February - March 2008
mr. humility wins inaugural mrma award
Some say he’s humble and self-effacing, others know him as a public speaker who will address an audience at the drop of a hat.
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Either way, Ralph Shumway is the first ever winner of the Mike Veneble Resident Manager of the Year award, the only industry award given according to popular vote.
At a recent meeting, Phyllis Katcher of Hawaiiana Management called him one of the most professional managers in the industry and winner of every major award given, including the ARM Manager of the Year, ARM Building of the Year, and now the MRMA Mike Veneble award.
MRMA is an accronoym for the Moiliili Resident Managers Association, co-founded by Veneble.
Bruce Thompson, chairman of the awards committee, called Shumway a ‘diverse character with many interests.’
Born in San Francisco, Shumway lived in India for two years studying yoga, he has written 50 short stories, he writes songs and sings, lobbies at the State Legislature level, walks as a member of the Waikiki Citizens Patrol, and handles the Urban Honolulu Network. He has been a resident manager 14 years at the Crown Thurston, The Willis in Seattle, Alii Lani in Kailua Kona and now the Waipuna. He is a past chairman of ARM, Accredited Resident Manager.
‘I
know for a fact that many current resident managers owe their success
to Ralph’s mentorship,’ said Thompson.
‘We are lucky to have him in our industry. He certainly adds legitimacy and prestige to the position and that is why most other resident managers including myself proclaim Ralph “The Man”!’
In addition, Thompson said Veneble had a clear vision for the residential site manager that included participation in the surrounding community.
‘Mike considered community involvement as essential for a resident manager to be successful. Ralph’s involvement in the community and as a leader in ARM and MRMA was the role model that Mike envisioned for the ideal manager!’
