Birmingham Apartment Association holds inaugural meeting. (NAA Today).

The Birmingham Apartment Association (BAA) celebrated its first association meeting and its Inaugural Induction of Officers on July 16 during a dinner meeting in Birmingham, Ala.

The crowd of more than 140 attendees included National Apartment Association (NAA) Past President Hap Hunnicutt,

NAA Past President Rob Johnston, The Pinnacle Companies, Atlanta, was the keynote speaker for this grand event. Johnston was extremely impressed and overwhelmed by the dynamic opening slide show presentation created and orchestrated by the BAA, at times, rendering him speechless.

Johnston said he has spoken at more than 55 of the 160 NAA affiliates and he has never seen an opening presentation of this magnitude.

"It was fantastic," said Johnston, who mesmerized the crowd by telling the story of how he became involved with NAA.

He touted the joint legislative program that NAA has with the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC); NAgs the top-caliber national education designation programs; the opportunity to network with peers from across the country at NAA's annual meetings; and NAgs annual Education Conference.

"NAA is a great organization and is proud to have BAA on board," said Johnston.

Kent J. Graeve, President, Arlington Properties, Birmingham, who was named President of BAA, thanked BAA for asking him to serve.

"The BAA meeting was so successful," said Graeve. "It surpassed everyone's expectations. The BAA board members are geared up to promote the association and address the needs of the multifamily housing industry in the Birmingham area."

Graeve remarked that the BAA is focusing on improving the perceived image of apartment communities. "We want to send a positive message that apartment communities are an essential part of the community in Birmingham," he said.

Currently, the BAA is working to increase education and training opportunities for professionals in the multifamily industry. Graeve said that the BAA already has held mold, leasing and insurance seminars and that they hope to unveil NAA's national designation courses in early 2003. BAA also plans to unveil its Web site in August of 2002.

President Bush Invites NAA to White House

NAA was among those invited to the White House Rose Garden as part of a Presidential press conference held July 26 in which President Bush expressed strong support for a bill creating a Department of Homeland Security.

The intimate gathering of about 100 guests included the head of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft; Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta; U.S. Sen. Joseph Leiberman (D-CT); U.S. Sen. Don Nichols (R-OK); various members of the U.S. House of Representatives; prominent mayors, lieutenant governors; and state and local law enforcement officials. The bill passed that day and was sent to the U.S. Senate.