Helping Community Association Leaders and Professionals

What Can We Help You With Today?

You have challenges. We have unique and diverse experience across the community association field, which has allowed us to work with a wide range of stakeholders — including board members, management companies, on-site teams, and self-managed communities.

We know each group faces its unique challenges, and each deserves thoughtful, practical support. The eight service areas below frame most of what we do, but we get asked to do new things all the time. That makes sense – we are the ones you call when you don’t know who to call! If what you are looking for isn’t on the list, go ahead and contact us. If we can’t help you, we’ll help you find someone who can.

The only question is…how exactly can we help YOU?

Operational Review & Audits

Boards and managers face no shortage of challenges.

People change. Technologies advance. Conditions shift. Best industry practices keep evolving. All the while, you’re putting out fires (sometimes literal ones), managing day- to-day demands, and dealing with what’s often called “the tyranny of the urgent.” It’s tough to find time for big-picture thinking — let alone meaningful course correction. That’s where a fresh perspective can help. A knowledgeable third party can identify what’s working, what’s not, and what may be holding things back — whether it’s systems, performance, or both. From there, we help chart a practical path forward. Sometimes that means a full operational audit. Sometimes a focused review. And often, it starts with a simple “level-setting” conversation to get clarity.

Tell us where it hurts — we’ll help you find what works.

“Your recommendations will greatly help us in years to come” – Michael Deming, The Phoenix UOA. Click here to read more testimonials.

Customized Leadership & Management Training

We’re strong supporters of Community Associations Institute (CAI) and encourage both volunteer leaders and professional managers to take full advantage of its excellent educational resources. Still, there are times when a custom-tailored training session is the best way to address your community’s specific needs.

Our highly customized Board Orientation & Tune-Up Program is one of our most requested offerings. Designed around the unique governance structure, priorities, and dynamics of each community, it helps boards get grounded in their roles and responsibilities in a focused, practical, and relevant way.

On-site managers and their teams can also benefit from targeted sessions on topics like creating the resident experience, time management, emotional intelligence, and other areas where focused support can make a difference.

In addition, Tom offers individual mentoring — not only for on-site managers, but also for board presidents who value a trusted advisor to talk through strategy, leadership challenges, or day-to-day decisions. Over the years, he’s been called both “the manager whisperer” and “the board whisperer” — a nod to the approachable, experienced guidance he brings.

“YOU HAVE BEEN THE GLUE THAT HOLDS OUR BOARD TOGETHER OVER THESE MANY YEARS.” – Michael DeBernard, Board Member, The Pennsylvania, A Condominium. Click here to read more testimonials.

Strategic Planning, Implementation & Support

Strategic planning is a cornerstone of successful organizations — but in the community association world, it usually doesn’t  happen. The result? Frustration, inefficiency, missed opportunities, and burnout for both boards and managers.

We know that strategic planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it’s a big-picture conversation about values, vision, and mission. Other times, it’s a focused plan of action for the coming year or a specific project. Wherever you are in the process, we can help you chart the path forward, realistically and with clarity.

And we don’t stop there. Strategic plans often stall after the initial work is done. That’s why we offer ongoing support — helping turn ideas into action, and action into impact.

“We don’t set a date for [our annual strategic planning meeting] until we know that Tom Willis can join us…” – David C. Nagel, President, The Pennsylvania Residential Association. Click here to read more testimonials.

Hiring the Right On-Site Manager

Hiring a community manager isn’t about checking boxes — it’s about finding someone whose skills and mindset align with your community’s needs and culture. And in the nuanced world of community associations, that isn’t easy.

Typical recruiting methods often miss the mark. That’s why we offer a full-service placement option — a time-tested, unique approach developed specifically for this industry. It’s designed to foster not just a hire, but to create a space for a mutually beneficial, sustainable relationship.

For communities or companies that don’t need the full-service model, we also offer scaled options — from behind-the-scenes support to candidate referrals — that allow you to tap our deep industry knowledge, leverage our professional network, and benefit from our curated “red folder” of qualified prospects.

Need a stopgap while you search? We’ve also helped clients identify interim managers to keep operations steady during times of transition.

“You played a huge role in our training and preparation, so we owe you a significant amount of gratitude for helping us along in the process to find our new GM” -Graeme Dodworth, Board President, Woodlake Towers Condominium. Click here to read more testimonials.

Management Company Support & Training

With decades of experience as a management company supervisor, executive, and trainer, Tom has served as a trusted resource to CEOs, division directors, and their teams. His support takes many forms — from partnering on strategic planning and designing systems to improve profitability, to mentoring individual team members and delivering customized training. He’s also coached managers preparing for their CMCA designation, and often serves as a sounding board for leadership navigating growth, change, or internal challenges. Some clients turn to us for targeted, project-specific client support — what we call our “Rent-a-PCAM” service. In these cases, Tom either steps in directly to fill a temporary gap or helps connect companies with other experienced PCAMs who can provide the support needed. You can leverage our expertise and get credit for success from your client without having to pay the full freight of a full-time PCAM! Whether it’s big-picture strategy or hands-on help, we’re here to help!

“Thank you again for your continued mentorship, and your commitment to uplifting others in our industry.” – Jen Darwin, Vice President, Sequoia Management. Click here to read more testimonials.

Finding a New Management Company

Choosing a management company is one of the most important decisions a board will make — and one of the most complex. Service levels, pricing models, contract structures, and the depth of a company’s expertise can vary widely, making comparisons a daunting task.

With decades of experience on the management company side of the bidding process, Tom has developed a structured, client-focused approach to help boards cut through the noise. Our process helps you:

• Clarify the level of service and support your community actually needs
• Build those specifications into a contract grounded in industry best practices
• Evaluate proposals based on total estimated cost, value, service delivery vs. needs, and long-term fit
• Set clear expectations to support a productive, lasting partnership

Our clients rely on our deep knowledge of the management industry, property operations, and board dynamics to guide a thoughtful, informed decision — and to help launch a relationship that serves their community well into the future.

“He provided insight into the questions we should ask and assisted us in the evaluation process. Tom’s services have been invaluable” – Melanie Schwabe, Board President, Kenwood Forest II. Click here to read more testimonials.

Conflict Resolution & Organizational Dynamics

Every organization is made up of people — and people bring different perspectives, priorities, and personalities. Conflict is inevitable. Sometimes, it reaches a tipping point. Community associations in particular have their own unique challenges. Board members and residents often come from diverse backgrounds, bring different expectations, and have varying levels of knowledge about the association and its operations. That’s why working with professionals who understand these dynamics — and have navigated them firsthand — can make all the difference in reaching meaningful resolution. Whether your board or leadership team needs a neutral third party to help resolve tensions, or you’re facing major challenges that need careful navigation, we’ve been there — and we can help.

That said, conflict resolution is only part of the picture. Thriving organizations are built on strong, healthy cultures. Whether you’re working to avoid a breakdown or rebuilding after one, we can help identify your organization’s strengths, uncover shared values, and create space for a more intentional, sustainable culture moving forward.

Comprehensive Capital Project Planning, Support & Loan Acquisition

We frequently get what we’ve come to call the “Hey Tom” call.

If it’s from a manager, reserve analyst, engineer, attorney, or contractor, it usually starts: “Hey Tom — I’m working with a condo on a big project, and they’re asking questions outside my lane. Someone said you’re the guy to call.”

When it’s a board member, it often goes like this: “Hey Tom — we’ve got (an amount) in the bank, but we need (a way bigger amount) for upcoming capital projects. Something urgent just came up, and we’re not sure how we’re going to pay for it. Do we raise fees? Levy a special assessment? Get a loan — or all of the above? And if we do need a loan, we have no idea how to go about it. Also, we definitely don’t want to be in this position again!”

Having spent decades managing aging high-rise condominiums, Tom developed a clear, collaborative approach to capital project planning. He works alongside engineers, managers, attorneys, project managers, and contractors to support everything from single projects to multi-year capital strategies. This can involve helping boards assess funding options and the impact of those options on owners and cash flow, securing financing, and communicating effectively with the community.

Inspiration & Brain Food

• Kouzes & Posner: The authors of the outstanding book The Leadership Challenge provide some terrific tools for leaders on their website.
• Tom Peters: Tom retired after an illustrious and influential career in 2023. Fortunately for us, he keeps his website up, providing his keen and no-BS insights, and his timeless wisdom.
• Simon Sinek: His TED Talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” introduced the “start with why” concept. So simple – you already know it. Yet, it’s a huge game changer. It helps my clients and mentees to obtain, regain, and maintain focus. He continues to be a thought leader in the areas of leadership and organizational dynamics.
• Daniel Pink: One of our very favorite authors. He and his team do remarkable research, resulting in deeply impactful and insightful books. The resources section of his website is packed with bite-sized brain food.
• Jim Collins: His book Good to Great was a game-changer. There are some great video snippets on the website.
• The Table Group: This is author Patrick Lencioni’s consulting company. He is a thought leader in organizational dynamics. His Working Genius framework and diagnostic tools can be very useful. We use them in our work.
• EOS: A framework of extremely effective organizational tools. You can get started on the concepts by reading Gino Wickman’s book Traction.

• Budget Template
• Sample Responsibility Grid
• Sample Annual Calendar

Enhance your leadership skills and discover new perspectives on community management.
Read these insightful articles by the Association Bridge team.

• Wild One
• The L Word
• The Party’s Over
• Raising the Bar
• Building Community: Making Connections – Looking Beyond Community Boarders

Qualifications and Awards

In 30+ years in the community association management business, you learn a thing or two. Though often self-effacing, Tom is highly qualified and recognized among his colleagues and other industry leaders. He has extensive experience and wealth of knowledge to help your problem-solving skills, to build relationships with community members, and achieve your goals as a community.

Awards

• Chapter Appreciation Award, Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Association Institute 2007, 2023
• Committee Chair of the Year, Washington Metropolitan Chapter, Community Association Institute 2004
• Rising Star Award, Washington Chapter Community Association Institute 2003