Faces of BOMA- Melanie Bamba Milinkevich, RSI Roofing & Solar
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Written by Melanie Bamba Milinkevich, RSI Roofing & Solar
I joined BOMA in 2015, and I have to admit...myfirst year was pretty bleak. I only knew a few people. I went to luncheons, sponsored a tee at the golf tournament, and ultimately joined both Finance and the Special Events Committee. At the end of 2015, the board was looking for a new Special Events Chair. My dear friend (and at the time, co-worker), Heather Collins, had chaired Special Events for several years. She recommended I take over, and I am never one to turn down a challenge!
By 2016, I was officially Chairperson for the Special Events Committee! I continued on with the Finance Committee (because I secretly love numbers and budgeting). I also dabbled with Energy & Sustainability (because I think it’s important to be well-rounded). I quickly realized that the moreengrained into BOMA you become, the more people you get to know, and the more comfortable you become with every passing event. By the end of 2016, a few choice people had reached out and encouraged me to apply for the Board of Directors. Again, never one to turn down a challenge, I went for it! I did have my reservations though. When I applied, my former company was not an Annual Supporting Partner, so I thought the odds of me making the cut were slim to none. To my utter and delightful surprise, I made the cut!
2017 was my first official year serving on the Board of Directors. I maintained my status as Chairperson for Special Events and continued to participate on both Finance and Energy & Sustainability Committees. The best part about being a part of the BOD is that you start to see it all come together. You start to see the bigger picture. You start to see what BOMA is really made of and what it’s all about. Leadership. Mentorship. And overall, a commitment to excellence in the commercial real estate industry.
Today, I continue to serve as a Member-At-Large for the Board of Directors. I also serve as the liaison for Special Events and Sponsorship. In addition, I am still on the Finance Committee (because I still secretly love numbers and budgeting) and I chair the new sub-committee for the San Diego Commercial Properties Expo, which works hand in hand with 3 other industry organizations on the annual trade show. (Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 12th - Del Mar. Be there!)
So, if you’re asking, what do I get out of BOMA? It’s more than I can capture in this already lengthy article ;). If you’d asked me a few years ago what I thought I would get out of BOMA, I might have just said contracts. But fast forward to today, and the answer couldn’t be more different. What I get out of BOMA is a passion for continued professional growth and accelerated industry knowledge. BOMA has taught me how to foster teamwork amongst a committee of volunteers, how to lead decisively, and how to balance short-term objectives with long-term strategic planning. BOMA has taught me how to spot potential in upcoming leaders and conversely how to reconcile when a volunteer falls short of expectations. BOMA has made me a better team player, a better manager, and an even better mentor. For me, the entire experience is about leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence, both to yourself and to this industry.