October 2022 | News & Events Magazine

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN

Tracey Crowe, CAM

CHAIRMAN-ELECT

Stephanie Liston, CAM, CAPS

VICE CHAIRMAN

Jenn Mulholland, CAM

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Katherine Morrow, CAM

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

Stacey Holt, CAM

MANAGERS REPRESENTATIVE

Anne Adams

SUPPLIERS REPRESENTATIVE

Mark Darnell

MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE

Rusty Guilliams, CAMT, CPO MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

Melanie Brink

Brigitte Byron, CAM

Meredith Dixon, CALP

Eddie Ivey, CAPS

Tabitha Knox

Sully Lemmons, CAM, CPM

Erick Rocha

Nicole Samson, CPM

Wes Schmitz

Giovanna Suastegui, CAM SUPPLIER DIRECTORS

Nathan Lybarger, Esp.

Jennifer McCoy, Esq.

Loyd Owen, CAS

Lacey Smithson, CALP

Alberto Suastegui, CALP, CAM

MAINTENANCE DIRECTORS

Jeremy Byrd, CAMT, CPO

Diane Mason, CAMT, CPO

IREM LIAISON

Richard Wright, CPM

LEGAL ADVISOR

M. Wesley Hall, Esq.

MDHA LIAISON Norman Deep PRESIDENT

Victoria Tobin

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & EVENTS

Ginny Johnson

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Katelyn Cheatham

STATISTICS COORDINATOR

Jenny McWhorter

MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

Autumn Stiles

FINANCE MANAGER

Jenny McWhorter

ACTIVE PAST CHAIRMEN

Mary Bradley

Stephanie Burns, CAPS, CAM, CALP

Brad Cather, CPM, HCCP, SHCM, COS

Kirby Davis

Faye Ellis, CPM

Andy Gass, ARM

Shelley James, CAM, CAPS, CPM

Andrew Klahn, CAPS, CAM, HCCP, CALP

Tammy Lee, CAM

Chari Lewis, CAM, CAPS, CPM

Stacy L. Molen, CAM

Nancy Morris

Linda Page, CPM, ARM

Ellen Parker

Susan Sherfield, CPM

Lisa Swick, CAPS

Zac Ward, CPM

Joyce Wolfe

CONTENTS

GREATER NASHVILLE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION

Suppliers

Budgets:

GNAA

Heading

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Seminar

How to Level Up: Investing In Yourself

Maintenance Luncheon

Remediation

Hands-On Appliance Troubleshooting

GNAA

Repair Course

Budgets Utility Management

by Southwest Utility Solutions

I have worked with very few clients that look forward to budget season. It is one of the many traditions that unite all owner/management companies across the country. Most companies start in late summer and try to finalize by the end of October. I have seen some creative efforts by client companies, such as “budget retreats” or other workshop-type events aimed at taking some of the monotony out of the process while educating employee partners on the key factors to consider when setting budgets for the year ahead. The current economic environment can add to the stress of the budget season.

According to Forbes, 2023 brings a different flavor of uncertainty due to global unrest, supply chain instability, and soaring inflation, pointing to an economic slowdown (Leaver, 2022). An NAA study found that Total Revenue, measured as a percent of Gross Potential Rent (GPR), fell nearly 200 basis points from the prior year, while operating expenses rose 60. This resulted in a 3.3% loss in year-over-year Net Operating Income (NOI) per unit, the first decrease since 2010 in the aftermath of the Great Recession (National Apartment Association, 2021). At the same time, utility costs have risen by 35% in the past few years, and projections for 2023 expect another 12% to 62% hike depending on the market (NAA, 2022).

Given these factors, it is even more critical than in previous years to re-evaluate your company’s utility management solutions. Are you using a utility solution that is effectively auditing your monthly utility bills, or are you relying on in-house teams to review utility bills for accuracy? About 17% of all utility invoices contain an error of some sort (Energyprint, 2021). Due to the high rate of errors in utility billing, your utility invoices must be audited every month before payment. Utilizing a company like Southwest Utility Solutions to audit and process every vendor utility bill can ensure that trained eyes are auditing your statements, clearly communicating with your accounting/onsite teams, and seeking resolutions from your utility vendors on your behalf. This not only saves potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars lost due to utility billing errors, but it also helps identify issues like leaks or broken master meters and reduces the payroll expenses involving the personnel needed to review bills and work with utility companies to seek a resolution. Your utility management solution should also be aggressively monitoring for utility bills that should be in your resident’s name, but you are receiving the invoice. Regulations allow these charges to be billed back to your residents with an additional fee (usually around $50) for each invoice not in their name as required by their lease.

Suppliers, cont. from p.

Reviewing the methods used to recover your utility expenses is also critical in uncertain times. Are your communities billing utilities back to the resident on a flat-rate basis, or are you utilizing a submeter or allocation method? Suppose you are billing utilities back on a flat rate method. In that case, you do not only risk under-recovering as utility rates increase at record levels, but you also miss out on the conservation benefits/cost reductions that sub-metered or allocation billing can provide you and your residents. Fannie Mae researched owners paying for all energy costs and found that median annual energy usage was 26% higher than when residents paid for their energy costs (Fannie Mae, 2014). Reviewing current utility billing solutions to ensure all eligible line items are being accurately billed back to your residents is also essential. It should be reviewed at a minimum on an annual basis. In my career, I have often seen multiple recoverable line items omitted from what is being billed back to your residents, which can lead to an excessive and avoidable financial burden.

A review of the ancillary fees, such as trash and pest charges, is also essential. Have you checked your recovery recently to determine if your flat rates are covering the expense you are currently paying? Have you considered allocating these charges to protect your recovery from the regular rate increases you are paying? An experienced billing partner can assist you in reviewing these on an annual or bi-annual basis to ensure the charges you are passing to your residents are sufficient to recover the costs you are paying.

Have you re-evaluated your billing/service fees recently? One of the most significant ways to positively impact your property income is to frequently evaluate the fees you are charging, what can be set, and how these

compare to how other communities in your market are billing fees to their residents.

Finally, budget season is a great time to reflect on the quality and service you are receiving from your current utility management solution. Do they make serving you and bringing value to your communities a priority? How much workforce are your corporate and community level team members dedicating to services they should provide? The monetary expense of a poor service partnership is often overlooked.

Southwest Utility Solutions has experts available to meet with you and review your current utility management and resident billing solutions. We are experts in getting to know the companies/communities we partner with and working together to find the best solution for each of your communities to reduce your consumption and increase your recovery.

Works Cited

Energyprint. (2021, October 12). 5 Things To Look For In A Utility Bill Audit. Retrieved from Energyprint: https://www.energyprint.com/ resources/5-things-to-look-for-in-a-utility-bill-audit/

Fannie Mae. (2014, September). TRANSFORMING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING: FANNIE MAE’S GREEN INITIATIVE AND ENERGY STAR® FOR MULTIFAMILY. Retrieved from Fannie Mae: chrome-extension:// efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://multifamily.fanniemae. com/media/6656/display

Leaver, S. (2022, September 27). What are the keys to 2023 planning amid uncertainty? Discipline and Precision. . Retrieved from Forbes: Leaver

NAA. (2022, September 12). Boosting Property Value Through Water and Energy Efficiency. Retrieved from NAA: https://www. naahq.org/boosting-property-value-through-water-and-energyefficiency

National Apartment Association. (2021, October 20). National Apartment Association 2021 Survey Of Operating Income & Expenses In Rental Apartment Communities. Retrieved from NAA: https://www.naahq.org/national-apartment-association-2021-surveyoperating-income-expenses-rental-apartment-communities

2023 GNAA Board of Directors Nominees

secretary/treasurer nominee

Andrew Klahn - GVA Management

Andrew is a Regional Property Manager for GVA Property Management. Andrew began his career on-site in 2006 as a groundskeeper and has worked his way up through all positions on-site. Andrew has earned his Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP), Certified Apartment Manager (CAM), and Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) designations through the National Apartment Association, his Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) through the National Association of Home Builders, and his Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) through the National Center for Housing Management.

Andrew has served on the GNAA Board of Directors since 2012, co-chairing the Communications, Membership, News & Events, and NextGen committees and served as the 2018 GNAA Chairman of the Board. Andrew is passionate about maintaining and improving the association for generations to come.

secretary/treasurer nominee

Giovanna Suastegui Bridge Property Management

As a Leadership Lyceum graduate, it has been an extreme honor to have served the Board for the past four years. I started my career at the GNAA office, then I transitioned to the on-site management industry. I have enjoyed being part of changes within the organization by having a voice that can encourage diversity and inclusion while honoring those who have shaped the Greater Nashville Apartment Association.

I am part of the Bridge Property Management team as Community Director for Abbington Heights. I have a passion for training and love leading by example. I hope you let me continue my journey on the board by electing me as your 2023 Secretary/Treasurer.

management director nominee

Anne Adams - Arlington Properties

Anne offers over a decade of industry experience and serves as Regional Manager for Arlington Properties. Her diversified geographic expertise within the industry has provided exposure and experience across eight states. Anne’s enthusiasm and drive are exemplary and motivate team members to work collectively towards company goals. Anne served on the GNAA Board of Directors as Management Director for the 2016–2021 term, in which she co-chaired the Membership, Apartment Tour, Programs, and News & Events Committees. Anne currently serves on the GNAA Board of Directors as 2022 Managers Representative. She is a proud graduate of the 2015 GNAA Leadership Lyceum Program and 2020 NAA Leadership Lyceum Program. Additional NAA involvement includes serving as a 2019-2020 NAA Marketing & Communications Committee member and (2007) CALP and (2009) CAM designee. Anne maintains her (2012) Affiliate Broker license with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission and is a current (2019) IREM CPM Candidate. She resides in Murfreesboro, where she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and fur baby dog.

management director nominee

Sundae Caudle

Freeman Webb Companies

As Vice President of Operations and the Executive CPM® for the company, Sundae oversees operations in Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. Her portfolio is over 10,000 units and 49 communities consisting of class A/B/C, owner-managed, fee-managed, and affordable, plus lease-up and major value-add renovations. Sundae provides servant supportive leadership to the team, with six regional managers and approximately 225 team members in her portfolio. She also provides guidance and recommendations on Best Practices for Freeman Webb’s operations department.

Sundae began her property management career as a Leasing Consultant in Murfreesboro in 1990 and is second-generation management professional. Over the years, she has worked for Jacques-Miller, Insignia, AIMCO, First Management Services, and Milestone before joining Timberland Partners in 2015. At Timberland, she rose to Regional Vice President for the Southeast, overseeing 7,300 units run by 125 team members. Under her leadership, Timberland was named a Tennessee Top Workplace in 2020 and 2021. Sundae’s portfolio with Timberland has included A and B assets located in nine states and 22-plus markets in the Southeast. In addition, she has facilitated the company’s acquisition of 25 properties and supervised the renovation of hundreds of units.

With over 30 years of experience in real estate management and sales, other notable experiences include mass-volume single-family home investment sales, plus management, homeowner association management, and new business development.

Sundae earned and currently holds her Certified Property Manager® designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management in 2010. In addition, she has an active Real Estate Broker’s License through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. She earned her ARM® designation in 1997 and the CMCA (Certified Manager of Community Associations) designation

through the CAI Community Association Institute in 2005.

Sundae has been recognized and awarded for her leadership and association participation accomplishments, including Top Workplaces in 2020 and 2021, Chapter Appreciation Service Award, Master Rent Growth, Newcomer Award, Volunteer of the Year, Management Professional Service, and Talent Show Winner.

She and her husband Randy have three grown children and three grandchildren. She enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, boating, golfing, and with her two dogs, Charlie and Champ.

management director nominee

Lauren Hartstern - MAA

Lauren graduated from Belmont University in 2001 and has over 19 years of experience in the multifamily industry. Starting her career in property management as a Leasing Consultant with MAA in 2003 at The Park @ Hermitage, she transferred to Brentwood Downs for 15 years and is still with MAA as the Property Manager at Acklen West End. She earned her NALP certification in 2005 and recently earned her CAPS certification and is a current Lyceum candidate. She started her own LLC in 2013 and is an active real estate investor. She has been active with the GNAA for most of her tenure.

management director nominee

Alicia Jones

Freeman Webb Companies

With 18 years of experience in the Nashville multifamily market, Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. She returned to Freeman Webb in 2019 and is happy to be back with her work family! In addition to serving on the GNAA NextGen Committee, Alicia is also a member of the Freeman Webb Manager’s Council. In 2013, she was awarded

the GNAA education scholarship for the NALP designation. She earned her CAM designation in 2018 and her CAPS designation in 2022. Alicia was recently promoted to the multi-site community manager role at Ashwood Cove in Murfreesboro. She is excited about the opportunity to serve on the GNAA Board of Directors as a Management Director.

Alicia lives in Smyrna with her husband of 16 years, Jeremy, and their two sons, Aidan and Zane. They also have two dogs, Crosby and Nyla.

management director nominee

Lauren Miles - Timberland Partners

Lauren was born and raised right here in the suburbs of Nashville. She started her career at a student housing complex 11 years ago in Knoxville. She worked for Asset Campus Housing in Knoxville before managing Lexington, KY and Murfreesboro, TN communities. In 2015, Lauren became a Regional Manager, where she worked with Campus Crest and Asset Campus Housing, managing communities all over the East Coast. In 2017, she decided to seek out an opportunity in conventional housing and found Timberland Partners. Lauren started with Timberland Partners at Rivergate Meadows in Goodlettsville as a Community Manager and was quickly promoted to Regional Manager in 2019. Her portfolio comprises six Greater Nashville communities and a new construction site slated for 2023. Lauren is excited about the opportunity to serve our organization as Management Director.

management director nominee

Julie Stayton

Lincoln Property Company

Julie has 19+ years of experience in property management and is responsible for formulating business strategies to maximize asset performance across various asset types. Julie currently serves as the Area Vice President for Lincoln Property Company, responsible for leading a regional team that oversees operations in Tennessee and Kentucky. She can

execute a strategic vision, communicates effectively, empowers her team to embrace innovation and change, and fosters an environment where her people can grow and feel supported through the ever-changing conditions of property management. If voted to fill a Management Director position, these qualities will be utilized to support the Greater Nashville Apartment Association in its ongoing efforts to grow, influence, participate, and inspire change.

management director nominee

Laura Watkins

Lincoln Property Company

Laura entered the multifamily industry almost 17 years ago as a novice leasing agent and found her niche!

Over the years, she has been part of several different communities around the Greater Nashville area. Her home has been with Lincoln Property Company for several years, working on garden-style and midrise assets, including new construction/lease-ups, renovations, and stabilized properties. Her latest venture has been managing the lease-up and stabilization at the Sound at Pennington Bend in Opryland. She also currently serves on the GNAA Gala Committee. Although Laura enjoys many facets of her position as a Property Manager, the most rewarding is creating and leading teams to cultivate an atmosphere of appreciation, respect, and camaraderie, which is key to the team and community’s success. Loving to be dedicated and part of something bigger than herself, Laura would love your vote for Management Director!

management director nominee

Holly Wauford - GVA Management

I am a Nashville unicorn, as I have been in the apartment industry for almost 19 years. I have been heavily involved in the GNAA for the past five years, and I am a recent graduate of the Leadership Lyceum program. I currently work for GVA as one of their Regional Managers. I previously worked for Freeman

Webb, Harbor Group, and RAM partners, where I held several positions on-site and at the corporate office level. I am a very honest, open, and fun-loving person. I love to volunteer. I sit on the Board with IREM; for the 2023 term, I will be sworn in as Secretary. I have also sat on the Wilson County/State Fair Board for the last ten years. Giving back is something I hold near and dear to my heart. I am head over heels for GNAA. I would appreciate your vote for Manager Director.

supplier director nominee

Rusty McDonald

AMI Construction, Inc.

Rusty has been the Owner/President of AMI Construction, Inc. since 1995 and has been heavily involved in the Greater Nashville Apartment Association since the beginning. His entrepreneurial spirit drives his company’s vision, but his commitment to reliability and trustworthiness determines the ultimate measure of AMI’s success. Rusty would like to apply those same values in service to the 2023 GNAA Board of Directors as Supplier Director.

supplier director nominee

Loyd Owen - Bug Solutions

I am the Senior Division Manager for Bug Solutions of TN. I currently sit on the GNAA Board as a Supplier Director. I have been elected and honored to serve for 2 three-year terms. I aim to have the opportunity to be selected again to serve this significant association for another three years representing the association’s suppliers.

Bug Solutions has been a member of the GNAA since starting the company in 2014. From the start, it has been a great business decision to be a part of GNAA as an active member. I have also been a supplier director for the Chattanooga Apartment Association and am currently sitting on the board of the RTTA Trail Association as a Parliamentarian. I have also succeeded at getting my CAS Certification (Certified Apartment

Supplier) through the GNAA. I would appreciate your vote to serve again.

managers representative nominee

Tabitha Knox - Timberland Partners

Tabitha is the Community Manager at Rivergate Meadows Apartments in Goodlettsville. She joined her company, Timberland Partners, in February 2019. She is active in her organization as a leasing mentor, a participant in the Regional Manager Green Track Program, and serves on MAC (Managers Advisory Committee). Tabitha has been in the multifamily industry since 2007. She is an active member of the Greater Nashville Apartment Association, serving on three additional committees (Trade Show, Gala, and Education), and is part of the 2022 Leadership Lyceum Program. Tabitha is also actively in pursuit of getting her Tennessee Real Estate License.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends and vacationing in Panama City, where she can lie on the beach and listen to the waves crashing.

managers representative nominee

Christie Malone

Timberland Partners

Christie started her career in the multifamily industry in 2014, working for Legacy Financial Partners as an assistant manager at Legacy Village Apartments. Timberland Partners recruited Christie with the purchase of Legacy Village in 2015. Shortly after the acquisition, the company promoted Christie to Property Manager. Christie has managed three properties for Timberland Partners. Currently, she is the manager at Falls at 109 in Lebanon. In 2020, Christie was awarded “Top Community Manager” by Timberland Partners and recognized during the company’s yearly conference.

When Christie started in this industry, she hoped to create new experiences while earning great

commissions before the holidays. She did not plan to make it her career, but she quickly fell in love with the multifamily industry and has enjoyed the opportunities and experiences. Christie has been an active member of the GNAA for many years. She is currently an active member of the Awards Committee and the Gala Committee. She has enjoyed working with the leaders of this committee and looks forward to serving in years to come.

This year, Christie was proud to earn her CAM designation, which is by far the hardest and most rewarding education designation she has acquired throughout her career. Christie is a Nashville native and a licensed real estate agent in Middle Tennessee. Christie currently resides in Gallatin with her son, Grayson, and daughter, Carlie.

managers representative nominee

Emily Smith

Lincoln Property Company

Hailing from the United Kingdom, nominee Emily Smith became a Nashville resident in 2016 and joined the multifamily apartment industry in 2019 as a Leasing Professional. She was promoted to Leasing Manager, Assistant Manager, and Business Manager within two years. Emily has experience managing multi-site operations and mid-rise communities in Midtown and Belle Meade. As a young leader, Emily is eager to bring her enthusiasm and energy to the GNAA board and hopes to have the opportunity to serve you this upcoming year.

maintenance representative nominee

Brandon Etheridge

Lighthouse Property Management

I have been dedicated to LPM for over ten years. During my time with LPM, I have been able to grow from a groundskeeper when I started in 2012 to now a Regional Maintenance Director. Over the past year, I

have enjoyed becoming more involved with the GNAA through the Leadership Lyceum program. I have attended several committee meetings, including DEI, Education, Statistics, Trade Show, Gala, News & Events, Maintenance/Managers Luncheons, and the June Board of Directors meeting, to name a few.

I was pleased to write an article on “Diversity in Maintenance” published in the May issue of News & Events. I have been a part of the Maintenance Committee and have helped lead more extensive discussions with fellow committee members about ways to get more maintenance involved with the GNAA and recruiting and outreach. I have been able to attend several maintenance luncheons and assisted in facilitating the June luncheon.

This year I am running for the 2023 Maintenance Representative. I will continue to dedicate my time and effort to the GNAA with the mission to find ways to help our industry grow and thrive, as we’ve done for many years. I would be forever grateful to receive your vote! With your voice, you can be confident in getting a robust and passionate leader dedicated and committed to driving the industry forward. Thank you for your time and Support! See you at the polls!

maintenance representative nominee

Emir Skopljak

Lincoln Property Company

I am a Regional Maintenance Supervisor at Lincoln Property Company. Twelve years ago, I started in this business as a grounds/make ready technician and climbed to my current position. I hold EPA, CPO, and CAMT certifications and am always looking to grow and excel more. Over the last 12 years, I have met many great people in this industry and formed many good relationships. I am also a member of the GNAA Maintenance Committee, and my goal is to promote maintenance professionals in the way I would like someone to promote me.

supplier representative nominee

Abraham McCarver

Bravo Flooring

Abraham is the Director of Business Development for Bravo Flooring. He has been a Supplier Member in the GNAA for over seven years. During his time in the GNAA, he served multiple years on the Golf Committee and received a Service Award. He always highlights his sponsoring barbecue teams at Beer, Butts, and BBQ, involvement in the Trade Show, and attending the Gala. Abraham McCarver looks forward to hopefully serving the GNAA Members as Supplier Representative.

supplier representative nominee

Maria Williams

Floors First Nashville

Maria Williams, CAM, is co-founder of Floors First Nashville. She brings over 15 years of multifamily experience as a Property Manager in the Nashville market. Now as a supplier, she brings her years of onsite experience to the communities she serves. She has been actively involved in the GNAA and TNAA, currently contributes to eight GNAA committees, and is a 2022 Education Sponsor. Maria is experienced, fair, and dedicated to the GNAA organization. Voting for Maria for Supplier Representative will help her to assist other supplier members in their journey with the GNAA. She is thankful and excited for this opportunity to serve this organization further.

Smoked It!

The event was filled with fun, entertainment, and a smokin’ good time! Beer, Butts & BBQ is one of the signature events here at GNAA! It is an annual fundraiser organized by the Community Service Committee to raise money for the GNAA Emergency Relief Fund. The Emergency Relief Fund serves to help victims of disasters by providing retail gift cards so families may purchase or replace items. This year’s festivities were held at the American Legion - Post 88 in Donelson.

BBQ Competition

First Place Winner and “Best Ribs at GNAA” Summit Roofing

Judging this year’s competition were four of Nashville’s best: State Representative Darren Jernigan, a certified Kansas City Barbecue Judge; Terri Williams, Executive Director of the Donelson/Hermitage Chamber of Commerce; and Josh Burns, Culinary Expert.

The other competition winners:

Second Place Winner

Contractors Inc

Third Place Winner

UMG, Inc. and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy

People’s Choice Award

Lincoln Property Company

A special thanks to all participating BBQ Teams: BluSky Restoration, Bravo Flooring, Contractors Inc, Lincoln Property Company, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety and Universal Media Group/The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy

Shout-out to the Community Service Committee and NextGen Committee!

Thanks to the GNAA Community Service Committee for all the hard work and dedication to making the 2022 Beer, Butts & BBQ another great and successful event! The NextGen Committee Dunk Tank raised over $400! The Bake Sale silent and live auction raised over $3,000 for the Emergency Relief Fund, and the People’s Choice Award brought in over $500. We hope to see you again next year!

We would also like to thank all our event sponsors whose participation makes this event possible: Aktiv Solutions, Artisent Floors, B.H. Management Services, BrightView Landscape, Brookside Properties, Bug Solutions, Cotton Global Disaster, Floors First Nashville, Greystar, Gervais Electric, It’s A Pear Catering, Kings III Emergency Communications, Liberty Rent, L.I.C.R.A., ONIT Painting, Signal 88 Security, Sharp Line Painting, Securitas, Summit Roofing, Timberland Partners and Wheeler, Inc.

Beer, Butts & BBQ

Heading Into Fall and Winter

by Lisa Gunderson, Bristol Development

The daylight hours are already starting to shorten! We look for opportunities to distinguish our communities heading into fall. We add bright lights to model homes and touring places to help others connect with our communities during this time of year. Other strategies we deploy include inviting fall and winter scents with favorites like pine and pumpkin.

Looking at the latest hospitality design trends publications, cool colors with natural accents are on trend heading into winter. How can you incorporate that into your seasonal decorations? We have used natural plant materials to spruce up our office space and wood elements for ornamentation. We connect these things with our marketing strategy, posting images filled with light, warmth, and natural décor elements, creating that connection to this season.

GYMS

DOG

I Am an Open Book!

Join Us for the DEI Mixer in December!

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is hosting a mixer on Thursday, December 1 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. This event will be held at the GNAA Office and is free to attend for the entire GNAA membership. The committee is introducing the GNAA Living Library, where the books are humans, and their lives are the stories that inspire. The GNAA Living Library creates a positive, safe, and judgefree environment to address today’s stereotypes and prejudices – a place where difficult questions are welcome and answered.

Five GNAA members have volunteered and are participating in the Living Library. They are excited to share their personal experiences with the GNAA community. An attendee is encouraged to check out a “book” on a topic they are interested in learning more about. For example, attendees could learn about individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA people, or individuals who practice a particular religious faith. Each attendee will have limited time

with each human book to have a conversation to converse and ask questions without condemnation.

And everyone is invited to engage in an open dialogue with their human “books” to educate and challenge bias and stereotypes

All are welcome to join us for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mixer in December. Come to show support for the volunteers and the DEI Committee. Be prepared to ask questions! You can register at www. gnaa.org/events.

Rising Stars Series

GEORGE VALLONE – CEO, Nuveldy’s Apartment Turnover Services

Years in the Industry

Two Volunteer Positions Currently and Previously Held Next Gen Mentorship Program

What brought you to the apartment industry?

I moved to Nashville during the pandemic to run Nuveldy’s!

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

No! I spent 10 years in the tech industry in the Northeast and came across the opportunity to move across the country to take over a small cleaning business in Nashville. I feel incredibly lucky to wake up every morning and go to work as a business owner (aka professional problem solver)! It might be corny, but this is my interpretation of the American Dream.

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

Not a job, but as a Division 1 Track & Field athlete in college, I certainly learned self-discipline and how to deal with adversity – which both still serve me today.

Why is property management an attractive career path?

Everyone knows that Nashville has been undergoing a population boom, especially in recent years, and it’s exciting to be part of a transitioning city. We serve a sometimes thankless yet crucial part of Nashville’s transition. At the end of the day, we provide safe and welcoming communities for individuals and families that choose Nashville. Although Nuveldy’s plays a small role in that, it feels good to think of our work through that lens. I also love that as a business owner, I can provide jobs to deserving people who want to work hard and better themselves and their families.

Best professional advice you’ve ever been given?

“You can’t improve what you don’t measure.”

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

An ideal weekend includes people who I care about, good coffee, something outdoors, and some homemade cooking.

Do you have any pets?

No, hope to get a dog sometime soon.

Coolest place you’ve ever traveled?

To visit family in Sicily, Italy!

Give us a fun fact about you.

I spent four months in Thailand studying Muay Thai. It was a humbling and beautiful experience.

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

“How to level up: Investing in yourself” in October because I’ll be a panelist – should be lots of fun. I’ll be speaking about the importance of mentorship.

Do you have a motto you live by?

Can-do attitudes only.

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

No regrets!

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

Sign up for the Next Gen Committee if you haven’t already and join the mentorship program. Find a good mentor – someone who has already walked the path you are embarking on (they know where the potholes are).

NEW MEMBERS

APARTMENT COMMUNITIES

Albion in the Gulch

645 Division St.

Nashville, TN 37203

415 apartment homes

Carter-Haston Real Estate Services, Inc.

Broadstone SoBro

800 4th Ave. S.

Nashville, TN 37210 615-541-9334

broadsobromgr@greystar.com

226 apartment homes

Greystar

Falcon View

Genna Dicecilia

201 E. Palestine Ave. Madison, TN 37115 615-865-5046 164 apartment homes Concordia

Maple Crossing

100 N. Maple St. Lebanon, TN 37087 615-965-2680 maplecrossingmgr@envolvellc.com 72 apartment homes Envolve, LLC

Slate

7439 Hwy. 70 S. Nashville, TN 37221 615-646-1811 slate@brooksideproperties.com 272 apartment homes Brookside Properties, Inc.

SUPPLIERS

Deep Marketing

Dee Wilson

615-821-8951

dee.wilson@deepmarketingllc.com Advertising/media

J&J Services

Greg Kizer

922 Lebanon Pk. Nashville, TN 37210 615-815-4056

marybeths@wcnx.org Waste/trash removal services

Waste Pro of Tennessee

Jerry Jones

507 Gladeville Rd. Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 615-587-3433

jejones@wasteprousa.com

Recycling; waste/trash removal services; waste/recycling expense management

Vulcan Real Estate Partners

Tammy Parmentier

1704 Sharpe Ave.

Nashville, TN 37206 205-706-6775

cbrown@vulcanrealestatepartners.com

Apartment data; multifamily development

Zuma

Jonathan Marshall

2261 Market St., Unit 4791 San Francisco, CA 94114 562-533-4814

jonathan@getzuma.com

Smart technology

September Event Highlights

General Membership Meeting

Legal Conference

Alexandra Johnson, Apt Amigo –Communications Service Award

Brad Dalton, MDX Print – Trade Show Committee Service Award

Maria Williams, Floors First – NextGen Committee Service Award

Nicole Richardson, The Place at Fifth & Broadway – Apartment Tour Committee Service Award

Pam Adair, Floors First – Awards Committee Service Award

Luncheon

Matt