Our
people WEIDNER’S ASSOCIATE MAGAZINE
HIGHLIGHTS: LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER PG 3 | HOW TO CONTRIBUTE PG 20 | ACCOLADES & AWARDS PG 22
Cover Story: Page 4
EnteriN G The EnteriNG ModerN Market 3600 Brentwood Undergoes a Complete Renovation
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MY W eidNer StorY John Bailey and John Hyde
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LearNiNG A Nd DevelopmeNt
Exciting Enhancements to Weidner University’s Course Content! April 2021
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Letter From The Founder Dean Weidner
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Cover Story Entering the Modern Market 3600 Brentwood Undergoes a Complete Renovation
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My Weidner Story • John Bailey, Sr. Area Director WI • John Hyde, Assistant Regional Maintenance Director WI
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Love Notes Regional Highlights Learning and Development Exciting Enhancements to Weidner University’s Course Content Noteworthy Events • Unveiling Leavenworth • Sculpture and Weidner Field Construction
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Associate Spotlight Jodie Wade – 21 Years of Raising the Bar
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Acquisition Updates The Edge at Midtown Apartments
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Development News 35 Degrees North Apartment Homes Community Vista View Apartment Homes and Yorkshire Apartment Homes Our People Photos of Our People We Care How to Submit News, Photos, and Ideas Invitation to Contribute We Want to Hear From You! Weidner Stats Accolades and Awards • AOMA TOBY Awards • MADACS Awards Hats Off to You! • Notable Promotions • Milestone Anniversaries – A Celebration of Long-Term Loyalty
Front cover: Some of the 3600 Brentwood team members, including Earlyn Somerville – Leasing Consultant, Argie Quibin – Service Technician, Charlie Bernardino – Service Technician, Kris Figurski – Regional Director, and Gina Plesca – Community Director presenting the newly renovated community in Calgary, Alberta.
Letter From The FouNder Dear Associates, It has been a very long year, since my first letter to you last March. What I thought, at that time, would be a drastic live/work change for six months…has almost become a way of life. Many things have changed...both at work and at home. Wearing masks are a normal and necessary precaution. While masks have been awkward, did you notice substantially fewer colds and flus in your community compared to last year? Although it’s sad that we no longer hug or shake hands, perhaps these good health precautions are for the better and we will find new ways to express our delight when meeting one-another in person. Video calls using Zoom and other tools have become our venue for group meetings as well as a medium for the “W” Awards. These have become our “go to” communication answers…and thankfully Peter Kim and his team of IT experts, have supported us every step of the way. Our sites have also perfected virtual communications, first with virtual tours, then virtual training and of course adjusting their daily procedures to ensure their own safety as well as that of their customers. If you would have told me that we could operate our business virtually with all these restrictions and changes…I would not have believed it. I am so very grateful to you for your innovation, flexibility, patience and perseverance. Whether on site, or at the home office you have helped and supported one another fully execute your workflow as a team. You made adjustments, figured it out, became more effective through changes to your work procedures and processes. A number of sites and departments were even able to simplify their processes to more efficiently and timely complete their work. While these changes felt strange, caused anxiety and often required new skills, you adapted, you changed or modified and persevered. Thank you...you are truly AMAZING. I am so pleased and proud to work with you. There is now a “recognition” that we have survived this pandemic…and there is great accomplishment in that!
We have provided love, shelter, respect and calm for our residents, and for each other. We have learned to “dig deep” into our psyche and to truly trust and depend on one another. We have learned what is truly important… our family, our friends, our associates and our greater community. And, we have found how to support and encourage one another through trust, quiet strength, love, and selfless acts of kindness. We are now at the beginning...of a return to normal. We must remain vigilant and disciplined. Wearing a mask and social distancing are expressions of love and caring for the wellbeing of others. We must continue to be careful and thoughtful in our interaction outside our homes. Getting vaccinated when your turn comes up is not just for personal protection, but is an act of love and caring for others as we reach “herd immunity” together as members of our greater community. Your Executive Leadership Team is planning our return to normal. Your safety and good health will be our number one concern. This return will occur over many months… recognizing the changes which have occurred and implementing a number of efficiencies that have been put into practice. However, what will never change is the recognition that you are essential. Essential and valued in our business, and by our residents. We provide the most important commodity and service in the world. Homes…the basic building block of a successful civilization. Our work is providing people with their most important asset. When we work at something this important…it transforms us and everything around us. Perhaps President Teddy Roosevelt may have said it best...“The greatest gift life has to offer, is working hard at work worth doing.” Thank you, Weidner Associates...you give life and work... meaning and purpose. You make a huge difference in your community, Canada, and in the United States; together, building community one person at a time. With grateful admiration,
Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 3
Cover StorY ENTERING A MODERN MARKET 3600 BRENTWOOD UNDERGOES A COMPLETE RENOVATION
In April 2018, Weidner Apartment Homes decided to renovate our community, 3600 Brentwood Apartment Homes, in beautiful northwest Calgary. The community underwent an extensive upgrade that resulted in the property being classified as a lease-up. Every suite, accounting for 240 homes, had a complete interior renovation.
The Renovations Included: • New Cupboards • New Countertops • New Appliances • New Light Fixtures • New Flooring • New Sinks • New Vanities
BEFORE 4 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine
The driving motivation for this project was to propel 3600 Brentwood into Calgary’s modern rental market. As the neighborhood continues to develop, the team thought it was essential to grow with the city and offer desirable homes for Calgary community members. Upgrading the residents’ living experience was another considerable incentive. Regional Director for Canada East, Kris Figurski, further explains the positive impacts from the renovation, “Entering the modern rental market allows us to keep up with our competitors and expand our revenue potential. However, improving the quality of our property for our customers and making our residents happy is another worthy investment. The team wanted to provide a superior product for our residents to call home.”
AFTER
BEFORE The residents’ comfort during the renovation was the team’s top priority. They worked closely with the contractors to ensure there was minimal disruption. The move-outs were staggered each month to keep the process more manageable and avoid the community feeling like a construction zone. The residents who continued living at 3600 Brentwood during the construction were ecstatic when they had the opportunity to move into their newly renovated suites. The renovation project was also an adjustment for the 3600 Brentwood team. The leasing office doubled as a model apartment, so they had their own taste of living
AFTER through the construction. The team did an excellent job pivoting their leasing tactics and customer service to evolve with the changing community. Providing residents the opportunity to continue living in their community was a gratifying experience for everyone to share. 3600 Brentwood entered 2021 as a fully renovated community. The team is thrilled to have tapped into a new market with updated suites for existing and future residents to enjoy. The future looks bright at 3600 Brentwood!
“Entering the modern rental market allows us to keep up with our competitors and expand our revenue potential. However, improving the quality of our property for our customers and making our residents happy is another worthy investment. The team wanted to provide a superior product for our residents to call home.” Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine |5
MY W eidNer StorY FOCUS ON PEOPLE AND FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS By: John Bailey
I graduated from The University of Notre Dame with a degree in Psychology. I wanted to choose a career path that married working closely with people while incorporating statistical analysis. After graduation, I started my first career job at Weidner as a Manager in Training (MIT) at Canyon Ranch, Hyde Park, and Hyde Park North. The role provided numerous learning opportunities, and the Colorado team helped me build a solid foundation of industry and Weidner procedures. I was transferred to a leasing position at VUE in Minneapolis, MN, when we acquired the community in July 2014. Not only was the position an exciting step, but I am from Minnesota, and it was great to get back to my roots! While at VUE, I learned about leasing in a fastpaced and high-end market. As the new management company, above and beyond customer service and ‘finding a way to say yes’ became our mantras. After I graduated from the MIT program in 2014, I became the Community Director (CD) for various Minnesota properties, including Heritage Park, Stoneleigh, 7west, and 222 Hennepin. As a CD at Heritage Park, I was often left to my own devices to implement Weidner policies, train a new team, and learn about the community. I transitioned to the CD at Stoneleigh in March 2015. I learned how to lead a bigger team as the community was the largest property in Minnesota to date. I had to shift my mindset from ‘doing the work’ to ‘owning the results’ as I delegated more to the team. In October 2015, I transitioned to the CD at 7west. I had another opportunity to see an acquisition firsthand and assimilate Weidner’s standards to a new community. I attribute a lot of my success to my guidance from Tony Heinz, who was then the Area Manager and is now the current Area Director in Minnesota. Tony taught me how 6 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine
to make calculated business decisions and implement unique marketing strategies. I later moved to 222 Hennepin, Weidner’s flagship community in downtown Minneapolis. I was exposed to the realm of commercial vendors and business partnerships to elevate the resident event experience. As our portfolio in Minnesota grew, I was promoted to the Area Manager of Minnesota in July 2017, where I oversaw five communities. A lot of my success in this role can be accredited to the skills I learned under Amanda Hirtzel’s management and the rest of the Minnesota team, including Tony Heinz and Lonna Torchia. In January 2018, I was promoted to Area Director in Minnesota and was charged with overseeing an additional three communities. In August 2018, I moved to Milwaukee, WI, as the Area Director in the budding region. Over the next two years, we added eight communities, all in Milwaukee and Madison, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the region’s total unit count. The Minnesota regional team’s continued support was paramount in our accomplishments as they helped craft our recipe for success. In July 2020, I was promoted to Senior Area Director for Wisconsin. I am humbled by the opportunity to take on more responsibility and continue to work alongside great people. Overall, my time with Weidner is hallmarked by mentorship and an emphasis on growth. Throughout my evolution in Weidner, one constant remains, Our People. We truly have the most dynamic industry professionals within all levels of the organization. For new associates joining Weidner, I would encourage you to seek opportunities outside of your comfort zone, take calculated risks - sometimes leaps of faith, and explore new challenges!
CAREERS ARE BUILT ON HARD WORK AND SHOWING YOU CARE By: John Hyde Although I have been working in the property management maintenance industry for nearly 26 years, my career path has been somewhat untraditional, and I didn’t start in the maintenance field. After high school, I served in the U.S. Military for six years. Although my responsibilities during my service are different from my career tasks, I still apply the fundamentals I learned in the Military today. The Military taught me the importance of paying attention to detail. I don’t leave a mess behind, and I am extremely organized when I work. If I see something, I fix it. After my service, I wanted to make a career shift. I always had an interest in maintenance, and my first industry role was a Maintenance Technician for a local property management company, and I was quickly promoted to Maintenance Supervisor. This was just scratching the surface, but I already knew this was a career I wanted to pursue. I got, and still do, immense gratification when seeing a resident’s satisfaction after repairing something that improves their living experience. I like being able to make a difference, even if it’s at a small level. After a year, I transitioned to a larger property management company as a Maintenance Technician. Although this appeared to be a career setback, it was the complete opposite. The company was larger, the properties were class-A, and the customer expectations were higher. I put my nose to the grindstone, and it was a turning point in my career. My passion for my work was apparent. I was quickly promoted to Maintenance Supervisor, won “Rookie of the Year,” and won “Mid-West Region Top Maintenance Department” the following year. I attribute my career advancements to my mantra, ‘outwork your supervisor.’ This is something I always tell my mentees in Weidner’s Service Technician in Training (SIT) program. Years later, a new management company acquired our properties. I was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor, then Multi-Site Maintenance Supervisor, then Maintenance Director within my first three years.
I moved to the corporate office and was promoted to Capital Maintenance Director, where I was responsible for filling the maintenance roles. When interviewing candidates, I would hire someone with common sense and a modest education over someone with a high degree and no awareness. If you approach everything with common sense, it will take you far in this industry and in life. After almost 18 years, I decided to change companies and became the Director of Maintenance Operations at a residential start-up division. My new responsibilities were mostly for large commercial offices and industrial buildings. A few years later, Weidner purchased one of our residential divisions. After the Weidner acquisition team came for a meeting, I found Regional Director Amanda Hirtzel’s business card on the floor. I looked up Weidner and resonated with their mission statement. I sent Amanda my resume, and to my surprise, she connected me with John Bailey, the Senior Area Director for Wisconsin. I was offered a job as a Service Manager, and although it was another career setback, it didn’t matter to me. My heart was with the residential side of the industry, and I wanted to get back to my passion. I was a Service Manager for a year and a half and oversaw three of Weidner’s downtown Milwaukee communities. In mid-2020, I was promoted to Assistant Regional Maintenance Director for Wisconsin. It’s an honor to take on more responsibility and continue to strengthen our maintenance operations. I hope to work for Weidner until the end of my career. The reason I love Weidner is simple; it’s the people and their passion for the industry. It’s a property management firm but also a people firm. Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 7
Love Notes
Broadmoor, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Four Seasons, Anchorage, AK
The team at The Four Seasons in Anchorage, AK, held a “Turkey Basket Giveaway.” Seven lucky raffle winners, who completed a Thanksgiving-themed Mad Lib, received a basket full of Thanksgiving meal essentials. We can’t think of a better way to spread the Thanksgiving spirit than through delicious food, nice job, Team!
The Broadmoor team in Edmonton, Alberta, hosted a balcony/yard decorating contest to get their residents into the Halloween spirit. They also handed out some candy bags to their younger residents, as trick-ortreating looked a bit different this year. The team had great participation, and Broadmoor turned into a true haunted house!
Reserve at Arrowhead, Glendale, AZ
Vista View, Colorado Springs, CO
The team at Reserve at Arrowhead in Glendale, AZ, held a “Masters of Chipping” event as one of their “Thank You Thursday’s” to show their appreciation for their residents. The residents got to show off their golf skills to earn tickets to enter into a raffle to win prizes. What a great way to soak up the sun, socially distance, and participate in some healthy competition!
The team at Vista View in Colorado Springs, CO, hosted a tasty resident event where they brought in a local food truck for some great BBQ and street tacos. The event was a hit, and everyone got to visit their neighbors over some great food!
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Indigo, Oklahoma City, OK
4800 Excelsior, St. Louis Park, MN
The team at 4800 Excelsior in St. Louis Park, MN, was feeling full of gratitude this Thanksgiving! To celebrate the holiday season, the team created a “Gratitude Wall” for the residents to spread the love by sharing sweet notes with their community. What a great way to bring out some positivity!
Prairie Pines, Williston, ND The team at Prairie Pines in Williston, ND, knows how to roll out the welcome mat! When a new resident moves in, the team sets up a housewarming present in their new home for the resident to enjoy. The basket is full of new home essentials and a few goodies. Such a great way to turn a house into a home!
A couple leased an apartment at our community, Indigo, in Oklahoma City, OK. Upon their move-in day, one of the residents was admitted into the hospital and stayed for nearly two months. She never got the opportunity to move into her new home. Once she was released, the team sprang into action and placed a balloon bouquet at her front door to give her a warm welcome and to celebrate her return.
Vesada, Riverside, CA The team at Vesada in Riverside, CA, brought some holiday cheer to their community by setting up a “Santa Mailbox” for little residents to send their letters to Santa. For every letter in the mailbox, the team replied with a handwritten response and a candy cane. Such a sweet way to connect with residents, and we’re sure Santa appreciated the extra help!
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Love NoTes
coNt .
The Lafayette, Fitchburg, WI The Lafayette community in Fitchburg, WI, has a young resident who suffers from an extremely rare disease that has required several surgeries over the past 18 months. The Make-a-Wish foundation granted his wish to have a parade of “big trucks” pass by his home. The Lafayette team helped in the celebration by inviting the residents to join in on the fun. His wish came true thanks to local first responders and our Lafayette family!
Summertree, Odessa, TX
One lucky pet was selected as Pet of The Month at Summertree Place in Odessa, TX. The team at Summertree gave their furry friend, Chewy, a basket of treats, toys, and a PetSmart gift card for grooming and more goodies! Clearly, Chewy was very proud of himself for being such a good boy; just look at that sit!
The Artiste, Shoreline, WA Lucky residents are scoring BIG at The Artiste in Shoreline, WA! The team hands out a thoughtful Love Note and fresh-cut orchids to one resident each week. Better yet, the team is supporting a local business as they buy the orchids from their local market. Brightening up a resident’s day while supporting the community sounds like the perfect combo!
The Ritz Classic, Salt Lake City, UT 2020 was a difficult year in many ways. The team at The Ritz Classic in Salt Lake City, UT, has not only made an effort to express their appreciation for their residents, but they have also shown their support for neighboring Weidner communities. To spread some Weidner love, the team gave the Velo staff some goodie bags filled with lots of yummy treats and nice notes. Thank you for sharing some extra cheer, Team!
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LearNiN G & LearNiNG DevelopmeNt
Kim Olander, Director of Learning and Development Kirkland, WA
EXCITING ENHANCEMENTS TO WEIDNER UNIVERSITY’S COURSE CONTENT! Weidner made a major investment for the continued training and education for Our People by purchasing new industry-specific online courses. These courses are now available in Weidner University’s catalog. After extensive research, the Learning and Development team chose Edge2Learn to partner with, as they had the most relevant and comprehensive catalog of industry-related online e-learning courses. These courses will further expand the learning opportunities for our associates through Weidner University, in addition to the current Weidner-specific courses. Many of the course offerings will help improve our associate’s level of industry knowledge through additional tools on topics like customer service, conflict management, safety, and leadership, as well as a library of videos that show hands-on appliance maintenance training. In addition, there are new Fair Housing and HR-related required courses on topics like sexual harassment. The Director of Learning and Development, Kim Olander, further explains the goals Weidner hopes to accomplish with the expanded course catalog, “These courses will increase our associates’ self-learning opportunities, and emphasize our core values of Personal Improvement through training and education.” Weidner’s Learning Management System (LMS), which we refer to internally as Weidner University, is a software platform that hosts all of our Weidner course content, recorded live webinar sessions, and other valuable learning resources. It also helps associates plan their
learning journey by providing those in supervisory roles the ability to assign required courses and track their completion, or session attendance, through each associate’s transcript. The Learning and Development team thought it was important to refresh and expand the courses on Weidner University to increase the utilization and value of the platform across all regions. Combining and improving industry-specific and Weidnerspecific content on Weidner University will also allow Learning and Development to curate a comprehensive course curriculum based on specific positions. “Completing the courses required for an associate’s current position will be a valuable part of their learning journey as well as lend to a clear road map for their growth and promotion possibilities,” says Kim Olander. We are thrilled to offer these new courses that foster our associates’ growth and continue to strengthen our performance as industry leaders in each of our markets. There are over 500 hours of course content! Some of the sessions include: • 10 Categories of Maintenance Courses • New Fair Housing Courses • Workplace Harassment • Conflict Management • Dealing with Difficult Situations • Leasing, Follow-Up, and Reputation Management • Coaching and Critical Thinking • 86 Webinars on Sales and Customer Service
Our PeopleOur - Weidner’s Quarterly Associate Magazine | 11 People - Weidner’s
Note W orthY NoteW EveNts
UNVEILING LEAVENWORTH Weidner entered the Leavenworth, WA, market with our new lease-up, Leavenworth Haus Apartment Homes. This is the city’s first and only large-scale apartment complex. Leavenworth Haus opened their first building in January 2021 and will finish all five buildings in September 2021. Leavenworth is a unique Bavarian-themed town in central Washington. With its gorgeous mountain views and rustic buildings, it was remodeled in the 1960s to resemble a German market town as a tourist attraction. Over 60 years later, Leavenworth natives are still passionate about upholding their German traditions. It’s common to be greeted with a “Willkommen,” see people dressed in lederhosens, and eat authentic German cuisine. To preserve the town’s Bavarian aesthetic, the locals have strict infrastructure regulations. Storefronts must have hand-painted wooden signs, Germanstyle murals are on almost every building, and the town is designed with its own style called “Old World Bavarian-Alpine.” Leavenworth Haus Community Director, Chris Fullerton, expressed the importance of Weidner’s presence to be done “right” to add to the town’s ambiance. “As people have grown with the city, they’re very passionate about upholding their culture. Immersing ourselves in the community and embracing their values is our top priority 12 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine
to preserve what makes Leavenworth special.” To better assimilate, Leavenworth Haus painted a 30-foot-tall mural on the south side of building B facing Highway 2. Leavenworth Haus is one of the first buildings visitors see when they enter the city from the highway, and the mural serves as our warm welcome. The team chose a local artist, Amanda Gibbs, to design and paint the mural. “It was important we chose someone who knew the area well so they could accurately capture Leavenworth’s culture,” says Chris. Amanda chose to paint a fictional village in the Stuart Mountains, a local range comprised of five mountains known for camping and hiking. The piece was named “Unveiling Leavenworth” and was done entirely freehand in two weeks! Amanda even included a Weidner Easter egg and painted a Weidner jet in the skyline. With Leavenworth Haus being the first large apartment community, the city has limited housing options, resulting in many local employees to live elsewhere. The addition of Leavenworth Haus will allow more people to live where they work, strengthening the community. “A city can’t thrive unless the people working there can also live there. It’s important to build a community to maintain pride,” says Chris. We can’t wait to welcome the people of Leavenworth to Leavenworth Haus!”
HOMETOWN PRIDE, MATERIALIZED
Weidner’s forward-thinking mindset and putting our hearts into the center of all business decisions have served us well and are some of the key reasons why the company is celebrating over 44 years of business. It’s that future-focused mentality that has been our driving motivator to further root Weidner Apartment Homes in the city of Colorado Springs.
Year after year, Colorado Springs has been ranked as one of the top cities to retire in the U.S., and with the recent opening of the U.S. Olympic Museum, many businesses have moved to the area. Our internal team is also projecting the city will experience incredible growth and believes there will be a rising apartment living market. Colorado Springs is quickly becoming the city of the future. Apart from the business side, Mr. Weidner has a strong connection to Colorado Springs as he grew up in the town and still has family in the area. He believes in investing in the city because it holds sentimental value, and he wants to give back to his community. One of the ways Mr. Weidner is investing is through designing and building Weidner Field, the community’s new event center and sports stadium. The stadium will be built with a modern design to follow Colorado Springs’ theme of being ‘the city of the future.’ Senior Director of Construction, Matt Haba, explains, “Weidner Field is not trying to be a traditional stadium. It’s a forward-looking multi-use venue, matching the city’s growth and future prospects.” A huge component in achieving the futuristic feel was mastering the design of the stadium’s entryway. Mr. Weidner wanted something impactful and memorable that wasn’t connected to a particular agency or entity. After three months of significant brainstorming between Matt Haba, Mr. Weidner, and the architects from Perkins Will, Matt Haba, and the Complete Development team
presented a design of a sphere surrounded by elevated rings, and Mr. Weidner said, “That’s it!” However, the planning didn’t stop there. The team spent another eight months determining which materials to use so the structure could withstand Colorado Springs’ extreme weather. To test various material’s ability to resist the elements, the team built a golf ball gun to simulate intense hail storms and left materials in the baking sun and freezing snow. After extensive testing, they decided to construct the sphere’s perimeter in stainless steel and the structure in galvanized steel. Matt Haba further explains the planning process and the team dynamic, “There is no one person who created the idea of the entry sculpture. In addition to Mr. Weidner and the Complete Development staff, the Architect, Engineers, and Fabricators all influence the evolving design. Everyone participates in the planning and production, and it is a team effort that I have the privilege to orchestrate.” Every design aspect of the sculpture is intentional. The sphere will be 19-feet in diameter and made from polished stainless steel to provide a mirrored finish. The mirror resembles the past and reflects the viewer and the image of Colorado Springs behind them, giving recognition to the city’s history. The rings will be 72-feet in diameter, and each ring has six, seven-feet-across, sections mounted on 20-foot-tall steel posts. The structure was influenced by aircraft engineering, and the rings resemble airplane wings. The design allows the rings to withstand high winds and pays homage to Mr. Weidner’s appreciation for aviation. The sculpture and Weidner Field will be completed on April 24th. We are excited to introduce a pinnacle landmark to Colorado Springs and create, what might be, the most “Instagrammed” location in the city! Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 13
A ssociate SpotliG Spotli G ht
21 YEARS OF RAISING THE BAR By: Jodie Wade This issue’s Associate Spotlight features our excellent Jodie Wade. Jodie is our V.P. of Software Systems and has been with the Weidner Family for over 21 years. Her department acts as a Swiss Army Knife and does everything from software implementation, upgrades, and support (most notably for Yardi), to maintaining data security, reviewing criminally declined rental applications, and monitoring policy and procedures. During her extensive career and many role pivots, Jodie has a unique perspective as she has watched the company and the industry evolve. Although Jodie’s current position is in Software Systems, her first role with Weidner in 1999 was very different. Jodie began as a Leasing Consultant at Lakeside in Montlake Terrace, WA. She quickly moved to Renaissance, now called A’Cappella, in Lynwood, WA, as the Assistant Community Director. She describes her crew as “the dream team,” comprised of Andrey Strok, current National Maintenance Director, and Lis Klabo, current V.P. of Design Services. Jodie transitioned to the Community Director of St. James Tower in Seattle, WA. In her role, she traveled to other properties and conducted process and file audits to develop standardization. When Weidner started their training team, she was hired as the first Regional Trainer for Washington. After a few years, Weidner started a National Training program, and Jodie became one of the National Trainers responsible for training all of Weidner’s regions. When Weidner transitioned their accounting system to Yardi Voyager, Jodie was the lead trainer on the program. Shortly after Yardi was rolled out, she was promoted to the Yardi Project Manager. Since then, she has moved up in the Software Systems department and has been the Software Systems Manager, Director, and now V.P. 14 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine
Outside of work, Jodie is passionate about animals and is especially partial to her adorable Bichon/Pomeranian dog named Rocky. Jodie’s love for animals expands outside of her affinity for Rocky as she has been a vegetarian for 20 years. In her free time, Jodie enjoys doing race walks with friends and has raced in many 5k’s and 10k’s. She has also impressively completed the 130-mile Portland to Coast Relay six times – way to go! When asked to reflect on her time with Weidner, Jodie describes her journey as the following, “If I’ve learned one thing in my 21 years, it’s that you need to embrace change. Some of our most notable and most necessary changes have been in technology. When I started in 1999, we didn’t even have email! All forms, including leases, were filled in by hand and stored in a binder as copies of copies. We’ve come a long way!” “When I started, we had approximately 10,000 units, and our regions were limited to AK, WA, CAN, TX, and CO. Since then, we’ve added more than 45,000 units and expanded to the AZ, CA, MN, ND, OK, UT, and WI regions. Although the growth has been great, my favorite part about Weidner is the people. Weidner is like a family to me. I feel like I won the lottery by joining such a wonderful company so early in my career. I also get to work with the best team in the world! They are smart, dedicated, hard-working, and I couldn’t do my job without them.” Jodie, thank you for your hard work, innovation, and loyalty to the Weidner Family. We appreciate all that you do!
A c Q uisitioN Updates
THE EDGE AT MIDTOWN In January 2021, Weidner Apartment Homes acquired the community The Edge at Midtown Apartments in Oklahoma City, OK, from NE Property Management. We are thrilled to add another luxury property to our portfolio and further root ourselves in the Oklahoma City market. The community sits in a fabulous location in north Midtown. Residents will live near delicious restaurants, great walking trails, and easy access to Interstate 235. The property is also minutes from downtown Oklahoma City to make for an easy commute for business professionals and students.
a sense of community. The Edge at Midtown’s shared areas include a sparkling resort-style pool and hot tub, a business center, indoor and outdoor TV lounges, a private parking garage, a clubhouse, a fitness center, rooftop lounges, an outdoor kitchen, and is a pet-friendly property. When the acquisition closed, our team rebranded the community to add our Weidner flare. Updates included new signage, a new website, and various promotional collateral. We’re excited to continue to grow our collection of luxury apartment homes with the addition of The Edge at Midtown!
Stats: Units: 250 Location: 1325 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Buildings: 1
The Edge at Midtown offers high-end luxuries, and each home includes special touches to add to the resident living experience. The homes feature a gourmet kitchen, a soaking tub, and a patio or balcony to take in the breathtaking city skyline views. The community is comprised of 250 units and offers ten different floor plans of spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, providing plenty of living options to match any lifestyle.
Floor Plans: 10 floor plans, 1x1, 2x2, 3x2, Parking: Private multi-level garage parking Net Lot Area: 4.22 Acres
This gated community also offers a full list of desirable amenities to extend the resident living space and create Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 15
DevelopmeNt NeW Ne W s
35 DEGREES NORTH
Weidner recently entered the Edmond, OK, market with our new lease-up, 35 Degrees North Apartment Homes. This luxury garden-style community sits on nearly 28-acres and includes 371 units. 35 Degrees North encompasses the definition of high-end modern living, where residents can enjoy an expansive living space, popular community amenities, and a peaceful location. Placed in central Northwest Oklahoma County, the community is minutes from downtown Edmond and a short commute to Oklahoma City.
35 Degrees North offers one and two-bedroom homes. These homes are built for upscale living, and each space includes unique and elevated touches. The community offers an extensive list of amenities, including two pools, cabanas, a pool house, outdoor fire pits, outdoor grilling plazas, a fitness center, a pickleball court, a gazebo, a pavilion, and a clubhouse. 35 Degrees North is also a pet-friendly community and provides ample green space, an expansive dog park, and a pet washing station.
RE-ISSUE SET 12/05/2019
We are excited to provide a new residence for the Edmond community and greater Oklahoma City area. The community officially opened earlier this year, and residents are already enjoying their new home. 35 Degrees North is a fantastic addition to our Oklahoma portfolio, and we are eager to watch the community continue to grow!
Stats: Units: 371 Location: 2800 NW 192nd St. Edmond, OK 73012 Buildings: 33 Floor Plans: 1x1, 2x2 Parking: Open spaces: 609, Garage spaces: 78, Handicap spaces: 22 Net Lot Area: 27.33 Gross Acres, 1,185,875 s.f.
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CommuNitY
HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY PIVOT IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY As we round out over a year in the global pandemic, all departments within Weidner have had to adjust their everyday routines to remain safe, productive, and connected during these difficult times. Everyone’s ability to pivot in their roles to keep their community running “business as usual” is no small feat and shows true resiliency.
The team at Vista View Apartment Homes and Yorkshire Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs, CO, is familiar with making adjustments to improve community operations. However, the team not only implemented the necessary changes, but they also thrived and were able to grow their community. Like many, Vista View and Yorkshire closed their doors in March 2020 when COVID-19 struck. The team quickly developed a remote work schedule and connected with IT to ensure everyone could work from home effectively. During this time, the team also experienced a lot of turn over and had to onboard new associates remotely. Their preparedness helped them add new team members without missing a beat! The team has adapted their leasing tactics by offering personalized video tours, advertising Matterport tours, and allowing for self-guided tours. Customizing the leasing experience helps the customer feel confident and safe during their leasing journey. The team also seeks opportunities to further their education and utilizes Learning and Development’s training videos to remain updated on new techniques for a shifting industry. Both communities also made small updates to create an inviting and comfortable environment for their residents and prospects. They planted flowers in front of their leasing office in the warmer months and they’ve done an excellent job keeping up the grounds. Vista View also
Birgit Brown, Community Director for Vista View Apartment Homes and Yorkshire Apartment Homes Colorado Springs, CO
updated their washers and dryers. Aside from operational adjustments, the team shows compassion towards their residents and focuses on strengthening their community. Vista View and Yorkshire participate in monthly resident events and have held their own socially-distanced events by hosting a few food trucks. At the beginning of the pandemic, the team cut out colorful hearts with uplifting messages and posted them around their communities. The warm atmosphere has been well-received by residents, and both communities have seen a low move-out rate in return. Leadership has also been a huge component of Vista View and Yorkshire’s success. The Community Director, Birgit Brown, has done a great job managing her team while showing she cares. She will bring in breakfast, show up every day with a positive attitude, and is always willing to assist however she can. Keeping morale high has been a great motivator and has kept the team dynamic strong. Birgit’s kindness extends beyond her team. Delinquency has been a big challenge for both communities, and Birgit has dealt with each situation gently. Her constant and genuine communication in these situations has mitigated the issue. Managing a community in a pandemic can be challenging. However, Vista View and Yorkshire’s approach by using the tools they have, showing they care, and entering each situation with compassion, is a winning combination. We extend a huge thank you to our incredible community teams for your hard work and constant adjustments to keep Weidner Apartment Homes as an industry leader!
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Our People
Eric Rice – Service Technician, Johnny Ouellette – Service Technician, Mike Green – Service Manager, Brittany Ali – Community Director, Kerri Roush – Leasing Consultant at Aviare Arts District Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
Levi Moore – Leasing Consultant, Payton Capers – Area Community Director, Gabbie Seales – Bookkeeper, Victoria McWhorter – Leasing Consultant, Brittany Campbells-Albertson – Leasing Consultant, Haley Cullum – Leasing Consultant at Brookwood Village Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
PLEASE NOTE: We were unable to identify everyone pictured. Brenda Kolb – Community Director (The Enclave at Brookside), Ramon Cortez – Service Manager (The Enclave at Brookside), Maryssa Carlson – Assistant Community Director (The Enclave at Brookside), Gayle Angwin – Housekeeper (The Enclave at Brookside), Sabrina Neufeld – Leasing Consultant (Lincoln Villas on Memorial), Payton Northrup – Community Director (Lincoln Villas on Memorial) at The Enclave at Brookside Apartment Homes in Tulsa, OK.
Payton Capers – Assistant Community Director, Amanda Martinez – Community Director, Haley Cullum – Leasing Consultant, Victoria McWhorter – Leasing Consultant, Gabbie Seales – Account Specialist, Cynthia Schwartz – OK & CA Regional Director, Kenneth Burris – Service Technician, Sean Glass – Service Technician at Brookwood Village Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
Peter Gates – Service Technician, Savannah Rivera – Leasing Consultant, Kenny McMaster – Service Technician, Kylie Smith – Leasing Consultant, Allison Collins – Assistant Community Director, and Blake Koonce – Service Manager at Liberty Pointe Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
Izzy Sanchez – Leasing Consultant, Amanda McBride – Leasing Consultant (Leavenworth Haus) Jessica Fowler – Community Director at Riverside 9 Apartment Homes in Wenatchee, WA.
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Anna Gotengco – Community Director, Danny Zelenka – Painter, Shirlene Heuft – Housekeeper, Romulo Bertillo – Service Technician, Eric Lomibao – Housekeeper, Felipe Sumaylo – Service Technician at Cambridge West Apartment Homes in Edmonton, AB.
Greg Cerbana – V.P. of Public Relations, Lonna Torchia – V.P. of Operations, Darrin Hensen – Ryan Companies, Eric Engh – Ryan Companies, Tony Barranco – Ryan Companies, Joe Peris – Ryan Companies, Tony Heinz – Minnesota Area Director at Daymark Uptown Apartment Homes in Minneapolis, MN.
W e Care HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS, PHOTOS, AND IDEAS
Jeana Chamberland – Community Director, Brianna Wallman – Leasing Consultant, Cody Evgen – Maintenance Supervisor at Siena Apartment Homes in St. Louis Park, MN.
Do you have any news, stories, or other ideas you’d like to share companywide? We want to hear from you! As the eyes and ears of our regions, your input is invaluable. When you see or hear about a newsworthy event, we encourage you to share them with us so we can spread the word! If you have news, photos, Love Notes, or great ideas, we invite you to send them to us at WeCare@weidner.com.
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Our People
Johanna Powell – Community Director, Hailee Kennedy – Manager in Training, Shanelle Williams – Leasing Consultant at Quail Landing Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
Chris Harkrider – Service Technician, Grayson Courtright – Leasing Consultant, Luke Shelton – Assistant Community Director, Steve Coughran – Service Manager, Mike Green – Service Manager (Aviare Arts District Apartment Homes) at Indigo Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
Kari Padilla – National Learning and Development Trainer.
Izzy Sanchez – Leasing Consultant, Jessica Fowler – Community Director, Amanda McBride – Leasing Consultant (Leavenworth Haus) at Riverside 9 Apartment Homes in Wenatchee, WA.
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coNt .
Back Row: Amy Houck – Leasing Consultant, Cole Morales – Leasing Consultant, Lexy Sipe – Assistant Community Director, Ricky Poulin – Service Technician, Tom Barkley – Service Technician, Kodi Lynch – Service Technician, Brian Solis – Service Technician, Justin Johnson – Service Manager, Leno Lopez – Service Technician. Front Row: Kim LaSalata – Retention Manager (Indigo Apartment Homes), Mia Burton – Housekeeper, Kasondra Rivera – Community Director, Lynsey Bishop – Leasing Manager, Luke Shelton – Assistant Community Director (Indigo Apartment Homes) at Lincoln at Central Park Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
INvitatioN to CoNtribute WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We’re looking for writers in each of our regions. If you love writing and telling stories, you’re invited to volunteer to join our magazine staff! Having representatives in each of our regions would be a great way to get valuable insider knowledge to capture stories from a true local’s perspective. If you’re interested in writing, this is a wonderful opportunity to create content and publish your work. Are you interested? Then please reach out to Our People’s Editor in Chief, Lauren Charleson, at laurenc@weidner.com. You don’t need to be an expert writer to contribute to our associate magazine. We welcome news, stories, photos & captions, and more from our associates companywide for each issue. If you have something that you believe is a good fit for our next issue, please share it for consideration at wecare@weidner.com.
W eidNer Stats UNITS
COMMUNITIES
NMHC RANK
ASSOCIATES
56,913 Brendan Kauffman – Assistant Community Director, Josafat Resendiz – Service Technician, Destiny Flores – Leasing Consultant, Francisco Flores – Service Manager, Veronica Lugo – Community Director, Mathew Arredondo – Service Technician, Todd Ward – Leasing Consultant, Cristian Rivas – Groundskeeper at Roosevelt Row Apartment Homes in Phoenix, AZ.
14
282
1,573
Samantha Stone – Community Director, Jose Reyes – Maintenance Supervisor, Kim Gelderman – Floating Specialist at Foster Greens Apartment Homes in Tukwila, WA. Kristina Marquez – Assistant Community Director and Alyssa Zuno – Leasing Agent at Artisan at Main Street Metro Apartment Homes in Corona, CA.
We have onesies!
If you’ve recently added to your family, we want to give them a warm welcome to the Weidner Family with some Weidner swag. If you’d like a onesie for your little one, please contact us at: Kasondra Rivera – Community Director at Lincoln at Central Park Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
WeCare@weidner.com.
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A ccolades & AW AWards ards
AOMA TOBY AWARDS
We are proud to announce Weidner was well represented at the Apartment Owners & Managers Association (AOMA) TOBY 2020 Awards. The awards ceremony is to recognize and support all facets of the multifamily housing industry for Wisconsin. AOMA represents and advocates for the interests of the Wisconsin multifamily rental housing industry. AOMA is affiliated with the National Apartment Association (NAA), America’s leading advocate for quality rental housing.
Congratulations to the Wisconsin team members who were nominated for the following awards: Herbie Vogt – On-Site Maintenance, Over 150 Units Mike Bosse – On-Site Maintenance, Under 150 Units Odell Kelly – Leasing Consultant of The Year The Lafayette – New Construction (2016-2019)
Congratulations to the Wisconsin team members who won the following awards: River House – Property Excellence, Over 150 Units The Park – Outstanding Amenities of the Year Jon Pospeschil – On-Site Manager of the Year, Over 150 Units
MADACS MINNESOTA MULTI-HOUSING ASSOC. The Weidner team was awarded two Multi-Housing Achievement in Design, Advertising, & Community Support (MADACS) Awards. The MADACS are presented by the Multi-Family Housing Association and receiving an award is the organization’s most prestigious honor. Earning a MADACS is to be recognized as a property owner or associate who has made significant contributions to Minnesota’s multi-housing marketing and management through exemplary achievements. Congratulations to the Minnesota team members who won the following awards:
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Taryn Rubino, 222 Hennepin Apartment Homes – Leasing Consultant (Site 6-10 Years) Lisa Prawdzik, Grand River Estates – Caretaker: Individual Full Time (175+ Units) We are excited to experience more success as Weidner continues to expand in the Wisconsin and Minnesota markets. Our growing presence as an industry leader is dependent on Our People who’s dedication and topnotch customer service will yield further notoriety in the future. Thank you for all that you do!
Hats off to You! You !
NOTABLE PROMOTIONS It gives Weidner leadership great pleasure to announce some significant promotions that have occurred over the past few months. A big congratulations goes out to:
AZ:
Tyler Meinders Previous Title: Community Director New Title: Area Manager Suzanne Renfrew Previous Title: Alaska Community Housing Specialist New Title: Arizona Area Director Maria Terrazas Previous Title: Community Director New Title: Area Manager
MN:
Brandon Ross Previous Title: Community Director, Stoneleigh New Title: Area Manager
WA: LeAnna Bell Previous Title: Area Manager New Title: Area Director
WI:
John Bailey Previous Title: Area Director for Milwaukee, WI New Title: Sr. Area Director for Wisconsin John Hyde Previous Title: Service Manager New Title: Assistant Regional Maintenance Director for Wisconsin
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
We want to take a moment to recognize the people who have demonstrated significant knowledge and dedication to Weidner for two decades or more:
October 2020: Tammi Fletcher, Housekeeper II – 20 years of loyalty – AK Region Concha Aranda, Housekeeper II – 23 years of loyalty – TX Region Brenda Huffty, V.P. of Texas Region – 24 years of loyalty – TX Region November 2020: Jeff Cox, Painter – 26 years of loyalty – CO Region Vlad Usach, Service Manager – 21 years of loyalty – WA Region
! e t a r eb
L E T’S
l e C
December 2020: Kris Curtis, Area Director – 24 years of loyalty – TX Region Matt Isbell, Project Manager – 28 years of loyalty – WA Region Goran Zelenovic, Area Service Manager – 20 years of loyalty – WA Region February 2021: Eddie Faaaliga, Maintenance Supervisor – 21 years of loyalty – AK Region
March 2021: Andrey Strok, Ntl. Maintenance Dir. – 21 years of loyalty – Home Office Lis Klabo, V.P. of Complete Design Svs. – 21 years of loyalty – Home Office
Have you recently celebrated a special occasion, started a new family, had a child, or achieved a life milestone? We’d love to feature you in the next issue of Our People to celebrate you and your accomplishments! If you would like to be featured, please share your story with us at WeCare@Weidner.com.
We appreciate each one of you for shaping Weidner into the industry leader it is today. Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for your exemplary loyalty and a job well done! Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 23
New! GALLERY GA LLERY FLA FL A TS Weidner is excited to announce our recent acquisition of Gallery Flats Apartments. This luxury apartment community is located in Hopkins, MN, and is an exciting and valuable addition to our Minnesota portfolio. Gallery Flats offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes and offers popular community amenities like a fitness center, an underground parking garage, an outdoor courtyard, and a Luxer One package system.
In our next issue of Our People, we look forward to sharing the highlights from the Gallery Flats Apartments acquisition, a recap of the W Awards, more Weidner milestones and promotions, regional Love Notes, associate spotlights, and more!
LAUREN CHARLESON Editor-in-Chief MARGO CAVIS Graphic Designer