Committee Chat: Education Advisory Council

EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL IS LED BY: Chelsea Kneeland, CAS of J Turner Research Gina Frazza-Stowers of Roscoe Property Management

The Education Advisory Council discusses a variety of topics surrounding the education and training offerings through the association. The input collected from the meetings directly impacts our education programs at AAA.

Tell us about where you work and how long you’ve been there?

CK: I’ve worked with J Turner Research for almost two years (time flies when you are having fun) and recently became the Director of Research and Development. GFS: Roscoe Property Management since June 29th 2020.

What do you love most about your job?

CK: I love the culture of our company and providing our clients with actionable data that enables them to make the best decisions as owners and operators. GFS: As the Director of Performance, I help our company’s leaders craft a performance strategy for their assets using data analytics and key performance indicators to measure the impact of our training, platforms, and personnel.

WHEN and HOW did you get involved with the association?

CK: I moved to Austin in 2015 and immediately began attending events. I believe my first event was the fall fest that year (which remains one of my favorites) and then heeding the advice of a few industry mentors I became involved in the education committee.

GFS: Shortly after I joined the multifamily industry in 2012. I was asked to join our golf team for the Fall Golf outing because I was one of the only associates with actual golf experience!

What do you like most about AAA?

CK: I love the relationships gained through the years and the opportunities for growth. There is always an opportunity to learn new skills and new ideas, whether through education or volunteering.

GFS: The network of people I have come to know that have not only been an integral part of my professional journey and partners both on site and on the vendor side at many of the communities I have worked at. But also curating some of the longest and dearest friendships I have gotten to experience in the last decade.

What do you like most about being a committee chair?

CK: I love having the opportunity to make an impact by helping to identifying new volunteers for committees and encouraging others to get involved.

GFS: I enjoy getting to be a funnel for the amazing ideas our members have to share, as well as getting to work more closely with my kind and encouraging Co-Chair Chelsea who I learn new things from all the time.

What was your first job?

CK: I waitressed at a small café in Jacksonville, TX throughout high school.

GFS: Einstein’s Bagels.

What inspires you?

CK: People, especially those willing to challenge convention; Nature and the vastness of the night sky and my friends and family who encourage me to rise to any occasion.

GFS: Personal and Professional growth, encouragement from my supervisors and peers, and knowing there is always something new to learn and ways to be better.

Who are your role models and mentors?

CK: Personally, my grandmother is 87 and was one of the first women to receive a master’s degree from her university. She is tough and brilliant and has traveled the world. Professional mentors include Wendy Dorchester who taught me early in my career the power of female leadership and always being prepared and Joseph Batdorf, President of J Turner Research who I am learning from daily.

GFS: In the multifamily industry, I credit my development, training, and growth to my mentors Brian Hawthorne SRVP Roscoe Property Management, Christy Sanchez VP Bainbridge, and Topher Olsen VP Learning and Development Roscoe Property Management. I owe all of my successes over the last 8 years to their encouragement, guidance, advice and friendship.

What is your leadership style?

CK: Consultative and collaborative.

GFS: I have always prided myself on leading from the trenches. I would never ask my team members to do anything I wouldn’t (or haven’t) done myself. I also pride myself on being fair, relaxed, compassionate, and approachable.

What do you do in your free time?

CK: I love to read, travel, and spend time outdoors with my family.

GFS: Equal parts couch potato and fitness novice. I love binge watching TV and movies with my husband and two dogs just as much as learning about weight lifting and fitness with my personal trainer.

Which movie or TV character are you most like?

CK: I grew up wanting to be like Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias but I think I might have turned out more like Ouiser Boudreaux.

GFS: Everyone tells me I look like Erin Napier from HGTV’s Home Town so I will say that. But it is really fitting because my husband and I do also like to fix up real estate properties in our spare time.

What is your favorite Drink?

CK: Dr Pepper.

GFS: To hard to narrow down!

What is your favorite family tradition?

CK: The ruthless domino marathon every thanksgiving that includes all family members from 4 to 87 yrs old around my grandmother’s dining room table. Cheating, taunting, and trash-talking are rights of passage.

GFS: Road Trips with my dad every summer growing up.

What is your favorite Austin restaurant?

CK: Verde’s Mexican Parrilla (rumor has it that this is Willie Nelson’s favorite too).

GFS: Lupe Tortilla.

What is your favorite AAA Event?

CK: Any and all of our educational opportunities.

GFS: Trade Show.

What would people be surprised to know about me?

CK: I love to ride motorcycles with my husband.

GFS: Prior to working in multifamily I was a Restaurant Manager. I traveled and opened new locations and trained new Restaurant staff.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

CK: Having an impact on people who worked with me or were on my team and watching their success and continued accomplishments makes me very proud.

GFS: 4 years ago I made the exciting move from on site operations to the Learning and Development department where I truly felt that I could make the greatest impact. And after finding my new home with Roscoe this year, I was recognized with an award for the training and roll out of one of our newest programs.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title would be?

CK: Chelseapedia - everything you never wanted to know.

GFS: The Best is Yet to Come.

What are your favorite industry websites, books, or other resources?

CK: MFE (Multifamily Executive), Multifamily Insiders, Practical Apartment Management by Edward Kelley and I love attending every industry educational conference I can get to.

GFS: LinkedIn is usually my go to for the latest industry related news. Several of my RPM teammates have been recently featured in other medias like TBG Real Estate Podcast, CIOReview, and MNHC Optech. Ellis Partners and Brandon Hall Group (no affiliations) also have a great library of industry and training webinars. Training Magazine is great for Learning and Development related topics as well.

MORE ABOUT EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

When do they meet?

Meet every other month

Who can join?

There are set number of voting council members, but all AAA members are welcome to attend.

How to join?

Contact the Committee Chairs or Staff Liaison to obtain the meeting schedule.

Staff Liaison:

Amy Lydic, Director of Education, amyl@austinaptassoc.com, direct 512-454-9375

To find out more, contact Amy Lydic at amyl@austinaptassoc.com