News + Events

Get Engaged

If you are unattached in a personal relationship this is not a message to bring you to matrimonial bliss. If you are married this is not a message to be ignored based on the title. This is a call to all BOMA Virginia members to take advantage of one of the most important components of all the valuable things offered to our members; the availability to interact with fellow professionals in property management to exchange best practices, problem solve and let our hair down occasionally in fun activities.

I feel we have made great strides in improving our product over the past couple of years with key changes and strong leadership. Let’s keep the momentum moving and growing. There are several areas any member can become engaged in with your BOMA chapter. Through any member of your Board of Directors one can be lead to participation in important committees (all are listed on this website). Make it a point to attend all your local luncheons held in Richmond and Hampton Roads and the occasional joint meetings in the Williamsburg area where topics of interest are presented by dynamic speakers. Make the time to participate in our two golf tournaments (the spring tourney benefits the
American Cancer Society). Attend the fun evening we will put together at Colonial Downs and the annual Holiday Party (it really will be here before we know it).

Participation is key to getting all there is to offer from this wonderful professional association. New friends in our business can be found. Help with problems and issues can be found. Opportunities can be found. All of this and more can be found but only if you Get Engaged and participate. I look forward to serving as your President this year but
things will certainly be much better if we all serve together.

Make it a great year for BOMA Virginia!

Ken Haskins

2012 BOMA WINTER BUSINESS MEETING

NATIONAL ISSUES CONFERENCE RECAP

On Monday, January 30 through Wednesday, February 1 our BAE,
Melissa Keller, Governor, Michael Belka, and I attended the 2012 BOMA International Winter Business Meeting and National Issues Conference in Washington D.C. There were over 300 attendees from BOMA chapters throughout the U.S.

The highlight of Monday was the Opening Reception that
included a visit by Senator Mark Begich (D – Alaska) who wished us well and
assured us that he supported the BOMA position on many issues effecting
commercial real estate currently or pending to be before congress in its current session.

On Tuesday, Tucker Carlson, Fox News contributor and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Caller was the Keynote speaker of the General Session Luncheon. Carlson offered an entertaining viewpoint on the current Presidential campaigns and the state of congress. This was followed by an informative workshop on how to present our concerns to the offices of Members of Congress we were scheduled to meet the following day. The meeting was capped off by a refreshing address from Congressman David Schweikert (R – Arizona).

On Wednesday the real meat of the conference took place.
Thanks to the adroit scheduling efforts by Michael the three of us met with
representatives of U.S. Senators from Virginia, Webb and Warner and U.S. Congressmen
from Virginia, Rigell, Cantor, and Scott. To my pleasant surprise all the
Legislative Assistants of these individuals were courteous and receptive to the
issues and BOMA positions we presented which included: Carried Interest;
Leasehold Depreciation; Energy Efficiency Incentives for Commercial Buildings;
and ADA Notice and Compliance. The Conference closed that evening with a
reception where attendees were able to discuss the successes and experiences of
the Capitol Hill visits.

This was my first Winter Business Meeting and opportunity to
meet with our congressional leaders. I would recommend wholeheartedly that any
of our members consider making this a part of their BOMA experience in the
future. I’m not sure how the congressional visits will work out but next year
the Winter Business Meeting is being held in Honolulu. As in Hawaii!

Ken Haskins

President, BOMA Virginia