Gene Burger earned his CPM in 1969 and went on to become a fixture at 乐竞体育赛事直播 for nearly 50 years, present whenever and wherever 乐竞体育赛事直播 members gathered to lend a hand or tackle a problem or enjoy the camaraderie of colleagues. 鈥淕ene鈥檚 contributions were always selfless,鈥� said Jo Anne Corbitt, CPM庐, 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 1997 President. 鈥淗e assisted in the classroom, in the boardroom, anywhere someone needed assistance or guidance,聽always in a kind way.聽 Gene's talents and heart gave him the right combination to aid many in their efforts to learn and grow, to progress in their聽endeavors. His great efforts contributed to the advancement of professionalism to so many.聽 He was a friend, teacher, counselor to all who were lucky enough to know him.鈥� Indeed, it鈥檚 fitting that he was a recipient of the prestigious J. Wallace Paletou Award. Presented by the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Foundation, it鈥檚 bestowed upon someone who鈥檚 made significant contributions to the real estate management industry, and has contributed to the betterment of society as a whole, A perfect description of Gene Burger.
For many CPMs who sat in 乐竞体育赛事直播 classrooms in the 1980s and 1990s, Gene was who they learned the business of property management from. As an 乐竞体育赛事直播 instructor, he willingly shared his wisdom, experience, and insights with students around the country. The knowledge he took into the classroom and the caring he displayed to students were formally recognized in 1996 when he received the Lloyd D. Hanford Sr. Distinguished Instructor Award, identifying him as one of the Institute鈥檚 best.
Another recipient of Gene Burger鈥檚 time and talent, as well as his treasure, was the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Foundation. He served as the Foundation鈥檚 president in 1988-1989, having been on the board a number of years before and after. His belief in the valuable role played by the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Foundation was further evidenced by his financial contributions over the years. He was a major contributor at the Sapphire level and joined its Legacy of Leaders when he made a planned gift to the Foundation to help ensure its ability to fulfill its mission well into the next decade.
In his business life, one of Gene鈥檚 areas of focus was affordable government-subsidized housing for persons with low incomes. This interest was evident in his participation on the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Federal Housing Advisory Board.聽 鈥淕ene dedicated much of his leadership energy over the past 20 years to his passion for affordable housing via his contribution on the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Federal Housing Advisory Board (FHAB),鈥� said Pamela Monroe, CPM庐, 乐竞体育赛事直播 President in 2000 and a colleague on the FHAB.聽 鈥淕ene was a constant voice for 乐竞体育赛事直播 member stakeholders who own and manage affordable housing,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ecause of Gene鈥檚 leadership and passion for advocacy, 乐竞体育赛事直播 has been a leading force for major HUD issues over the years.鈥�
Indeed, affordable housing had been part of Gene鈥檚 property management portfolio from the very beginning of his company. Eugene Burger Management Company (EBMC), accredited as an AMO庐 since 1969, was founded in 1968 by Gene Burger and his partner, Theodore Barclon, under the name Barclon-Burger Management Corporation. A decade later, as their business styles and goals began to diverge, the two partners agreed to divide the business. Gene retained the original company charter, adopted a new corporate name, and led the company to grow into the strong business operation it has become with 12 offices in California and Nevada.
The company鈥檚 purpose, according to EBMC鈥檚 website, is to 鈥渃reate a family culture where our employees and clients thrive and we bring together a diverse team to challenge the status quo and build value.鈥� 聽With Gene鈥檚 caring leadership, this purpose was realized. Gene remained active in the firm and was its chairman and CEO. His son, Stephen Burger, CPM庐, is president and COO. His daughter-in-law, Lori Burger, CPM庐, 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 2015 President, is senior vice president and secretary of the corporation. His wife, Shirley Burger, his partner in both business and life for more than 50 years, is senior vice president and corporate treasurer. As EBMC鈥檚 website so fittingly proclaims, 鈥淲hat started out as a dream between a husband and wife has blossomed into an innovative and service-oriented business.鈥�
After bravely battling COVID-19, Gene passed away on February 18 at his Nevada home, surrounded by his family, including his wife Shirley. A celebration of his life will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada or the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Foundation.