An Interview With Kipcon’s Sales & Marketing Team
This month, I interviewed my team members from the Sales & Marketing Department. I sat down with Kipcon’s Marketing Director, Chelsea Brodmerkel, my sales and marketing teammate, Arlene Frumkin, and Kipcon’s Proposal Coordinator and Project Administrator, Jenn LaGuardia (that’s me!) to discuss our roles within the company. We also discussed our beginnings, where we came from and what we originally saw ourselves doing, as well as our journeys to Kipcon, and what working for Kipcon means to us.
Learning About Homeowner Associations & Writing for an Engineering Company
I knew nothing about homeowner associations. Like Kipcon’s founding father before me, there was a time when I had no idea what a Reserve Study was. I went to college thinking I’d be a writer, and two years ago, when I saw a job posting for a Proposal Coordinator at an engineering firm that had some writing responsibilities, I thought, why not? The job was a chance to move out of my comfort zone, learn something new, and most importantly, there was a chance I’d be doing some writing.
Over the past two years, I’ve done extensive writing and learned a great deal about the world of community associations. This experience has been especially useful in my daily life within a condominium association. It has also made me the first person my dad calls with questions about his association’s reserve study. (For my dad and anyone else who wants to be in the know, make sure to check out our August webinar on Choosing the Right Reserve Study.)
If any of you reading this have ever requested a proposal from Kipcon, or have emailed Kipcon to let us know that a proposal was approved, chances are, we’ve spoken to one another.
A Forever Student
One of the things I love most about working for Kipcon is that there’s always a chance to learn more. If I don’t know something, someone on the team can point me in the right direction, and if I’m interested in something that goes beyond my role, Kipcon gives me the opportunity to explore different aspects of the engineering world. If I want to go on a site visit, all I have to do is ask. If I’m interested in learning more about the world of high-rise buildings and inspections, all I have to do is talk to Karen. Kipcon offers not only growth, but incredible support.
Chelsea Brodmerkel (Marketing Director) and Jennifer LaGaurdia (Proposal Coordinator & Project Administrator)
From the Classroom to the Sales Room
The person responsible for so much, if not all my industry knowledge, as well as the person who gives me the go ahead to explore every opportunity, is Kipcon’s Marketing Director, Chelsea Brodmerkel. From my first day on the job, Chelsea has been my go-to, and after finding out what Chelsea originally dreamed of doing, I understand why she’s so good at employee training. “For years, I envisioned my future as an elementary school teacher—a plan that guided me from middle school through my first semester at High Point University as an Elementary Education major. About halfway through my first semester of classes, something shifted. What once felt certain no longer did, and as doubts grew, I began rethinking my future and what I wanted to do with my life. For someone with a Type A personality, this experience was extremely unsettling.”
So, what did Chelsea do?
“Seeking clarity, I turned to the Office of Career & Professional Development and took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Through career counseling and reflection, I discovered I wanted a path blending creativity, design, and meaningful interpersonal connections. That realization and advice from the counselor I met with led me to switch my major to Strategic Communications. Within one semester, I knew I’d made the right choice. My courses sparked a genuine passion for marketing and graphic design. I consider myself fortunate to have found my career path at 19. It has allowed me to grow, thrive, and build a meaningful professional journey.”
Confidence is Contagious
For anyone who’s ever done business with Kipcon, or for anyone who remembers our interview with Mitch, you know Arlene Frumkin.
When I spoke with Arlene, I asked her about what Mitch had said during our January interview. Did she really not have any doubts when Mitch left his job to start an engineering firm of his own? “That is correct that I never really worried or had doubts. He was so confident about what he was doing that I guess it rubbed off and gave me the confidence to trust him.”
I was also curious to learn if Arlene had been involved with Kipcon from the beginning. “I did not start working at Kipcon until Adam went to college in 2011,” Arlene told me. Adam is Mitch and Arlene’s youngest son. “KHOV asked Kipcon to inspect new homes before buyers, identifying any needed repairs. This would minimize what the buyer would find and shed a positive light on KHOV as a builder. The job involved hiring inspectors and scheduling the walkthroughs. Mitchell thought I would be perfect, and I agreed to do it. He was right – It was perfect for me.”
Arlene is now a member of both Kipcon’s Marketing and Finance Teams where she handles proposal follow-ups and invoicing.
A Marketing Team That Gives Back
The primary goal of any marketing team is to promote its company. Which is what Chelsea, Arlene, and I do. However, as Chelsea so perfectly said, being able to be involved in the industry beyond highlighting what our Kipcon Team does is an honor. “It has been a privilege to be actively involved in this industry since beginning my journey at Kipcon over a decade ago.” We’re involved in more than posting social media content and sending out email blasts. We’re involved with our clients and the communities they represent. Our client’s success is our success.
Every opportunity we get to meet with our clients and prospective clients is an opportunity we take. As Chelsea told me, “Over the years, I’ve prioritized staying engaged in the industry. I regularly attend local CAI events and conferences, have participated in speaking engagements, and contributed to various committees. This includes serving as committee chair at local chapter levels. Through this involvement, I’ve built meaningful relationships and lasting friendships with incredible professionals.”
Chelsea has also been a proud member of the CAI-NJ FAST Committee for many years and is honored to serve as chair this year. “Our committee brings together passionate, driven individuals who commit to professional growth and support charitable causes. Among the many initiatives we lead, my favorite is our annual Olympics event. The FAST Committee organizes and hosts this event, bringing hundreds together for a day of fun, teamwork, and camaraderie—all while supporting an important cause. All proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish New Jersey, making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.”
Kipcon is Family
There is a bond among all of us who work at Kipcon. We’re here because we want to be. We’re a company made up of the right people in the right seats. And for Mitch, Arlene, and Seth, Kipcon is more than just a company, it’s family.
“Being part of a family business is so different than just working for a company and going home at the end of the day,” Arlene told me. “Kipcon is a part of our life and the lives of our family. We all feel a sense of ownership. They all know about Kipcon and are proud of what Mitchell has built. As for Seth, what more can you ask than to have one of your children want to take over the family business and make it their own. I know Seth will be as successful as his father was.”
Kipcon’s Key to Success
The connection and support between all of us combined with our shared desire to do right by our clients and our teammates, is what drives Kipcon’s success.
When I spoke with Chelsea and asked her what makes Kipcon special, she highlighted the company’s leadership culture. “Our leadership team encourages confident leadership, strategic decisions, and initiatives supporting both employees and clients. That trust not only strengthens collaboration, but also inspires innovation, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence.”
From the Marketing Team to the Inspections and Engineering Teams, everyone at Kipcon strives to own their roles and do their best work.
Working For the Other Team
The Sales and Marketing Team works primarily at our desks. Of course, we get to go to events and expos, but our day-to-day involves a lot of one-on-one time with our computers. Like Chelsea, the idea of stepping into the role of Project Manager for the day seems pretty exciting to me. I may not be ready to scale a building yet, but meeting our clients on-site for visual observations sounds exciting. Learning more about how Reserve Study reports I draft proposals for come together would be a fun experience.”
Chelsea told me, “If I could switch roles with anyone at Kipcon for a day, I would choose to step into a Project Manager position. The role brings together the many moving parts of a project—client relationships, team coordination, strategic decision-making, and overall execution. I admire how Kipcon Project Managers combine expertise, leadership, and communication while keeping projects on track and clients supported.
Kipcon emphasizes that no two days are the same, and I think the Project Manager role exemplifies that perfectly. It’d be valuable to experience firsthand how they navigate shifting priorities, collaborate, and guide projects from inception to completion.”
I believe our curiosity in each other’s roles is a sign of our respect for one another. We value the work of our teammates.
Connect with Kipcon
Now that you know who’s on the other side of the proposals, reach out to us here or call us at (800) 828-4118. We would love to help with all your community needs. Be sure to join us for next month’s blog to meet some of the other members of our Kipcon family.