FRED Newsletter - January 2020 - Volume 2, Issue 1

Living the Difference

35th ANNIVERSARY EDITION COMPANY NEWSLETTER

Volume 2, Issue 1

January 2020

LETTER FROM KATHY

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

PG 2 FRED FAMILY UPDATE

PG 3 PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT

PG 3 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS

PG 4 FEATURED NEWS

PG 5 35th ANNIVERSARY: A TIMELINE

PG 6-7

Do you ever wonder what our life journeys might feel like if we did not end a year and begin a new one? With no new beginnings, the not-so-great years would linger on. Fortunately, most of us enjoy the thought of a fresh start, a fond farewell to the past year, and a great excitement for new experiences to come.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce (1904-1983) was a twentieth-century poet who radiates this in her more hopeful message:

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day!

The beginning of 2020 creates a space in time (New Year, New Decade) to pause and seize the new opportunity before us and create a wonderful story to fill the pages of this year’s book.

Our wonderful company is grateful for all our contributions collectively. The new year brings new heights and new achievements, new properties, and new people. And, I believe, with our united FRED team working together, our company will continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of us!

Sincerely,

FRED EVENTS & EMPLOYEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kathy Nettesheim

PG 8

Kathy Nettesheim Chief Management Officer

FRED FUN

PG 9 COVER PHOTO: Photo Mosaic of FRED Employees

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January 2020

DEPARTMENT UPDATE What’s new in a department near you?

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT HIGH STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND WORK ETHICS In April of 2000, Jeff Leamy (Director of Maintenance, pictured right) began his tenure with Fiduciary. Imagine the changes and growth he has seen in his nearly 20 years with FRED! Currently, Jeff and his Regional Maintenance team (consisting of Jamie Graham, Michael Gardner and Josh Wood) oversee the maintenance needs of 34 (and counting) apartment communities in Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay. As a team, Jeff, Jamie, Mike and Josh (pictured below) work to mentor all of our maintenance team members and implement safety procedures through various means, including Quarterly Maintenance Meetings, numerous small-group training sessions, and one-on-one individualized training. FRED maintenance technicians won numerous “Maintenance Technician of the Year” awards and accolades from industry leaders in our communities in 2019. Our professional team of maintenance technicians is committed to upholding our Maintenance Pledge to our residents and to Living the Difference each and every day!

2019 FUN FACTS SERVICE REQUESTS COMPLETED BY MAINTENANCE TECHS

29,000+ CURRENT MAINTENANCE TEAM MEMBERS

50+ Volume 2, Issue 1

COMING IN 2020 The Regional Maintenance team will continue to create and implement additional safety programs to help keep our residents, guests and growing number of FRED team members safer than ever!

We are looking forward to setting up, opening and staffing four more apartment communities this year, including branching out in to Illinois.

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January 2020

FRED FAMILY UPDATE QUEEN OF HEART, PAT GOES ALL IN AT FRED Reflecting on a thirty-five year Fiduciary career Long time FRED veteran, self described neat-freak and an avid shopper; this month’s featured employee is Pat Brandtjen. Pat started in 1986 and currently works part-time inside The Woodlands doing Accounts Payable for corporate.

“I live at Creekwood Crossing in Menomonee Falls so it’s very close, about a 7 min drive from The Woodlands,” she said. “Creekwood Crossing used to be a FRED property.

I was there when we developed it about 21 years ago.”

Before working closer to home, Pat worked at corporate downtown for over 20 years, including the original Mason street building.

“I walked through the Mason street door for many years,” she said. “I met some great people including Kathy Nettesheim and Kristi Peirce. We’re still friends to this day.”

PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT FRED communities doing amazing things.

Volume 2, Issue 1

Pat has two sons and four grandchildren. She lives in a mother suite adjoined to her son’s home where she’s watched her granddaughter grow up, and eventually work for FRED as well!

“Kathy has visited our home plenty of times and knows our family. She reached out to my granddaughter for a job and hired her to do Leasing for Forté and then Synergy,” she said.

After almost 35 years with FRED, Pat remembers the humble beginnings.

[FRED] has really grown quite a bit. Bill has done a great job.

“My first FRED Christmas dinner I attended we had 6 people at a dinner and now I’ve gotten good at it. My table,” she said. “It’s really grown granddaughter learned too, her and quite a bit. Bill has done a great job.” my son will be joining me.”

Throughout the work, Pat has also With a love for her job and work been hard at play. This March she’ll be friendships, Pat isn’t going anywhere. in Las Vegas for an 8-day family trip!

“I plan on staying at FRED as long “I go to Las Vegas every year,” she as I can,” she said. “I think they like said. “I learned how to play blackjack having me here.”

WHAT MAKES THEM SHINE The Junction offers 318 luxury apartments in Menomonee Falls. It caters to a diverse group of residents, many transitioning between homes and others drawn to the location for its prime highway accessibility and proximity to the great stores and restaurants at White Stone Station. Residents are especially excited for its newest edition - Olive Garden! The Junction won the 2019 Property of the Year (301+ Units) from the Apartment Association of South Central WI (AASCW). The team has worked to promote team spirit and resident satisfaction, boosting their online reputation and creating a high number of memorable resident events. Last year was an incredibly busy summer and in the last six months of 2019, the team approved more than 100 new applications!

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January 2020

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

TIM YOHN Full Time Utility Tech, Valley View

Meet some of our fantastic team members!

Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2020?

In 2020 I hope to stay in good health. I have a very active job and would like to keep going for a long time.

Q: What is your favorite piece of clothing you own and why?

My favorite is my fancy dress shirt. I always feel good whenever I’m wearing it.

Q: What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it to you?

Training my dog Bingo. I’ve had him for almost two years and he’s grown to be such a good boy.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Meet some of our fantastic team members!

ALLEN PARNELL Lead Maintenance Tech, Arrabelle Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2020?

The big vacation to Ireland and England. I am going to kiss the Blarney stone and drink a lot of pints.

Q: What is your favorite piece of clothing you own and why?

I have a black coat that’s alway my go-to to wear. It has lots of pockets on the inside and on the outside for tools and such.

Q: What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it to you?

Buying gifts for others for Christmas. To see the joy on peoples’ faces when they open their present.

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January 2020

BILL AND TED’S FIRST PARTNERSHIP

1985

1989 The Story of the FRED Door

1978

“FRED” OFFICIALLY FOUNDED

FRED’S 35th

ANNIVERSARY: A Timeline

After 35 Years of business, FRED has a lot to reflect on. While there isn’t a formal archive documenting its path, the stories exist where troves of information are carefully filed - in the mind of Kathy Nettesheim, CMO. When Kathy joined FRED in 1994, Creekwood and Valley View were its two big properties.

“Creekwood started out in 1989. Bill had three other properties, about 81 units, in Port Washington, Manitowoc and Neenah. That’s what Bill started and he really managed those himself. Just like the video, he’d collect the laundry coins on his own,” she said. “In 1992 FRED bought its first property in Madison called Valley View Apartments. When I started, Bill was starting to buy more properties so he needed a

The Fairways and The Pines In 2004, Bill learned that Ridgewood Apartments in Fitchburg was deemed a blighted property, about to be demolished!

When Bill was appointed receiver, the team had less than two weeks to be ready. Kathy walked in and saw a stack (she’s not kidding) almost a foot tall of code violations. FRED took control and turned around what is now the Fairways and the Pines. Kathy is proud of what was accomplished, and all the people who worked there. “It’s a testament to what FRED is all about. We take care of properties whether they’re fee managed or we own them, we treat them the same,” she said.

2004

Ever wonder about the origin of the ‘FRED door’? Our company logo actually features the doors which previously led into 225 E Mason St (one of FRED’s first offices). Bill Arpe and his partners bought a floor in 1989 and thought the illustrious entrance doors would be a great symbol for the company. The historic building, right around the corner from 789, used to be home to the Milwaukee Sentinel.

Newspapers were made and printed there, which explains the high ceilings. Since the building was built in 1864, the doors have been updated, but several employees walked through the ‘FRED door’ every morning for many years.

local property supervisor.”

Kathy saw Milwaukee and Madison continue to grow as a result of Bill’s vision and the addition of Craig Raddatz as a strong development arm.

“Craig started a year and few months after I did,” she said. “He would start seeking opportunities and get to know the city officials in Fitchburg. Once we started seeing these opportunities and meeting people, that’s when we started building.”

Fast forward to the 2010s, a regional office was built at Landmark at Hatchery Hill to house the supervisory team under Michael Bingham, supervisory maintenance team, and construction team. FRED’s construction and IT teams, and Designer Holly Thull were also integral in the collaborative building of a Madison training center.

“It’s all about team. We do what we do best when we involve everyone,” said Kathy.

Relationships have continually helped FRED grow. When Barrington Place was bought with the original owners, their other available land provided opportunity for 50Twenty and 22Slate.

MOVED TO 789 N WATER ST OFFICE

2007

FIRST MADISON PROPERTY BOUGHT

1995

2002 FRED’s First Jingle

1992

FIRST ICP COMPUTER SYSTEM INSTALLED

“Craig, Bill, Brett and Steve Bersell and all these people who’ve come on, they developed relationships and then here comes The Vue, Elan, Bergamont and 1 Glenn Place” said Kathy. “The properties that are still here from when I started are Creekwood, Valley View, Ridge View and Manchester Oaks. Now we’re into the mid-30s, going on to what could be the mid-40s or 50s.”

The successful growth of FRED can also be been seen in the history of the corporate office.

“I started out in the conference room because they had no other space so they made the conference room my office,” said Kathy. “We were growing so much we weren’t able to be on one floor, so we decided to move over to Water Street. Of course we were mostly on the 2nd floor here until last year when property management moved to the 4th floor. Uncle Fred has grown pretty big.

“It’s a wonderful, proud feeling to be part of our many team members’ growth. There’s been so many exceptional people who did so many great things while they were here, whether it was for a year, or 10 or 15 years. I think about all those people. I can tell you they’ve made a big difference in where we are right now,” she said.

Kathy is proud of the journey FRED has undergone while continuing to have a small business family atmosphere and fun company events.

“I think we were doing The Fred Way before there was a ‘Fred Way’. You have to have passion to do a great job, but you also have to have compassion to work with people whether they’re your teammates, residents or vendors to really be successful,” she said. “Plus the on-site teams. They have to really understand the FRED way because they’re on the front lines with our residents. People

2014

HSI PROPERTIES MERGES WITH FRED

‘THE FRED WAY’ IS BRANDED

2018

FRED has done some creative marketing campaigns in the past, including a jingle in Madison when new properties ‘Door Creek’ and ‘The Madison’ were being brought on. The campaign offered a year of free rent to one lucky winner. Paul Simon was popular then, including his hit song “50 Ways to Leave your Lover”. The FRED jingle was written to help fill the new properties and was named “50 Ways to Leave Your Landlord.” At that time, one of the Regional Supervisors had a very musically talented family. FRED partnered with the family to write the jingle together and the Regional’s nephew (who did some work in Disney All Stars) sang it to Paul Simon’s melody. It was broadcast in 1996 in the Madison area on a local radio station.

move out, people move in and that has to be done with passion and compassion to make sure that new set of residents has a great start to the residential experience with us.”

Kathy feels pride in FRED’s ability to adapt with the times and changes in technology, integrating new initiatives through careful beta tests and receiving feedback whenever possible.

With The Seasons brand expanding market opportunities and an eventful year ahead, Kathy knows FRED is armed with an amazing team and solid values to face any future challenge.

“It’s exciting and scary in a lot of ways,” she said. “What I know for sure is that people make the difference, and we have the best team around. We really do. “

2020+ “Our future is bright and will continue to be. The Seasons in particular will take FRED to a new horizon, leaving our WI comfort zone for exciting new markets,” said Kathy.

“The development team will continue the search for opportunities out of state that FRED can bring its Midwest values to.”

Kathy says things will be different from the last 35 years, and is excited for the change.

FEATURED FRED NEWS CHEERS TO 35 YEARS | HOLIDAY & ANNIVERSARY GALA RE-CAP Last month, FRED’s 35th Anniversary was celebrated at two year-end holiday events, including a formal gala at Saint Kate The Arts Hotel. The occasion was marked with a special treat - Holey Moley donuts!

LEASES AND TRAINING AND SEMINARS, OH MY!

WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?

Be sure to mark your calendars for this year’s “The Wizard of FRED | There’s no place like home” Leasing Seminar on February 25th!

Want to contribute to the FRED Company Newsletter? Send announcements, news, etc. to jlincoln@fred-inc.com to be featured in a future issue!

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January 2020

EVENTS CALENDAR Check out what’s on the way for FRED Properties.

JANUARY 2020 EVENTS

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FRED Closed | Jan 1st, 2020 | New Year’s Day

LOOKING FORWARD Leasing Seminar | Feb 25th, 2020 | Ingleside Hotel

BIRTHDAYS VERONICA ISIDORO

COLT HAMILTON

JON ZIEGELE

MICHAEL REINDL

CHRISTINA JOHNSON

CRYSTAL HUG

ARTURO QUINTANA

EMILY KELSO

ANDREW LIEBERGEN

Riverwood | Jan 16th

Valley View | Jan 20th

ALLEN PARNELL

JESSE STOTT

RYAN DANHIEUX

ASAYSIA BRUCE

Foxcroft | Jan 16th

Barrington Place | Jan 23rd

ERA ZEKA

CHUCK LAWRENCE

BRYSON RICHEY

GARY WAUGH

SHAWN BLOCK

TAMMY AUCLAIR

EARL VANDERWIELEN

JAMES CHUDADA

Synergy | Jan 4th

Corporate | Jan 6th

Ridge View | Jan 15th

Forté | Jan 15th

22 Slate | Jan 8th

Elan | Jan 11th

Domain | Jan 14th

Domain | Jan 17th

Saddle Brook | Jan 14th

Saddle Brook | Jan 19th

Valley View | Jan 20th

22 Slate | Jan 25th

Corporate | Jan 25th

Welcome to the Team!

December 2019

LAURA SUFFERLING Saddle Brook | Leasing

ALEC REILLY

1 Glenn Place | Utility Tech

JOHN MAY

Ridge View | Rehab Tech

MICHAEL KULBACKI Ridge View | Maintenance

MARCIA ORTIZ

Barrington Place | Cleaning

Volume 2, Issue 1

ARIANA KREMER Creekwood | Cleaning

SARAH KROLIKOWSKI The Enclave | Assistant Property Manager

JERIMY RADEMACHER

JESSICA CIESIELSKI Drexel Ridge | Leasing

ARTURO QUINTANA 22 Slate | Cleaning

MEGAN PETTY

The Enclave | Utility Tech/Cleaner

Elan | Leasing

ERIC NESBIT

NICOLE KLEIST

Arbor Lakes | Rehab Tech

Ridge View | Jan 26th

Arrabelle | Jan 27th

VERNA GROVER Creekwood | Jan 28th

State Street Station | Jan 30th

Manchester Oaks | Jan 31st

Promotions December 2019

AMANDA DAVIDSON 1 Glenn Place | Property Manager

FRANCISCO ORTIZ MARRUFO Fitchburg Square | Maintenance Tech II

JAMES VANDEN HUEVEL Creekwood | Maintenance Tech I

Arbor Lakes | Leasing

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January 2020

FRED FUN

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

FRED worked hard in 2019! Here’s a look at the past year, by the numbers.

WEBSITE VISITS

MOST COMMON DOG RESIDENTS

532,156

#1 BLACK LAB

TOTAL

216,626

#2 CHIHUAHUA

NEW VISITORS

GUEST CARDS COMPLETED

GOLDEN #3 RETRIEVER #4

HUSKY

56,251 TOTAL (NEW LEADS)

NEW RESIDENTS

3,800+ MOVE-INS

All 2019 Statistics were gathered through Entrata.

789 N WATER STREET STE 200 | MILWAUKEE, WI 53202 | PHONE: 414-226-4535 | FRED-INC.COM