Kate Leigh, Senior Vice President, with A Street Partners. is another one of our  longtime Principal members. We interviewed Kate to learn more about what she finds valuable about her membership, her contributions to BOMA OC, and her aspirations. Scroll below to read the full interview

BOMA OC: What company are you with?

Kate:  Senior Vice President with A Street Partners located in Newport Beach

BOMA OC: What services does your company provide?

Kate: A Street Partners offers a personalized approach to Leasing & Managing buildings with 5 Star Service. astreetpartners.com

BOMA OC: What does your BOMA membership mean to you?

Kate: In short, it means getting involved.Having been a member since 1991, served on committees and the Board of Directors, I have found BOMA to open up a world of possibilities.  I have learned to speak in front of groups, organize committee productivity, conducted Board meetings, and represent Building Owners and Managers in Washington DC.

Creating a team – I was BOMA OC’s President when BOMA Int’l brought the International Conference and Expo to Anaheim.  3,000 guests coming into Orange County for BOMA OC to host.  I reached out to Nellie Carlen and we created a team of BOMA members to raise money, schedule a $250,000 event, organize speakers, welcome guests, and provide volunteers.  Success!  One of the most attended and best conferences held.  We could not have had the success without our membership volunteers.

FREM – BOMA Atlanta developed Foundations of Real Estate Management and we had an opportunity to bring it to Orange County.  The first meeting of instructors provided more than 250 years of experience in property management…all in one room!  Thanks to Peggy Sanchez, Carolyn Killion for their continuance as instructors.  To this day it has been successful, and I’ve appreciated the opportunity for being instrumental in its development in OC and for it to be a road to success for our Young Leaders and as an instructor.

Buy BOMA – I have learned working with BOMA Allied Members (Vendors) is particularly beneficial as they have a better understanding of manager and property needs and are professional in conducting business.  Our Allied Members continue as a primary supporter of events.  In turn we should be giving them the opportunity to work at our properties.

Something Simple – Quite some time ago, I had lunch with Mike Raring and Cathy Galland regarding LEED.  From that lunch we developed the LEED Study Group meeting weekly at the BOMA offices over brown bag lunches.  It developed into a group of 19 and since then morphed into Lunch & Learn and now On the Menu.

All of these are simply opportunities where I chose to take the chance to get involved with BOMA.

BOMA OC: What are three lessons that you have learned the hard way?

Kate: 

4. 1. Change – Welcome it or the world will pass you by.
   2. Mistakes – Own up and take responsibility.
   3. Listen – It’s amazing what you will learn.

BOMA OC: What are three traits that you admire of your closest mentors?

Kate:

4. 1. Leadership
   2. Professionalism
   3. Wisdom

BOMA OC: What is your “personal motto”?

Kate: Do it right – your signature will be seen by many – be proud of the job you are performing.

BOMA OC: What is your proudest moment?

Kate:

1. 1. Hearing from FREM attendees that they appreciated my class.
   2. It is personal – I was sworn in as a Personal Services Reserve Officer with the OC Sheriff’s. The day after I was sworn in my teenage son called me and told me he was proud of me.  I cried like a baby!