FAA Announces 2022 Nan Cavarretta Scholarship Recipients

The Florida Apartment Association has awarded the 2022 Nan Cavarretta Scholarship to Melody Register and Andy Bermudez, to enable them to participate in the FAA Leadership Lyceum program. The scholarship covers registration fees and travel expenses for the Leadership Lyceum, which is designed to educate and cultivate future leaders in local, state, and national apartment associations.

Melody Register has been serving as property manager in Florida for 20 years. She has been managing Pebble Creek at Lake Mary for three and a half of those years.

“This scholarship award means that my years of service in property management are valued. I feel recognized and appreciated. I also feel that the committee has confidence in me to continue learning and volunteering at FAA and AAGO.”

Register believes that recipients of this scholarship should possess honesty, humility, and passion for the multifamily industry. It is also important to have an eagerness to continue working in property management as well as a commitment to utilizing the knowledge and skills obtained as a result of the scholarship, she said. 

She is most looking forward to learning skills that will allow her to volunteer in a way that will touch the lives of others. Register hopes to strengthen current relationships while also fostering new ones.

“Leadership Lyceum will enhance my skills, and ultimately my career. I believe that I will be better equipped when volunteering and contributing to our next generation of industry leaders.”

In five years, Register sees herself continuing to grow in her career, potentially serving as a multi-site regional property manager or in a management role for FAA or AAGO. 

Andy Bermudez is currently a regional director with Altman Management overseeing properties in the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami area, but he has been in the multifamily industry for 18 years. This scholarship makes him feel validated as a professional. He believes that his passion to continue to grow in his field is what made him stand out as a candidate. 

“I started as a leasing agent in a conventional housing property in Tampa while I was in college. Through the years, I got my real estate license and continued to grow in the industry.”

Bermudez said that attending the Leadership Lyceum is part of the mantra he follows to “never stop learning.” 

"I began volunteering in my local association a few years ago in an attempt to expand my horizons. As a volunteer you’re just happy to be there and give as much as you can of your time and expertise. This year, I am on the SEFAA Board of Directors. Through the Leadership Lyceum, I’m hoping to really gain some insight on how to strategically continue to move our association forward.” 

In five years, Bermudez hopes to have become an expert in his third-party arena so that he has firsthand experience in all aspects of operations.