Condo Media - November 2017 - 54

Volunteer Spotlight

The Pursuit of Excellence
Mercantile Property Management Presented
Management Company of the Year Award
from shutting down-"something I didn't even know was an
There are dozens of property management companies
issue," says Cuzzi. "It's that kind of thing that's very helpful."
scattered throughout New England. Of all of them, only
To provide that level of service, Mercantile takes what Ryan
one is acclaimed as Management Company of the Year at the
McGowan characterizes as a "very hands-on" approach to
annual banquet of the New England Chapter of Community
doing business. "We want to be involved in our communities,"
Associations Institute (CAI-NE). How do they do it?
he explains. "We try to manage as best we can from the site and
To answer this question, Condo Media took a look at this
on the road so that we can physically see what's going on." He
year's honoree, Mercantile Property Management. With
adds that Mercantile's team approach with customer service
headquarters in Bourne, Mass., and a satellite office in Weyand accounting staff in the office provides the flexibility needed
mouth, Mass., the company serves residential communities
for the managers to spend
throughout Cape Cod
that time in the field.
and from Boston's South
Craig Whitten, owner
Shore to Massachusetts'
of Whitten Landscaping,
South Coast.
Inc., of So. Yarmouth,
Mercantile was
Mass., provides details
founded in 1987 by Craig
from his company's long
J. McGowan, who still
experience with Mercanserves as president and
tile. "They're great, very
CEO, with vice presihands-on," he says. "They
dents Ryan J. McGowan
make sure that there's a
and Kerry Augustinelot of walkthroughs of the
Beaulieu rounding out
property, and they make
the senior management
sure that all work orders
team. Today, the comthat the residents of the
pany serves more than
Management Company of the Year (seated) Christine McGowan,
community call about
50 associations, totaling
Craig McGowan and (standing, from left) Ryan McGowan, Lisa Marie
are done correctly. We're
roughly 3,500 units.
Arruda, Kerry Augustine-Beaulieu, and William Davis.
always on the phone with
"We're not the largest
someone from Mercancompany out there by
tile making sure things were done the way they should be. And
any means, but we have the ability to access the same techif I call with a question or a problem, the managers call me
nology, vendor pool, and bulk discount savings as the larger
companies," says Ryan McGowan. "At the same time, because right back. Their professionalism is outstanding."
The company's AAMC® (Accredited Association Managewe're on the smaller side, we're able to tailor our services to
meet the needs of each individual community."
ment Company) designation is a testament to that dedication
"They pride themselves on being one of the smaller compa- to professionalism. As Ryan McGowan puts it, "We achieved
nies," says Lawrence Cuzzi, president of White Cliffs Country the AAMC to show that our company meets the criteria that
Club Community Association of Plymouth, Mass., a Merit is a professional management company that can take care
cantile client. "They're always available, and there's always
of your association."
someone I can talk to that I know. That immediacy and that
Additionally, Mercantile managers have been active volunpersonal touch are what makes a difference to me."
teers with CAI-in Craig McGowan's case, since the chapter
He notes that Mercantile has an excellent track record for
was founded-and all managers have earned CAI certificacontractor and vendor referrals and that the company adds
tions. "There's a certain professionalism that needs to be
value through its experience and expertise. For example,
achieved in this business and industry," says Ryan McGowan.
during the blizzards of 2015, Ryan McGowan made sure the
"We hope that when our clients see these accreditations, they
heating system exhaust pipes were uncovered and cleared of
know that we work hard to be the best there is and bring that
snow by the snow-removal contractor to prevent the systems
experience, knowledge, and professionalism to them."

CONDOMEDIA

Condo Media - November 2017

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