Industry Biography of Jane Marie O'Connor

Professional business coach and speaker
1996-present

As President and CEO of 55 Plus, LLC, since 1996, Jane has worked with developers, home builders and real estate companies who focus on the 50+ market segment: age-designed and active adult developers and builders, property management companies, media buyers, retirement communities and assisted living communities.

Jane is recognized as a leader in the 50+ housing industry, and was named a “Who’s Who” by 50+ Builder magazine as one of 50 executives nationally who are transforming 50+ housing into a cutting edge and diversified sector of the residential building market.

Jane also is one of only 42 experts nationally who is one of the first recipients of the prestigious CAASH designation awarded through the National Association of Homebuilders. (Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing)

Jane is the lead author of the new course, Selling To The Active Adult. This course is exclusively offered nationally through the National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Council.

Based on the needs of our clients, we provide coaching, consulting, training and speaking in the following areas:

• Coaching and training services for owners and developers
• Pre-development review
• Expert Witness Testimony for Planning & Zoning Hearings
• Target Market Evaluation
• Competitive Market Analysis
• Personnel Assessments/pre and post hiring
• Training services for sales professionals on site
• Teleconference training services for sales and management teams
• Assistance with advertising and marketing strategies through our marketing alliance partners
• Professional alliances with industry-related partners to insure the sell-out of your project
• Mystery Shopping
• Resident/Prospect communication strategies
• Tracking and follow-up strategies

Bottom line ... from ramp-up to sell-out of your age-targeted or age-qualified communities, we provide the professional experience and strategies for developments specifically for the age-targeted and age-qualified 55+ buyer.

Publisher of Mature Living Choices™
1996-present
For over a decade, Jane has been publisher and managing editor of Mature Living Choices. Jane sits on the guide's national Council and has been actively involved in the shaping, targeting and success of this national guide, published in 39 states coast-to-coast. Jane's focus for the publication is the six New England states, printing over 800,000 copies annually and distributed in over 6,000 locations in the New England region.

Immediate Past Chairperson of the 50 Plus New England Housing Council
2004, 2005, 2006
Jane is Immediate Past Chairperson and founding member of NAHB's regional council for the National 50+ Housing Council since 2004. The Council in New England was founded in late 2003 and provides members with relevant and contemporary services, programs and information. This includes educational programs; industry research; networking; magazines, books and periodicals; awards and recognition programs; and regulatory and legislative support. The intent of this support is to enhance the capabilities of members about design, development, financing, ownership, management, and sales and marketing of housing activities and projects. We encourage high quality and professionally built housing specifically designed to meet the demands of the nation's growing 50-plus population in all market segments (affordable, middle market and luxury).

Board of Directors for The Builders Association of Greater Boston
2005-present

2006's President's Award recipient, presented in grateful recognition of her dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the Association.

2007’s Associates Award, presented in grateful recognition of her dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the Builders Association of Greater Boston

Chairperson, Education & Certification Committee, National 50+ Housing Council
2006
Jane served as Chair of the National 50+ Housing Council’s Education and Certification Committee in 2006. She presided over the creation of the educational courses and designation criteria for NAHB's newest certification program for the 50+ segment, Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) introduced at the 2007 IBS show in Orlando, FL.

Author
1996-present

• Author of Sales & Marketing for the Active Adult
  Jane is the lead author of NAHB's only sales course for selling to the active adult. This course is one of three designation courses for the national certification designation of CAASH (Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing) through the University of Housing in Washington, DC.
• Numerous industry-related articles, published nationally, online and in statewide builder and trade publications, including Seniors Housing News, Connecticut Builder, NBN Online and others.
  

Designations

• CAASH - Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing
  The active adult market is the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry today and into the foreseeable future. The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing designation gives housing professionals serving this rapidly burgeoning market the essential knowledge, tools, and skills that will help them succeed - from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to servicing the customer. Jane is one of only 30 select and qualified industry professionals to earn this new NAHB designation. She has worked in the 55+ market segment for over 11 years, serving builders and developers in all aspects of projects from the Planning and Zoning process through sell out.
• MIRM - Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing
  The MIRM designation is the most prestigious designation given by the Institute of Residential Marketing. The MIRM is the top-level achievement for professionals in new home marketing. In earning her MIRM, Jane joins the most respected residential sales and marketing professionals in the country.
• CMP - Certified Marketing Professional
  Jane earned her CMP through NAHB's University of Housing and Institute of Residential Marketing. She joins a nationwide group of individuals dedicated to the housing profession's marketing industry to help builders and developers succeed in reaching the audience they seek.

Awards & Recognition

• President's Award, Builders Association of Greater Boston, 2006. For outstanding service in recognition of dedication and professionalism in the building industry.
• Recognized as one of the top 50 experts influencing the 50+ housing industry. 50+ Builder Magazine, January 2007.
• 2007’s Associates Award, presented in grateful recognition of her dedication, integrity and outstanding service to the Builders Association of Greater Boston