MELINDA MASSON
FOUNDER and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER THE MERIT COMPANIES
About The MERIT Companies ®:
The MERIT Companies comprises Merit Property Management, Inc., Merit Association Services, Inc. and Community Technologies, Inc. The Merit Companies is based in Aliso Viejo, California with California Regional Offices in San Diego, Temecula, Valencia, Bakersfield, Bay Area, Central Valley and LaQuinta.
Merit Property Management, Inc.
Founded in 1980; managing over 225 community associations encompassing over 200,000 residential units throughout California, with an additional 70,000 units targeted to come in future years; 450 employees – making it one of the largest privately-held community association management companies in the country.
Merit Association Services, Inc.
Founded in 1985; consulting in Western United States and resorts world-wide; working with developers in the forward planning and development of governance structure, management models and financial plans to create leading-edge communities; 9 employees. Most recently signed a consulting contract with the second largest homebuilder in Mexico to assist in this country’s first attempt in designing, building, financing, selling and managing a large-scale master planned community.
Community Technologies, Inc.
Founded in 2000; creating and maintaining community web-driven portals benefiting associations and their homeowners; 9 employees. Most recently added a complete Communications Product that integrates all needed components of an effective Communication Plan for large-scale communities.
About Melinda Masson:
Career Growth
Masson has demonstrated a commitment to her industry and numerous issues over the years. She has served in various capacities to advance the Community Association Institute (CAI), a national industry organization, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1989. A founder and past chair of CAI's California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC), she has served on the Building Industry Association's Department of Real Estate Committee, and is a founder and past three-term chair of the California Association of Community Managers (CACM), which provides a certification program for property managers of which she was instrumental in launching. In 1994, she was the recipient of CACM's President's Award and received its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
Awards and Recognitions
• In 1990, she was a Small Business Administration’s Women of Enterprise Award Finalist.
• Was named as Inc. Magazine’s 1991 Regional Entrepreneur of the Year and inducted into the American Institute of Entrepreneurs in 1991.
• Included in Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals since 1995.
• Since 1996, the Orange County Business Journal has named Masson one of the county’s 50 Most Influential Business People.
• Selected as the Business Journal’s Women who Mean Business Award in 1997.
• During 1997, Masson was named Woman of the Year by the Southern California District of Business and Professional Women, and was named Woman of Achievement in 1998.
• The Women of Excellence Award from the Orange County Council, Boys Scouts of America was bestowed on Masson in 2000.
• In 2001, Working Women’s Magazine honored Masson with their Overall Excellence Award for the State of California and Honorable Mention for the nation.
• Named Resident Leader by Chapman University in 2002.
• Recognized for developing a Leadership Educational and awards program for St. Mary’s Academy, Aliso Viejo (K-8th grade) in 2006.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Masson was the 2005 Orange County Campaign Chair for United Way and is a member of Women in Philanthropy, a unique program within United Way. She is the founder of the St. Mary’s Leadership Program developing young leaders at the K-8 school level and awards the Masson “Young Leader” Scholarship annually.
Is a Founder, along with husband, Maurice Masson, of the Masson Family Foundation.
Community Service and Expertise
Masson currently sits on the boards of Mission Hospital and Chapman University, and is a trustee of Laguna Beach Playhouse. Previous board experience include Goodwill Industries, United Way, and Human Options, of which she received their Dove Award in 2000.
Unique Accomplishments
Masson has been active as a keynote speaker for Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC), Urban League Institute (ULI), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Community Association Institute (CAI) and multi civic and business organizations. She has also been the keynote speaker at Iowa’s Conference on Entrepreneurship and the Corporate State program in New York.
Masson is a graduate summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota and resides in Laguna Beach with her husband, Maurice, and their three children.
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