Condo Media - June 2021 - 23

BUSINESS PARTNER EXCELLENCE
IN COMMUNITY SERVICE
This award recognizes a CAI-NE
business partner " who has provided
exemplary service to associations. "
Singling out an individual
or company is difficult, the nomination
form noted, because CAI-NE
has so many outstanding business
partners. " But there is no question
that others, including similar partners
in his field, would applaud the
nomination of Wes Blair. "
A senior vice president at
Brookline Bank, known for his
expertise in condominium finance,
Blair " has spent years supporting
the industry " the nomination
noted. A past president of
CAI-NE, Blair has served multiple
terms on the CAI-NE and Condo
Media boards and on several
CAI-NE committees.
" A remarkable and selfless
volunteer, " Wes is always available
to assist when an expert
financial opinion is needed.
He has helped countless associations
obtain loans and
banking services. Although now
semi-retired, " Wes continues to
contribute his time and knowledge.
He has been and remains a
valuable asset to CAI-NE and to
the condominium industry. "
An Honor Well Earned
Jack Carr Is Named to CAI-NE's Hall of Fame
[by Pamela Schweppe]
Twenty years ago, the
condominium industry in
Maine was very different
from what it is today.
Around that time, Jack
Carr, P.E., RS, LEED-AP,
was running the Portland,
Maine, office of Criterium
Engineers, and he identified
condominiums as a
potential new market.
" It seemed like a good
idea to balance out the
business, " he explains.
When he first started looking for ways
to tap into the market, Carr quickly
discovered CAI. " CAI, of course, is the
center of all things when it comes to
condos and property management, like
spokes around a wheel, " he says. Soon,
he began volunteering for the organization,
making presentations at events,
writing Maine regional news articles for
Condo Media (now at around 160 and
counting), and serving on the magazine's
board since 2006.
" Jack is a consummate engineer. He's
extremely detailed oriented, and he's extremely
knowledgeable on all matters of
engineering. But this is where he differs
from other engineers: He is able to take
complex engineering concepts that have
to do with building infrastructure and
all aspects of building maintenance, and
make them understandable for the average
Condo Media reader, " says Jared
McNabb, president of Condo Media.
Adds Claudette Carini, executive
Business Partner Excellence in Community
Service Award winner Wesley K. Blair.
director of the New England Chapter of
CAI, " Jack has never missed an editorial
deadline - and somehow has managed
to keep articles primarily about building
maintenance and repair focused and
timely and, more importantly, fresh and
interesting in innovative ways. "
While enthusiastically sharing his
knowledge and experience with others,
Carr has continued to deepen his own
expertise over the years. Licensed in
five states as a professional engineer
(P.E.), he has also earned an MBA in
finance and taxation
from Boston University
and parlayed his passion
for environmental
issues into a LEEP-AP
credential. Further, Carr
is one of the rare professionals
to have earned
CAI's designation as a
Reserve Specialist (RS).
" So when I do a reservefund
analysis for an
association, I'm not just
an engineer, I'm a finance major looking
at these numbers, " he says.
Now a senior consulting engineer
for Criterium, Carr contributes to the
firm's current national headquarters, in
Freeport, Maine. His job has taken him
around the country, where he often takes
colleagues into the field, teaching them
how to meet with association boards
and introducing them to local CAI offices.
Wherever he goes, whether it's
a job-related venture or CAI event, he
takes pride in his ability to bring people
together and encourage networking.
" There are three areas I would use
to define Jack, " says David Leopold,
president of Criterium Engineers. " He's
a great communicator about technical
things; he serves as an advocate for the
organization, whether it's writing articles
or sharing information to help people
better understand things; and finally, he's
a connector, bringing people together
to solve problems. He is always there to
help his colleagues and constituents. "
For consistently supporting and promoting
CAI, the chapter, and the community
associations industry throughout his
career, Carr has been awarded CAI-NE's
highest honor and distinction: induction
into the Hall of Fame. " Jack is a
volunteer who keeps giving, " says Carini.
" The industry, CAI, and the New England
Chapter are better for his longstanding
commitment and years of involvement. "
Leopold concurs, adding, " I'm so thrilled
for him. He couldn't be more deserving
of such a wonderful honor. "
June 2021 CONDOMEDIA 23
Condo Media - June 2021

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