NextGen: Rising Stars Katherine Morrow

Rising Stars Series

KATHERINE MORROW

Property Manager, Venue at Cool Springs, MAA

Years in the Industry

Volunteer Positions Currently & Previously Held

Leadership Lyceum 2019, Manager’s Representative 2018, Management Director 2019-present. NextGen, Membership, Communications committees.

What brought you to the apartment industry?

I started in student housing at UT while I was attending school. I walked down to the leasing office and asked if they needed any help, and was interviewed/hired on the spot! I haven’t left since. them as words on paper. However, I’m not sure if it was advice given, or me just growing up and realizing that happiness is way more important than a title, promotion, money, stress, etc. If you’re not happy as you are on the way in to your office the majority of the days, it may be time to reevaluate where you are in life!

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

I love going to concerts and hanging with my friends and pup. I enjoy trying all the new restaurants we have now!

Do you have any pets?

Yes, Nelly, my dog…named after the rapper.

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

Not at all. I majored in public speaking, so it was kind of fitting that I picked up leasing fairly easy, because, if you know me, I can talk to a wall! However, I never dreamed this industry would “stick.” Sometimes I don’t even think my parents know what I do, because they never lived in apartments, and they always questioned if this was a good career choice to make. I would say over a decade later, it’s the best decision I’ve made.

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

Honestly, not really. The only “real job” I had before this was working at my hometown’s Police Department in the summer. If anything, I learned a lot about customer service and dealing with the public.

Why is property management an attractive career path?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, this town is growing – and people need places to live! The daily tasks are always evolving and each day is different. Some are mundane, but some are ridiculously surprising! Being in this industry has brought me tons of joy, some pain, but ultimately I have found my friends who are now my family. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else! Coolest place you’ve ever traveled?

I am not well traveled, but I do love me some Chicago!

Give us a fun fact about you!

I’m a super fan of Duke men’s basketball. When I found out Coach K was retiring after this upcoming season, I cried.

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

I’m always partial to any NextGen event that is planned. I get pumped to see the committee I’ve had a hand in, since its inception came to life!

Do you have a motto you live by?

Be original, it’s worth more than a copy!

If you could get a “do over” for something in your career, what would it be and why?

There isn’t much I would do over, because most of the decisions I’ve made have allowed me the opportunity to grow and learn. However, one thing I usually refer back to was transferring to Tampa for my first property manager job. I saw shining lights and thought “what could go wrong?” I was young and excited for life…and I should have asked more questions and gained clarity of the situation. But that decision taught me a lot and it made me who I am today.

Best professional advice you’ve ever been given?

Recently, I was rather perturbed about some emails we were receiving, and my manager told me, “They’re just words on paper. Don’t stress about it.” Sometimes you just have to realize, it’s just words on paper and not take them to heart. It’s a lot easier to read nasty-grams when you’re only seeing Any advice you could give to the rising stars of GNAA?

Patience is a virtue. Some things aren’t meant to happen right this very second. I think we’re living in a fast-paced world with instant results, but it’s okay to sit back and wait. Get involved and make relationships with others in the association, because you never know where those might take you.