WINTER PARK — The former general manager of Condominium Management Company and Vacations Inc. has purchased the company from its longtime owner.

Robert Blay purchased CMC from Michael Dybicz, who has owned and operated the company for 35 years.

CMC manages more than 30 homeowner associations in Grand County. Its sister organization, Vacations Inc., manages more than 100 short-term rental properties in the county.

Blay’s business background includes a stretch as president of his family’s international production and distribution business in the film and television industry, which he sold before retiring to Granby Ranch in 2013.

“The business I ran before had very demanding customers, so meeting customer expectations is something I have a lot of experience with,” Blay said.

Blay has also held senior managerial roles in software development and cable television businesses.

Dybicz contacted Blay in 2014 about an open managerial role with CMC and Vacations Inc., which Blay eventually accepted.

Blay’s stint as general manager gave him insight into the business that will be invaluable to his ownership role, he said.

“After having been here for six months, I had the opportunity to truly understand the business and truly understand the potential,” Blay said.

Since taking the position with CMC last year, Blay has become an active member of the local business community.

He serves on the Winter Park-Fraser Chamber of Commerce’s marketing and sales council and is a representative for the Fraser Valley on the Grand County Tourism Board.

Blay said he’s excited to be able to make a lasting investment in Grand County.

“It’s kind of the best of everything,” Blay said. “I get to live and Grand County and work here.”

When asked why he decided to purchase when he did, Blay said his primary motivating factor was the former owner’s wish to retire.

Dybicz was unavailable for comment for this article.

New owner looks to upgrade

Blay’s priorities are upgrading capital items and investing in internal systems, he said.

Investing in resources like reservation management systems will help maximize the company’s efficiency, Blay said.

Capital improvements include upgrading the company’s fleet and the equipment it uses in the field.

CMC provides physical maintenance services to HOAs including lawn care and snow removal, in addition to financial management services.

Under Blay’s leadership, the company has also hired new management staff and will continue to evaluate its need for additional staff, he said.

These new investments are crucial to maintaining the level of service that CMC clients expect, he said.

“Most of them live in cities and are used to a standard of professionalism from their service providers,” Blay said. “We’re trying to deliver the standard of service they’re used to, if not better. That takes investment, both in people and in capital.”