Kettler’s Maintenance Team Wins Big AGAIN in AOBA’s 2013 “Maintenance Mania” Competition

Kettler Management, a multifamily management firm based in McLean, VA, won the top three prizes at the National Apartment Association’s (NAA) Maintenance Mania® competition, hosted for the second year by NAA’s local affiliate, the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA). Ken Lam, of Kettler Management (Fields of Sterling community) was the First Place winner among nearly 65 maintenance staff who participated in the April 11th program developed to honor the critical work done by maintenance professionals at apartment building communities. Kettler employees Jorge Blanco and James Bunder won second and third place. In their 2nd annual display of enthusiastic support, HAI Humphrey Management was presented with the “Spirit Award” for cheering on their employees in the most enthusiastic manner.

The competition, offered by NAA and presenting sponsor HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, was held at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. It consisted of eight maintenance-focused challenges that tested competitors’ maintenance skills and knowledge of the industry. The first place winner, Ken Lam, not only won $500 in game prizes but also won the Grand Prize of $250 AND won a Door Prize!

The area’s multifamily maintenance professionals from nine companies that manage apartment communities in DC, Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia competed against each other to see who was the fastest at important tasks such as faucet installation, fire & carbon monoxide safety installation, toilet conversion, icemaker and blinds installation, and lamp & ballast retrofit. The finale of the event was a clever race car competition, where the competitors built a model car - using at least one maintenance product or part - and raced it down a derby-style track.

“Thanks to a terrific Maintenance Mania Committee chaired by Kelly Murray of Acadia Windows and Doors, this year’s Maintenance Mania was bigger and better than last year. We congratulate all of our hard-working participants for a terrific job! We look forward to continuing to grow this fun and educational program next year,” said Jeanne Clarke, Director of Administration for AOBA.

AOBA wishes to thank the following Maintenance Mania sponsors for making this day possible:

Game Sponsors: Acadia Windows & Doors; Ace Fire Extinguisher Service, Inc./Castle Sprinkler & Alarm; CBMC – Capital Building Maintenance Corp.; Central Wholesalers, Inc.; Gali Service Industries, Inc.; Raine & Son, LLC Plumbing & Heating; Sherwin Williams/Duron; and VITO Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Grand Prize Sponsor: Capitol Concierge, Inc.; Pit Stop Sponsor: Daycon Products Company; Leader Board Sponsor: Manders Decorating Co., Inc.; Gift Give Away Sponsor: Toepfer Construction Co., Inc.; Number Sponsor: A-1 Flood Tech

Additional sponsors were: Spirit Award Sponsor: Derick Associates, Inc.; Master of Ceremonies Sponsor: Owl Pest Prevention; Door Prize Sponsor: AOBA Alliance, Inc.; Reception Sponsor: Quality Air Services; Photography Sponsor: Warfield & Sanford, Inc.

For more information about the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, visit www.aoba-metro.org.