MicroMain Corp. and Delta Controls Inc. form strategic alliance. (Industry Insider--In the Loop Business News).

MicroMain Corp., Austin, Texas, has formed a strategic alliance with Delta Controls Inc., Thomasville, N.C., in the effort to further automate maintenance processes for facility management. Through this strategic alliance, MicroMain has created msDELTA[TM]--an interface between MicroMain's flagship computerized maintenance management system, MS20000[TM], to the Open Real-time Control Architecture (ORCA) product line from Delta Controls.

Delta's automation controllers and operator workstation software track runtime meters, equipment status and other controls in real-time and with MicroMain's new interface, alerts and alarms can automatically create work orders and tasks within MS2000. MS2000 collects realtime meter readings to add to asset history and can automatically generate work orders and PMs based on run-time data.

Frank Trulaske, President and CEO of True Fitness Technology Inc., announced the acquisition of NAA/NSC member Sohn Inc., Atlanta. "We established an initial distribution with Sohn in 2000 and supplied them with treadmills and other fitness equipment under a special brand licensing and marketing agreement," said Trulaske. "As Trues relationship with Sohn's Founder and CEO, John Sarver, matured and grew, the acquisition became logical for both of us."

GMAC Commercial Mortgage, Horsham, Pa., has acquired the operating assets of Proctor Group II and Proctor Mortgage Services, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Proctor primarily originates and services commercial real estate loans for correspondent lenders in Michigan and throughout the Midwest. Proctor originates approximately $3 million in loans annually. Terry Halverson and Dave Sibbold of Proctor have joined GMACCM's Detroit loan origination office, which is co-managed by Ernie Katai and Walt Olejniczak.

Movers and Shakers

Mark E. Kleinkopf was named Senior Vice President of Finance for NAA member Jupiter Realty Corp., Chicago. Kleinkopf joined Jupiter in 2000 as Vice President of Finance. In his new position, he is responsible for securing equity and debt capital for acquisition, development and refinancing transactions for the firm's investment portfolio and is also involved in closing acquisition and disposition closings.

Prior to joining Jupiter, Kleinkopf held positions with Security Capital Group Inc., KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP and First Boston Corp.

The National Apartment Association (NAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new staff members. Susan Weston, CAM, CAPS joined NAA as Director of Education. Weston has been involved in the Apartment Association for many years at local, state and national levels. She has served on and chaired the Education Committee and was most recently President-elect at the Apartment Association of Tarrant County. In addition, she has worked on state and national committees and as director and delegate to their governing bodies.

Most recently, Weston was Director of Training for Walden, headquartered in Addison, Texas. In addition to her 23 years industry experience, she was also Vice President of Operations at both Walden and at Archon Residential. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the Director position, along with a clear understanding of adult learning and teaching methods, industry expertise and a strong background in customer service.

Weston said, "I love this industry and its incredibly committed people. What a thrill to be able to partner with our affiliates and members and dedicate our work to their education and development."

NAA welcomed Paul R. Bergeron III, as Director of Communication. Bergeron comes to us from the Employee Relocation Council in Washington, D.C. He served 18 months as Staff Writer for the association's monthly magazine Mobility, before spending the past 16 months as its Managing Editor.

He is the former Sports Editor of a local newspaper in Northern Virginia. Bergeron is accustomed to working with association member-volunteer authors and says he is very exciting about diving right in to gain knowledge about the apartment industry from the NAA membership.

NAA named Rachel Arnold as State Policy Manager. Arnold joins NAA after seven years at MultiState Associates, a state legislative tracking and research organization. Arnold's last position at Multistate was Manager of Quality Control/Senior Research Analyst.

Nathan Slovin Esq., is leaving the New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) to join NAA/NSC member SureDeposit as Regional Marketing Director of its Southwest region as of July 1, 2002. His region will encompass New Mexico, Arizona, greater Las Vegas and the southern region of California, including Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego. Slovin, who is an attorney by trade, has been the Executive Vice-President of the New Jersey Apartment Association for the past 8 years. He is also the current President of the National Apartment Association's Executives Council and sits on NAA's board. Prior to his position with NJAA, he worked on the management side of his family's multifamily portfolio.

NAA member Dominion Management Services, Inc., Minneapolis, named Farah Ruiz its Community Manager of Crossings at Cape Coral in Cape Coral, Fla. She will manage and oversee all community operations and work to maximize occupancy and resident retention at Crossings at Cape Coral. Ruiz previously worked in the facility operations department for a retirement community.

Thomas S. "Toby" Bozzuto, Jr., was named a Development Associate for NAA member Bozzuto Development Co., Greenbelt, Md. He will work on all aspects of developing new rental properties. Specific responsibilities include guiding projects through the design/planning stages and the public approval process. Additional responsibilities include locating and analyzing prospective projects. He is the son of Bozzuto President and CEO Tom Bozzuto.

GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp., Horsham, Pa., producers and branch offices were honored for 2001 production achievements at the annual Mortgage Bankers Association conference in February.

From the Dallas branch, Charlie Robinson won the Top Producer Award from Allstate Investments, LLC, for production of $58 million; and Mike Bryant won the Deal of the Year Award for the $22 million financing of The Preserve at Deerfield in Atlanta.

The Dallas Branch also earned the Nationwide Life Insurance Award for most co-brokered loans, which totaled $71 million. Bob Toland of the Chicago branch received Nationwide's Life Insurance Company's Award for producing the single biggest loan, totaling $40 million.

Delaware Lincoln awarded the San Jose, Calif., branch its Biggest Deal Award for a loan totaling $38.8 million.

GMACCM was Freddie Mac's overall national production leader with $2.3 billion for 184 loans. The Philadelphia branch had the largest individual production for program plus services with financing totaling $426 million for 58 loans.

The Richmond, Va., branch was tops in the Southeast Region with $280 million for 18 loans.

REIT Report

NAA member United Dominion Realty Trust Inc., Richmond, Va., announced on March 15, 2002, that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend on its common stock for first quarter 2002 in the amount of $0.2275 per share, payable on April 30, 2002, to all common stock shareholders of record as of April 12, 2002. This rate per share represents the 26th consecutive annual common stock dividend increase. United also reported adjusted funds from operations of $40.6 million for third quarter 2001, or $0.34 per share.

In addition, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend on its Series D Convertible Preferred Stock for first quarter 2002 in the amount of $0.495536 per share. The preferred dividend will be paid April 30, 2002, to preferred stock shareholders of record as of April 12, 2002.

The Board also declared a regular quarterly dividend on its Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock in the amount of $0.5375 per share. The preferred dividend is payable on May 31, 2002, to preferred shareholders of record as of May 15, 2002.

Trends

Global corporations are placing greater emphasis on building security in the wake of September 11, but remain optimistic about their businesses, as evidenced by a recent global survey done by Ernst & Young that reveals many plan to expand operations during the next 12 months. The Global Survey of Real Estate Executives suggests that amid rumblings of a period of expansion in the U.S. economy, corporations--though mindful of September 11--now are setting sights on renewed growth.

The Web-based survey--Trends in Global Real Estate Survey: The Latest in Technology, Security and Corporate Real Estate Strategy--was conducted mid-February and includes responses from corporate end-users and real estate investors with properties in 70 countries. The survey shows a dramatic change in attitude toward business expansion and security issues from the immediate aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York 

The survey indicates that 42 percent of the respondents plan to expand their business and acquire or invest in additional real estate in the next year. At the same time, nearly 40 percent plan to maintain the amount of real estate they currently occupy. Less than 20 percent expect to vacate real estate they currently occupy.