Legal and Advocacy Update- Q4 2024

Moderator: Mark Zinman

Mark Zinman is partner with Zona Law Group P.C.  Since beginning his practice in 2005, has focused on multi-housing communities and single-family residential property management issues.  In addition to handling their litigation matters, he advises on their day-to-day operations and assists in the development of their operational policies.  Mark believes that being an attorney not only involves handling a client’s litigation as it may arise, but developing policies and procedures with his clients to avoid unnecessary litigation. Mark was elected as the first-ever Attorney to the Executive Committee of the Arizona Multihousing Association (“AMA”).  Mark has also served numerous times as a board member of the AMA, and is a regular presenter of landlord-tenant and fair housing classes to the AMA. He is also the exclusive attorney member of the Arizona Real Estate Investor Association (AZREIA) representing landlords and publishes articles in the AZREIA monthly newsletter. Mark previously taught at the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business in classes focusing on property management and landlord tenant issues. Since 2016, Mark has been a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management. On several occasions, he has testified before the Arizona legislature on landlord tenant matters.

Panelists:

Adam Greco 

Adam Greco's career in multifamily began in 1999 when he relocated from Chicago to Phoenix. Amidst his real estate license training, a notable figure in the multifamily sector recognized his potential and recruited him as a Leasing Consultant for a new mid-town Phoenix development. His success extended to two additional assets with the same developer, earning him the promoted role of Community Manager. By 2002, having effectively stabilized all three communities, Adam's talents garnered the attention of Burns Pest Elimination, a local pest control operator closely affiliated with the Arizona Multifamily Association (AMA). He joined their team as a sales associate, actively engaging in various committees and successfully completing the CAS/CAM class in 2006 as a supplier. Recognized for his substantial contributions, Adam was elected to the AMA's Board of Directors as an Industry Partner in 2008. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Ethics and Audit Committees. His unwavering dedication led to him being named a finalist for Industry Partner of the Year for three consecutive years, culminating in a well-deserved win in 2014. Committed to his involvement, Adam was elected as an Industry Partner to the Executive Board of Directors and assumed the role of a Delegate in 2017.Adam successfully completed the Lyceum Program with the AMA in 2020 before embarking on a career transition to Mark-Taylor Residential, where he is positioned to assume the role of Board Chair in 2025.

Michelle Howland

Michelle started her career in the Multifamily Housing Industry in 1994 as a leasing agent. She quickly climbed the ladder to become a Regional Vice President of a national property management company. In 2003 Michelle earned the Arizona Multifamily housing Association Property Supervisor of the year award. Recognizing her innate leadership ability, she was recruited to be the Vice President of a growing security company. Through sheer determination and the relationships that she built in the multifamily housing industry, she significantly increased the annual revenue through growth of the Phoenix and Tucson markets and expanding the company to New Mexico. In 2012, she was able to see her dream of owning her own business come to fruition and became an owner of Blue Steel Security Services. Her unique perspective of the Multifamily Housing Industry has allowed her to create a program specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s competitive multifamily housing industry. Michelle truly sees things through the eyes of a property manager and understands their needs. In 2014 Michelle acquired the majority share of Blue Steel Security Services and is now the Chief Executive Officer responsible for every aspect of growth and client satisfaction. During her short time as an owner, Michelle has earned the Arizona Multifamily housing Association Industry Partner of the year in 2013, 2016 and 2023. Michelle has proudly served on the Arizona Multifamily housing Association board and on the Executive board. What started out as a 1 contract security company ran out of a garage, has quickly turned into the premier multifamily security provider in the Southwest. When not behind the wheel of Blue Steel Security Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, horseback riding, interior design, traveling, and doting on her two beautiful granddaughters.

Mark Fitzgerald

Before assuming this role, he previously worked as the Legislative Liaison for the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) from January 2022 to August 2023. During his tenure at ADOH, Mark provided invaluable guidance to the ADOH Director and Executive staff, serving as the primary representative for both the Governor's Office and the Department in matters related to affordable housing and homelessness in Arizona. His responsibilities included briefing federal, state, and local elected officials on policy implementation to achieve organizational objectives, revising and negotiating legislation at the Capitol, and collaborating with stakeholders to address the 270,000-unit statewide housing shortage. Prior to joining ADOH, Mark was a Legislative Assistant at Arizona Governmental Affairs (AGA). While working at AGA, he assisted in communications and coordinated all legislative matters on behalf of the firm’s client base. Mark has also served as a Research Associate at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, where he contributed to policy briefings and discussions on international trade and development to attract investment to Arizona. In 2018, he had the privilege of being mentored by former United States Ambassador and Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara Barrett. During this time, Mark provided advice on various policy matters, including the Secretary of the Navy's study of Naval and Marine Corps education and recruitment, known as Education for Seapower. He also served as an intern for former Congresswoman and United States Senator, Martha McSally. Additionally, Mark has extensive experience working with the State of Arizona and the Arizona Legislature. A California native, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona where he majored in Public Policy and Management. Mark is a member of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, Phoenix Arcadia Rotary Club and the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute’s Emerging Leaders Network.

AMA Policy: No changes, refunds, or cancellations will be permitted within 10 days of an event for attendee registrations and within 30 days for sponsorships. Dates and prices subject to change. Registration via e-mail constitutes acknowledgment of terms and conditions.