February 2023 | News & Events Magazine

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN

Stephanie Liston, CAM, CAPS

CHAIRMAN-ELECT

Jenn Mulholland, CAM

VICE CHAIRMAN

Katherine Morrow, CAM

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Andrew Klahn, CAPS, CAM, HCCP, CALP

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

Tracey Crowe, CAM

MANAGERS REPRESENTATIVE

Tabitha Knox Gill

SUPPLIERS REPRESENTATIVE

Maria Williams

MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE

Brandon Etheridge

MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

Anne Adams, CAM, CALP

Melanie Brink

Sundae Caudle, CPM

Lauren Hartstern

Eddie Ivey, CAPS

Alicia Jones, CAPS, CAM, CALP

Sully Lemmons, CAM, CPM

Erick Rocha, NALP

Nicole Samson, CPM

Julie Stayton

SUPPLIER DIRECTORS

Nathan Lybarger, Esq.

Jennifer McCoy, Esq.

Rusty McDonald

Lacey Smithson, CALP

Alberto Suastegui, CALP, CAM

MAINTENANCE DIRECTORS

Jeremy Byrd, CAMT, CPO

Rusty Guilliams, CAMT, CPO

IREM LIAISON

Richard Wright, CPM

LEGAL ADVISOR

M. Wesley Hall, Esq.

MDHA LIAISON

Norman Deep

INTERIM PRESIDENT

Ginny Johnson

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Katelyn Cheatham

MEMBERSHIP MANAGER/FINANCE

Autumn Stiles

STATISTICS MANAGER

Alexis Westergan

ACTIVE PAST CHAIRMEN

Mary Bradley

Stephanie Burns, CAPS, CAM, CALP

Brad Cather, CPM, HCCP, SHCM, COS

Tracey Crowe

Andy Gass, ARM

Shelley James, CAM, CAPS, CPM

Stacey Holt, CAM

Andrew Klahn, CAPS, CAM, HCCP, CALP

Tammy Lee, CAM

Chari Lewis, CAM, CAPS, CPM

Stacy L. Molen, CAM

Nancy Morris

Linda Page, CPM, ARM

Susan Sherfield, CPM

Lisa Swick, CAPS

Zac Ward, CPM

Cover photo by: John Albani, John Albani Photography

Since opening in 2018, Vertis Green Hills has welcomed residents to serene, refined living set against a beautiful backdrop. Located in Green Hills, one of Nashville’s most desirable neighborhoods, the 18-story, 310-unit luxury mixed-use multifamily community is situated just minutes from the heart of Music City, making it the perfect place to enjoy indulgent comfort and convenience. With a variety of dining, shopping, beauty, and health and wellness options just steps from Vertis, such as Trader Joe’s, the Bluebird Café, and The Mall at Green Hills, just to name a few, residents enjoy all the perks of city living in an inspired environment.

Each Vertis studio, one-, two-, three-bedroom, and penthouse residence reflects thoughtful design and features elevated details, including floor-toceiling windows, wood panel flooring, stainless steel appliances, and more. With high style and optimal function as ever-present priorities, renovations to apartment homes began in 2022. The enhancements include the addition of LED bathroom mirrors, updated pendant light fixtures in the kitchens, replacement of carpet with wood laminate flooring, installation of undercabinet lights, and more.

Additionally, Vertis features a collection of amenities that enhance daily living, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio, dog park, and rooftop saltwater pool. Residents also enjoy weekly, monthly, and seasonal events as well as 24/7 concierge services.

“Vertis Green Hills is a true community in every sense of the word, with best-in-class design features and amenities meant to inspire residents to connect with their neighbors and genuinely love their living spaces and experiences,” said Wes Schmitz, Vertis Green Hills Community Manager.

Schmitz, who has been part of three previous lease-ups in Nashville, recently joined the Vertis team. “Vertis is a paragon of Nashville’s luxury multifamily residential scene,” said Schmitz. “I am thrilled to put my experience to work to offer nothing but the best to our residents.”

Along with a friendly concierge staff, Vertis features a skilled maintenance team ready to handle residents’ technical needs, and energetic leasing professionals who are eager to introduce prospective residents to their new homes and assist current residents with questions and service requests. Collectively, they work to maintain the high standards that have been established by Southern Land Company (SLC), the developer and operator of Vertis.

Now Featuring, cont.

Not only does Vertis serve as home to a one-of-a-kind luxury multifamily community and 85,000 square feet of neighboring commercial space, it is also the site of SLC’s corporate headquarters.

For more than 35 years, SLC has built its reputation by bringing thoughtfully designed, hospitality-focused living options to premier locations across the United States. The family-owned, award-winning real estate developer of master-planned, single-family, multifamily, and mixed-use communities has a diverse team of in-house experts in acquisitions, development, design, horticulture, property management, and more.

“When I started the company, I became enamored with Walt Disney,” said Tim Downey, SLC founder and CEO. “He can make your life better for a few days when you go to Walt Disney World, but living in an SLC community can make your life better every day. We take pride in creating beautiful communities that promote opportunities for joy and connection.”

Downey founded SLC with a deep appreciation for and interest in thoughtful design, architecture, and horticulture, all of which contribute to his vision of creating the extraordinary. By maintaining long-term holds on its multifamily communities, SLC oversees and remains involved in all projects from ideation to creation to ownership. This ensures every resident living in an SLC community, like Vertis, is treated like family and enjoys next-level living.

The 113th General Assembly Convenes

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, the Tennessee State Legislature convened for the first session of the 113th General Assembly. This legislature welcomed a total of 22 new legislators to the Capitol for the upcoming legislative session. The State Senate welcomed three new members: Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Dist. 1), Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Dist. 19), and Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Dist. 31). Senate partisan construction remains 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats.

The State House of Representatives welcomed 19 new members: Rep. Robert Stevens (R-Dist. 13), Rep. Elaine Davis (R-Dist. 18), Rep. Bryan Richey (R-Dist. 20), Rep. Kevin Raper (R-Dist. 24), Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Dist. 32), Rep. William Slater (R-Dist. 35), Rep. Michael Hale (R-Dist. 40), Rep. Ed Butler (R-Dist. 41), Rep. Justin Jones (D-Dist. 52), Rep. Caleb Hemmer (D-Dist. 59), Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Dist. 61), Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Dist. 63), Rep. Ronnie Glynn (D-Dist. 67), Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dist. 69), Rep. Kip Capley (R-Dist. 71), Rep. Jeff Burkhart (R-Dist. 75), and Rep. Brock Martin (R-Dist. 79). The House partisan construction is 75 Republicans and 24 Democrats.

In its first week, the legislature elected House and Senate leadership. Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Dist. 25) and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Dist. 5) remain the leaders of their respective chambers. The legislature also announced committee assignments and re-elected two of the State’s three Constitutional Officers: The Comptroller of the Treasury,

Jason Mumpower; and the State Treasurer, David Lillard. The Comptroller’s Office has many responsibilities including auditing state and local government entities, overseeing Tennessee’s 95 county assessors of property, managing the state’s debt, approving local government budgets, and participating in the general financial and administrative management of state government. The state Department of the Treasury manages or has oversight over more than $99.2 billion in assets for the state through various investment initiatives, while also offering informational programs about topics such as college savings, financial literacy, unclaimed property, criminal injuries compensation and risk management.

The General Assembly took a short recess before Gov. Lee’s Inaugural events. On Saturday, January 21, 2023, Gov. Bill Lee took his oath of office to begin his second term as the state’s 50th governor. This will be Gov. Lee’s last inauguration event, as state law prevents him from running for a third term. Gov. Lee ran unopposed in the Republican’s gubernatorial primary and defeated Democrat Dr. Jason Martin in the November general election, winning 65% of the vote.

The House bill filing deadline was set for January 31, while the Senate bill filing deadline was set for February 2. We anticipate approximately 1,500 bills to be filed ranging on a variety of topics that include data privacy legislation, infrastructure initiatives, workers compensation proposals, workforce policy and significant tax proposals. After the filing deadlines, the Tennessee Apartment Association Executive Committee and Board of Directors will review a comprehensive bill report to identify legislation of interest. Additional information will be distributed to the association’s membership once policy positions have been determined and advocacy efforts are underway.

CATIE LANE BAILEY Waller

Maximizing Your Membership Supplier Edition

It’s the New Year and you’re wondering what you can do differently this year to maximize your GNAA membership, right? If you are new to the GNAA or maybe you’ve been around the block but want to freshen up your GNAA involvement, keep reading!

There are three main ways to maximize your membership this year: Get involved in a committee, take advantage of educational courses, and sponsor an event. We’ve got so much to offer this year so let’s dive in!

Committee Involvement

All right, we can all agree the “C” word gave us some handy tools, right? One of those blessings is we can now Zoom for committee meetings. Did you know we offer 16 different committees? There’s surely something for everyone to love – Golf, Community Service, Maintenance, News and Events – and the list goes on. Take a look at the full committee list on page 15. How can a committee maximize your membership? Committees are small groups that focus on certain parts of our organization, and developing relationships with different on-site team members and other vendors can be very helpful. We encourage everyone to join a committee. Having new, fresh ideas and experiences are so helpful in planning all our events.

Career Growth

We offer some of the best courses and speakers at our Manager, Maintenance and General Membership luncheons. From certification courses such as CAM (Certified Apartment Manager), CAS (Certified Apartment Supplier) to speakers at the Women’s Conference such as Kelly Lang, Mila Griggs, and cyber security expert Scott Augenbaum. If you consider yourself a seasoned vendor, challenge yourself to take a management course such as the Leasing Like the Stars course on May 11 and learn all about leasing. Broadening your knowledge base is always important. If you are looking to network, you’re in the right spot! Our networking events help to connect you with other managers and suppliers. Growth in your career doesn’t always mean a promotion – it also means investing in yourself to grow within.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Take a look at our events page and you can already see some of the wonderful events we have planned for 2023. If you aren’t sure where to begin on sponsorships, consider sponsoring a Manager or Maintenance Luncheon. You will reach a room full of eager industry professionals waiting to hear about your services. Pssst…don’t forget to bring your swag! If you’ve been in the industry for a while as a supplier and are looking to refresh your sponsorships, consider joining a new committee and learning how you can help and how we can help you! Did you miss the opportunity to sponsor our 2023 Education efforts? That is A-OK! You can still sponsor individual attendees for our courses. The 2023 Education Course List is already action packed; review it and start talking to your clients!

Have an idea for a Manager or Maintenance Luncheon? Share it with your 2023 Manager’s Representative Tabitha Knox Gill or your Maintenance Representative Brandon Etheridge. They would love to hear your ideas!

We can’t wait to see your growth this year with the GNAA!

MARIA WILLIAMS Floors First

How GNAA Benefits Your Maintenance Career

by Jeremy Byrd

Indeed, Monster, Linked In…oh, my! These are a few of the many job search sites meant to connect you with compatible fits for your desired job/job field.

It has been a long time since I have had to look for a job. I recently found myself facing just that – the need to find a new job. These sites were a blip on my radar as I did not really know where to start at first, uncertain as to the road ahead. But I had an “ah ha” moment. Why go to an outsider when I have all I need with the GNAA!

Over my many years affiliated with the GNAA, I have had the privilege to build my network with extraordinary people. I have enjoyed monthly maintenance luncheons that have connected me with new vendors and other maintenance supervisors, again adding to my network. When the word got out that I was in the market for a new job, those work friends/connections started to

come in handy. I was receiving calls, text messages and emails asking if I had found anything yet and giving suggestion as to what their company had open.

I have found that being involved in the various activities and committees each offer a different variety of people who have become friends and now assets to securing a new work family. You never know when a casual Beer, Butts & Barbecue excursion or a GNAA company-sponsored golf outing will provide you with what you need to continue to provide for your family. In my opinion, the GNAA and the functions they provide have been an invaluable asset for me and my career – past, present and future. Get involved, as you never know when you will meet your next personal reference, supervisor or the solution to an issue that has plagued your property.

JEREMY BYRD

January Event Highlights

COLLECTING WITH CLASS & SASS

THE CHAIRMAN’S DINNER

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

CPO CLASS

SUPPLIER LUNCHEON

Adam Cole, Arrive Bellevue

Dominic Rosello, Arbors of Brentwood

William Steveson, ZRS

All three made perfect scores on the CPO exam!

COMMITTEES

Find a GNAA Committee That Interests You!

Our committees depend on your participation and attendance to successfully meet their goals and the goals of GNAA.

Joining is easy! Just let us know the committee(s) you are interested in and we will add you to their email list. Call the GNAA office at 615-365-3047 or email ginnyjohnson@gnaa.org.

Apartment Tour – Apartment Tour is an annual event showcasing apartment communities throughout the Nashville area.

Awards – Awards/Beautification is the Apartment Community Beautification, Flowers, Model, Clubhouse, Maintenance Shop and Diamond Award nominations and judging. Awards are presented at the annual Gala.

Communications – The objective of GNAA Communications is to engage members and create an active, vibrant association through all types of media. This committee assists staff in creating the tools for engagement and strategies to use them.

Community Service – Community Service offers the opportunity for our members to give back to the community through events and contributions for displaced residents, underprivileged children and homeless residents in our area.

Directory – The GNAA Directory, including a Buyer’s Guide, is published exclusively for the use of our members and is a tremendous resource for all your multifamily industry needs.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion – The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is dedicated to the work of increasing access and opportunity for underrepresented populations in the apartment industry.

Education – GNAA strives to be the gold standard in continuing education for multifamily professionals. Programs include both specialized courses and structured curriculum designed to result in industry credentials of proficiency.

Gala – Gala is GNAA’s annual celebration honoring our members for a variety of achievements throughout the year. This is our largest attended event and continues to grow each year.

Golf – Come play and network at the same time during our annual Golf Tournament. Other festivities during the tournament, including contests like Best Dressed Team, make this a one-of a-kind outing!

Leadership Lyceum – Members of this committee must be graduates of the Lyceum program. This is an exclusive leadership development program for candidates who have been nominated by their management company or selected through a competitive application process.

Legislative – Legislative brings important issues in the multifamily industry in Nashville to the attention of the GNAA Board of Directors for consideration in action.

Maintenance – Maintenance is our group of maintenance professionals who focus on the needs of their peers within the Nashville market. A big part of the yearly planning is Maintenance Mania, an annual competition put together by NAA with winners from all over the country.

Engagement

by Lisa Gunderson, Bristol Development

How do I get people interested in my social media content? How do I get my team to work better together?

How can we lift others up? My mentor calls this “creating meaningful moments.” There is no one-size-fits-all answer on how to do this, but I can encourage you to be your authentic self when seeking to connect with other people. What resonates better with you? A photo of a pet or a story about the connection you have with that animal? How can you create content for social media that has that spark? How can you engage with your team to make those meaningful moments? It’s more than a team lunch – open up, brag on each other, and ask them if they want to be involved in something new.

Committees, cont. from p. 15

Membership – Membership is the key to the strength of our organization. GNAA offers a unique blend of membership services that can include opportunities for career enhancement, volunteer leadership and community involvement.

NextGen – This committee is focused on professional networking, career development, and community outreach for the Next Generation of Multifamily professionals.

News & Events – News & Events magazine is the number one resource to learn about the issues and topics that affect GNAA members in their daily business. Our monthly publication is produced in full color, in print and online!

Programs – The monthly General Membership meetings are one of the best ways to stay educated on industry trends and legal issues – providing a great networking opportunity for our members.

Statistics – GNAA’s Market Survey and quarterly reports are the most up-to-date market and trending information available. This is an incredible resource for industry professionals throughout the country.

Trade Show – The GNAA Trade Show is held annually. Member companies gain exposure by showcasing their products and services in front of hundreds of multifamily industry professionals with purchasing power.

Rising Stars Series

KATIE JOHNSON Assistant Manager, The Cleo, Lincoln Property Company

Years in the Industry

2 years

Volunteer Positions Currently & Previously Held NextGen Committee member

What brought you to the apartment industry?

My parents have been part of the apartment industry for a very long time, and when I decided to get a job in the industry, it was easier because of all the connections I had previously made through my parents.

Was this career path something that was always on your radar?

No

Did you have any unrelated jobs growing up that unexpectedly prepared you for the apartment industry?

No

Why is property management an attractive career path?

Property management provides its employees with the ability to improve their education, their networking skills, and provides plenty of opportunities to advance in the industry.

Best professional advice you’ve ever been given? Keep moving forward.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

Hanging out with my family and my dog

Do you have any pets?

Yes, a handsome boy named Otis

Coolest place you’ve ever traveled?

San Diego, California

Give us a fun fact about you.

I was awarded GNAA’s Leasing Professional of the Year in 2022.

What upcoming GNAA event are you excited to attend and why?

I am really excited about the St. Patty’s Day mixer in March! It is always a really fun event. I am also excited about the upcoming Golf Tournament in May and Trade Show in July.

Do you have a motto you live by?

Be the best version of yourself that you can be.

Any advice you could give to the rising stars of GNAA?

Attend everything you can!

NEW MEMBERS

MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Castle Residential 12331 SW 3rd St. Plantation, FL 33325

954-649-0060

ndamico@castleliving.com

Cornerstone Residential 1525 N. Main St., Suite 105 Bountiful, UT 84010

801-296-6002

lindas@cornerstonerent.com

www.cornerstoneresidnetialmgt.com

NW 5+B Multifamily REIT, LLC

600 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203 629-236-0901

whitney.waller@bozzuto.com

APARTMENT COMMUNITIES

Bell Hollow

5353 Cane Ridge Rd. Nashville, TN 37013 615-731-4717

348 apartment homes bellhollowapts@comcast.net

Hurd Real Estate

Livano Trinity

819 W. Trinity Ln. Nashville, TN 37027 615-379-6200

309 apartment homes manager@livanotrinity.com www.livanotrinity.com

Fogelman Properties

Maxwell 1500 Bell Rd. Nashville, TN 37211 615-622-2020

362 apartment homes maxwellmgr@greystar.com www.experiencemaxwell.com

Greystar

Modera Germantown

Caitlin East

1420 Adams St. Nashville, TN 37208 888-390-1227

400 apartment homes

Mill Creek Residential Orchard Park

203 Sealey Dr. Nashville, TN 37115 844-338-5616

112 apartment homes

malcolm.eller@ram-mgt.com www.orchardparkmadison.com RAM Partners, LLC

Studio 79

3810 Gallatin Pk. Nashville, TN 37216 615-852-7999

79 apartment homes

manager.studio79@freemanwebb.com www.studio79apartments.com

Freeman Webb Company

SUPPLIERS

ESP Fire Protection, LLC

Brian Blish

1112 Bramble Trail Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-582-8506

brian.blish@espfireusa.com

Alarm systems; backflows; fire alarm systems; fire sprinklers/alarms/extinguishers; stovetop fire prevention

Giant Enterprises, Inc.

John Mattioli

5055 Old Ellis Point, Suite D2

Roswell, GA 30076

770-521-2120

gaintenter@bellsouth.net

Air deodorizers; odor removal

Jenkins Restorations

Kara Brummitt

5215 Linbar Dr., Suite 203

Nashville, TN 37211

615-571-0439

kbrummitt@jenkinsrestorations.com

Commercial/insurance restoration & reconstruction/repair; drywall repair; environmental consulting/clean up; foundation repair; general contractor (remodeling/ repair); moisture control; mold abatement; structural repair

MirrorMate Frames

Dustin Murphy

9317 Monroe Rd.

Charlotte, NC 28270

980-417-3533

dustin@mirrormate.com

Decorating services; glass/mirrors

One Moore Rep Fitness, LLC

James Moore

3797 Hilltop Ave. Nashville, TN 37216

270-719-1043

james.m.moore56@gmail.com

Accounting/consulting; decorating services; education; entertainment/group events; fitness equipment; health/wellness; newsletters; sports flooring

Snappt

Dana Guandolo PO Box 22328

Pasadena, CA 91185

844-476-2778

sales@snappt.com

Resident prescreening