ABODE January 2020

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THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

www.haaonline.org

January 2020

Game

2020 HAA President Clay Hicks, The Dinerstein Companies

Changer Signs, Posters and Notices What do you need to post at an apartment property?

We See You at the the Annual Business Meeting, ACES Luncheon and much more!

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CONTENTS January 2020

ON THE COVER

FEATURES & PHOTOS

34

16 On the Scene – Photos from the HAAPAC Luncheon.

Game Changer – Meet 2020 HAA President Clay Hicks and learn more about his life, career, his association involvement and what he plans to accomplish this year. Learn more about Hicks in our special feature starting on Page 38. Thanks to Revention Music Center, our 2020 Gala location, for allowing us to use 40 Below for our photo setting.

Photos by Mark Hiebert/Hiebert Photography

34 On the Scene – Photos from the HAA Annual Business Meeting.

38 Game Changer – 2020 President Clay Hicks talks about his life, career, association involvement and what his plans are for HAA’s future.

48 2020 HAA Officers and Vice Presidents at Large – Learn more about your incoming leadership.

50 Product Service Council – Meet the HAA supplier member board.

52 Restore and Save – Restoring your roofs, rather than replacing, makes sense and it is budget friendly.

54 Our Impact – A breakdown of how the apartment industry contributes to Houston’s economy.

58 Meet the Staff – HAA staff can help you make your membership work.

60 On the Scene – Photos from the NAAPAC Wine Tasting.

62 On the Scene – Photos from the ACES Holiday Luncheon.

72 On Site with ABODE – Take a closer look at one of HAA’s member communities.

COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES 7 President’s Corner – A welcome from 2020 HAA President Clay Hicks.

8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support Houston Planned Energy Systems Inc. 9 Legislative Update – What are you required to post at your apartment community?

11 It’s The Law – Can you say no to a request for an assistance animal?

14 Resident Relations – Learn from a recent case mediated by the HAA Resident Relations Committee.

19 Upcoming Education – Find out what education courses the Houston Apartment Foundation is offering in the next two months.

20 Calendar – HAA’s schedule of events for the next coming months.

28 On the Road with HAA – Photos from the HAA Outreach justice of the peace and constables luncheons, Northwest Chamber Lunch & Learn and the Woodlands Region Meeting.

64 Go-Getters – Recruiting success!

67 Welcome Mat – Find out about the newest HAA members.

68 The Ambassador ONE Society – Meet the winners for 2019.

70 Portfolio Changes and In the News – Property updates and industry news clips from our members.

74 Index of Advertisers – See the supplier members who support this publication.

75 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers.

76 BackPage – News from around the community.

We welcome your comments. Email us at comm@haaonline.org.

www.haaonline.org

January 2020

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OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP JOHN BORIACK President-Elect

TINA CAVACO Vice President at Large

CLAY HICKS President

SCOTT DOUGLAS Vice President at Large

STEPHANIE GRAVES Vice President at Large CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ Secretary/Treasurer SHELLEY WATSON Vice President at Large

HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel

JEFF HALL Executive VP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Starla Turnbo Immediate Past President Mack Armstrong Jeff Blevins, CAS Jill Bounds, CAM Michelle Bridges, CAS Joseph Bryson, CAM, IROP Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Michelle Croasmun Derek DeVries, CAS Ian Douglas Tamara Foster Gina Erwin Israel Garza, CAS Monica Gracia Ira Gross, CAPS Bryan Head, CAM Melissa Herrera Deborah Holcombe Crystal Jackson, CAM, CAPS Debbie Kelm Jacob Kunath, CAS Laura Lestus, CAS David Lindley, CAS Robert Lopes, NALP, CAM, CAPS Sonia Lopez, CAM, CAPS Betsy Marshall, CAM, CAPS Kristin McLaughlin, CASE Candis Mohr, CAS Carlos Neto Dean O’Kelley, CAS Jenifer Paneral Mark Park, CAS Velissa Parmer Loyal Proffitt Jackie Rhone Kelly Scott Kurt Seidel Kelly Suess Debbie Sulzer Dana Tucker Quintina Willis, CAM Tracie Yoder, CAPS

DIRECTORS EMERITUS Josh Allen Ken Bohan Gary Blumberg Kathy Clem Jack Dinerstein Jenard Gross Darlene Guidry David Hargrove Alison Hall Larry Hill Stacy Hunt Hap Hunnicutt David Jones Mel Kieke Mike Koch Dick LaMarche Tim Myers P David Onanian John Ridgway Kim Small Eileen Subinsky Steve Sweet Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley H J Tollett, Jr. Pat Tollett Vic Vacek, Jr. Beth Van Winkle Jerry Winograd ADVISORY DIRECTORS Billy Griffin Manu Gupta Cesar Lima Mary Lawler Patrick Magnuson Bruce McClenny Angelee Kumar Parikh Nikki Sekunda Penny Sprang Theri Tinelli Tony Whitaker GENERAL COUNSEL EMERITUS Joe Bax HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Claude Arnold Kenn Brown Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Kevin Fenn Diane Gilbert Anita Harrison Dwayne Henson

Mike Koch Merry Mount Monette Reynolds Sherry Stevenson Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley Sonny Unverzagt Del Walmsley Nancé Wells H.P. Paul Young Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS Laura Lestus, CAS, President The Liberty Group David Lindley, CAS, Vice President FSI Construction Derek DeVries, CAS, Secretary Camp Construction Services Candis Moer, CAS, Treasurer AAA Plumbers Jacob Kunath, CAS, Immediate Past President Century A/C Supply MEMBERS Marivel Bownds, CAS, Valet Living Dixie Caldwell, CAS, The Liberty Group Shaun Callaway, CAS, Earthworks Peggy Charles, CASE, Fidus Construction Services Neal Conant, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Sean Cunningham, CAS, Flooring Warehouse Deborah DeRouen, CAS, Designs By Holmes Clark Gregg, CAS, Fidus Construction Dan James, CAS, Redevelopment Services

Debra Knight, CAS, Fidus Construction Services Stephanie Krop, CASE, Poolsure Liz Levins, CAS, Rasa Floors Tracey Moore, CAS, Flooring Warehouse Matthew Nunn, CAS, Camp Construction Services Doug Oehl, CAS. Flooring Warehouse Joseph Rodriguez, CAS, The Urban Foresters Nikki Sekunda, CAS, The Liberty Group Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Blake Subinsky, CAS, HD Supply Mat Tilley, CAS, WeDoTrash Alan Young, CAS, Dixie Carpet Installations PATRON MEMBERS 1961 CSC ServiceWorks 1986 Craven Carpet 1994 AAA Plumbers 1996 Houston Planned Energy Systems 1997 RentPath 1999 FSI Construction Inc. 2003 Cotton Commercial USA Inc. Dixie Carpet Installations 2006 Maintenance Supply Headquaters 2009 Camp Construction Services 2013 Interior Logic Group Property Services 2018 Apartments.com

SPONSOR MEMBERS 1968 Century A/C Supply Hoover Slovacek LLP Reliant 1973 Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc CORT Furniture 1974 Mueller Water Conditioning 1976 Great American Business Products 1977 Webb Pest Control 1978 Houston Metro Electrical Corp The Liberty Group 1981 AmRent Marvin F Poer & Company 1983 Sherwin Williams Company 1984 RENCON 1985 Gemstar Construction Development Inc 1986 ApartmentData.com 1988 W Partnership 1992 Alexander-Rose Associates Saint Clair & Sons Inc 1998 AAA Staffing Ltd CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions 2000 Moveforfree.com Inc Pura Flo Corporation 2001 Apartment Life Inc 2002 American Fire Systems Southwest Painting Contractors Inc 2003 Sign-Ups & Banners 2005 Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management United Protective Services 2006 Bell’s Laundries CAD Restoration Services DoodyCalls Lopez Carpet Care & Painting Masonry Solutions Inc Roto-Rooter Services Co TXU Energy Multifamily Services Valet Living 2008 CRE Business Solutions LLC Flavor Finish Resurfacing HARCO Insurance Services Texas Turf Management 2009 Contractors Inc Moen Inc Redevelopment Services Storm Maintenance & Monitoring 2010 ALN Apartment Data Inc Belfor Property Restoration Believe, Achieve and Conquer, LLC Certified Termite and Pest Control FTK Construction Services 2011 Fantastic Floors Infinite Energy Inc Parking Management Company/PMC Towing 2012 ABC Supply Co Inc Accent Sign & Awning Co BGE/Brown & Gay Engineers Cantrell McCulloch Inc EnviroSmart Multifamily Pest Solutions Giordano Construction Inc Go-Staff Inc Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc Nationwide Eviction Texas Concrete Professional Company 2013 ACTIV Answer by Audio Images Arbor Contract Carpet Inc ASAP Steamers Carpet Cleaning Comcast Gambit Construction Outdoor Elements Pool Works LLC Tidal Renovations LLC 2014 Adventure Playground Systems Inc Chadwell Supply Classic Same Day Blinds J National Jonah Digital Agency MX2 Commercial Paving Pathfinder Insurance Group Ram Jack Foundation Solutions Texas Apartment Pool

Services WCA Waste Corporation Zillow Group 2015 America Outdoor Furniture ASAP Personnel Inc BSI Cameras Onsite DeNyse Companies Division-9 Inc Gateman Inc Infinity Power Partners Kathy Andrews Interiors Notifii LLC Pace Mechanical Services The Allshouse Group LLC The Lane Law Firm 2016 Action Window Coverings Allied Fire Protection LP Bath Fitter Cinch – Cabinet Refacing Kits Citi Fence & Concrete E-Systems Pest Management Inc Ecolo Environmental Inc Embark Services Fidus Construction Services Fun Abounds Green City Security LLC Guardian Chimney Sweep Halo Doors Inc JLL Johnstone Supply KONE Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting Liquid Waste Solutions Paul Davis Restoration North Houston RAM Construction Sparkle Wash Pressure Washing Texas Southwest Floors Inc WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems WellKept Whitmans Contracting and Roofing 2017 ACT Security Group All About Doody Pet Solutions LLC All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc Allegion APTexx Inc BioTechs Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning Cano Electric Inc Classic Towing Continental Adjusters Inc Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation, Inc Designs by Holmes Fast Forward Services LLC Frost Insurance Agency General Recon, LLC Lithotech Printed Products/Forms Center McMahan's Flooring Inc MPS Direct Norman Construction NorthMarq Capital On Site Towing LLC PCS Creative Surface SEAL Security Solutions LLC Secure Insurance Symmons Industries Texas Engineered Roofing & General Contracting USA Patrol Division Vima Decor Willbanks & Associates Inc 2018 A Homestead Specialist LLC AAdvantage Laundry Systems AirAide LLC Allura Apartment Lines Archcon Arizona Tile Benefits 4 Rent Brannan Designs LLC Architecture & Interior Design C&D Towing LLC Capital Sign Associates CashFlow Pros LLC Centex Construction CenturyLink Construction ECO Services Featherston Sign Partners Finish Factory Inc Green Garbology Greenseen Guardian Gutters Higginbotham HMS LLC Kastle Systems Ledge Lounger Lockmer Collins Roofing LLC DBA Roof Repair Squad Matrix Construction Services Merricks Company MirrorMate Frames O'Conor, Mason & Bone PC OnDemand Cabinet Solutions Penco Access Control PERQ LLC Phoenix Roofing & Construction Inc Platinum Enterprises LLC Preventive Pest Control Quatro Tax LLC

Rent Debt Automated Collections RG Miller Engineers Saifee Signs & Graphics Signal 88 Security Spray and Play Surface Designers Remodeling Inc Swadley Roof Systems LLC Texas Steam - Laars Heating Systems Tropical Roofing Products Wildlife Removal Experts Windstorm Restoration Wonder Wall Wraps Inc 2019 3 Men Movers A + Infinity Blue Outdoors, AAA Texas Absolute Construction LLC Action Towing, Inc ACUTRAQ Background Screening, Inc Advance LED Solution Al Hicks & Associates / Allstate AmCap Insurance Anchor Roofing Inc Andrews Myers PC AppFolio ARC Solutions Atom4 Security Camera & Electronics August & Suttles Contractors Beekman Company LLC Beyond Contractors LLC Bio-One Houston South Builders Direct Depot Classic Touch Painting CLS Technology Inc Consolidated Communications Cougar USA CSI LED & Hardware D.A.M. Remodeling Group Dal-Tile Corporation DNM Contracting Inc Door Clearance Center Enforce Security Services Epic Air Conditioning Granite Surfaces of Texas Green Faubourg Lawn & Landscaping LLC Harding & Carbone Inc Heritage Construction Co Hive Technology Howitzer Building Engineers Hurtado Roofing & Construction IGD Plumbing LLC In Service Security LLC Interior Logic Group Property Services ITWS LLC J and B Carpet Services Kerely Towing Solutions King's Granite and Marble Knight Restoration Services, Ledtech Lexington Group International LP Building Solutions: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation LSR Multifamily Max Digital Printing McKenzie Drake Corporate Housing Morris Contracting Nations Roof Houston LLC Northwest Construction Group NSJ Painting & Flooring Odor-DeFence/BugDeFence One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Onesource Moving Onyx Restoration LLC Opiniion PHR A/C & Heating Pool Knights Prime Texas Metal Roofs Prime Texas Surveys LLC Property Services Quick Roofing Reliable Roofing Service Master by Century Signal 88 Security of The Woodlands & East Houston Slime Busters Inc Smart Water Valve SOS-ASAP Softwashing Strata Roofing and Construction LLC Streamline Construction Houston LLC Structural Concrete Systems, LLC Surface Experts League City Target Restoration Services Texas Management Group The Playwell Group Inc Three Amigos Texas LLC Total Renovation Services Turnage & Associates US Multifamily LLC Waterproof Solutions Window World Winhill Advisors Woodlands Water Restoration YottaReal

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JANUARY 2020 I VOLUME 43, ISSUE 1 Executive Vice President and Publisher JEFF HALL, CAE jhall@haaonline.org EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org Writer/Editor MORGAN TAYLOR mtaylor@haaonline.org ADVERTISING Vice President of Membership and Marketing AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org CONTRIBUTING STAFF Vice President and General Manager SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org Vice President of Professional Development EMILY HILTON, CPP, CAE ehilton@haaonline.org Vice President of Public Affairs ANDY TEAS, CAE ateas@haaonline.org Vice President of Finance NANCY LI LO, CPA nlo@haaonline.org Director of Information Technology ART EIDMAN aeidman@haaonline.org Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org Director of Events and Meetings LAUREN WOLFSON, CMP lwolfson@haaonline.org Director of Rental Credit Reporting TINA DEFIORE tdefiore@haaonline.org Director of Outreach LAUREN TURNER, CMP lturner@haaonline.org Public Affairs Specialist ALPA PATEL apatel@haaonline.org Education and Meetings Coordinator KAREN MITCHELL kmitchell@haaonline.org Membership and Marketing Manager KAYLON NEWCOMB knewcomb@haaonline.org Membership Engagement Assist. MONSERRAT BUFFINGTON mbuffington@haaonline.org Webmaster and IT Specialist WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com

HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CLAY HICKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Program & Budget . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Nominating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STARLA TURNBO . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MICHELLE PAWELEK . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .JEFF HALL Fair Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MACK ARMSTRONG . . . . . . .JEFF HALL By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .KYLE BROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Past Presidents Council . . . . . . .KATHY CLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Leadership Development . . . . .ALISON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Product Service Council . . . . . . .LAURA LESTUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Community Outreach . . . . . . . .TRACIE YODER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Legislative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS HAA Political Action Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STACY HUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Multifamily Fire Safety Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Developers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TODD TRIGGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TERRI CLIFTON . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Ambassador ONE Society . . . .MARIVEL BOWNDS/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RYAN WEIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY 2020 Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DAVID LINDLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Independent Owners Council .STEPHANIE BRYSON . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Education Advisory Council . . .MONICA GRACIA/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BETSY MARSHALL . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Career/Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PENNY SPRANG . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON NEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PATRICK MAGNUSON/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NIKKI SEKUNDA . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Strategic Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .LAUREN TURNER Century Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CANDIS MOHR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL PAC Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GARY BLUMBERG . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . .NORMA ALVEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARILYN ROMERO . . . . . . . . .LAUREN WOLFSON HAF Fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DEBBIE ANDREOZZI/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LAUREN WOLFSON Resident Relations Appeals . . .DARLENE GUIDRY . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations A . . . . . . . . . .BEVERLY NORRIS . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations B . . . . . . . . . .KEVIN HARTMAN . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Property Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN DEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CRYSTAL JACKSON . . . . . . . .TINA DEFIORE IT Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOE BRYSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ART EIDMAN HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MISSION AND VISION: HAA is the leading advocate, resource and community partner for quality rental housing providers in the Houston and surrounding area. HAA develops leadership in the multifamily industry by engaging broadly diverse membership, embracing effective technology and advocating for a geographically inclusive association. ABODE IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION serving the multihousing industry in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton counties.

ABODE, JANUARY 2020 VOLUME 43 ISSUE 12 ABODE (USPS 024-962) is published monthly by the Houston Multi Housing Corporation. Publishing, editorial and advertising offices are located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041. Telephone 713-595-0300. The $50 annual ABODE subscription rate is included in all member dues and additional subscriptions are available. The annual subscription rate is $50 for members, $65 for non-members.

Advertising rates are available upon request. Contributed material does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Houston Apartment Association. Copyright © 2020 by HAA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041.

www.haaonline.org

January 2020

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2020 Installation

& New Year Gala THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO JOIN US

FOR AN INTIMATE EVENING OF DINNER, COCKTAILS

AND A LITTLE JAZZ.

COME CELEBRATE THE INSTALLATION OF

2020 PRESIDENT CLAY HICKS, OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 7 P.M. TO 11:30 P.M.

REVENTION MUSIC CENTER

520 TEXAS AVENUE

COCKTAIL ATTIRE • TIES OPTIONAL

WWW.HAAONLINE.ORG/GALA

Presented by

Premier Sponsors

CENTURY A/C SUPPLY CRESTMARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MAINTENANCE SUPPLY HEADQUARTERS RELIANT

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Letter from the President

By CLAY HICKS, 2020 HAA President

MANY PAST HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS WROTE THIS COLUMN BEFORE ME, SOME WHO ARE MY MENTORS, FRIENDS AND LEADERS I HAVE WORKED FOR. I’m honored for the opportunity to lead HAA in 2020 as president, and I thank all of those before me. I would not be here today without the HAA presidents who have led the way every year, and I hope to be able to do the same for others.

This column will be a platform for me to inspire others in their careers and association involvement, stir thought-provoking conversations, offer guidance to young professionals and maybe even bring a new perspective to experienced professionals.

I’m passionate about all areas of HAA, but I have recently become more passionate about the legislative and HAA Political Action Committees. I want to show HAA members and those in our industry who aren’t members of our association how impactful HAA is to our businesses. I want to inspire people to improve and accomplish their goals. You can read more about my goals for HAA as president and how I got to where I am today in my presidential profile on Page 7.

In Houston locally, the oil and gas industry dominates our economy.

The article on Page 56 shares statistics from a recent study detailing the impact the apartment industry has Join me on January 17 at the 2020 Installation on the economy. & New Year Gala at Revention Music Center.

Outside of local matters, I’d like to Ties are optional, the celebrating is not. share national news that affects our industry. HUD proposed a rule on desperate impact, which was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 19. The rule proposes to amend the agency’s interpretation of the Fair Housing Act’s disparate impact standard to better reflect the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs versus Inclusive Communities Project Inc. The National Apartment Association and the National Multifamily Housing Council voiced their strong support of this proposed rule in September.

According to naahq.org, a rental housing provider can be sued under disparate impact theory if the owner or operator implements a policy that is neutral on its face but nonetheless has an unintended, discriminatory effect on members of a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. The example used in NAA Units is rental housing providers risk scrutiny for alleged discrimination if they utilize resident screening policies that prohibit accepting any applicant with a felony conviction.

Plaintiffs argue these policies have a disproportionate, negative impact on certain protected classes at higher rates than the general population. Using similar statistical analysis, blanket prohibitions against accepting any applicant with eviction history also have been challenged under disparate impact theory.

Want to know more? Stay up to date on this issue by visiting www.naahq.org/advocacy/policy-issues/disparate-impact.

One last item of note for this month: Don’t forget to join me on January 17 for the 2020 Installation & New Year Gala at Revention Music Center. I’m doing things a little differently this year.

Ties are optional, the celebrating is not. See Page 6 for details and let’s get this new year started!

www.haaonline.org

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Houston Planned Energy Systems

Apartments.com

HAA Member since 1978

HAA Member since 1997

Cotton Commercial USA Inc.

Interior Logic Group Property Services

These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment

HAA Member since 1982

Association with their patron

Maintenance Supply Headquarters HAA Member since 2006

membership. Please give them

CSC ServiceWorks

careful consideration, whenever

HAA Member since 1961

Craven Carpet

possible, in your business.

HAA Member since 1986

Camp Construction Services HAA Member since 1994

January Patron of the Month

HAA Member since 1985

AAA Plumbers HAA Member since 1984

FSI Construction Inc. HAA Member since 1999

Dixie Carpet Installations HAA Member since 1987

RentPath HAA Member since 1979

RUBS Billing Special – $1.00 per unit when you mention this ad – call for details.

206 S. College Ave., Suite C, Cleveland, Texas 77327 8

ABODE

January 2020

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Legislative Update

By JOHN BORIACK, HAA Legislative Chair, with ANDY TEAS, CAE, Vice President of Public Affairs

SIGNS, POSTERS AND NOTICES What are you required to post at your apartment community?

THIS IS AN updated version of an article we run every few years, as we try to update the growing list of signs, permits and notices you need at an apartment property. Email comm@haaonline.org if you run across something we missed.

Habitability Ordinance Registration Houston’s Habitability Ordinance requires all apartment properties with three or more units to register and requires the owner to post a copy of the current registration form at the property.

Registration is free of charge and helps insure your employees can’t be held personally liable for code violations. The fine for failing to register starts at $500 and can be assessed per day.

Go to http://www.houstonmultifamily.org/ to register or call 832-394-8841 for more details.

Habitability Notice Houston’s Habitability Ordinance also requires every property with three or more units to post a specific notice in English and Spanish asking residents to report hazardous conditions to the manager or to the city. You can download this notice for free from the Houston Apartment Association website or from www.houstonmultifamily.org. Call 832-3948841 for more information.

24-Hour Phone Number for Maintenance Emergencies Under state law, a property with an onsite management office must provide a phone number that will be answered 24-hours a day for maintenance emergencies. The phone number must be posted prominently outside the management office. This has long been a fire code requirement for Houston properties without a manager living onsite.

Property Directory A property in Houston with four or more www.haaonline.org

units needs a property directory (a map showing the location of each unit) "posted and maintained within 8 feet or less of the front of the driveway of each vehicular entrance to the premises."

You do not need a directory if all unit numbers are visible from a public street.

This is an updated version of an article we run every few years, as we try to update the growing list of signs, permits and notices you need at an apartment property. Email comm@haaonline.org if you run across something we missed.

Towing Signs If you ever need to tow a car, it's a lot easier if you have the red and white, state-approved towing sign at each entrance to your parking lot. For more information, see the Texas Apartment Association Redbook.

Swimming Pool Sign(s) Texas Health Department rules require every apartment pool to have a bunch of posted information warning against diving, warning of no lifeguard, requesting parental supervision of kids, showing where your pool telephone is located, warning of the temperature in your spa, etc. All this information can be put on one sign if your pool phone is visible from the pool, but diving information still needs to be stenciled on the pool deck at various points around the edge. See the TAA Redbook for details or get the exact sign requirements from the TDH website: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/poolspa/ rules.shtm.

Swimming Pool Operating Permit – Houston Apartment pools in Houston must have an operating permit from the Health Department.

It costs $148.62 (plus a $27.52 administration fee) per pool per year. For information, call 832393-5100 or visit their website: http://www.houstontx.gov/health/Environmental/pools.html.

Swimming Pool Operating Permit – Harris County If you have a property in unincorporated Harris County with a swimming pool, it needs an operating permit. The good news is that it’s free, as long as you pass your initial inspection.

If they have to come back, re-inspection fees start at $200 and escalate. They inspect to the same state standards used by Houston. For more information, visit their website: http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Services-Programs/All-Programs/Pool-Permitsand-Water-Safety.

Sign Permits You need an operating permit for your property's sign whether your property is in Houston or not. In the city limits of Houston, the cost of a sign permit varies with the square footage of the sign, with $84.55 being the minimum for the first 32 square feet of one sign face and 49 cents for each additional square foot (plus a $29.18 processing fee).

In the unincorporated parts of Harris County, you must have a sign permit from the county engineer. The permit is free, unless your sign is visible from a toll road, in which case there is a flat fee of $120. You get a sticker, which goes on the sign or the signpost, and a paper permit for your file. Visit http://www.eng.hctx.net/Portals/23/Publications/Sign_flyer_chklst_201706. pdf or call 713-437-5764 for more information. / See Legislative, Page 26

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It’s the Law

By HOWARD BOOKSTAFF, Hoover Slovacek LLP , HAA General Counsel

CAN YOU SAY NO?

A federal district court supports an apartment owner’s effort to deny a request for an assistance animal.

IN THE APARTMENT industry, the question seems to be the same. Can you say no to an assistance animal request?

Getting an emotional support animal (ESA) letter is as easy as one, two, three. Literally! I just visited one of the many websites that offer easy access to ESA letters: 1. Complete the Online Exam (Fill out the brief online questionnaire by navigating down the page to the exam section. 100% refundable if not satisfied.)

2. Doctor Reviews Exam (An assigned doctor will review your exam to determine if you are in need of an emotional support animal(s).)

3. Congratulations! (A secure link is emailed to you allowing access to download all ESA documentation in PDF format. Optional: Hard copy and other options are available.)

The world will not end if you allow a resident to have an assistance animal, however, you believe that anyone who answers a few questions online or over the phone can get an ESA letter.

You also know that if you allow an assistance animal (and the resident to avoid pet fees, deposits and breed restrictions), you may be setting an undesirable precedent, especially if you do not require the appropriate paperwork before granting the request.

A Texas case decided in October 2017 helps provide some ammunition for owners who want to push back on an assistance animal request. Let’s discuss the court’s opinion and how it might influence your decisions.

The case was decided by the United States District Court sitting in the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division). The name of the case is Houston v. DTN Operating Company, LLC, et al.

Facts On June 2, 2016, Talia Houston and DTN Operating Company LLC executed a lease. Houston noted on the lease that she will require a service dog to be with her in her unit. In support of her request, Houston provided the www.haaonline.org

owner with a letter from a licensed marriage and family therapist stating that Houston has a mental disability and needs an emotional support animal.

On Aug. 22, 2016, Houston moved into her unit with her dog.

On Sept. 8, 2016, the manager requested additional information regarding Houston’s disability and her need for a service dog. On Sept.

13, 2016, the property received a second letter from the same therapist stating that Houston had been under the therapist’s care since April and vaguely explained that Houston needs a therapy dog to help her cope with her mental health condition. Houston also provided the manager with documentation that she registered her dog as an emotional support dog with the United States Animal Registry.

On Sept. 15, 2016, the manager informed Houston of noise complaints stemming from Houston’s dog. The manager also informed Houston that she will be assessed a $200 fine for violating the pet policies by keeping an unregistered animal in her unit. The letter also instructed Houston to remove the animal within 24 hours.

On Sept. 19, 2016, the manager informed Houston that the apartment owner would continue to evaluate Houston’s request for an accommodation, but the dog had not been approved and would need to be removed from her unit. The letter additionally stated that the apartment owner was also unable to approve her request because of recent complaints from neighbors that the dog was disruptive and barking continuously, especially during periods when the dog was left alone. The letter also threatened to terminate the lease because Houston was in material breach for failing to remove the dog from the premises.

On Sept. 21, 2016, the manager sent Houston a three-day notice to vacate, stating that Houston had breached her lease for not removing the dog from the premises. Soon thereafter, Houston vacated her unit. A couple of months

later, Houston received an email from the apartment owner informing her that she had a balance due and, if not paid, Houston would be referred to a third-party debt collector.

The Suit In Jan. 2017, Houston filed suit against several entities including the owner and management company asserting several causes of action including violations of the federal and Texas Fair Housing Acts. In March 2017, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss Houston’s suit. The reported Memorandum Opinion and Order is the court’s response to the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case.

Court’s Analysis Regarding the Alleged Fair Housing Act Violations Houston alleges that she has a disability and it is medically necessary for her to have a service dog. When asked to provide more information with regard to her disability, Houston provided the owner with a letter from a marriage and family therapist saying that she needed a “therapy dog” to help her cope with her “mental health condition.”

Despite the manager’s request for more detail regarding Houston’s disability and for further documentation from a medical professional familiar with her condition, the therapist merely sent a subsequent letter stating only that Houston has a “mental illness” and as such has “certain limitations.” The letter further stated that Houston had been under the therapist’s care and that Houston meets the definition of disability under “the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.”

Although Houston claims that the manager’s acts were motivated by her disability, Houston’s complaint was silent as to what her disability was or how her disability substantially affects a major life activity. The court stated that Houston presented no medical facts to support her claim that she was disabled. Houston identified January 2020

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no activity, no less “a major activity” that she claimed to be impaired by her “mental illness.”

The therapist stated that Houston met the definition of disability and “due to her mental illness” Houston had “certain limitations.” The court stated that while this diagnosis may be accurate, it fails to set forth any facts regarding if or how any of Houston’s conditions “substantially limits” a major life activity.

The court cited other cases that analyzed whether a plaintiff met the definition of disability under the Fair Housing Act. The court cited one case that held that the plaintiff’s request was deficient despite providing she received care from a behavioral health organization, had an appointment with a doctor and was on medication, because the complaint failed to adequately identify her mental disability.

In another case the court cited, a court held that the plaintiff failed to establish that she was disabled under the Fair Housing Act when she allegedly had mental, emotional and psychological disorders that posed “great obstacles in her life and which affects her moods and ability to comprehend.” A third case held that the plaintiff failed to create a genuine issue of fact when the complaint did not state what the plaintiff’s disability was or how the defendants failed to accommodate it.

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Court’s Ruling Based upon this analysis, the court concluded that Houston’s cause of action under the Fair Housing Act should be dismissed.

The Houston Take Away: You can push back in appropriate cases.

What are you looking for?

A notice issued April 25, 2013 by HUD provides some insight into how HUD interprets restrictions regarding assistance animals.

Pursuant to HUD’s notice, after receiving a request for an assistance animal, a housing provider must consider the following: 1. Does the person seeking to use and live with the animal have a disability – i.e., a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities?

2. Does the person making the request have a disability-related need for an assistance animal? In other words, does the animal work, provide assistance, perform tasks or services for the benefit of a person with a disability or provide emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of person’s existing disability?

What information are you looking for to support a request for an assistance animal?

HUD’s notice states that a housing provider may not deny a reasonable accommodation request because he or she is uncertain whether or not the person seeking the accommodation has a disability or a disability-related need for an assistance animal. Housing providers may ask individuals who have disabilities that are not readily apparent or known to the provider to submit reliable documentation of a disability and their disability-related need for an assistance animal.

If the disability is readily apparent or known but the disability-related need is not, the housing provider may ask the individual to provide documentation of the disability-related need for an assistance animal. For example, the housing provider may ask persons who are seeking a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal that provides emotional support to provide documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, social worker or other mental health professional that the animal provides emotional support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of an existing disability.

Such documentation is sufficient if it establishes / See Law, Page 55

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Resident Relations from the RESIDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

A FATAL SHOOTING

Management charges residents for damages caused by a shooting incident.

RESIDENTS FILED a complaint with

HAA to dispute charges.

Several gunmen opened fire at the residents’ apartment home. A person who was a visitor of residents died that evening as a result of the shooting incident.

The residents and their son fled the apartment home following the traumatizing event.

Management charged the residents $1,376.83 for damages caused by the shooting.

A $400 security deposit was paid by the residents upon move in. The resident filing the complaint did not request a refund on the deposit, but she did request the charges be dropped considering the situation.

Management responded to the Houston

The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide

Apartment Association an impartial review of resident complaints using and that response was the documentation provided by both the resident forwarded to the resident. and management.

Management believed the residents were at fault for the shooting. Management The committee ruled in favor of managetherefore felt the residents were charged acment with adjustments. The committee recordingly. Enclosed were copies of the lease, moved charges caused by the shooting. After the final account statement and pictures. the adjustments were made and the security Documentation such as a police report deposit was applied, the residents owe the could have proved the residents were at property $93.76. fault, but management failed to provide any documentation that proved the residents If you are a manager with a resident were at fault. The committee felt it was unfair relations issue, call HAA at 713-595-0300 to charge these residents for the damages for direct assistance. caused by the shooting.

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

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I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

www.haaonline.org

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On the Scene with the HAAPAC HAAPAC Luncheon Monday, November 18 at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center Sponsored by 1 CORT Furniture The November HAA Political Action Committee Luncheon featured Nef Partida, public policy advisor, Locke Lord.

1

WE’RE ALL ABOUT BETTER GOVERNMENT Threats from government are coming at the apartment industry at a rapid pace. The HAAPAC, the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, needs your help to fight bad legislation. HAA members can participate in the PAC on several levels. Committee application forms are available. To join, renew or learn how to become involved with the PAC, see online at www.haaonline.org/haapac or contact apatel@haaonline.org.

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auction pg 17.qxp_Layout 1 12/17/19 7:32 AM Page 1

! e m i t r e m m a h It’s

e …nt m o c l l i w d thinegymeeting omr epvaeny. n a t i d l i Bu nsor an upcomion for your co Spo recognit way to and gainring is a great ntrated Sponso ont of a conce acts. t get in fr and make con t e mark

t, Honors rnamen u o T ll a eyb Mania, the Voll such as tenance in ts a n e rous M v r, e ll raise d nume as we se AC Fund eons, an P h c g n n Join us u ri L p S CES Dinner, Expo, A inars.

Awards rence & fe and sem n s o e C rs n u o o ti c a l c Edu dentia n and cre educatio

info:end the HAA ion e h t n w o Nailisdyour first time tor thatte Auction 101 sess fo ss.

If this e proce me early th o c h , g n u o ti ro Auc ou th l walk y and we’l xy ction pro u a e v li end the anda nnot att tact Am If you ca available. Con is more. bidding find out to y d n o Sherb

n site?

Can’t be o

HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center

4810 Westway Park Blvd. off Clay Road just east of Beltway 8

Thursday, January 30 Visit the HAA website for the full Auction Program with the list of events up for sale at

www.haaonline.org/sponsor/

FREE to all supplier members Auction 101: 2:30 p.m.

Registration: 3 p.m.

Drawings close: 3:45 a.m.

Live Auction begins: 4 p.m.

RSVP online at Amanda Sherbondy at asherbondy@haaonline.org

state of industry pg 18.qxp_Layout 1 12/17/19 7:33 AM Page 1

State Industry of the

Join HAA and industry leaders as we assess the current and future state of Houston’s multifamily market. Topics will include the latest Harvey-related issues, recent economic trends, job growth, forecasts, rental rate and occupancy trends, new construction developments, technology, marketing trends and much more.

State of the Industry Breakfast Tuesday, January 28 Breakfast and Registration: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Program: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Location: Westin Houston Medical Center 1709 Dryden Road, Houston 77030 Program cost: $99/person if prepaid with a credit card; $125/person if invoiced See www.haaonline.org for more information.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and FSI Construction Inc.

Educ pg 19.qxp_Layout 1 12/17/19 7:34 AM Page 1

Upcoming Education

From the HAA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Leasing 101 (a day and a half) Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Program fee: $75 if payment is received before Tuesday, January 21; $85 at the door An in-depth introduction to the apartment industry for new leasing professionals and those individuals looking to learn more about the industry as a career.

This program includes TAA lease paperwork curriculum.

Topics covered include greeting and qualifying the customer; executing the lease contract; overcoming objections and closing techniques; an overview of Fair Housing and more.

Students who complete the course receive a certificate and a listing of HAA member placement agencies and management companies.

Download the registration form www.haaonline.org.

NALP 1: Bringing in New Residents – Be Prepared Tuesday, February 4 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

State of the Industry Breakfast Tuesday, January 28 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and FSI Construction Join industry leaders for breakfast and a breakdown of the economic state and market conditions of Houston’s multifamily industry.

See Page 18 for details.

SCHEDULE AND FEES

NALP 2: Marketing and Maintaining Your Community Tuesday, February 4 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Camp Construction Services Avenues Mainstreet: Session 1 Wednesday, February 5 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by CORT Furniture See Page 22 for details.

TAA Redbook Seminar Thursday, February 6 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and The Liberty Group See Page 24 for details.

IROC Breakfast Friday, February 7 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

NALP 3: Why Your Competition Matters Tuesday, February 11 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Camp Construction Services NALP 4: Relevant Laws and How to Apply Them Tuesday, February 11 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

are subject to change without prior notification. Notice of cancellation is required two days in advance to receive a refund, less a $25 administrative fee. Seats are guaranteed on a first-come, first-served basis when payment and registration are received in advance of the program. Unless otherwise indicated, courses are held in either the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room or the Direct Energy and Liberty Personnel & Executive Search Room at the Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd. on the second floor of the HAA Office www.haaonline.org

Avenues: Maintenance 1 Wednesday, February 12 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Century A/C Supply See Page 22 for details.

TAA Redbook Seminar Thursday, February 13 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and The Liberty Group See Page 24 for details.

HAA NEXT: Professional Development Breakfast Friday, February 14 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

NALP 5: The Sales Process and Building Relationships Tuesday, February 18 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Camp Construction Services NALP 6: Effectively Meeting the Needs of Current Residents Tuesday, February 18 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Camp Construction Services CAMT Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair – Spanish Tuesday, February 25 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See Page 23 for details.

NALP Market Survey Presentation and Exam Tuesday, February 25 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

CAMT Electrical Maintenance and Repair – Spanish Wednesday, February 26 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See Page 23 for details.

CAMT Plumbing Maintenance and Repair (two days) – Spanish Thursday, February 27 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See Page 23 for details.

Outlying TAA Redbook Seminar Thursday, February 27 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See Page 24 for details.

ACES Luncheon Friday, February 28 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Artisans 3201 Louisiana Street, 77006

See www.haaonline.org for program details and to register.

Outlying TAA Redbook Seminar Tuesday, February 25 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See Page 24 for details.

Building. Seating is limited. You must pre-register. For more information and to register, go online at www.haaonline.org.

Notice to Attendees: All pre-registered no-shows will be billed. For admittance into HAA/HAF events, payments will be required at the door if not received prior to the event. Start times listed above include a 30-minute registration period. Notice of cancellation is required two days prior to the event for a refund, less a $15 administrative fee.

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JANUARY S M T W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29

Calendar HAA Education, Events and Meetings SCHEDULE

T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

S 4 11 18 25

FEBRUARY S M T W T 2 9 16 23

F

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

JANUARY 1

9

21-22

30

Offices Closed HAA will be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.

HAAPAC Luncheon Thursday, January 9 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Program fee: $30 per HAAPAC member; $40 per non-HAAPAC member Contact Alpa at apatel@haaonline.org for registration and details.

Leasing 101 (a day and a half) Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsorship Auction Thursday, January 30 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

FREE to all suppliers Join us for the 2020 January Sponsoring Auction. Sponsoring an event in 2020 is a great way to gain recognition for your company. Over 70 events will be up for auction.

Proxy bidding available by advanced request. Arrive early at 2:30 pm for Auction 101 session for first timers to get more information on how the auction works and about the events up for bid. Contact Amanda Sherbondy for more information: asherbondy@haaonline.org or 713-595-0316.

8 Northwest Lunch & Learn Wednesday, January 8 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

NAM, Second Floor 15702 Bammel Village Drive, 77068 Program fee: FREE To attend, you must RSVP to outreach@haaonline.org.

Join us for a market report of the area. What does that mean for occupancy, rent, new construction and more?

Resident Relations Committee A Wednesday, January 8 2 p.m.

New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, January 8 3 p.m.

Craft Republic 11470 Westheimer, 77042 All new supplier members welcome.

Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, January 8 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Craft Republic 11470 Westheimer, 77042 Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

15 HAA Open House Wednesday, January 15 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are a prospective HAA member or a current member who is looking to get more involved, this event is for you. Meet the HAA staff, learn how you can get involved and familiarize yourself with how to maximize your membership. All members and prospective members are welcome!

17 2020 Installation & New Year Gala presented by Camp Construction Services Friday, January 17 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Revention Music Center 520 Texas Ave., 77002 You are invited to celebrate the installation of 2020 HAA President Clay Hicks, Officers, Board of Directors and Product Service Council Officers. See Page 6 for details. Presented by Camp Construction Services. Premier sponsors: Century A/C Supply, Crestmark Construction Services, Maintenance Supply Headquarters and Reliant.

27 HAAPAC Luncheon Monday, January 27 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Program fee: $30 per HAAPAC member; $40 per non-HAAPAC member Contact Alpa at apatel@haaonline.org for registration and details.

28 State of the Industry Breakfast Tuesday, January 28 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Join industry leaders for breakfast and a breakdown of the economic state and market conditions of Houston’s multifamily industry.

See Page 18 for details.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and FSI Construction

29 Expo Committee Meeting Wednesday, January 29 9 a.m.

Baytown Region Meeting Wednesday, January 29 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Registration 11:30 to 1 p.m. – Program Location TBA Visit https://www.haaonline.org/ outreachmeetings/ for up-todate information Legislative Committee Wednesday, January 29 3 p.m.

Board Meeting Wednesday, January 29 4:30 p.m.

Sponsored by AAA Plumbers

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, all events meet at our Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., second floor, in either the Direct Energy and Liberty Personnel & Executive Search or the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room. Meetings located at the HAA Offices, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., first floor, will be held in the Redi Carpet and Winograd Families/Judwin Properties Conference Room. See www.haaonline.org for an interactive calendar.

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Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendars at www.haaonline.org for the most up-to-date information.

FEBRUARY 4

7

18

27

NALP 1: Bringing in New Residents – Be Prepared Tuesday, February 4 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

IROC Breakfast Friday, February 7 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

State of the Submarket – Montgomery Tuesday, February 18 7 a.m. to noon The Woodlands Country Club 100 Grand Fairway Drive, The Woodlands, 77381 Join HAA in Montgomery County to learn the state of the area’s economy and apartment market.

CAMT Plumbing Maintenance and Repair (two days) – Spanish Thursday, February 27 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See Page 23 for details.

NALP 2: Marketing and Maintaining Your Community Tuesday, February 4 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

5 Avenues Mainstreet: Session 1 Wednesday, February 5 8:30 a.m. to noon See Page 22 for details.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, February 5 3 p.m.

Craft Republic 11470 Westheimer, 77042 All new supplier members welcome.

Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, February 5 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Craft Republic 11470 Westheimer, 77042 Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

6 TAA Redbook Seminar Thursday, February 6 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

See Page 24 for details.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and The Liberty Group

11 NALP 3: Why Your Competition Matters Tuesday, February 11 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Camp Construction Services NALP 4: Relevant Laws and How to Apply Them Tuesday, February 11 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

12 Avenues: Maintenance 1 Wednesday, February 12 8:30 a.m. to noon See Page 22 for details.

Sponsored by Century A/C Supply Resident Relations Committee B Wednesday, February 12 2 p.m.

NALP 5: The Sales Process and Building Relationships Tuesday, February 18 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

ACES Luncheon Friday, February 28 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Artisans 3201 Louisiana Street, 77006

25

13 TAA Redbook Seminar Thursday, February 13 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

See Page 24 for details.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and The Liberty Group

Outlying TAA Redbook Seminar – Baytown Tuesday, February 25 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See Page 24 for details.

HAA NEXT: Professional Development Breakfast Friday, February 14 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

28

NALP 6: Effectively Meeting the Needs of Current Residents Tuesday, February 18 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Camp Construction Services

CAMT Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair – Spanish Tuesday, February 25 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See Page 23 for details.

14

Outlying TAA Redbook Seminar – Pearland Thursday, February 27 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See Page 24 for details.

NALP Market Survey Presentation and Exam Tuesday, February 25 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

26 CAMT Electrical Maintenance and Repair – Spanish Wednesday, February 26 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See Page 23 for details.

Need a log in to register for our next event?

Email webreg@haaonline.org

www.haaonline.org

January 2020

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minar?

Need sejusssiotnos arneepsrieced at only $50

on!

Individual r quality educati fo l ea st al re a , n per perso

Main

Leadership

Maintenance

Marketing Supplier

Sponsored by

ST LN BLVD PL CIR

Follow a road that fits you career journey with Avenues. The Avenues series of seminars feature some of the best nationally-acclaimed speakers in the industry with learning sessions for every level of multifamily professional.

Annual Property Subscriptions are available with unlimited attendance for all on-site property staff to all sessions at discounted prices: • Only $199 per year per property for properties with fewer than 200 units • Only $399 per year per property for properties with 200 to 350 units.

• Only $450 per year per property for properties with more than 350 units.

If you need a single workshop, individual sessions are priced at only $50 per person, a real steal for quality education.

Sessions begin February 5. Enroll today. Contact the HAA Education Department at education@haaonline.org or register online at www.haaonline.org.

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Spanish Language certified maintenance training at HAA This program will feature only Spanish Language text and facilitation.

Don’t miss your one chance for Spanish training in 2020!

Course Schedule: February 25-28; March 10-13 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Total Program Cost: $825 Tuition can be paid per module: $165 per module for five modules.

Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Program’s objective is to further the technical, business and personal development skills of today’s multifamily maintenance technician, resulting in improved on-the-job performance and a heightened awareness of customer service and responsibility.

CAMT Course Required Modules: Technical Courses: The five technical courses take place in the classroom with an instructor presenting core concepts and procedures, as well as leading course participants through reinforcing learning activities. These activities will range from discussions to solving “what if” scenarios to hands-on activities. After each course, learners will go online to go through practice scenarios for that course. These scenarios let learners play the role of a maintenance technician in a realistic and safe environment. They will make decisions to prioritize, diagnose and repair problems, just as they would on the job.

Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair Electrical Maintenance and Repair Plumbing Maintenance and Repair Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Maintenance and Repair Appliances Maintenance and Repair Comprehensive Exam

! l o n a sp

E n e

Register online today at www.haaonline.org or call 713-595-0300 for details. www.haaonline.org

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2020

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Learn about the new 2020 Redbook

SEMINAR

Choose your day.

Choose your location.

February 6 or February 13 in Houston

Location – HAF Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd. (off Clay Road and the Beltway)

February 25 in Baytown, location to be announced February 27 in Pearland, location to be announced March 12 in The Woodlands, location to be announced Registration – 8:30 a.m.

Program – 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program Fee (includes lunch) – $145 prepay; $180 invoice Sharpen your knowledge of your legal rights and responsibilities as a rental housing owner or manager by participating in one of the REDBOOK seminars being offered around the state.

Seminars emphasize changes in management practices required by new laws passed during the last legislative session as well as updates on key regulatory issues that affect property management.

Presented by Howard Bookstaff, HAA General Counsel

For more information and to register, see online at www.haaonline.org.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture and The Liberty Group

Each section will include an interactive exercise to help you learn how to apply the law to your job. Full of videos and interactive tools, the 2020 REDBOOK seminar will deliver the quality legal instruction you expect from TAA. Here’s your chance to hear from the experts and get answers to your questions. Learn the major changes to TAA’s Rental Application, Lease and other major forms. Understand major operational issues and get comfortable with the newly updated REDBOOK.

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Legislative, continued from Page 9 Certificate of Occupancy Houston requires every building to post its certificate of occupancy. There’s a conflict in the rules about this – the building code says you need to post an original, the Habitability Ordinance says you can post a copy. The latest official ruling is that it’s ok to post a copy, but you have to have the original – even if it’s locked up in the office. If yours is missing, a replacement costs $81.72, and each building requires a separate certificate. Call 832-394-8880 for more information.

Fair Housing Poster Every leasing office must have a poster that says you follow the Fair Housing Act. You can get it online at https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/928.1.PDF. The law requires this poster to be 11 by 14 inches, so print it on legal-size paper if you download it from the internet. This poster may also be obtained free of charge by calling HUD at 800-767-7468.

Federal Labor Posters The U.S. Department of Labor requires a number of posters in workplaces, depending on the size and scope of your business. A minimum wage poster is required at every workplace under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Companies that use polygraph tests must have a poster required under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act. Companies subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (50 or more employees) must have an FMLA poster. There’s also an Occupational Safety and Health Administration poster warning employees about workplace hazards.

All of these posters and more are available from the U.S. Labor Department’s website: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/posters.htm. There may be others, depending on the size of your company and other factors. These can be printed on any computer printer and posted.

Call the U.S. Labor Department toll free at 1866-487-2365 for more information.

USERRA The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act requires a poster telling employees their rights in the event they leave their job to perform military service: http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/.

TWC Poster The Texas Workforce Commission requires one of two types of posters, depending on whether your company is covered by the Texas Pay Day Law. Either poster may be obtained by calling (800) 832-9243, or via the In-

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ternet at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/ lablaw/posters.html.

Workers' Compensation Poster Texas also requires one of two posters telling workers whether you are a workers' comp subscriber. Subscribers post Form No. 6, non-subscribers post Form No. 5. Each can be downloaded at the TWC website: http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/employer/employerresources.html.

Combustible Waste Storage Permit Properties in Houston must obtain an annual permit from the Solid Waste Department for their dumpsters. It costs $145.93 for one dumpster or $233.50 for the whole property if you have two or more dumpsters (plus a $29.18 administrative fee). Contact the Solid Waste Department at 713-837-9159 or visit their website: https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/dumpsterpermits.html.

Access Gate and Key Box Permits The Houston Fire Department also issues permits for controlled-access gates and key boxes. The permit is $145.93 (plus a $29.18 administrative fee) for one gate, $233.50 (plus $29.18) for two or more. Your key boxes (911 boxes) need a separate annual permit: $145.94 (plus $29.18) for one gate, $233.50 (plus $29.18) for two or more. Call the Houston Fire Department Permit Office at 832-394-8811. Also, you’re required to have an approved set of gate plans available onsite.

The Harris County Fire Marshal issues a onetime $50 fee (no need to renew) to issue permits for access gates and key boxes in unincorporated parts of Harris County. Call 281-436-8011 or visit http://www.hcfmo.net/gates.aspx for more information.

Assembly Permit If your property has a large clubhouse or community room, check your Certificate of Occupancy to see if the capacity is more than 50. If so, you may need an assembly permit. Contact the HFD at 832-394-8811.

natural gas must have its piping system tested by any licensed master plumber who is registered with the city every five years. The permit to perform the test will cost your plumber $39.58 for up to four openings, plus $6.79 for each additional opening, plus $29.18 per building to issue the permit. The permit is sent to your plumber, so make sure your plumber provides it to you.

For more information, call the City of Houston’s plumbing inspection office at 832-394-8870.

Boilers This one is confusing. Houston is the only city in Texas that has its own boiler certification process that is totally separate from, and redundant, with the state boiler inspection process.

You may have to get inspections and permits from both for the same boiler (central boilers, not individual-unit hot water heaters).

If you have boiler and machinery insurance, your insurance company will do the state inspection. The state will charge you $40 to simply issue the permit. If you do not have boiler and machinery insurance, the state will charge you between $80 and $160, depending on the type of boiler.

Heating Boilers: The city of Houston performs an annual inspection at $79.17 per boiler (plus a $29.18 administrative fee). Invoices are mailed from the city on a quarterly basis depending on your zip code. The city also will require you to have some type of boiler operator's license, depending on the size of the boiler. The state issues a permit for heating boilers every two years.

Hot Water Supply Boilers: The city does not issue a permit for hot water supply boilers (over 200,000 British thermal unit), but the state issues a permit every three years.

All certificates are to be posted in the boiler room. For more information, call the City of Houston mechanical inspection office at 832394-8850. State inspectors are with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at 800-722-7843.

Fire Alarm Permit If your property has a monitored fire alarm system, the permit will initially cost you $87.56 (plus $29.18) with an annual renewal of $58.37 (plus $29.18). Call 832-394-8811 for more information or visit HFD’s webpage on the subject: http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/formsandpermits/#alarms.

Annual Electrical Maintenance Permit The City of Houston allows apartment maintenance personnel to perform electrical maintenance and repair without being licensed electricians and without pulling permits for each job they do, but you need a blanket permit to cover their day-to-day work. An Annual Electrical Maintenance Permit costs $241.57 (plus a $29.18 administration fee per apartment property) per year. Call the City of Houston's electrical inspection section at 832-394-8860 for more information.

Natural Gas Each apartment building in Houston with

Material Safety Data Sheets OSHA requires any hazardous chemical to be www.haaonline.org

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accompanied by a safety data sheet, detailing the properties of the chemical, what it can do to a person who is exposed to the chemical and the care that should be given to a person who was exposed to it. The seller is supposed to make these available to you upon request.

While these do not need to be posted, employers are required to keep them on file where employees can access them at any time during their workday.

Likely candidates on an apartment property might include pool chemicals, cleaning supplies, gasoline, paints, solvents, etc. There is an exception for things an individual consumer would use, though OSHA inspectors' opinions vary about what that means. Pesticides are exempt. For more information, if you’re in Conroe, call OSHA at 936-760-3800 (Conroe) or 281-2860583 if you’re in Houston.

Burglar Alarms In the City of Houston, you need a permit for a burglar alarm, available for $50 per year (plus a $29.18 administrative fee). If the alarm system has a panic button, which generates a Priority 1 call, the permit is $50 per year (plus $29.18). For details, call the City of Houston Burglar Alarm Administration at 713-581-7410.

In unincorporated Harris County, you need a permit (one permit covers a break in and panic button alarm) from your sheriff's department.

The county's permit is $35 initially, with a $10 annual renewal. Call the sheriff's alarm detail at 713-755-4600. (On many properties, permits for individual unit burglar alarm permits are made the responsibility of each resident).

Pest Control Applicator's License If you do your own pest control, your maintenance technician needs an applicator's license from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Visit http://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides/Struc turalPestControlService.aspx or call 866-9184481 for more information.

Hazardous Chemical Permit Some pool chemicals, especially pool shock containing calcium hypochlorite, are Class 3 Oxidizing Solids under the Houston Fire Code. Others carry an National Fire Protection Association health rating of “highly toxic”. You have to purchase a Hazardous Chemical Permit for $350.25 (plus $29.18) per year if you store more than 10 pounds of a class 3 oxidizer or any amount of a highly toxic chemical. Check the safety data sheet that should come with every pool chemical (you need to have these on hand anyway) to see the chemical’s NFPA oxidizer class. Toxicity / See Legislative, Page 59

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On the Road with HAA Justice of the Peace & Constable Holiday Appreciation Luncheons Friday, November 7 at Churrascos – Woodlands and Friday, November 15 at Hilton Garden Inn – Pearland HAA’s Annual Justice of the Peace and Constable Holiday Appreciation Luncheons for the Montgomery and Brazoria areas were a great success. Managers had the opportunity to say thank you to their local elected officials and ask questions. Thank you to all those who attended, we look forward to seeing you next year at our HAA Outreach events.

HAA IS REACHES OUT to better serve our members by bringing targeted networking and educational events to different parts of our 12-county service area. Contact Director of Outreach Lauren Turner at lturner@haaonline.org to sign up for these FREE, management-only events where you can learn about issues affecting your area and network with your fellow managers. Want to host an event?

We are looking for member properties to host a Region Meeting. Contact lturner@haaonline.org.

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Northwest Chamber Lunch & Learn Wednesday, November 13 Northwest area managers had the opportunity to hear from Randy Patton, CoreLogic, about application fraud. The Harris County Sheriff's Office also gave an update on what is happening in the area. Thank you to the Northwest Assistance Ministries for allowing us to host in their amazing space.

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Region Meeting – The Woodlands Tuesday, November 12 Sponsored by 1 Fidus Construction The Woodlands Township and HAA partnered to bring a region meeting to area managers where they heard from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office on human trafficking and other important issues to lookout for on their properties. Thank you to Terrie and her team at Olympus Sierra Pines for allowing us to host the meeting in their space.

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a•bode

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n.

(a • bod ) /

1) a home; a residence, permanent or temporary; a dwelling place;

2) the magazine for Houston’s multifamily industry.

nce a i l l i r b e Ad som arketing m to your 0.

2 0 2 r o f ars e Y 0 6 e t Celebra DE. O with AB

ABODE magazine is the multifamily industry’s resource for what’s happening in the Houston-area apartment market.

Every month, our members-only publication highlights industry news and trends, plus photos of YOU, our members, from HAA events!

ABODE is your resource for industry-specific legal and legislative news as well. Share your promotions and new hires in our “In The News” column, or the latest development in your area of expertise by writing an article. And get your name out there by advertising.

Look for ABODE in the mail the first week of each month, or read online at issuu.com/haa_abode.

Contact the Communications Department at comm@haaonline.org for details and contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org to advertise. ABODE is your HAA!

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1

On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Annual Business Meeting Sponsored by 1 Gemstar Construction Development and 2 Texscape Services Board meeting sponsored by 3 Earthworks Inc. Thursday, November 21 at the The Hilton Post Oak Hotel More than 450 members attended this year’s meeting, where HAA honored 2019 President Starla Turnbo, recognized committee and club chairs, heard a Crime Stoppers presentation, acknowledged NAA education credential holders for the year and elected the 2020 HAA officers and board of directors. See Page 4 for the list of our 2020 leadership. The Go-Getter awards include: Jeff Blevins, Crystal Jackson and Aaron Potier reaching Elite Status with 15 members recruited; Aaron Potier and Kelly Scott earning their 25th member patch; and Terri Clifton recruiting 100 members, earning her a spot as an Honorary Life Member along with her red Go-Getter jacket. The President’s Awards were given to HAA NEXT Co-Chairs: Nikki Sekunda and Patrick Magnuson and the Product Service Council Special Recognition Award was presented to Starla Turnbo.

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Annual Business Meeting

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2020 President Clay Hicks talks about his life, career, association involvement and what his plans are for his and HAA’s future.

By Morgan Taylor, HAA Staff Photography by Mark Hiebert, Hiebert Photography

Photos opposite page: Center: Clay at the Revention Center in 40 Below room, the location for the 2020 Installation & New Year Gala.

Left bottom: Clay with the Texas A&M Aggies for the 1998 Big 12 Championship.

Photos this page: At left: Clay at two years old in March 1980.

Below top: Clay and his family today.

Bottom left: Clay with his family in 1986 Middle: With his family in 1999.

Right: Clay in 1978 at 16 months old.

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Texas native, the 2020 Houston Apartment Association President, Clay Hicks, is president of the management division for The Dinerstein Companies (TDC Management). Hicks graduated from Texas A&M University, where he played football and was part of the team that won the 1998 Big 12 Championship Game. He entered the multifamily industry after working in marketing at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. His first job in the apartment business was working for Past HAA Presidents David Hargrove and Mack Armstrong at Greystone in Houston, where he worked alongside the two owners as a corporate analyst and operations associate. He and Armstrong went on to build a new management company until he went to work for Greystar, where he grew in various leadership roles culminating as a managing director.

Five years ago, third generation owners of the family-owned The Dinerstein Companies, Brian Dinerstein and John Caltagirone knew they needed to innovate and develop TDC Management to position the company for long-term success and growth. To do this, they recruited Hicks, who became the company’s catalyst of change it needed to grow and build upon its previous success.

When Hicks joined the 60-year-old company, he knew TDC needed to evolve in order to meet the lofty goals he, Dinerstein and Caltagirone wanted to accomplish across their diverse national portfolio. Hicks tackled these challenges by innovating a new team structure, focusing on the customer experience and recruiting the right talent who believed in his vision to improve their reputation and strengthen its company culture.

The week after ABODE interviewed Hicks, the November issue of ORA Power Rankings released its Top 10 Student Housing Managers in America for 2019. For the second year in a row, TDC was ranked number one. That’s only the most recent accolade TDC has received.

Last year, Sterling 920 Terrace was rated the number one student property in America based on online reputation. TDC has added many other awards to its collection over the last few years, including numerous HAA Honors awards, ORA Elite awards, Apartment Ratings awards, U.S. Green Building Council Builder of the Year award, Apartment Internet Marketing property video awards and awards for best places to work, including the Houston Chronicle’s Best Places to Work in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, as well as the Houston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2015.

Hicks is a man who isn’t afraid of change and likes to challenge and empower others to improve, grow and prosper. His curiosity keeps him asking the question: Why? And his creativity allows him to bring innovative ideas to teams and organizations. He took the traditional hierarchy of leadership with onsite and corporate multi-

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Photos from clockwise from top left: Clay with Mack Armstrong, Bill Stallings and David Hargrove at a reunion on December 10, 2019, held in honor of the night at Fuad’s 15 years ago that brought Hicks into the industry.

Clay with the “Four Horsemen” Billy Griffin, Jeff Blevins and Mack Armstrong.

Clay with Billy Griffin and Stacy Hunt at an HAAPAC meeting.

Clay in uniform for Aggie Football.

family teams and transformed it into a collaborative structure where people’s passions and strengths are used effectively in what he has deemed “the wheel” structure. His employees describe him as a visionary and a great coach who empowers his team members. In 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 TDC was named the best places to work by the Houston Chronicle, as well as by the Houston Business Journal in 2015.

During his HAA presidency, Hicks hopes to bring the same innovation he brought to TDC to HAA and create sustainable growth and change. In this Q&A, Hicks shares how he got his start in the multifamily business, how he improved the customer experience to increase online reputation, how he strengthened TDC’s company culture, the wheel structure and more.

You’ve been surrounded by big HAA names throughout your career – Hargrove and Armstrong to start. You then worked with other HAA Past Presidents Jackie Rhone and Stacy Hunt at Greystar; and Past President Jerry Winograd is another HAA leader you’ve developed a relationship with along the way. How were they influential forces to you in your career and association involvement?

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I’ve been fortunate to have had some really influential people take the time to invest in me over the years who I owe a lot of my success to.

Not only have they mentored and guided me through my career, but they have also become lifelong friends as well.

When I started with David at Greystone in 2005, he was on the ladder to become TAA president. He had just served as HAA president in 2002, and Jerry was the president the next year in 2006. At that time, Jerry was actually officing in our building, which means I saw him a lot. So, Jerry and David were two huge industry icons who I got to see first-hand, and they really inspired me to want to get involved with HAA. A memory that really stands out to me was being in awe of David and Jerry while they were both on the stage at TAA for Jerry’s induction as TAA president. They were and still are big stars of our industry. I think, part of what has made them standout industry leaders is that they're super smart, well-respected, accomplished so much for our industry, but they're also just great humble guys that people want to be around. Seeing them on that TAA stage, my brain started turning with questions. I wondered if I could become the type of leader they were and someday also become president of HAA or TAA. Jerry and David were (and still are) huge mentors to me, so looking back and to be where I am now as incoming HAA president, it’s just surreal.

During David’s presidency, he was, and still is, very passionate about industry education. When I first started with Greystone, he taught multiple industry-related classes and always pushed the value of industry education onto me. Before they would even let me go onsite, I remember sitting in front of a computer taking an online fair hous-

ing course and an online webinar on the basics of a lease through TAA. My first involvement with HAA at that time was through the young professional group, now called HAA NEXT. I remember David and Mack encouraging me to go to these events with other young professionals to figure out how to get involved with the association and meet other industry professionals.

Then came Mack Armstrong, who was elected HAA president in 2013. What stands out in my memory of his time as HAA president was his goal of inclusion for all within HAA. He wanted HAA to be more than just the inner loop Houston. He was enthusiastic about getting everyone involved. The biggest impact he made was beginning HAA’s Strategic Outreach, which brought HAA to outlying areas. He encouraged people to have fun and enjoy everything HAA had to offer. Mack set a great example to me early on that change is necessary to evolve and grow.

He and I have been through a lot together over the years. Through the highs and lows, he’s always been there for me, given me advice – personal and professional – and knows me better than anyone. He’s a great friend and a huge reason of why I am who I am today. I owe him a lot.

Stacy Hunt is another HAA leader who has been hugely influential to me. I’ve never been around a leader who has a drive and passion like Stacy. Working with him every day for 10 years… it just rubs off on you. If you want to talk about someone who cares about our city and our industry, it’s Stacy. There is a reason why year after year we ask him to be our HAAPAC chair.

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Photos, clockwise from top left: Clay receives the TAA President’s Award from Jackie Rhone.

Clay in uniform at San Marcos Academy.

The Greystar group at the Final Four.

Clay and industry friends during their annual golf trip.

Clay talks with a supplierr for the HAA Business Exchange.

Clay leads a Go-Getter meeting in 2017.

Clay plays baseball.

Clay with the Dinerstein Companies’ Merideth Savoie and Crystal Jackson.

Clay with TAA Government Affairs’ David Mintz.

Clay with Dinerstein Companies’ attendees for the PAC Top Golf Fundraiser.

Clay with Dinerstein staff at the 2018 TAA Gala.

The Dinersteins at their Nashville grand opening.

Staff with the ORA Power Ranking Student Housing #1 award.

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credit him for teaching me early on the value of building long-term relationships with our supplier partners. The relationships I’ve built with some of our supplier partners have had a huge impact on my life professionally and personally.

People like Brian Caress (Redi Carpet), Cary Wright (formerly MSHQ), Roger, Jeff, and Billy (CAMP), Rick Luke (Century AC), or John Hinckley (Modern Message) have all developed into not only industry partners, but mentors and friends as well.

I understand that Rhone nominated you to be part of the inaugural TAA Leadership Lyceum Program. What did that mean to you?

Yes. Talk about someone who wants others to succeed. Jackie has such a passion for making others around her better. She saw something in me early on at Greystar and took me under her wing. Around 2009, TAA included in its strategic plan to focus on continual growth of new leaders within Texas. With that in mind, they created the TAA Leadership Lyceum Program. In coming up with their first class of future leaders, Jackie felt I was the type of person TAA wanted to be part of this program, so she spoke up and nominated me to be the at large spot in the inaugural class. I found out later that Jerry, who was the incoming TAA President, also spoke up on my behalf to allow me that at large spot.

It’s pretty cool, thinking back, how Jerry was one of the first HAA leaders I really recognized, and Jackie has become an extremely influential person in my career. For the two of them to sup-

port me as a TAA Leadership Lyceum candidate was an honor. I owe a lot to Jackie for getting me involved with the apartment industry as a whole and coaching me throughout my career. If I ever want to bounce an idea off her, I know she’ll shoot straight and give me the truth which isn’t easy sometimes. We all know she can be tough, but she knows exactly what she’s doing and gives the right amount of tough love you need to make you a better person and leader. We’ve developed a special relationship over the years and I’m grateful to have her a part of my life.

You’ve moved your way up into HAA leadership positions that ultimately landed you the role as our 2020 president, but your most recent and probably your most proud accomplishment was when you joined the TAA Government Affairs team to fight for the passage of the late fee law to the Texas Capitol this year. Can you tell me about that experience and how it shifted your view of HAA? It was really neat to see our industry band together to fight for that bill. To be able to go to the Texas Capitol in person on behalf of the entire industry was really rewarding. I think the work that HAA and TAA does behind the scenes to protect the apartment business gets lost. To be able to see it firsthand and be part of it was very impactful and completely changed the way I look at HAA and TAA. HAA was originally established to influence the decisions of government for the benefit of

apartment owners. Do you think HAA members neglect certain aspects of HAA such as the HAAPAC for some of the more fun committees or groups within HAA? Yes, definitely. Those who aren’t HAA members, and HAA members who aren’t active, see a lot of the social and networking elements of HAA. These are important areas of our association because it allows people to network and build relationships, but I believe those areas have diluted the most impactful thing our association does for us – fight for our industry behind the scenes.

In fact, there is so much going on behind the scenes every day that people aren’t aware of.

You have Andy Teas (vice president of government affairs), Alpa Patel (public affairs specialist) and Lauren Turner (director of outreach) who, without any of us knowing, are meeting with city officials, the fire chief, the police chief, state representatives, government officials, inspectors, you name it, to anticipate potential issues and solutions. They work to improve our industry every day and change the potential stigma of apartment “complexes” and strengthen relationships with people who can influence our industry. These relationships they have developed and maintain is critical for our success. They do so much for our industry that most people don’t realize. You don’t even have to be an HAA member or an HAAPAC member to be positively impacted by the work of Andy, Alpa, Lauren and the TAA government affairs team, because their work affects the entire apartment industry in Houston and Texas, not just HAA or TAA members.

Photos clockwise from left: Clay hunting with Joe, Ryan, and Mack of Greystar.

Clay with Dinerstein staff at the 2019 HAA Installation & New Year Gala.

Clay, Loren and Camryn win the Bull Pot at the Camp Rodeo suite.

Clay takes part in the 2015 HAA Fun Run benefiting Camp Hope.

Clay works at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

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Photos from clockwise from top left: Clay with his wife Maryann and daughters Loren and Camryn.

Aggieland: Clay with Maryann on Kyle Field..

The Hicks family swims with stingrays in Grand Cayman.

The Hicks family with Loren dressed to perform as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”

Loren as “Annie.”

Camryn in Dash uniform.

The late fee bill brought everyone together. All of these companies, who you don’t see at HAA events, came out of the woodwork and put their resources together to fight for this bill. The late fee bill was the most impactful law our industry had seen in a long, long time and it was so powerful to see the impact we can have when we call come together. It’s unfortunate it takes such a huge issue like the late fee bill for people in our industry to get involved with HAA. During my presidency, I’d like to figure out a way for more legislative, city government and HAAPAC involvement on a regular basis for not only the big things, but all the little things going on behind the scenes every day as well.

On the subject of change and influence – you brought a fair amount of change, creativity and innovation when you joined TDC. What went into creating a strong company culture?

Before I came to TDC, I met with Brian Dinerstein, Brad Dinerstein and John Caltagirone. They’re the third generation running TDC and I give a ton of credit to them for what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last five years. I knew I was coming into a family-owned business, but they gave me their word that I would be able to put my stamp on things and implement the changes necessary for growth.

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company at Greystar, so I knew what a strong company culture looked like. The first thing I did was determine what TDC was doing well and what key qualities helped them be successful up to this point. There are some amazing things about a family-owned company that took me a while to realize and understand, but once I did, I knew I wanted to keep those elements but also introduce structure to make it a company that can evolve and grow.

I listen to a podcast called The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast. Andy Stanley is always talking about creating a culture of continuous improvement. It’s something I’ve been preaching to the team for a long time. A culture of change is paramount in a company. People get stuck in their daily ruts working every day. When that happens, it’s like having blinders on looking straight down. A culture of continuous improvement means pressing the pause button to look up and evaluate how we can make things better.

One of the things Stanley talks about that seemed to resonate with our team is the ugly couch metaphor. If you think about that ugly couch in your house, at one point in time that couch was brand new and you’d fallen in love with the couch over the years. You don’t want to get rid of it because the small tears and stains remind you of old times, and there’s emotion, sentimentality and history attached to that couch. You begin to not even see the wear and tear anymore because you’ve walked by it so many times. Keeping an old couch around is fine in your home, but when we do that in our business, it’s not. When you fall in love with an

approach or a tactic that used to work, an employee who’s been there forever, a procedure no one knows why you do it but that’s how it’s always been done, over time it doesn’t have the same affect that it once had. The old couches in your company will kill momentum.

I talked through the ugly couch concept with our team and challenged them to step back and look for ugly couches in their daily work. It was an interesting test, and many people were surprised to find how many ugly couches were lying around their properties once they stopped, shifted their mindset and took the time to look up and identify them. This was a first step in creating the kind of culture of continuous improvement I wanted to implement. I think, in a lot of successful companies that have been around for a long time, change never gets implemented because their model has been successful for years. Without change, though, these companies never get the opportunity to leap to the next level. Whether it’s TDC, my career or my personal life, I feel my biggest leaps happened after I pressed the pause button on my daily routine, turned everything off, looked up and focused on how I/we can improve.

I’m constantly thinking about and planning for the future, whether it’s just a year in the future or three or five years in the future. Verne Harish talks about setting yourself a BHAG – Big Hairy Audacious Goals – long-term goals that are so audacious it feels as if you’ll never achieve them.

You have to have big goals in order to attain big goals. The sheer boldness of your goal will stimulate progress, forcing you to dramatically www.haaonline.org

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improve in order to achieve it. I knew to attain my BHAG – I first had to change the structure from the traditional top down hierarchy to a structure that bred collaboration, celebrated success, and empowered leaders to lead.

Company culture wasn’t the only thing you helped transform at TDC. You have been able to significantly change TDC’s properties’ online reputation for the better. How did that come about?

When I first started, Brian had a list of things he wanted me to do. The number one thing on that list was online reputation – he was keenly aware of the direct impact online reputation is to a management company and to each individual property. Unsure of where TDC was, I met with Jody Batdorf with J. Turner Research and had him do an assessment of our properties. We were pretty consistently at the bottom, so I knew I had some work to do. Merideth Savoie (vice president of marketing and management services for TDC) and I began purposely meeting weekly to discuss and brainstorm on what we needed to do and create a plan. The top BHAG I wrote down my first year was to develop a company that gave such great experiences, people would want to tell others about it. To have the best reputation in the industry. It felt almost unattainable at the time, but that’s what a BHAG should be. Set big goals to attain big goals.

Can you explain what went into turning online reputation around and how it impacted the TDC management company culture?

Well, it wasn’t easy, and takes a lot more time and determination than just saying you’re going to do it. We realized improving our online reputation started with changing our property and management company culture. We first had to define who our customer was, because we realized we had multiple customers – our prospects, our residents, our employees and our supplier partners. Then, we were able to focus on the customer experience – change the way people feel about working for TDC, working with TDC and living at a TDC property. That is a long road in itself. But we also knew once we were able to give residents a great experience, we needed to figure out how they could share their experiences with others.

When I worked at Greystar, I met John Hinckley – who has become one of my very good friends. He started the company Modern Message, a company that gives residents a unique platform to engage and share their experience of living in their apartment home. So, again, there were two big parts: first change the resident experience and then give them a place where they would want to share their experi-

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ence. I asked Hinckley to spend some time with me discussing my BHAG. We share a mutual love for coffee, so in multiple coffee shops across the country, we brainstormed and strategized how he and his company could help with our long-term plan.

Around that same time, I was at a conference where a Southwest Airlines vice president of customer experience spoke, and a light bulb went off for me. What kept resonating with me was the need to create amazing experiences for people. To do that, we needed to be hyper focused on the customer experience, so I decided to go to the guys about hiring a person who would be dedicated to enhancing the customer experience. I think John and Brian probably thought it was a crazy idea, and no one was really doing it this way. I knew it was different, but I was confident a person who focused solely on the customer experience would make a difference faster and long term.

I had a chance meeting with Kelley Wyatt and her infectious personality stood out to me so much I knew she needed to be a part of what we were building. When this customer experience role came to light, I knew she was perfect for it. I think she spilled her entire cup of coffee on me in her first interview, but it was the way she reacted to it that showed me who she was. She had barely any experience in property management, but I think bringing a fresh pair of eyes to TDC was part of why she was so successful at helping turn our service culture around.

I’ll never forget, we had a manager and lead maintenance meeting and everyone was to have read a customer service book we picked out. I had an entire agenda laid out of policies, procedures and training for the meeting. The first session was about the book and because everyone was so engaged and passionate about it, I ended up throwing my original agenda out. I went straight up to my hotel room and stayed up most of the night scribbling notes, ideas and thoughts for a completely new agenda. For the next two days all we did was talk about leadership and brainstorm about how the management teams could engage and change the customer experience at each one of their properties. To this day, that was the most impactful team meeting I’ve ever been a part of.

Two years later, at that same annual managers and lead maintenance meeting, we popped bottles of champagne together as a team celebrating the radical turnaround in online reputation for our student and conventional portfolios.

Later that year (in 2017), the ORA Power Rankings by J. Turner Research came out and we were ranked the number one student housing management company in the nation. That was one of the most fulfilling moments of my professional career. www.haaonline.org

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In the apartment business, industry experience is really appealing to leaders. You were able to recognize a quality and potential within Wyatt, who was able to execute the goal you wanted to accomplish. Your assistant Maggie Aguilar and Savoie both spoke to your ability to recognize strengths and placing the right people in the right places. Can you talk to me about how you’ve been able to do that?

Well, again, I give the owners of TDC a lot of credit for allowing me to do that, because so many companies get caught up in resume hiring and trying to fit people into set, structured positions. I’ve learned over the years that resume hires and gut hires typically don’t work. They could be a great fit for another company, but they have to fit your company and the position you need them to fill. It’s the old square peg in a round hole analogy. Why would I want a square peg for a round hole when I can cut a square hole for that square peg to fit into?

TDC has allowed me to find people who have unique strengths and build positions around their strengths, instead of vice versa, which is the traditional way. When we are hiring people, it’s important they fit our culture and the people working around them. It’s difficult to measure that going off a resume, so we also do culture interviews. It’s a separate interview conducted by someone in our company who has nothing to do with the position being hired, but everything to do with wanting our next hire to be a great fit for our company and the special environment we’ve built here. The culture interview has nothing to do with the position, it helps us gauge whether they’re a good fit for the company.

I’ve heard about the wheel structure at TDC. Is the wheel structure what you described, tweaking positions based off strengths and abilities?

Yes, the wheel structure facilitates the collaborative structure we have built. It’s looking at current employees’ strengths and passions and tweaking each position to be in alignment for their best chance to succeed together.

At TDC, we don’t have traditional titles because we create and refine positions based on individual’s strengths and abilities. I remember I met with Merideth at a Chick-fil-A one morning to talk through different ideas I had rattling around in my head. I couldn’t convey them to her correctly, so she told me to try to draw it out to show her. As I started sketching out this concept of teams leading teams and cross company collaboration, it began to look like a bunch of interconnected wheels. It’s come a long way from that initial sketch, but it’s really fun looking back at the initial stages of how it all came together. I still have that first sketch I drew at Chick-fil-A in my office.

The thing about it is, creating a great customer experience and team collaboration isn’t groundbreaking, it’s just hard to do successfully. I didn’t want the old school pyramid hierarchy anymore. So, the wheel formed out of my desire to build teams around amazing leaders and empower them.

It’s about creating collaboration – a culture of collaboration.

The wheel structure empowers leaders to lead their teams without going through a particular hierarchy to get approval. They have the power to make decisions quickly and move forward. Not every person can lead in that way, so you have to make sure you have the right people in the right places, but if you do, those people thrive. It’s been super satisfying to watch our leaders prosper and make an impact in this new environment we created.

the wrong way, the play won’t be successful. You could have a player who looks like a monster lineman, but then when you see him play you realize wow, he’s fast and has great hands. He may look like a lineman, but he could really be used better as a tight end. In business it’s the same thing. You may have a regional manager who has been a regional manager for most of his or her career, but once you get familiar with their skillset, you realize they are only using a fraction of the skills they have. Maybe they’d be better in marketing, or design, or a strategy role, or their personality is perfect for customer service, or maybe they lean towards being more analytical in nature and should be an asset manager? Build a team based on strengths and you’ll win.

The other thing football instilled in me is that culture of continuous improvement. If you watch any interview following a football game, coaches and players always speak about improvement, taking things one day at a time, getting better today, not looking at the past – it’s about always trying to get better each day. It’s important to avoid spending too much time focusing on the past, unless it’s to improve for tomorrow. In football, we would watch film of our previous game on Monday to see where we needed to improve. Then the rest of the week was always about the next opponent and getting better each day. Football and creating a culture of continuous improvement within a company are all about learning from your mistakes and your victories and then constantly moving forward to get better.

Your employees describe you as a leader who empowers ideas, who brings structure and who allows them to have creative freedom. This feels familiar. Thinking about the way your parents raised you – your parents beings two strong Christians, your father having been a pastor, raised you with structure and Christian faith but they gave you and your sister space and freedom to have your own beliefs and be your own individuals, and they / See HIcks, Page 56

Moving away from a traditional organizational structure to what you’ve coined the wheel structure is really innovative. Before putting together a management team at TDC, you played on a team, a football team, for a little school called Texas A&M University. Do you think your football skills transferred into your career?

That’s a cool analogy and it’s so true. On a football team, you have 11 different positions and you have to have each person play their individual position, but they run the play together as a team to be successful. If a receiver runs the wrong route, the play isn’t successful. If a lineman blocks www.haaonline.org

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2020 HAA Leadership 2020 OFFICERS Clay Hicks, CPM President-Elect Clay Hicks is the president of the management division for The Dinerstein Companies.

Hicks came to TDC from Greystar, where he worked in various leadership roles, concluding as managing director. Before working for Greystar, Hicks and HAA Past President Mack Armstrong built a management company called Mission Residential. His first job in the industry, after working for the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, was for Greystone where he worked as a corporate analyst and operations associate. A Texas native, Hicks graduated from Texas A&M University, where he played football and was part of the team that won the 1998 Big 12 Championship Game.

Hicks’ HAA involvement started when he worked for Greystone. His early HAA involvement started with the HAA NEXT, attending happy hours and networking events. He was part of the inaugural TAA Leadership Lyceum Program class in 2010 to 2011. Hicks joined the HAA board of directors in 2014. He became an HAA Vice President at Large in 2016 and chaired the Membership Committee in 2017. As secretary/treasurer in 2018, he chaired the Strategic Outreach Committee and the Investment Committee. See Page 38 for more on Hicks.

John Boriack, CAM, IROP Secretary/Treasure John Boriack started investing in single-family real estate immediately after graduating high school. After successfully learning the singlefamily market, he began acquiring multifamily apartment communities in 2008.

Boriack earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration through Thomas Edison State College in 2011 where he graduated with honors and a 4.0 GPA. A devout Christian, Boriack is committed to being a steadfast follower of the Lord and volunteers much of his time at ministries through his church, his community and yearly missions trips to developing nations.

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Christy Rodriguez, CAPS Christy Rodriguez is a regional property manager for Judwin Properties with 19 years of experience in the industry. Prior to her arrival at Judwin Properties, Rodriguez was a director of real estate for Greystar. She worked at Greystar for six years, where she was hired as a property manager and then promoted to senior regional property manager. Before Greystar, she was a regional manager for Concierge Management Services, an advertising consultant for Apartments.com, a regional director of operations and a regional director of marketing for Alliance Residential Management and a property manager for Greater Coastal Management.

Rodriguez’s HAA involvement started in 2005.

She sits on various HAA committees such as the Apartment Community Executives and Supervisors Committee, the Go Getter Committee and the HAA Political Action Steering Committee. Her property won the 2002 HAA Honors Awards Property of the Year when she worked for Greater Coastal Management.

While at Alliance Residential Management, in 2003, she was awarded as Regional Rookie of the Year and National Rookie of the Year. During her time at Apartments.com, she won Salesperson of the Quarter for Q4 2009. Rodriguez is an HAA and TAA Leadership Lyceum graduate and a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor credential holder.

Cavaco is a member of the Texas Apartment Association 2000 Triple Crown Club and was the TAA 2016 Go-Getter of the Year and won the 2016 TAA Shining Star Award.

2020 VICE PRESIDENTS AT LARGE

Stephanie Graves, CAM, CAPS, IROP Stephanie Graves is the co-founder and CEO of Q10 Property Advisors, overseeing corporate communications, acquisitions, due diligence and various day-to-day activities that directly impact the profitability and success of Q10 and its assets. Graves has 21 years of industry experience, having held executive level property management titles such as director of education and senior vice president of operations. In the past, she has overseen over 22,000 units in six markets nationwide. Her first role was as a director of business development for Wenson &

Tina Cavaco, CAPS Tina Cavaco is senior vice president of operations for Centra Partners LLC. Her experience includes both marketing and management of more than 15,000 multifamily units and commercial sites located in five states.

She is an active member and course instructor for HAA. Her HAA involvement includes being the 1999-2000 Go-Getter Committee Chair, the 1999 Go-Getter of the Year and is an HAA Honorary Life Member.

Rodriguez

Cavaco

Douglas

Scott Douglas, CAM, CAPS Scott Douglas is the second generation of Creative Property Management, started by his father, Jeff Douglas, in 1978. Douglas grew up in the multifamily industry and has 14 years of experience working in the industry. He was promoted to vice president of operations in December. Prior to that, he was a property supervisor. Douglas’ HAA involvement started the year after he went to work for Creative, in 2007.

Through the Texas Real Estate Commission, Douglas has a real estate agent license. He has a business management degree from the Houston Community College, as well as the Certified Apartment Manager and the Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor credentials through the National Apartment Association.

Douglas won the HAA Honors Awards 2019 Property Supervisor of the Year. He is a Leadership Lyceum graduate. He sits on a handful of HAA committees, such on Property Honors Committee, Resident Relations Committee, the Strategic Outreach Committee and the HAA Political Action Steering Committee. In addition to that, he’s a TAA Delegate.

Graves

Watson www.haaonline.org

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2020 PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS Associates in Austin. She went on to work for CNC Investments as a training director, Investors Management Trust as a national marketing and sales training manager, GFI Management Services as a national training and marketing manager. Before Q10, she worked for Asset Plus Companies as a senior vice president of operations for multifamily. Today, she is a television host for ApartmentReveal, appearing on KVQT, and is a co-owner for Elements Montessori.

Graves has been an HAA member since 2003 and is a sought-after education speaker and instructor. She has earned the Certified Apartment Manager, Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor and Independent Owner Professional credentials through the National Apartment Association. She is an education faculty member for the National Education Foundation and is a speaker and facilitator for HAA and NAA courses and conferences. Graves is an HAA Leadership Lyceum graduate and is on the HAA Political Action as a trustee.

Shelley Watson, CAM Shelley Watson serves as the senior vice president of national property management for The Morgan Group and is responsible for property operations and management for the company.

Prior to joining The Morgan Group, Watson was a managing director with Greystar in Austin, Texas where she worked for six years and was responsible for 12,000 units. Experienced in conventional, value add renovations, senior housing, repositions and new construction lease ups with direct supervision of more than 30 lease ups in Texas.

Watson has more than 20 years of multifamily experience, including supervision of third party assets with Riverstone and Alliance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Louisiana – Monroe, is a Certified Apartment Manager through the National Apartment Association, was an active member of the Austin Apartment Association Supervisor's Council and is a member of CREW Houston.

Lestus www.haaonline.org

Lindley

DeVries

Laura Lestus, CAS President Laura Lestus joined the Liberty Group in May 2008 as an account executive with the temporary personnel division and was promoted to Houston branch manager in April 2011 and is now regional manager. She helped with the opening of a new office in San Antonio in 2009 and Austin in 2010 and assisted in the development of the “Mastering Excellence” training curriculum.

Lestus began her career in 1998 as a part-time leasing agent with EPT Management Company.

She went on to earn her Texas Loan Officer License and specialized in home mortgage loans.

In 2004, the apartment industry called her back to the marketing and training department with CNC Development. Lestus made her move to the vendor member side of the industry with The Apartment Guide from 2005 to 2008 as an account executive.

In addition, she is a volunteer and an advocate for parents with teens suffering from addiction.

David Lindley, CAS Vice President David Lindley has been in business development for FSI Construction Inc. since 2015. He began his career in multifamily on the management side with Asset Plus in 2012 before changing over to the supplier side in 2013.

Lindley is an active HAA member and volunteer. He graduated from the HAA Leadership Lyceum program and has been a member of the HAA Education Advisory Council, the HAA PAC, Ambassador One Society, Go-Getters and the Community Outreach, NEXT, Chili Cookoff Committees.

Derek DeVries, CAS Secretary Derek DeVries was recently promoted to regional sales manager for the central United States for Camp Construction. He was previously one of Camp’s most productive salesmen for Houston over the past seven years. He joined Camp after a 14-year career in education, teach-

Mohr

ing high school history and coaching athletics.

Derek has been very active in HAA since joining the industry in 2010. He has been a member of numerous committees and activities as well as being the co-chair for the Ambassador One Society and heading up the chili judging for the Chili Cook-off for the past two years. DeVries achieved his CAS designation in 2012 and has graduated from the Lyceum program in 2016.

Candis Mohr, CAS Treasurer Candis Mohr is the second generation of AAA Plumbers, started by her father in 1984. Mohr is the marketing and operations assistant for AAA Plumbers, where she has worked for seven years in marketing. Her HAA involvement began just a year after she joined AAA Plumbers, in 2013.

Mohr has a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and earned her Certified Apartment Supplier from the National Apartment Association in 2014. Mohr a vice president for HAA’s Ambassador ONE Society. She sits on various HAA committees such as the Chili Cook-Off Committee, the Expo Committee, the Street Team Committee and the HAA Political Action Steering Committee. She’s involved with the Political Action Committee and the HAA NEXT Committee.

Jacob Kunath, CAS Immediate Past President Jacob Kunath is a sales consultant for Century A/C Suppy and has been with the company for 12 years. He became an active HAA member immediately upon arriving at Century and has held numerous leadership positions with the association. He is a Lyceum graduate and received his CAS designation in 2007.

Kunath has been on the board of directors for the First Colony Little League and is part of the missions committee at his local church. The committee’s main goal is to help lower income families rehab their homes, either by making major structural repairs or by adding a fresh coat of paint.

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2020 Product Service Council The HAA SUPPLIER BOARD

President Laura Lestus, CAS The Liberty Group 713-819-3566

Vice President David Lindley, CAS FSI Construction 832-477-1158

laural@theliberty group.com

david@fsi construction.com

Marivel Bownds, CAS Valet Living 713-806-9830

Shaun Callaway, CAS Earthworks 844-425-8168

marivel.bownds@valet living.com

Dixie Caldwell, CAS The Liberty Group 713-518-5390 dixiec@theliberty group.com

Deborah DeRouen, CAS Designs by Holmes 903-277-5451

Clark Gregg, CAS Fidus Construction Services 832-260-3226

Dan James, CAS Debra Knight, CAS Redevelopment Services Fidus Construction 713-501-7555 Services djames@redevelop 281-250-9517

deborah@designsby holmes.com

cgregg@fiduscapex.com

mentinc.com

dknight@fidus capex.com

Tracey Moore, CAS Flooring Warehouse 281-546-2283

Matthew Nunn, CAS Camp Construction Services 832-712-1618

Doug Oehl, CAS Flooring Warehouse 832-721-3200 doug@myflooring

Joseph Rodriguez, CAS The Urban Foresters 713-582-7999

mnunn@camp construction.com

warehouse.com

joseph@theurban foresters.com

tracey@myflooring warehouse.com

Secretary Derek DeVries, CAS Camp Construction Services 713-859-8799 ddevries@camp construction.com

shaun@earth.works

Treasurer Candis Mohr, CAS AAA Plumbers 832-330-3998

Immediate Past President Jacob Kunath, CAS Century A/C Supply 713-598-0482

candismohr@ aaaplumbers.com

jkunath@centuryac.com

Peggy Charles, CASE FIDUS Construction Services 713.417.2126

Neal Conant, CAS Gemstar Construction Development 281-636-2214

pcharles@fidus capex.com

nealc@gemstar construction.com

Sean Cunningham, CAS Flooring Warehouse 512-739-4748 sean@myflooring warehouse.com

Stephanie Krop, CASE Poolsure 281-914-0274

Liz Levins, CAS Rasa Floors 832-361-2624

skrop@poolsure.com

llevins@rasa floors.com

Nikki Sekunda, CAS The Liberty Group 713-255-2475

Blaise Spitaleri, CAS Gemstar Construction Development 713-355-9230 blaise@gemstar construction.com

nikkis@theliberty group.com

SUPPLIER PARTNERS SERVING TO FACILITATE GROWTH AND STRENGTHEN THE INDUSTRY. The Product Service Council is a group of active supplier members whose objectives are to promote the active Blake Subinsky, CAS HD Supply 979-864-0740 blake.subinsky@ hdsupply.com

Mat Tilley, CAS WeDoTrash 713-836-2578 mat@wedotrash.com

Alan Young, CAS Dixie Carpet Installations 281-903-0140 alany@dixiecarpet.com

involvement and participation of supplier members.

For more information on the council and its members, see online at www.haaonline.org/psc or contact Susan Hinkley at shinkley@haaonline.org.

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Restore and

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Fluid Applied Restoration: Restoring your roofs, rather than replacing, makes sense and it is budget friendly.

By

A

partment owners and property managers must balance short-term budget realities with the need to maintain properties for the long term.

Advancements in fluid applied roofing membranes can help reduce capital costs by restoring rather than replacing roofs.

Roof condition, age, material type and climate zone all can influence whether a commercial roof can be restored or whether it should be completely removed and replaced—the latter of which is a costly and disruptive solution. Operational realities also can influence the decision about whether to reroof or restore the existing roof. Re-roofing typically shut downs or at least severely interrupts productivity during the re-roof project.

Another growing concern in the roofing industry is the amount of waste that re-roofing generates. Fluid applied roof restoration solutions significantly reduces waste materials headed to landfills. In addition, new lighter-colored roof materials reflect rather than absorb the sun’s radiation, which helps lower roof temperatures and reduce a building’s energy load.

Cool Roof Technology According to the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association’s Solar Reflective Coatings Council, white roof coatings can provide three key attributes to a building when installed: assistance in shedding water and keeping interiors dry; reduction of cooling costs for buildings with air-conditioning units as well as a reduction of interior temperatures in buildings with no cooling units; and the ability to protect and prolong the roof system’s life cycle by reducing the stress of thermal shock associated with large changes in temperature.

White roof coatings can help protect a roof against excessive temperatures by reflecting visible light and stopping ultraviolet radiation. Expansion and contraction of roofing materials, especially with metal roofs, can then lead to additional problems and ultimately can result in leaks. Applying a lightcolored coating to a low-slope roof can help reflect sunlight and reduce temperatures on the surface of the roof. These lower temperatures should extend roof life, according to the RCMA findings. www.haaonline.org

The decision to restore or re-roof ultimately depends on how much useful life remains in the existing roof materials. Shortened roof life occurs as a result of thermal failure caused by high roof temperatures. Mitigating those roof temperatures can help prevent the need for re-roofing by maximizing the useful life of the materials.

1. Restoration Costs Less – A complete roof replacement can be expensive in labor and materials, particularly if the existing roof must be removed first. Depending on the roofing system selected, costs average between $18 and $22 per square foot.

Restoration, on the other hand, requires less labor and materials, and thus costs about $6 to $9 per square foot.

2. Restoration Extends Your Roof’s Life – Commercial roofs typically last about 20 years — restoration can add 10 to 15 years of life.

You can defer complete replacement and make future plans for the expenditure in your capital budget.

3. Restoration is More Sustainable – Millions of tons of roofing waste end up in landfills annually. Because it allows you to reuse your existing roof, restoration is a much more environmentally friendly option. Plus, it can make your building more energy efficient and may help it qualify for Energy Star or LEED credits.

4. Restoration Provides Tax Benefits – Roof restoration is classified as a maintenance expenditure, while replacement is considered a capital expense. In most cases, you will pay less taxes on maintenance by taking the current deduction versus capitalizing the expense and recovering the cost through depreciation. According to federal rules, commercial roofs are depreciated on a 39-year schedule. Since roofs have an average life of 20 years, it’s wise to extend the useful life of your roof as long as possible.

5. Restoration Helps Prevent Catastrophic Loss – Ignoring the fact that your roof is deteriorating doesn’t make the problem go away, it can only get worse. The more time passes, the greater the potential damage and the more it costs to restore it. At some point, the only option will be total replacement.

Continued neglect can put your business, employees and residents at risk.

JOSHUA FLORES, Tropical Roofing Products Start with a Visual Inspection The best starting point in determining whether your roof can be restored is a simple visual inspection. Some things to look for are pools of standing water, tears or bubbles in the roof cover, wet insulation, cracking seams and gaps in flashing. These issues can accelerate the deterioration of the roof cover and lead to leaks, mold growth and failure during a windstorm. Problems can also be detected from inside the building, such as water stains, mold growth and unusual odors are indicators of possible roofing issues.

Get a Professional Opinion If any of the above problems are present, it’s a good idea to bring in a professional who can conduct a thorough inspection. This inspection should include use of equipment to locate moisture beneath the surface, a core analysis of underlying materials and an examination of the roof’s slope. It should be followed with a report on your roof’s condition and recommended solutions, including a cost-benefit analysis of restoration versus replacement. If damage is minimal or confined to a small area, restoration is likely the best option. Replacement is usually required if damage is extensive or the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Tropical Roofing Products is a national manufacturer of a full range of innovative solutions and system technologies that effectively seal, waterproof and maintain the roof for the life of the building.

Tropical Roofing Products has been leading the way in fluid applied roofing solutions for over 60 years. Tropical Roofing Products offers fluid applied roof restoration coatings and systems for every substrate, allowing building owners and facility managers to avoid costly, time consuming and disruptive roof tear-offs and to realize their goal of achieving long term roof performance and the lowest roof life cycle cost. Josh Flores is the district sales manager for Tropical Roofing Products and can be reach at joshuaflores336@gmail.com.

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Our Impact A breakdown of how the apartment industry contributes to Houston’s economy.

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MORGAN TAYLOR, HAA staff

T

he National Apartment Association’s October UNITS released a study that highlighted the impact of the apartment industry on the national economy. “The apartment economy contributes 19% to the U.S. economy,” which is $3.4 trillion, the article read. The study explored the impact the apartment industry had on the U.S. economy in 2013 and 2016 throughout the nation. It looked at each state and each state’s major city. Let’s explore how our local apartment market impacts Houston’s overall economy.

Houston apartments and its residents contribute $77.3 billion to the metro economy annually, supporting 330,800 jobs. Houston has a total of 1.3 million residents, according to the study. Houston renters’ spending contributes $65.6 billion to the local economy each year (including $7.8 billion in taxes), creating 295,000 jobs.

With 554,100 apartment homes in the Houston area, multifamily operations contribute $4.1 billion to the local economy each year (including $1.7 billion in property taxes), creating 6,000 jobs. Renovations and repairs for apartments helps preserve Houston’s older, more affordable apartment homes.

Multifamily renovations and repairs contribute $1 billion to the local economy and create 6,000 jobs. If we consider apartments built before 1980 as older apartment communities, this category of apartments make up 32% of all apartment communities.

Only 4% of Houston apartments were built before 1959, 28% were built between 1960 and 1979, 35% were built between 1980 and

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1999 and 33% were built in 2000 and later.

Apartment demand is growing, even in Houston, where an accelerated apartment development created an apartment glut between 2014 and 2016. We watched Hurricane Harvey surge demand via displaced residents, which helped fill thousands of empty apartment homes over the following year. Today, two factors are forcing apartment owners and developers to keep up with the demand, new residents and more jobs.

Houston-area cities such as Conroe, Pearland and League City are considered to have had the fastest population growth since 2010 by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Many Texas cities made the top 25 list. Houston-area cities that made the list were League City as number 19, Pearland as number six and Conroe as number one fastest growing city.

League City has had a population growth between 2010 and 2018 of 17.5%. Pearland has almost quadrupled since 2000, growing from 37,640 people to about 91,000 in 2010 and almost 114,000 in 2018. Pearland also has been ranked as one of the safest cities in Texas, according to USA Today. Affordable cost of living makes this Houston-area city desirable to newcomers.

The biggest booming city in the nation, the Houston-area’s Conroe, has more than doubled in size since 2000, exploding from nearly 37,000 to more than 77,000. The population growth slowed down at the turn of the decade, with just about 20,000 making this city their new home since 2010. City officials expect Conroe to hit 100,000 residents by 2020, USA Today reported in November.

According to the study powered by NAA and the National Multifamily Housing Council, Houston needs to build 15,000 new apartment homes each year to meet demand.

Apartment construction contributes $6.1 billion to Houston’s economy annually, creating 24,000 jobs.

Development costs and local regulations make it difficult to build new apartments across the nation, but not in Houston. Our city was placed in the easier entry point category with a restriction index of negative 2.5.

A similar report was conducted state by state. Let’s take a look at Texas. There are 4 million apartment residents in the state of Texas, who contribute $288,500 billion to the state economy annually, supporting 1.4 million jobs. There are 2.1 million apartment homes in the state of Texas. Apartment operations contributes $16.4 billion to the local economy each year (including $7 billion in property taxes), creating 30,000 jobs.

Renovations and repairs to preserve Texas’ older apartment communities contribute $5 billion to the state’s economy annually and creates 22,000 jobs.

According to this study, Texas needs 54,000 new apartment homes each year to meet demand. Apartment construction contributes $8.3 billion to Texas’ economy annually, creating 38,000 jobs.

“The Contribution of Multifamily Housing to the U.S. Economy” is a study which explored the impact the apartment industry had on the US economy in 2013 and 2016. It was conducted by Hoyt Advisory Services on behalf of NAA and NMHC. The full report can be found at weareapartments.org. www.haaonline.org

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Law, continued from Page 12 that an individual has a disability and that the animal in question will provide some type of disability-related assistance or emotional support.

However, a housing provider may not ask an applicant or resident to provide documentation showing the disability or disability-related need for an assistance animal if the disability or disability-related need is readily apparent or already known to the provider. For example, persons who are blind or have low vision may not be asked to provide documentation of their disability or their disability-related need for a guide dog. A housing provider may not ask an applicant or resident to provide access to medical records or medical providers or provide detailed or extensive information or documentation of a person’s physical or mental impairments.

Like all reasonable accommodation requests, the determination of whether a person has a disability-related need for an assistance involves an individualized assessment.

The Effect of the Houston Ruling The Houston ruling gives insight into the issue of how a housing provider may evaluate information provided in connection with a request for an assistance animal. We often see letters from mental health professionals that are similar to the letters sent by the marriage and family

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therapist in the Houston case.

The court looked closely at the wording of the letters provided by the therapist. The court noted the following phrases which seem to be common amongst letters we see in the apartment industry: • Houston needed a “therapy dog to help her cope with her mental health condition.”

• Houston had a “mental illness and as such had certain limitations.”

• Houston claims to be “impaired by her mental illness.”

• The letter stated that Houston meets “the definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.”

The court evaluated the language of the therapist’s letters and concluded that they presented no medical facts to support Houston’s claim that she was disabled and that Houston identified no activity, no less a “major life activity,” that Houston claims to be impaired by her “mental illness.” The court stated that although the diagnosis may be accurate, the information failed to set forth any facts regarding how any of Houston’s conditions “substantially limits” a major life activity.

If you have received information in support of

an assistance animal request making similar conclusory statements regarding the person’s disability and person’s disability-related need for the animal, the Houston case would support pushing back if you decided that you did not want to grant the request based on the information provided.

Although you “can” push back in certain circumstances, should you?

Whether, and the degree to which, you push back is up to you, but make your decision with eyes open!

If you grant the request based on the information received, you do not risk drawing a fair housing complaint from the requester. However, you may risk setting a precedent that you will accept these types of conclusory statements in letters supporting future requests. If you push back, while you risk drawing a fair housing complaint, you would be setting a precedent that you are not an “easy target” with respect to requests that may lack credibility.

Hopefully this article gives you more to think about when evaluating information received from a prospect or resident requesting an assistance animal. Unfortunately, current law does not give us a “black and white” answer. However, the Houston case gives us some further direction on how we might respond to such requests.

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Hicks, continued from Page 56 trusted you. Can you talk about how your upbringing influenced your leadership style?

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever linked those together, but you’re right. My leadership style and the way in which my parents raised me are very similar. As a preacher’s kid, a PK, there’s a lot of pressure on you as a child to do the right thing and act the right way, but my parents never put that pressure on me nor my sister Summer. They raised us with Christian morals and beliefs as our structure but allowed us to grow up and make our own decisions and mistakes. They were confident in what they built around us and it allowed me and Summer to have normal childhoods and great college experiences. They instilled strong values and then empowered us to make our own decisions with confidence. When I look at the way I lead now, it is very similar. Just talking about this right now is pretty amazing, realizing the impact they’ve had on my life. I owe a lot of the way I lead to my parents.

What are some of your favorite areas of your role?

My favorite part of my job is getting hands on with people. I love sitting in a room with a person and idea bombing – brainstorming about the future, learning their passions and determining how they can be successful, which in turn can make the company successful. I really enjoy building teams, innovating and planning for the future. My favorite question to ask is, why? It’s not that I’m questioning people, it’s coming from a place of curiosity. I want to know why we’re doing things and it often inspires a new direction or outlook. People often do the things they do because they’ve always done it. If you get a person to talk about the why, it can inspire change.

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Let’s take a look at your days prior to HAA and TDC. I understand you did marketing for the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs right out of college. Tell me about that experience, I bet that was so cool!

It was really cool. My internship was leading up to the Sydney Olympics in 2000, and I got to live in the dorms with the Olympic athletes. I was interning with the U.S. Taekwondo organization, which was an amazing experience. The director of communications and marketing was in Sydney for a couple months for the Olympic Games, so I was able to sit in his place, essentially, in Colorado Springs, helping him quarterback from Sydney. That’s where I first fell in love with marketing.

Following your internship, you were hired full time as a marketing coordinator and were promoted to the national director of events and marketing at USA Boxing. Everyone seems to fall into the apartment business. I’m curious how a stint at the U.S. Olympic Center in Colorado Springs landed you a role in the apartment industry?

I was about to work my second Olympic Games in 2004 (Athens, Greece) when we found out that my wife Maryann was pregnant with our first child. Maryann is 6th generation Texan and her father, Bill Stallings, is very proud of his family’s Texas roots. He was not going to let his grandchild be born anywhere but on Texas soil if he had anything to do with it. He joked (I think) that even if it meant us driving to the Texas border or him bringing a pile of Texas dirt to Colorado, his grandchild was going to be a seventh generation Texan.

I was in town staying with my father-in-law in Houston, meeting with different people and gauging the job market, when he called me one

evening and asked if I would join him at a restaurant called Fuad’s to meet him and a friend for a drink.

I show up, still in my suit, wearing my Big 12 Championship ring, because it was a good conversation starter. When I met my father-in-law’s good friend from college, David Hargrove, I shook his hand and he noticed my Big 12 Championship ring. His business partner, Mack Armstrong, Hargrove tells me, was a yell leader at A&M, so he called to ask Armstrong to join us, too. We were drinking, talking, and they asked if I was interested in learning more about the apartment industry, which I knew nothing about. I met with Mack the next day at their office and he drove me around to see all their nicest assets.

They ended up hiring me as a corporate analyst, but they put me onsite before I started my role as an analyst. They told me that in order for me to be successful in this industry, I had to learn the industry the right way – working onsite to really understand how the business works. I worked for Diane Gilbert (longtime HAA member and former HAA vice president at large) in the Greenspoint area at a property with all sorts of challenging problems including shootings, gang fights, break ins, drug busts, all kinds of issues. I think I was going to court and evicting around 12 people a month, banging on doors, trying to collect rent with a police officer next to me. I was leasing, assistant manager, then property manager. I learned so much in such a short amount of time working at a property like that. I can still remember Diane asking me to send my delinquency report to her every week with detailed notes beside every single person. It honestly was the best thing I could have experienced for my career.

Once I finished my time onsite and officially / See HIcks, Page 69

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Events Calendar 2020 HAA’s General Meetings and Events open to all members.

JANUARY

JUNE

Installation Gala presented by Camp Construction Services – January 17 at Revention Music Center #HAAGala $120 early/$140 regular | $1,200/$1,400 table of 10

Honors Awards – June 11 at the Hilton Americas #HAAHonors $100 early/$120 regular | $1,000/$1,200 table of 10

Annual Open House – January 15 #HAAOpenHouse Free for all members

Sponsorship Auction – June 25 #HAAAuction Free for supplier members

Sponsorship Auction – January 30 #HAAAuction Free for supplier members

JULY

State of the Industry Breakfast – January 28 at the Westin Houston Medical Center #HAASOI $99

FEBRUARY State of the Submarket-Montgomery County – February 18 at The Woodlands Country Club #HAASOIMOCO $80

Go-Getters Happy Hour – July 9 at Cadillac Bar & Grill For New Members and Recruiters Bowling Tournament – July 10 at Copperfield Bowl #HAABowl $300 team/$30 spectator

AUGUST

Supplier Education Program – TBA #HAASupplierEd Free for supplier members

Business Exchange – August 6 at Ayva Center #HAABizX For suppliers: $350 per person for first two per company/$375 for third person

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

Volleyball Tournament – March 6 at Houston Sportsplex #HAAVBall $300 team/$35 spectator

Go-Getters Happy Hour – September 10 at Cadillac Bar & Grill For New Members and Recruiters

Go-Getters Happy Hour – March 12 at Cadillac Bar & Grill For New Members and Recruiters Maintenance Mania – March 26 at the Bayou City Event Center #MaintMania $65 competitor/$55 spectator

HAA 60th Anniversary Celebration – September 17 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science #HAA60Years $60

OCTOBER

APRIL

Dinerstein Golf Tournament – October 5 at location TBA #HAAGolf $720 per foursome. Two owner/management and two suppliers per team.

Spring HAA Political Action Committee Fundraiser – April 9 at location TBA #HAAPAC

Chili Fest – October 24 at Humble Civic Center #HAAChili

MAY

Supplier Education Program –TBA #HAASupplierEd Free for supplier members

Sports Challenge – May 8 at Houston Sportsplex #HAAAllStars $20/spectator/$400 team

NOVEMBER

HAA Education Conference & Expo – May 14 at NRG Center #HAAExpo Expo only is FREE to attend for owner/management members. Non-exhibiting suppliers not admitted.

Education Conference $175; $135 early bird Booth prices for supplier members start at $980 *Exhibitors only

Fall HAA Political Action Committee Fundraiser for NAAPAC/Wine Tasting – November 12 at location TBA #HAAPAC Annual Business Meeting – November 19 at location TBA #HAAABM $65 early/$85 regular | $650/$850 table of 10

DECEMBER

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for these fabulous networking and professional development events in 2020.

Please note that dates and prices are subject to change.

Check the calendar pages at www.haaonline.org for the most up-to-date information and registration links, contact members @haaonline.org.

Go-Getters Happy Hour – December 10 at Cadillac Bar & Grill For New Members and Recruiters

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Jeff Hall, CAE, Executive Vice President Oversees the entire association staff and the association’s mission. Works directly with the HAA Board of Directors on all association functions. Contact 713-595-0304 or email jhall@haaonline.org.

Susan Hinkley, CAE, Vice President & General Manager, Product Service Council/Community Outreach Oversees staff and organizes events and volunteers for numerous Community Outreach programs, including the Food Drive and the All Stars Sports Challenge. Works as liaison to the HAA supplier committee, the Product Service Council.Oversees office building maintenance, rentals, supply purchase and vendor contracts. Contact 713-595-0313 or email shinkley@haaonline.org.

Andy Teas, CAE, Vice President, Legislative Programs Monitors government actions in Houston, Harris County and surrounding cities and districts, as well as the state and federal levels. Keeps members kept up-to-date on government action – pro and con – and works with government policymakers to see that the needs of the apartment industry are considered. Contact 713-595-0303 or email ateas@haaonline.org.

Emily Hilton, CPP, CAE, Vice President, Professional Development Oversees the Houston Apartment Foundation education programs, including the Avenues workshops, professional credentials, distance learning and the career promotion. Contact 713-595-0319 or email ehilton@haaonline.org.

Amanda Sherbondy, CAE, Vice President, Membership and Marketing Answers questions about member benefits and services. Assists supplier members in marketing their business to owner/management companies through ABODE and Directory & Buyer’s Guide advertising, selling exhibit space for the annual HAA Education Conference & Expo and sponsorship auctions. Contact 713-595-0316 or email asherbondy@haaonline.org.

Lauren Wolfson, CMP, Events and Meetings Oversees and organizes general membership meetings, special events and fundraisers, including the gala, chili cook-off, Honors Awards, and volleyball and bowling tournaments. Contact 713-595-0323 or email lwolfson@haaonline.org.

Kaylon Newcomb, Member Services/Marketing Assists HAA staff and members with membership and marketing information.

She handles membership records and updates and coordinates volunteer involvement. Contact 713-595-0322 or email knewcomb@haaonline.org.

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Tina DeFiore, Rental Credit Reporting (RCR) Responsible for the sales and marketing of RCR, in partnership with CoreLogic SafeRent, which includes the development of marketing plans, recruitment of new subscribers, collection of data, building partnerships with management districts and retention programs for existing customers. Contact 713-595-0330 or email tdefiore@haaonline.org.

Mariana Lima, Rental Credit Reporting Maintains RCR, providing rental credit information to subscribers. Provides customer support for rental histories and enters database updates. Assists residents with disputes and handles report reinvestigations. Contact 713-595-0329 or email mlima@haaonline.org.

Matilde Luna, Resident Relations Answers questions from both onsite personnel and residents concerning the TAA lease and owners rights and responsibilities to provide an alternative to filing court cases. Oversees the two Resident Relations Committees.

Contact 713-595-0331 or email mluna@haaonline.org.

Art Eidman, Information Technology Oversees all information technology functions of HAA, including computer, data base and Web access for Rental Credit Reporting and HAA Online. Also oversees technical support for staff. Contact 713-595-0305 or email aeidman@haaonline.org.

Will Alfaro, Web/Online Media and IT Oversees online media including the Web site and e-mail communications.

Provides information technology and Jobline support. Contact 713-595-0327 or email walfaro@haaonline.org.

Cynthia Gonzalez, Front Desk and Form Sales Directs calls from members and the general public. Answers questions from residents concerning their rights and responsibilities. Assists with form sales and in the maintaining of HAA member records. Contact 713-595-0300 or email cgonzalez@haaonline.org.

Monserrat Buffington, Membership Engagement Assistance Assists the membership and marketing department and strategic outreach initiatives with member engagement, education and networking opportunities. Contact 713-595-0346 or email mbuffington@haaonline.org.

Deborah Nix, Publications/Design Oversees the creative development, editorial content and design of printed materials, including ABODE magazine, the annual Directory and Buyer’s Guide, event marketing and related projects. Contact 713-595-0333 or email dnix@haaonline.org.

Morgan Taylor, Editorial Researches, writes and edits articles, coordinates and leads interviews, and creates layouts for ABODE magazine.

Contacts and maintains relationships with outside writers and members on magazine content.

Oversees copy for staff and social media. Contact 713-595-0334 or email mtaylor@haaonline.org.

Nancy Li Lo, CPA, CGMA, Vice President, Finance Oversees cash management and revenue collection. Monitors operations and accounting for HAA’s three corporations and the political action committee. Also handles personnel and employee benefits administration. Contact 713-595-0310 or email nlo@haaonline.org.

Cindy Ramirez, Accounting Assists in revenue collections and daily operational accounting items including recordkeeping, invoicing and member accounts. Contact 713-595-0311 or email cramirez@haaonline.org.

Lan Tran, Accounting Assists in daily operational accounting items and recordkeeping.

Contact 713-595-0308 or email ltran@haaonline.org.

Karen Mitchell, Education Handles course registrations and questions about designations and other education programs. Contact 713-595-0314 or email kmitchell@haaonline.org.

Lauren Turner, CMP, Outreach Works with members to implement and achieve HAA’s strategic outreach goals and coordinates outreach meetings for the association’s 12-county area. Contact 713-595-0335 or email lturner@haaonline.org.

Alpa Patel, Public Relations/ Legislative Programs Works with members, Andy Teas and other staff to implement and achieve HAA government affairs and media/public relations goals. Contact 713-595-0302 or email apatel@haaonline.org.

Did you know that if your company is a member of HAA, so are you? HAA staff can help you make your membership work for you. Visit www.haaonline.org for more information. www.haaonline.org

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Legislative, continued from Page 27 ratings are listed on some SDS sheets, but not on others. If you don’t want to buy a $350 permit every year, just buy small amounts of pool shock as you need it or find products that carry a lower oxidizer classification and toxicity rating. Call the HFD permit office for information at 832394-8811.

Tanning Facility Signs If you have tanning equipment, there are notices you need to post. See the TAA Redbook for details.

Elevators With the increasing number of high-rise and mid-rise apartment communities in the Houston area, it’s worth noting that elevators in Houston require an annual inspection. The permit costs $145.93 and must be posted “in a conspicuous place on the premises.” Call 832-394-8861 for more information.

Special Waste Generator Registration If your property in the City of Houston has a single laundry room with more than 10 washing machines, you qualify as a “special waste generator.” Your underground lint trap needs a permit and regular maintenance. Look here for more information: https://www.houstontx.gov/health/Environmental/specialwaste_generator.html.

Want live links to all these websites and poster downloads? Access this article at www.haaonline.org.

If you have a regulatory problem or question, call the HAA main line at 713-595-0300 and ask for Public Affairs.

If a particular code requirement or issue concerns you, let us know by emailing Andy at ateas@haaonline.org.

Do you need to find a product or service for your property on the go?

The Buyer’s Guide is online!

Simply search for a member by name or category to find the most up-to-date HAA supplier member listings.

You can contact the companies directly or use our “Request for Information” tool. It's quick and easy!

TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS www.haaonline.org jobline@haaonline.org 713-595-0300

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On the Scene with the HAAPAC NAAPAC Wine Tasting Thursday, November 14 at Latitude Med Center Apartments HAA held its annual National Apartment Association Political Action Committee Wine Tasting fundraiser featuring HAA Past Presidents and Hall of Famers serving their favorite wines. Attendees voted for the grand champion and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Cesar Lima took this year’s honors.

WE’RE ALL ABOUT BETTER GOVERNMENT Threats from government are coming at the apartment industry at a rapid pace. The HAAPAC, the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, needs your help to fight bad legislation. HAA members can participate in the PAC on several levels. 2019 registration forms are available. To join, renew or learn how to become involved with the PAC, see online at www.haaonline.org or contact apatel@haaonline.org.

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On the Scene with ACES ACES Holiday Luncheon Sponsored by 1 Camp Construction Services and 2 Texas Southwest Floors Friday, December 6 at La Table The Apartment Community Executives & Supervisors held their annual holiday program, with a festive lunch and pop-up shopping for all to enjoy.

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The Go-Getters HAA’s MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS

CELEBRATING THE YEAR Recruit all year round and become part of the Go-Getter Club.

1. Top team was Marvelous Membership Maniacs with six recruits. Top Recruiter was Donna Farthing with three recruits.

2. Sponsor Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services 3. Sponsor RAMJACK

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HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Members who have recruited more than 100 companies Monette Reynolds Claude Arnold Sherry Stevenson Kenn Brown Kirk Tate Tina Cavaco Suan Tinsley Terri Clifton Sonny Unverzagt Kevin Fenn Del Walmsley Diane Gilbert Nancé Wells Anita Harrison H.P. Paul Young Dwayne Henson Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks Mike Koch Merry Mount

Get Ready!

Don’t miss the Go-Getter meetings in 2020. Check the HAA calendar at www.haaonline.org for updates on dates in March, July, September and December at Cadillac Bar & Grill.

THE GO-GETTERS ARE THE BACKBONE of the Houston Apartment Association. By recruiting new members, the Go-Getter Club helps both new management and supplier companies and the association grow for the future.

To join the club and get going on recruitment, see online at www.haaonline.org or contact Amanda and Kaylon in the Membership Department at members@haaonline.org.

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Go-Getters Holiday Happy Hour Wednesday, December 4 at at Cadillac Bar & Grill

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The Go-Getters HAA’s MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS Go-Getters Holiday Happy Hour Wednesday, December 4 at at Cadillac Bar & Grill

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Welcome Mat

Introducing HAA’s NEW MEMBERS

OWNERS 935 Byrne VP1 LLC Joseph Russo 935 Byrne St. Houston, TX 77009 713-819-8173 935 Byrne Apartments B&Z Capital LLC George Zabaneh 2 Riverway #100 Houston, TX 77056 713-626-5600 Barry Donaldson Barry Donaldson 1307 Azalea Bend Sugar Land, TX 77479-6142 713-548-4529 Referred by Kirby Haines Bill Thrift Bill Thrift 1901 Post Oak Park Drive #3303 Houston, TX 77027 832-474-1319 Cirrus Asset Management Inc. Sharlene Oddy 20720 Ventura Blvd. #300 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-222-4840 Park at Kirkstall Dan Andrews Dan Andrews 9734 Truscon Drive Houston, TX 77080 713-409-1083 EOS Real Estate Management Group Tara Keeler 201 E McBee Ave. #202 Greenville, SC 29601 864-313-2569 Bay Brook Village I Bay Brook Village II

SUPPLIERS Jay’s Gym LLC Jim Washburn 18211 Strack Road Spring, TX 77379 281-257-6565 Various Locations Referred by Wanda Ritchie Josmin Housing LLC Ernest Rene Tamayo 18023 Mountfield Drive Houston, TX 77084 936-827-6209 Josmin Housing Properties Kalahari Group Jack Witte 5218 Harris Woods Trace Fulshear, TX 77441 713-548-7587 MadisonMarquette Braxton Perkins 3129 Milam Houston, TX 77066 346-263-3300 The Travis Apartments QMJ Properties LLC Larry Kolster 1900 1st St. E #2046 Humble, TX 77338 816-786-7725 Tzadik Managment Debbie Wheatley 11098 Biscayne Blvd. #203 Miami, FL 33161 954-332-9986 Crossings at Bradford Place Apartments Crescent City Apartments Crossing at Jackson Square Apartments Shadowtree Apartments Casa Royal

ewpinnicle.re Edward W. Wong 5614 Lacy St. Houston, TX 77007 281-541-6028 Referred by Randa Dick

Unified Residential Management Joellen Siddall 118 Vintage Park Blvd.

Houston, TX 77070 832-680-0120 Brant Rock Apartments Commerce Park Apartments Villa La Jolla Apartments

Focused Not Finished Joe Gordon 17921 Eagle Peak Drive Lindale, TX 75771 903-721-0981 Various Locations

Wright Enterprises Cary R. Wright 401 Cranbrook Lane League City, TX 77573 832-221-5910 Referred by Jeff Blevins, CAS

Herolz Square Asset Management Inc. Jennifer Tellepsen 1009 Isabella St. Houston, TX 77004 713-524-4884 Isabella Court Apartments 3901 Main Street Property

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Action Streamline Consulting LLC Latise Howie 4027 Buttonbush Circle Lakeland, FL 33811 866-527-2552 Real Estate Consultants, Construction MgmtConsultants Admiral Furniture Bobby Villella 707 S.W. 20th St. Ocala, FL 34471 800-999-2589 Outdoor Furniture & Outdoor Movies, Pool Furniture Repair & Restoration Referred by Leonard H. Tucker AppFolio Nick Hamilton 1701 N. Plano Road Richardson, TX 75081 260-437-4231 Administrative Services, Information Technology Bio-One Houston South Michael Fulweber 1127 Eldridge Pkwy #300-366 Houston, TX 77077 713-591-1522 Cleaning Specialists - BioHazardous Material, Cleaning Specialists - Trauma, Cleaning Specialists Referred by Amanda Kelly Clarke & Sons Design Group Rick Clarke 5301 Polk St. #18-A Houston, TX 77003 713-249-0915 Decorators - Interior, Interior Decorators-Designers, Interior & Decorator Service Gatewise Incorporated John Reilly 7707 Fannin St. Ste 200 #C127 Houston, TX 77054 205-538-0560 Electrical Gates & Doors, Gates & Gate-Operating Devices Referred by Stephanie Graves, CAM,CAPS, IROP HandKrafted by MHM LLC Melinda Hunter 8119 Gambrel Way Rosharon, TX 77583 225-366-8890 Paint, Party Planning Service Referred by Donna Farthing

Imperial Landscape Management LLC Corey Greer 2211 Rayford Road #111-335 Spring, TX 77386 281-763-6002 Landscape Contractors, Lawn Maintenance Referred by Dixie Caldwell, CAS JC Painting and Contractors Juan A. Medrano 10511 Windson Lane #107 Houston, TX 77031 281-879-4848 A/C Contractors, Balcony Repair, Bathtubs & Sinks Repairing & Refinish, Carpenters, Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Repair, Fences, Gutters & Downspouts, Maid Services, Plumbing Drain/Sewer Cleaning, Plumbing Contractors, Tree Services Knight Restoration Services, LP Ashton Stresau 4200 Sojourn Drive Addison, TX 75001 469-405-6628 Disaster Recovery/Relief, Mold Remediation Referred by Ashton Stresau LeaseLock Niki Trimble 480 Washington Blvd.

Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 310-906-2900 Financial Services, Insurance Lights Fantastic Pro Michael O'Brien 4205 Pinemont Drive Houston, TX 77018 281-686-2380 Light Bulbs & Tubes, Lighting Fixtures & Supplies Referred by Lenore Clay Nations Roof Houston LLC Loren Vining 18503 Imperial Valley Drive Houston, TX 77073 281-645-4039 Roofing Contractors, Roof Cleaning One Source Realty Advisors Tito Estrada 16126 Halpren Falls Lane Cypress, TX 77429 281-928-7399 Ancillary Revenue Providers, Telecommunications Consultants

PayLess Services HVAC & Refrigeration Karl Ferry 21175 Tomball Pkwy #408 Houston, TX 77070 281-741-5277 A/C Contractors, Heating Contractors, Heating Equipment & Systems Repair Qualtex Construction Services LLC Juan Suazo P.O. Box 690911 Houston, TX 77269 832-470-3964 Janitorial Services, Painting Contractors SOS-ASAP Softwashing Brooke Thompson 11612 Chimney Rock Road Houston, TX 77035 713-397-4477 Roof Cleaning, Pressure Washing - Equipment & Service Texas Robot Show Marilo Guerrero 10190 Katy Fwy #420D Houston, TX 77043 713-330-5189 Advertising-Specialties, Promotional Products Referred by Candis Mohr, CAS The Playwell Group Inc. Glenda Logsdon 203A E. Hwy 46 Boerne, TX 78006 281-216-3850 Basketball Courts, Playground Equipment, Outdoor Furniture & Outdoor Movies, Fitness Equipment, Dog Parks, Awnings & Canopies, Physical Fitness, Tennis Equipment & Products Wagonway LLC Brian Mees 675 Bering Drive #200 Houston, TX 77057 832-553-3649 Construction MgmtConsultants, Floor Materials, Granite Referred by Sean Cunningham, CAS

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The Ambassador ONE Society HAA’s WELCOMING COMMITTEE

YOU’RE THE ONE! Congratulations to the top Ambassadors for 2019.

Mark your calendars and join us! Ambassador ONE Society meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month: January 8, February 5, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, August 5, September 2, October 7 and November 4

1

Ambassador ONE Society members with at least 10 points, ranked by points earned:

eam 2019 T Year! of the 1. Congrats to the top team for 2019 with 1,030 points, Stay Classy.

The yearly team totals: 1st place - Stay Classy with 2,695 points 2nd place - The Bomb Squad with 1,988 points 3rd place - Green Machine with 1,030 points 2. The Ambassador “ONE of the Year” is Janell Richter, JMI Contractors, with an astounding 1,644 points.

E 2019 ONar! e Y of the

THE AMBASSADOR ONE SOCIETY is an organized network exchange that helps supplier partners build their business contacts within HAA. It’s the perfect way for new suppliers to get started with the association. Group members share leads, make introductions and support HAA and its members. For details, attend an orientation and one of the meetings listed here, or contact Amanda in the Membership Department at 713-595-0316, or email members@haaonline.org.

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Janell Richter Ashley Wiggin Vanessa Guerrero Liz Levins Amanda Kelly Shera Lehman James Buscemi Stephane Leveque Kerri Eckes Kyle Turney Lacy Contreras Tito Estrada Tracey Leach-Moore Jennifer Devine Marcy Holmes Angel Lopez Arely Pena Joshua Post Will McGinnis George Morrison Shaun Callaway Blaise Spitaleri Amelia Mantilla April Shane Logan Richter Blake Subinsky Matthew Nunn Phillip Price Doug Oehl Jarred Henrietta Marcus Wheatfall Danyell Wilkerson Chelsea Urbanczyk Giovanna Gone Megan Stone Will Carroll

JMI Contractors 1644 Reliant 520 Home Turf Texas 277 Rasa Floors 191 Corinthian Construction 185 Texscape 144 Slime Busters 107 Insta Relo (A Moving Company) 106 Fish Window Cleaning 100 Impact Floors 78 Texscape 70 Multifamily Ancillary Group 69 Flooring Warehouse 64 Valet Living 62 Designs by Holmes Interior Design 55 Metropolitan Staffing Solutions 54 The Liberty Group 53 Hive 51 Infinity Power Partners 47 Bio-One Houston 37 Earthworks, Inc 37 Gemstar Construction 36 Green City Security 32 Presto-X 31 JMI Contractors 31 HD Supply 30 Camp Construction Services 30 HD Supply 30 Flooring Warehouse 29 Impact Floors 29 Triple Seal Insulation 28 ApartmentData.com 27 CORT Furniture 26 Earthworks, Inc 25 The Liberty Group 25 Paul Davis Restoration of North Houston 25 Deborah DeRouen Designs by Holmes Interior Design 24 Jim Martensen Camp Construction Services 24 Juana Estrada Interstate Restoration LLC 24 Shannon Russell Day Ferguson Facility Supply 22 Candis Mohr AAA Plumbers 21 Karen Nelsen ALN Apartment Data, Inc 21 Stephen Webster RentPath 20 Darlene Addison McElvy Media Group 19 Ryan Hess Horisons Roof & Exterior Solutions 19 Alan Young Dixie Carpet 18 Amy Anderson Impact Floors 18 Susan Alvarado Century A/C Supply 18 Alexa Ramey Willbanks 17 Jarrett Bennett Ferguson Facility Supply 17 Jacey Turprin Interstate Restoration 16 Joey Rodriguez The Urban Foresters 16 Sean Cunningham Flooring Warehouse 16 Dave Byrnes Advanced Concrete Designs 15 Diane Smith Karndean 15 Amanda Alspaugh Ferguson Facility Supply 14 Emily Viana ACE Parking Lot Maintenance 14 Jason Norbeck Impact Floors 14 Linda Ledesma Hire Priority 14 Pete Lopez HD Supply 14 Shannon Coppin Camp Construction Services 14 Cody Hodge Camp Construction Services 13 Dana Mowe Houston Furniture Rental & Sales 13 Michael Edwards Ideal Towing 13 Rachel Sedelmyer BG Multifamily 13 Ambassadors earn points by sharing leads, making introductions and visiting communities to promote HAA events and news. www.haaonline.org

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HIcks, continued from Page 56 moved into the analyst position, they were growing and needed my help, so the faster they could get me up to speed with everything the faster I could help. They took me into every business pitch, budget review, client meeting, vendor/supplier meeting, all the corporate and ownership meetings – I was getting a front row seat to how the president and vice president of Greystone were running their business. Working for David Hargrove and Mack Armstrong at Greystone was the best training I could have possibly had.

Now you’re the HAA president and Hargrove and Armstrong were HAA presidents before you.

What is it like to look back?

It’s pretty amazing. I hope I’m doing them proud. They’ve had such an impact on my life and career. Mack is one of my best friends and Jackie Rhone has become like a sister to me. David and Stacy are like father figures to me. They’ve meant so much to me in my career and now to be following in their footsteps is just surreal.

To look ahead, as the visionary you are, where do you see the future of HAA going with you as our leader for 2020?

I would love to bring a lot of the knowledge and success we’ve had at TDC to HAA – figure out what HAA has, ask the question “why?” and create that culture of continuous improvement. HAA has been around for 60 years this year. There may be some things we’ve been doing forever that may need to be reevaluated. I’m going to ask why a lot.

My biggest pet peeve is hearing people say, “Because that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

Asking why will challenge people to think, to innovate and improve. If I can influence, even on a small scale, a culture of continuous improvement, I will feel like I’ll have done my job as president for 2020.

Being the president of TDC and a partner has been a very involved role and you’ve really put a lot into TDC over the last five years. Recently, you’ve been able to find a nice work-family balance. As HAA president, more of your time will be used. What are some ways you spend time with your family?

My favorite way to spend time with my family is Maryann and I watching our two daughters do what they love. I can’t wait until Saturday to watch Camryn play soccer. She made the top Houston Dash Development Player League team this year.

I can’t wait until Loren’s next big musical. I remember when Loren was Annie in Annie. When she sang “Tomorrow” tears were just streaming down my face. It’s so incredible to watch your kids succeed and do what they love.

Don’t miss the 2020 Installation & New Year Gala at Revention Music Center, See Page 6. www.haaonline.org

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Portfolio Changes #mynews #mynetwork #myfriends #myhaa

#myabode Get in the picture! ABODE magazine is your source for what’s happening in the Houston-area apartment market. Every month, our members-only publication highlights industry news and trends, plus photos of YOU, our members, from HAA events! ABODE is your source for industry-specific legal and legislative news as well. Share your promotions and new hires in our “In the News” column, or the latest development in your area of expertise by writing an article. Look for ABODE in the mail the first week of each month, or read online at issuu.com/haa_abode.

Contact the Communications Department at comm@haaonline.org for details and contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org to advertise.

ABODE is your HAA!

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The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios: Allied Orion Group: Territory at Greenhouse, 288 units at 2500 Greenhouse Road.

Alpha Barnes Real Estate Services: The Huntington at Sienna Plantation, 132 units at 4522 Trammel Fresno Road, Missouri City; The Huntington at Missouri City, 120 units at 2424 FM 1092 Road, Missouri City; Huntington at Sienna Ranch Road, 149 units at 6427 Sienna Ranch Road, Missouri City; and The Huntington at Lake Jackson, 96 units at 294 Abner Jackson Parkway, Lake Jackson.

The Axcell Group LLC: Trailwood Village Apartments, 178 units at 2200 Lake Village Drive, Kingwood.

Brownstone Residential LLC: Lancaster Senior Village, 122 units at 7447 Bellfort St. BSR REIT: Satori at Long Meadow, 300 units at 5803 Meadow Ranch Parkway, Richmond.

Bynum Real Estate Group: various locations.

Capstone Real Estate Services Inc.: Waterford Springs, 308 units at 24530 Gosling Road, Spring.

Cirrus Asset Management Inc.: Park at Kirkstall, 240 units at 300 Kirkstall Drive.

CLEAR Property Management: Ludren Park Apartments, 320 units at 12101 Fondren Road.

David K. Gibbs Associates: various locations.

Davis Development: Cue Luxury Apartments, 251 units at 20211 Longenbaugh Road, Cypress.

Fairfield Properties LP: Block 334, 207 units at 1515 Main St. and The Dominion, 238 units at 15596 Interstate 45 South, Conroe.

Fat Property LLC: Dakota Lofts, 53 units at 711 William St. Focused Not Finished: various locations.

Greystar: Lenox Grand Crossing, 330 units at 23615 Western Centre Drive, Katy.

JED Properties: Garden Oaks Apartments, 50 units at 142 Oyster Creek Drive, Lake Jackson.

Keener Management LLC: Mira Bella, 378 units at 22921 Imperial Valley Drive.

Linebacker Equity Management: Los Pinos, 30 units at 8010 Wier Drive.

The Lynd Company: Orleans at Fannin, 338 units at 1818 and 1881 Fannin Speedway.

Midway Companies: Alexan CityCentre, 340 units at 901 Town and Country Blvd.

MLDC Management LLC: The Alara, 155 units at 17601 Wayforest Drive.

New Haven Two LLC: New Haven Two, 84 units at 2300 Hamman Road, Bay City.

NOI Property Management: Treasure Bay, 200 units at 415 Garland Drive, Lake Jackson and Oyster Creek, 201 units at 105 Any Way St., Lake Jackson.

Pegasus Residential: Radius West, 361 units at 1721 Greenhouse Road.

Pinnacle: Clear Creek Landing, 200 units at 11717 Beamer Road.

Q10 Property Advisors: 2017 Buffalo Terrace Apartments, 16 units at 2017 Buffalo Terrace.

SG Property Management LLC: Esperanza at Queenston, 168 units at 5212 Queenston Blvd.

Sparrow Capital Partners: Mera Vintage Park, 179 units at 14914 Vintage Preserve Parkway.

Tzadik Management: Crossing at Jackson Square Apartments, 73 units at 8030 W. Airport Blvd.; Crossings at Bradford Place Apartments, 178 at 8300 W. Airport Blvd.; Shadowtree Apartments, 428 units at 9475 W. Sam www.haaonline.org

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Houston Parkway South.; Crescent City Apartments, 328 units at 8501 Broadway St.; and Casa Royal, 268 units at 9445 Concourse Drive.

Unified Residential Management: Villa La Jolla Apartments, 216 units at 10101 Forum Park Drive; Commerce Park Apartments, 354 units at 15330 Ella Blvd.; and Brant Rock Apartments, 84 units at 12906 Mesa Drive, Humble.

WGA Legacy Property Management LLC: Fall Creek Square, 115 units at 15116 Mesa Drive, Humble; Envue Square, 135 units at 123 Winkler Drive; and Synott Square, 108 units at 9402 Synott Road.

Whitney Management Corp.: Haven at Highland Knolls, 139 units at 20801 Highland Knolls Drive, Katy.

In the News

At Camp Hope’s annual cookoff, HD Supply places first for its pork ribs and third for its chicken. HD Supply wins fourth overall in the competition with 38 teams competing.

Douglas

Creative Property Management proudly announces two promotions. Scott Douglas, CAM, CAPS, was promoted to vice president of operations. Maria Garcia was promoted to vice president – controller.

Patrick Magnuson has joined Barvin.

Magnuson

Have something to report from your company or for yourself? Email us your news at comm@haaonline.org.

www.haaonline.org

January 2020

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On Site with ABODE

Photos provided by Morgan Taylor

ADVENIR MED CENTER Coming home feels better at Advenir at The Med Center.

Property: Advenir at The Med Center Owner/Management: Advenir Living Location: 9955 Buffalo Speedway Units: 320 Built: 2001 Web: www.adveniratmedcenter.com Interesting features: Advenir at The Med Center is centrally located in the Med Center, with a close proximity to NRG Stadium, where students and families alike call home.

Advenir at The Med Center offers one, two and three-bedroom apartment homes ranging from 800 square feet up to 1,200 square feet. Each apartment home is being renovated to be equipped with stainless steel appliances and more. The leasing office was recently rennovated, and the apartment community anticipates the addition of a dog park to its property in 2021.

The leasing office currently had a wrapping station, allowing residents to have a space where they can wrap presents this holiday season, rather than making a holiday mess in their living rooms. When this interview took place in early December, the leasing staff was wrapping holiday presents for their residents for their busier residents. Once a month, the staff at Advenir at The Med Center hosts a brunch, a fan favorite resident event.

Coming home feels better at Advenir at The Med Center!

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I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

www.haaonline.org

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a

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Help us kick off our 60th Anniversary year by coming over to our house and get engaged in your HAA.

HAA Open House | January 15 New to HAA? Did you know that if your company is a member of HAA, so are you? Join us on Wednesday, January 15 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet the HAA staff and learn how to get involved and maximize your membership at the 2020 HAA Open House.

HAA is YOUR association, make it work for you!

This event is free for all owner and supplier attendees. All members are welcome to attend.

Contact the Membership Department for more information at members@haaonline.org.

Houston Apartment Association | 4810 Westway Park Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77041 | 713-595-0300

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Index of Advertisers By CATEGORY A/C Supplies

Landscape Contractors

Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 281-530-2859 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centuryac.com

Outdoor Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 713-955-0990 . . . . . .www.outdoorelementstx.com

HAA reserves the right to reject any advertising if its content is inappropriate or inconsistent with HAA’s standards for publication or HAA’s business interests, in HAA’s sole opinion.

Texscape Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 281-846-3779 . . . . . . . . . .www.texscapeservices.com

Answering Service On Hold USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 800-755-4142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.onholdusa.com

Locks & Locksmiths CKI Wholesale Lock Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 713-462-0704 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ckilock.com

Carpet Installation Dixie Carpet Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 281-261-6334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dixiecarpet.com

Maintenance Supplies Maintenance Supply Headquarters . . . . . . . . . .14 281-530-6300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.supplyhq.com

Collection Agencies Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-644-4441 . . . . . . . . . . .www.alexanderrose-inc.com

Management Companies Rockwell Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 713-957-8994 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rockwellmgmt.com

Electric Contractors Affordable Quality Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 713-695-5992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.acuityelectric.com Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services . . . .43 281-693-3383 . . . . . . . . . . .www.brandtelectrical.com

Personnel Agency ASAP Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 972-432-6667 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.asapdo.com

Plumbing Contractors

Foundation Repair Church Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 713-468-8400 . . .www.churchfoundationrepair.com

AAA Plumbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 713-462-4753 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aaaplumbers.com

General Contractors

Resident Screening Service

Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . .Back Cover 713-413-2267 . . . . . . . .www.campconstruction.com

CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover 888-297-8821 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.corelogic.com

Cotton Commercial USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 877-511-2962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cottongds.com FSI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 832-767-1115 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.fsiconstruction.com Gemstar Construction & Development . . . . . . .15 281-821-1195 . . . . . .www.gemstarconstruction.com Guardian Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 832-672-4196 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.guardianconst.com MultiFamily Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 713-266-9100

TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

www.haaonline.org jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300

Resurfacing Surface Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 832-744-3388 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.surfacedesigners.us

Screens Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

RENCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover 713-666-3636 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rencon.com

Security Control Equipment/Systems

TPI Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 713-668-7986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.tpiinc.com

SentriForce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 888-671-2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.sentriforce.com

Glass – Plate, Window, Etc.

Swimming Pool Service

Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

Poolsure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 800-858-POOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.poolsure.com

Insurance

Trash Hauling

Harco Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 713-681-2500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.harco-ins.com

Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 713-354-5230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.thinkgreen.com

HAA Products & Services Rental Credit Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 713-595-0300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.haaonline.org/rcr

www.haaonline.org/rcr

Want to see current and previous issues of ABODE online? Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode.

Or view this issue on your computer, iPad or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_jan2020.

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MarketLine By BRUCE MCCLENNY, President, ApartmentData.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1025 – • • •

HOUSTON

1050 –

Snapshot 89.9% $1,046/mo. $1.18/sq.ft./mo.

884 sq.ft.

Past 12 Months: 3.2% rental rate growth 13,524 units absorbed

– 90.0 975 –

– 89.0

– 88.0

•

Recently Opened (12 months): 59 communities 15,143 units

1000 –

Under Construction: 78 communities 22,617 units

Occupancy (%)

Operating Supply: 2,826 communities 662,505 units

Rental Rate (¢/sq.ft./mo.)

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

• • • • •

Nov 19

Oct 19

Sep 19

Aug 19

Jul 19

Jun 19

May 19

Apr 19

Mar 19

Feb 19

Jan 19

Nov 18

Dec 18

Oct 18

Sep 18

Aug 18

Jul 18

Jun 18

May 18

Apr 18

Feb 18

Mar 18

Proposed Construction: 94 communities 28,373 units

Jan 18

Dec 17

– 87.0

History of Effective Rental Rate & Occupancy for All Units

Hottest Submarkets Over the Past Three Months

Concessions

Annualized % of Market Rank Submarket Absorbed 1 I-69 North 2.8% 2 U of H/I-45 South 2.5% 3 Katy/Cinco Ranch/Waterside 1.7% 4 Energy Corridor/CityCentre/Briar Forest 2.1% 5 Friendswood/Pearland East 0.3%

Rental Rate Growth % 2.9% 1.2% 1.5% 0.5% 0.9%

Total Units Class w/Concessions All 298,584 A 77,809 B 114,551 C 91,961 D 14,263

% of Total Units 45% 50% 44% 46% 32%

Average Special -3.0% -4.4% -2.2% -2.5% -1.8%

Citywide Effect -6.4% -8.2% -5.2% -5.4% -5.2%

One Month Free = -8.33%

THE FIRST TABLE ABOVE GIVES A SNAPSHOT of the current market conditions. The graph displays the overall occupancy and effective rental rates over the past 24 months. These statistics are derived from a continuous survey of all apartment communities in the Houston region. The effective rental rates are the calculated net of concessions and utility adjustments. The second table lists the five hottest submarkets in the Greater Houston area. There are a total of 42 submarkets, and the ranking is based on the best combination of rental rate growth and absorption over the past three months. The third table distributes and analyzes concessions (specials) by classification.

Concessions generally are represented by three types of specials: move-in, months free or floor plans. The effect of these specials is captured and prorated over a lease term to arrive at a percentage reduction in market or street rents.

TEXAS

Dallas/Ft. Worth

San Antonio

Austin

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

91.6% $1,155/mo. $1.32/sq.ft./mo.

876 sq.ft.

90.2% $979/mo. $1.15/sq.ft./mo.

853 sq.ft.

91.5% $1,305/mo. $1.49¢/sq.ft./mo.

874 sq.ft.

Past 12 Months: 5.5% rental rate growth 22,275 units absorbed

Past 12 Months: 5.2% rental rate growth 5,780 units absorbed

Past 12 Months: 8.1% rental rate growth 8,909 units absorbed

Operating Supply: 3,138 communities 739,593 units

Operating Supply: 923 communities 196,688 units

Operating Supply: 1,012 communities 235,480 units

www.haaonline.org

ApartmentData.com has been providing apartment data and marketing products since 1986.

ApartmentData.com provides real-time access for property specific information, market surveys and historic submarket data for more than 3.5 million apartment units in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and Tennessee.

For more information, contact Bruce McClenny at 800-595-8730. © 2020 ApartmentData.com January 2020

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with News from around the COMMUNITY

With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

FIND QUALIFIED LEADS

Employers can post job openings and access resumes.

From the website homepage at www.haaonline.org, access the job board and the “Employers” Tab Job Flash™ Package n Job Emailed to 17,300+ Apartment Professionals in Houston n Posted for 30 Days n Click to view recent Job Flash™ Member Price: $299

Job seekers can search openings, post their resumes and create job alerts.

How to post your resume to haaonline.org: n From the website homepage, access the job board n through the “Job Seekers” Tab at the right of the page n Select “Post a Resume” n Create a New User Account n At the “Career Account Home” under the n “Quick Links,” select “Post a Resume” n Upload your resume electronically from your PC n or external drive

Premium Job Flash™ Package Job Flash™ Package Plus Upgrades n Job Emailed to 17,300+ Apartment Professionals in Houston n Posted for 30 Days n Remains High in Search Results n Highlighted to Stand Out Member Price: $399 Ultimate Recruitment Package Premium Job Flash™ Package Plus Network of 1,000+ Sites n TalentBoost Upgrade Distributes Job to Network of 1,000+ National, Niche and n Local Job Boards n Job Emailed to 17,300+ Apartment Professionals in Houston n Posted for 30 Days n Remains High in Search Results n Highlighted to Stand Out Member Price: $499

Now that your resume is available to others, explore the other features of JobLine such as creating “Job Alerts” with certain key words and view more than 100+ Houston-area apartment industry jobs typically available at any time.

Resumes: Purchase single resumes for $35 or get 30-day access for $795

Visit jobs.haaonline.org today and find your candidate or career for tomorrow. www.haaonline.org 76

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jobs@haaonline.org

713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org

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Houston Apartment Association 4810 Westway Park Blvd.

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