop affordable condominiums for low income families with Uptown Habitat for Humanity and work as General Counsel to the Association of Sheridan Condo Co-op Owners (ASCO).

Joan Berg, a Partner with Schoenberg Finkel Beederman Bell Glazer LLC, received her undergraduate degree (Chemistry) from Loyola University of Chicago and her law degree from IIT – Chicago Kent College of Law. She is licensed to practice in Illinois and its courts, including the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Joan services clients in commercial real estate, lending, and corporate transactions. Her experience continues to be recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer, and within the Leading Lawyer Top 100 Women in Real Estate. Joan’s experience spans community association representation, as well as commercial real estate construction, development, land use, acquisition, disposition, and leasing.

In her community association work, Joan has represented developers, lenders, and community associations. Her construction and development experience include industrial, manufacturing, multi-family, and single family development in Illinois, New York, and California. She is often called upon to consult on complex air rights and title matters. Her land use knowledge adds depth to analyses with clients.

Joan represents lenders and borrowers with respect to asset-based and real estate-based financing. Leasing is another component of Joan’s real estate transaction experience. She regularly represents landlords and tenants in office, industrial, and retail leasing environments.

Providing general corporate representation for her clients is another aspect of Joan’s practice. She is counsel for her real estate developer and investor clients, as well as small and mid-sized businesses. In addition, Joan provides counsel to various non-profit and religious organizations. She provides counsel to a Christian denomination in the administration of its seminary, and its publishing endeavors. Joan is Co-Legal Advisor for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, a six-state region of the Greek Orthodox Church. In addition, she is a member of the Legal Committee for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Kevin Hirzel is the Managing Member of Hirzel Law, PLC, a 17-attorney community association law firm which serves clients throughout Michigan and Illinois. The firm has offices in Chicago, Downers Grove, and Skokie. Mr. Hirzel focuses on condominium law, homeowners association law, and real estate law. He is a Fellow in the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), a distinction held by fewer than 200 attorneys nationwide. Mr. Hirzel serves on the CCAL National Board of Governors and is a former member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Board of Trustees, and its Governmental Affairs & Public Policy Committee. He has twice won the Best Manuscript Award at the CAI National Law Seminar and has been recognized by Best Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. 

An accomplished author, Mr. Hirzel has published articles on community association law in CAI’s Common Ground Magazine and the Washington Post. He is also the author of Hirzel’s Handbook: How to Operate a Michigan Condo or HOA (First and Second Editions) and Hirzel’s Handbook: How to Operate an Illinois Condo or HOA, all available on Amazon.com. Mr. Hirzel has been featured as a legal expert on community association issues by numerous national and local media outlets, including CBS, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business News, NPR, Newsmax, the Wall Street Journal, and others. His interviews have also appeared on programs such as the Dan Abrams Show (SiriusXM Radio), Dr. Drew Midday Live (KABC Radio), and the Law & Crime Network. A dynamic speaker, Mr. Hirzel frequently lectures on community association law at state and national conferences, sharing his expertise with a broad audience.

Jeremy Fernando is an association attorney with Hirzel Law, PLC. He graduated from Texas A&M University with honors where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History. Mr. Fernando earned his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School where he was a member of the Marquette Law Review and graduated cum laude. During law school, Mr. Fernando was heavily involved with the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic and the Expungement and Pardon Clinic. Prior to joining Hirzel Law, PLC, Mr. Fernando was an associate attorney at Greenberg Traurig, LLP where he focused his practice on private placement financings, project financings, credit tenant lease financings, and other types of secured and unsecured lending transactions. His international experience includes transactions in the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Australia, and Germany.

At Hirzel Law, PLC, Mr. Fernando concentrates his practice in community association law, condominium law, and real estate law. He focuses on drafting and amending condominium bylaws, master deeds, declarations, deed restrictions, covenants and easements for numerous community associations.  He is also responsible for drafting opinion letters on community association issues and attending community association meetings. Mr. Fernando has served 2 years on the Board of Directors for her own condominium association in Chicago, Illinois. This first-hand experience as a Member and Director, in addition to being a Community Association Attorney, allows him to relate well to the many challenges that Community Association Boards face each day.

David J. Bloomberg is a Principal at Chuhak & Tecson, P. C. and both leader of the firm’s condominium and community association practice group and co-leader of the Litigation practice group. David focuses his practice on products liability litigation, commercial litigation and condominium and common interest community association law.

Former Hostage Negotiator, Division Commander, and Business Executive, Jeff Owens calls on his real-world experience of applying The Power of Respect tm to improve understanding, increase influence, elevate leadership, strengthen customer relationships, reduce negative conflict, and advance personal and organizational success. During a career in the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) that spanned three decades, among other notable accomplishments he was on the first hostage negotiation team in Hawaii.  Jeff retired from the HPD in 2002 at the rank of Major. After retiring from law enforcement he founded his business Transcend Inc. and was contracted as the Pacific Region General Manager of an international business with over six hundred employees in Hawaii to guide them from facing failure, to success and profitability. He is now a full-time speaker, trainer, and executive advisor focused on helping people to understand and apply real-world, practical concepts that promote understanding and increase influence in the ability to guide people and situations to desired outcomes. 

Jeff is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), the speaking profession’s highest earned designation. Only about four hundred speakers worldwide have received this prestigious award that signifies he is among the top echelon of speakers globally. He is also a Certified Virtual Presenter (CVP), having demonstrated mastery of the nuances of delivering presentations online. In 2021 Jeff was inducted into the Hawaii Speakers Hall of Fame and the international Virtual Speakers Hall of Fame in 2023. In 2015 Jeff was one of the first seventeen people in the world to be awarded the designation of Certified Threat Manager (CTM) by the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. Since then, this internationally recognized designation has been awarded to only about two hundred practitioners globally who have distinguished themselves as being “the best of the best” at behavioral threat assessment and management, and expertise in reducing the risk of and mitigating incidents of negative conflict and dealing with aggressive and violent people. Jeff provides keynote presentations, concurrent sessions, training, and executive advisement founded on using The Power of Respect tm to achieve better understanding of ourselves, others, and situations; developed from real-world experience to quip audiences with information they can use to achieve successful outcomes. 

Elizabeth Sokacich is a highly experienced CommunityManager with over 20 years of industry experience.  She has spent the last12 years with FirstService Residential excelling as the manager of large scaleproperties, as well as supervising, onboarding and transitioning new propertiesand managers.  Elizabeth has been a CAI  member since 2009 andcurrently holds an Illinois real estate brokers license a CMCA, AMS and PCAMdesignation.

Currently retired and living in a community of 211 Unit Townhome and Condominiums named the Whispering Lake Subdivision in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Diane serves on the Board of the Master/Umbrella Association as well as having served on the Townhome Board as Secretary and Treasurer of the Association. She has initiated and developed the Whispering Lake Website, as well as serving on the Social and Landscaping Committees for several years.  Diane is passionate about educating and mentoring homeowners in Association Best Practices and directs many homeowners to proper channels when they wish to educate themselves about serving on a Board and creating harmonious community living. She has participated as a moderator in many seminars in the industry. Diane has served as Past President, Vice-President and Secretary of ACTHA. She has served on the Membership, Events and Education Committees of ACTHA. She enjoys networking with other homeowners to foster better relations between Association boards, unit owners and management companies. Diane has also served on the CAI Board of Directors in 2016 and was recognized by being awarded the Rising Star Award in 2017 and the Homeowner Leader of the Year in 2018. She is currently on the Illinois Legislative Action Committee as well as the Co-Chair of the Legislative Fundraising Committee since 2016.

Adam is an associate in the Community Association Group. He helps cooperative, condominium, and homeowners associations navigate a variety of legal, financial and commercial issues. Whether attending board meetings and offering common sense solutions to governance challenges; reviewing, negotiating and modifying various agreements; or advising his association clients on enforcement of governing documents, Adam is a pragmatic, trusted advisor with a patient and fair approach to problem-solving.

Prior to joining Levenfeld Pearlstein, Adam worked at a New York boutique real estate firm where he offered practical, comprehensive legal advice to community associations. Treating each of his clients as unique, Adam takes a holistic approach to advising community associations. He focuses his practice onreviewing, negotiating and modifying governing documents, lease agreements, policy documents and commercial contracts. Adam’s clients usually request his attendance at monthly board meetings, where his level head and industry acumen prove instrumental in effective policy-making and business planning.

Adam was presented with the Minister Gloria Jean Fowler Angel Award in his final year at Emory University School of Law, which recognizes one student who embodies the kindness and grace of former Emory employee Gloria Jean Fowler.

Laura Marinelli is a partner in and leader of the Community Association Group of Levenfeld Pearlstein. She has extensive experience representing condominium associations and common interest community associations in complex litigation matters involving various injunctive and equitable remedies, as well as covenant enforcement, developer issues, mixed use property disputes, and breach of fiduciary duty matters.

Laura advises community associations on issues related to the association's governing documents, the Illinois Condominium Property Act, and the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act. She also helps associations resolve issues with homeowners, developers, and city/county agencies. She helps associations collect unpaid assessments and represents associations during foreclosure proceedings.

She also assists with board meetings, membership meetings, board elections, and rule violation hearings. She also has extensive experience in general and commercial litigation. She has represented entities and individuals in complex litigation matters in both state and federal court from inception through both bench and jury trials, as well as on appeal. Laura’s litigation experience includes numerous matters seeking equitable relief, including temporary restraining orders as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions.

Her litigation experience includes matters relating to non-compete agreements, probate disputes, partnership agreements, breach of contract, and real estate matters. Laura also represents clients in matters involving violations of Fair Housing laws before both the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

Laura was a 2019 Fellow for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, was named as a Leading Lawyer for Real Estate Law: Associations and Condominiums in 2018 and 2019, and was named to the Illinois SuperLawyers Rising Stars list from 2011-2015.

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.  

Sheryl is a Community Association Manager with 25 years of experience in managing Condominium, Townhome, and homeowner Associations. She is currently the Director of Operations at Associa Chicagoland.

Rachel Rowley brings over 17 years of Community Association Experience.  Rachel Started out as a clubhouse manager and worked her way into serving many roles over the last 17 years as a portfolio manager, to director of Business Development, lead supervisor and now a professional specializing in Community Association Banking. 

She currently has her AMS and PCAM designations and actively works to stay update on all things HOA, Condo and Townhomes on a national level.  Rachel has a passion for the industry, and all it encompasses. 

When Rachel is not working, she is a mom to 4 smart, sassy, challenging boys.  She truly loves the challenges and all the rewards of being a parent.   She feels parenting has helped her with communication, educating and speaking events and an overall ability to communicate and work with many different personalities and environments. She is excited to be working with CAI Illinois at the upcoming 2022 trade show.

Lea Marcou joined Associa, the largest professional community management company in North America, in 2008. Prior to her role on the Learning and Development team as a Learning Specialist, she spent almost 13 years at Associa Chicagoland in community management and various branch operations duties. Lea has worked with a diverse portfolio of properties, including mid-rise condos, townhomes, single family homes, developer, and commercial properties. While with Associa, and also in her role as a volunteer for the CAI Illinois chapter and other industry organizations, she has created and delivered training to community managers, other Associa employees, and homeowner association board members on many community management topics including new board member orientation, budgeting, financial review, annual calendars, strategic planning, effective meeting management, and more. Her writing has also been featured on the Associa blog and in CAI Illinois’ Common Interest magazine.
She is an active member of the Community Associations Institute, where she attends industry events, seminars and trade shows, is the chair of the CAI-IL Homeowner Leader Education Committee, and is a recipient of the CAI-IL Rising Star Award in 2016, and CAI-IL’s Olympus Service Award in 2019. Lea was awarded the Associa Innovation and Improvement Core Values Award in 2016.
Lea earned her Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) designation from the Community Association Managers International Certification Board in 2011, and her Association Management Specialist (AMS®) and Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) designations from Community Associations Institute (CAI) in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

Kerry Bartell is a principal with KSN and has been practicing with the firm for over 20 years. She concentrates her practice representing condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Kerry provides 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.

John Schaller is a long-time member of CAI, a DCAL holder, and CAI Illinois Board Member.

Cindy Fitts earned her MBA with a Leadership Concentration andBA in Business Management from Aurora University. She earned her CAI CommunityInsurance & Risk Management Specialist (CIRMS) designation in 2013 and isalso a CAI Educated Business Partner.

She has been an Account Executive with CISA Insurance since 2002where she provides for the day to day insurance needs of her communityassociations. She is passionate about partnering with and educating communityassociation boards and their managers on insurance and industry lawrequirements to ensure they are protected properly and are functioning ashealthy communities.

Cindy has been a participating member of CAI since 2002 whereshe started serving on the Membership Directory committee. She has also servedon the Board of Directors, the Program Committee, the Legal Forum/ConferenceEducation Committee, and Legislative Fundraising Committee. She is currently theCo-Chair of the Business Partner Council and Secretary for the IllinoisLegislative Action Committee (ILAC). 

With over 15 years in the community association management industry, and several years utilizing AI for productivity, Jamie brings a perspective of the utilization of AI to streamline the daily workload of a Community Association Manager.

Alicia currently serves as a Chapter Support and Development Manager at the Community Associations Institute's International Headquarters (CAIHQ). In this role, she acts as a guide and resource for chapters, fostering their growth and success.

 Prior to joining CAIHQ, Alicia honed her skills in marketing communications, working for various companies. Her experience encompassed event planning, lead generation, and the creation of impactful digital campaigns. She also demonstrated a strong collaborative spirit by supporting other departments in building partnerships and fostering teamwork. Her non-profit journey began as a graduate intern with the United Way of Southeast Mississippi. She has also dedicated her time and knowledge to local chapters of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Texas and Georgia, and Catholic Charities.

 Alicia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and a Master of Science in Public Relations from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently actively engaged in completing her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, solidifying her commitment to professional development, and fostering organizational growth.