community
Magazine Committee editor’ s note
Tonya Tremitiere Editor-in-Chief Atlas Insurance Agency
Nicole Price, Esq. Board Liaison Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P. A.
Tomi Andrews Centennial Bank
Mary Hawk, Esq. Becker
Emerson Chapell Valcourt Exterior Building Svcs.
Matt Kuisle Reserve Advisors
Dee Smith NaturZone Pest Control
Alexa Valente Ask an Adjuster
Kathleen Walz, Esq. Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA
March is one of our favorite issues of the year, and not just because CA Day is right around the corner. There is an energy this time of year that comes from learning something new, reconnecting with familiar faces, and picking up ideas you can actually put to work in your communities. That is what inspired this issue’ s theme,“ Play Your Cards Right: Learn, Connect, and Win for Your Community.”
While the casino theme is a fun nod to CA Day, the message behind it is an important one. Managing a community is not about luck. It is about staying informed, asking the right questions, and knowing where to turn for trusted guidance. The articles in this issue are meant to help you do exactly that.
Inside, you will find Why I Joined CAI by Scott gilbert, which offers a thoughtful perspective on the value of CAI and the impact it has on our industry. We are also sharing practical insights on flood-proofing considerations for associations, along with a timely reminder not to gamble with personal data when it comes to protecting homeowners from theft and fraud. looking ahead to Spring, this issue also covers new education requirements, landscaping considerations, and how to manage the seasonal wildlife and critters that always seem to show up at the worst possible time. These are the real-world topics that land on your desk every day and the ones we hear about most often.
Whether you are heading to CA Day, planning your education for the year, or just flipping through between meetings, we hope this issue feels useful, relevant, and maybe even a little fun.
Thank you for being part of CAI and for everything you do to support your communities. We will see many of you at CA Day. let’ s play our cards right.
Tonya
Tonya Tremitiere editor, CAI West Florida Chapter Magazine
WWW. CAIWeSTFlorIDA. org community • March 2026 5