Our People, Weidner Magazine, August 2021

Our

people WEIDNER’S ASSOCIATE MAGAZINE

HIGHLIGHTS: MY WEIDNER STORY PG 4 | HOW TO CONTRIBUTE PG 15 | ACCOLADES & AWARDS PG 22

Cover Story: Page 6

Extreme W iNter Storm: Coming Together in a Crisis

Page 14

Tips for the times:

How to Host a Virtual and In-Person Socially Distanced Open House

Page 26

The W eidNer FamilY: Why Weidner

August 2021

For optimal results

Click on the rectangle icon in the lower right corner of this screen to view this publication in full-screen mode. Printed copies available at marketing@weidner.com

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“What Matters to You, Matters to Us”

Slogan Origin

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My Weidner Story

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Hats Off To You!

Andrey Strok

• Notable Promotions • Milestone Anniversaries

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Cover Story

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Acquisitions

Extreme Winter Storm: Coming Together in a Crisis

• Hillside Village Apartments • Highland Park Apartments • Arpeggio Apartments • The Lofts At Watters Creek

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Love Notes

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We Are Weidner

Regional Highlights

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Tips For The Times

How to Host a Virtual and In-Person Socially Distanced Open House Invitation To Contribute Our People

Photos of Our People

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Regional News

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The Weidner Family

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Accolades & Awards

• A Match Made at Hyde Park • Mr. Weidner’s Love Note to Colorado Springs

Why Weidner

• W Awards Recap • NAA 20 in Their Twenties • We Care • Weidner Stats

• The New MyWeidner • Why Weidner Doesn’t Use Stock Photography

Front Cover: The front cover showcases images of this year’s extreme winter storm that affected our communities in the Texas and Oklahoma regions.

WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US. By: Lonna Torchia

Lonna Torchia, V.P. of Operations

Our slogan, What Matters to You, Matters to Us, is Weidner’s promise to Our People and our residents to always listen and make their concerns our top priority. Although this statement has been a longstanding guiding principle, the slogan is less than a decade old. Lonna Torchia, one of the many people who brought the saying to fruition, explains its origin, importance to Weidner’s brand, and how the promise touches all levels of our organization.

over-deliver in all areas. Most importantly, they have the independence to take action when a mistake happens. Having the ability to admit our faults and take ownership of corrective action plans is liberating. Anyone can do the easy stuff, but it takes special people like those at Weidner to not only deal with a difficult situation but turn it into a positive outcome. I think we thrive when faced with a challenge.”

“What Matters to You, Matters to Us, was initially created by Our People. Groups of various associates from different departments came together at a conference where they reflected on our Vision, Mission, and Values and brainstormed how to set ourselves apart from the competition.

The slogan resulted from many collaborative meetings where several team members had a hand in developing the saying and its meaning. The root of the slogan came from an understanding amongst Team Weidner that we all have the power to do what is right. Putting this promise into words creates autonomy and encourages us to think outside the box to solve issues. It gives Our People the power to act.”

“I’m proud to have the home office’s full support of our slogan through their consistent exemplification of its meaning. Each department works behind the scenes to support our communities, allowing us to uphold our promise to our residents. Our peers in the home office listen to the on-site teams’ concerns and prioritize serving them and resolving problems promptly. The home office treats our on-site associates like customers by ensuring our teams in the field have the tools they need to be successful. This is evident in how our leadership and department heads rapidly respond to roadblocks.”

“Mr. Weidner once told me that his entire policy and procedure manual should be our Vision, Mission, and Values statement because it says it best – we take intelligent risks! Our slogan enables Our People to take those risks which allows us to extend far beyond expectations and provide the highest level of customer service.”

“To me, What Matters to You, Matters to Us, means we are inviting our customers to give us feedback, good and bad, which presents an opportunity for us to correct issues and gain a customer for life.

Our entire Weidner Family has the independence to make quick decisions to ensure our residents’ satisfaction. We pride ourselves on our superb level of service, and finding solutions is what we do!”

“This promise is practiced on-site through Our People’s love to serve, which is evident through their constant search for opportunities to

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MY W eidNer StorY TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER IS HOW WE SUCCEED

By: Andrey Strok

Throughout my 25 years with Weidner, I’ve had the rare opportunity to grow with the company and industry, as I started entry-level and am now the National Maintenance Director. Large components of my role include overseeing the maintenance departments across all of our regions, creating maintenance education content, and supporting the departments at the home office.

When I started at Weidner, I was also new to the U.S. In 1995, I came to Federal Way, WA, as a refugee from Belarus. Shortly after my arrival, I worked a full-time day job at a local factory, a night job delivering newspapers, and was learning English. I’ve always enjoyed building and fixing automobiles and electronics. After high school, I attended a four-year program at Belarusian National Technical University, where I became a Master of Engineering. I wanted to focus on my passion, so in 1996 I became a Service Technician at Regency Woods Apartment Homes in Renton, WA. I loved my job. The best part was making a difference by turning a vacant apartment into a comfortable home. Being in maintenance is a well-balanced job, and every day is different. You can provide customer service, help a coworker, and make a community look beautiful, all in one day.

In 1999, I, unfortunately, left my position to go back to Belarus due to a family emergency. When I returned in 2000, the Regional Director heard I was back and offered me the Service Technician role at A’Cappella Apartment Homes in Lynwood, WA. I was quickly promoted to Service Manager and began assisting Weidner’s other Lynwood properties. In 2012, the Regional Maintenance Director role opened, and I applied for and received the 4 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine

position. My responsibilities increased, and I oversaw all of our WA and UT communities. In this role, I expanded the support for our maintenance associates by helping implement the Service in Training program, preventative maintenance practices, vendor pricing, improved customer service, and quality control.

In 2017, during our annual Regional Maintenance Director meeting, the National Maintenance Trainer position opened. The team concluded Weidner would benefit from a National Maintenance Director instead to combine training with director responsibilities. We recommended the new position to Jack O’Connor, and it was approved. My peers encouraged me to take the job, and I accepted.

Outside of work, my wife and I enjoy supporting nonprofits. We give back by building others up so they can strengthen their community in return. I also enjoy working on cars and spending time outdoors doing activities like fishing, biking, skiing, and traveling. I’ve visited 22 countries and enjoy immersing myself in new cultures.

Throughout my Weidner career, I am grateful for the company’s support by providing me the tools I needed to succeed. I want to keep that momentum going so everyone who works hard has the same opportunities to grow. What makes Weidner stand apart is our Vision, Mission, and Values. Integrity is essential, and we have a lot of trustworthy, long-term employees. We do an excellent job expanding without losing sight of taking care of one another.

For those seeking to further their careers at Weidner, I’d advise you to work towards developing yourself, taking on new responsibilities, and being a team player. As a team, we can accomplish a lot.

Hats off to You! You !

NOTABLE PROMOTIONS

Oklahoma:

A big congratulations goes out to:

Miles Diaz Previous Title: Area Manager New Title: Area Director

Joshua Hayes Previous Title: Area Service Manager New Title: Regional Maintenance Director

It gives Weidner leadership great pleasure to announce some significant promotions that have occurred over the past few months.

Canada East:

Minnesota:

Wisconsin:

Robin Singh Previous Title: Community Director New Title: Area Manager in Prince Albert

Brandon Ross Previous Title: Area Manager New Title: Area Director

John Hyde Previous Title: Assistant Regional Maintenance Director New Title: Regional Maintenance Director

Eric Stalwick Previous Title: Community Director New Title: Area Manager in Saskatoon

Tony Heinz Previous Title: Area Director New Title: Senior Area Director

Matt Kikta Previous Title: Community Director New Title: Area Manager

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: April 2021: James Clary, Regional Maintenance Director – 24 years of loyalty – TX Region June 2021: Marla Richison, Maintenance Supervisor – 25 years of loyalty – AK Region Jeff Hutchison, Maintenance Supervisor – 26 years of loyalty – Canada West Region July 2021: Robert Carr, V.P. of Operations – 24 years of loyalty – CO Region Shanda Deakin, Area Manager – 20 years of loyalty – Canada East Region August 2021: Alexander Garcia, Regional Director – 21 years of loyalty – ND Region Robin Dann, Treasury Administration Supervisor – 24 years of loyalty – WA Region Robert Johnseine, V.P. of Construction & Design – 20 years of loyalty – WA Region 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!

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Brenda Huffty – TX Area Director, William Ryan – Wayfinder Tax Relief, and Brendan Reeder – Wayfinder Tax Relief, unpacking the truckload of food.

Cover StorY

EXTREME WINTER STORM: COMING TOGETHER IN A CRISIS

In mid-February, our communities in Abilene, Midland, and Odessa, TX, and in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK, experienced an extreme 10-day long winter storm that severely impacted the properties and left widespread damage. Our teams companywide did an incredible job managing the situation while keeping ourselves and our residents safe.

The storm broke records in TX and OK. TX had a record low of -2˚F, temperatures stayed below freezing for ten days straight, and they received ten inches of snow. OK experienced a record low of -14˚F and received eight inches of snow. As a result of the extreme temperatures, many properties experienced burst pipes which caused flooding and left communities without water for up to four days.

Each region also experienced rolling blackouts, and some communities lost electricity for up to five days. Due to the lack of power, teams could not virtually communicate with their residents, and properties lost access to heat and hot water. The weather caused a scarcity of necessary supplies, and some residents were unable to travel to stores to restock on food and water.

After the storm, we had over 400 required repairs that impacted the common areas and many homes, which displaced some residents. Our dedicated maintenance teams worked tirelessly to repair the pipes and prevent further damage. The repairs primarily consisted of replaced water heaters, carpet, water pipes, windows, and fire systems.

The landscaping also took a massive hit, with many communities needing to replace their vegetation.

Thankfully, most properties have been fully 6 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine

restored, and the few remaining repairs are nearing completion.

The water damage in the lobby of The Edge at Midtown Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.

Our fantastic community teams sprang into action to take care of their residents and ensure their safety. Our TX team partnered with Wayfinder Tax Relief to have a truckload of food (about 300 boxes) driven overnight from AZ to our TX communities in need. Individual teams also went above and beyond to support their residents and provide them with essentials. James Epps, the CD at Acacia Park Apartment Homes, heard Meals on Wheels was unable to service his elderly residents, so he checked on them regularly. At Bradford Apartment Homes, the CD, Angelica Abila, overcame the two-case water limit to keep all of her residents hydrated. Jami Yonts, the CD at High Plains Apartment Homes, called every resident to make sure they had food and water and coordinated the delivery of the necessary supplies if they didn’t.

Sheyenne Kirby, the ACD at Fairgreen Apartment Homes, heard a mother was out of formula, so she drove around until she found the items the family needed. At Liberty Pointe Apartment Homes, the CD, Luke Shelton, coordinated to have hot drinks dispensed from their coffee machine and provided individual snacks for residents. Brenda Huffty, the V.P. of the TX region, and Stormi Hendrick, the TX AD, drove between Midland and Odessa, searching for supplies and offering their support. Joshua Hayes, the OK Regional Maintenance Director, stayed on-site and slept in the shop at Brookwood

The Texas team unpacking the truckload of food sent

by Wayfinder Tax Relief.

Village Apartment Homes to be there for the residents. The Bent Tree Apartment Homes team creatively broke the ice in their frozen swimming pool for residents to use to flush their toilets.

These are just a few of the heroic actions from our TX and OK teams. There are many more stories of associates who put their communities first and provided above and beyond service.

The home office and regional teams readily offered their support to alleviate stress and provide backup. Since the regions lost internet access, the Marketing team helped respond to resident questions, on-call tickets, monitored reviews, and sent virtual updates. To provide more onsite support, Robert Carr, V.P. of Operations, and Lonna Torchia, V.P. of Operations, coordinated service teams to travel from CO and MN. The OK and TX Regional Offices worked tirelessly to help each community and find vendors to provide the necessary supplies and support. The Risk Management team offered guidance to mitigate the situation, and the Complete Development team helped with repairs. There were also several team members on call around the clock to ensure residents were taken care of.

Although we had existing emergency procedures in place, we learned a lot during the winter storm and have added to our operations to improve our future management of weather-related crises.

All of our OK community’s fire riser rooms have been remodeled to prevent lines from freezing.

The Purchasing department ordered our weatherThe frozen entryway of Tuscany at sensitive Faudree Apartment Homes in Odessa, TX. regions

Kenny McMaster, Service Technician, digging out resident’s vehicles at Liberty Pointe Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK.

additional ice cleats, anti-ice treatments, and space heaters. We are also currently developing a plan to educate residents on winter storm preparedness to help them manage future times of distress. This experience has served as a reminder that there’s no such thing as over-communicating in a crisis. It’s important to ask for help and work as a team.

When asked about Weidner’s handling of the situation, the TX and OK teams had this to say. “We have a solid team and had a great understanding of the direction we needed to take from our leaders. We had the tools we needed to manage the situation, which separated us from the other communities in our market. As our Vision, Mission, and Values state, “Teamwork, communication, growth, and excellence in service sets us apart.

Our management of the winter storm proves we live out that promise.”

To everyone who assisted our teams, residents, and communities during the winter storm, thank you. You made a difference by saving someone’s home and comforting them during a time of need.

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A c Q uisitioNs

HILLSIDE VILLAGE APARTMENTS HIGHLAND PARK APARTMENTS On Thursday, April 29, 2021, Weidner acquired our second community in San Bernardino and our eighth community in California with Hillside Village Apartments. This garden-style community is comprised of 14 buildings, holds 80-units, and offers two different floor plans ranging in sizes between 701 to 901 square feet.

Hillside Village residents live ten minutes outside of downtown San Bernardino and a little over an hour from downtown Los Angeles. The community offers close proximity to some of San Bernardino’s outdoor attractions like Littlefield-Shultis Memorial Park and Lionel E. Hudson Park. Other outdoor attractions like Big Bear Lake and Twin Peaks are just a short road trip away. Students and working professionals will also appreciate living across the street from the California State University San Bernardino campus.

Hillside Village incorporates high-end touches into every home to add to the resident’s comfort. Each floor plan includes central air conditioning and heating, a private patio or balcony, covered parking, and extra storage space. Residents also live with a modern kitchen featuring a complete appliance package and sleek vinyl plank flooring. Hillside Village offers thoughtfully designed one- and two-bedroom homes to match various needs and lifestyles.

This pet-friendly community also provides several popular amenities to help residents connect and build a community. Hillside Village’s shared areas include laundry facilities, a shimmering outdoor swimming pool, a soothing spa, and it is a gated community.

We’re in Arkansas! On May 19, 2021, Weidner acquired our flagship community Highland Park Apartments, in Springdale, AR. The community offers easy access to some of Arkansas’ greatest natural attractions and cities. Highland Park sits 15-minutes from downtown Springdale, where national corporations like Tyson Foods and Northwest Health are headquartered.

Residents also live 20-minutes to other large cities like Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas campus, and Bentonville, the headquarters for Walmart and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Highland Park is near outdoor attractions like Fayetteville Park, The Blessings golf course, Beaver Lake, and Fitzgerald Mountain.

Highland Park is comprised of 12 buildings, holds 264-units, and offers six different floor plans of oneand two-bedroom homes, ranging in sizes between 696 to 958 square feet. The community features luxurious touches to each apartment to elevate the space and create a comfortable and welcoming environment. Each home includes granite countertops, an in-unit washer and dryer, central air conditioning and heating, and a private patio or balcony. Additional features like crown molding, stainless-steel appliances, and hardwood floors polish the space.

This pet-friendly community provides residents with several amenities to add to their living experience.

Highland Park’s shared areas include an outdoor pool, a clubhouse, a pet play area, a fitness center, outdoor grills, a playground, a cabana, a picnic area, a multi-use room, bike storage, and secure key fob entry.

We are eager to continue to expand our portfolio of apartment communities in the California region with the addition of Hillside Village Apartments!

Weidner is excited to expand our portfolio as we enter the Arkansas rental market. We can’t wait for what’s in store as we continue to grow.

Stats:

Stats:

Units: 80 Location: 2196 W Kendall Drive San Bernardino, CA 92407 Buildings: 14

Floor Plans: 2 floor plans, 1x1, 2x2 Parking: 131 spaces Net Lot Area: 8.5 acres

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Units: 265 Location: 995 Pine Ave, Springdale, AR 72762 Buildings: 12

Floor Plans: 6 floor plans, 1x1, 2x1, 2x2 Parking: 310 spaces Net Lot Area: 17 acres

ARPEGGIO APARTMENTS

THE LOFTS AT WATTERS CREEK

Weidner entered the Dallas, TX, market with our acquisition of Arpeggio Apartments on June 10, 2021. The community is a single, five-story building comprised of 377-units ranging in sizes between 483 to 1,171 square feet.

On June 9, 2021, Weidner acquired our flagship community in Allen, TX, The Lofts at Watters Creek.

The community was built in 2009 and 2016 and offers 45 different floor plans of one-, two-, and threebedroom homes ranging in sizes between 836 to 1,575 square feet.

Arpeggio is in the heart of Dallas in the Victory Park Entertainment District, providing an authentic downtown lifestyle. Residents live near popular retailers, restaurants, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Museum of Art, Victory Park, and the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team and the Dallas Stars NHL team.

The West Village is a 10-minute drive away, which hosts 80 nationally renowned shops and dining venues, and sits on the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority trolley line. In addition, outdoor attractions like Katy Trail and the Trinity River are within walking distance to provide scenic views and fresh air. Nearby employment opportunities at significant Fortune 500 corporations include AT&T, Tenet Healthcare, and Energy Transfer Equity.

Arpeggio’s apartments offer an elevated living experience with high-end touches featured in every home, like an in-unit washer and dryer, walk-in closets, private balconies or terraces, and custom wood cabinets. Residents can also enjoy a complete stainlesssteel kitchen appliance package, tile backsplash, a garden soaking tub and shower, double vanities, and a mix of vinyl wood floor, ceramic tile, and signature carpet. Arpeggio offers 31 different floor plans of carefully crafted studio, one-, and two-bedroom homes.

This pet-friendly community also offers shared spaces to attribute to the resident’s living space. The community amenities include an outdoor pool and tanning ledge, a deluxe clubhouse with lounge seating and TVs, a business center, a fitness center, a cyber lounge, a pet-play area, and Fetch Package Delivery.

Weidner is thrilled to expand our Texas footprint by entering the Dallas rental market with Arpeggio Apartments!

Stats:

Units: 377 Location: 2425 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX 75219 Buildings: 1

Floor Plans: 31 floor plans, 1x1, 2x2 Parking: 377 spaces Net Lot Area: 3.88 acres

Each apartment home incorporates high-end touches to elevate the resident’s living experience and create a comfortable environment. The apartment home amenities include large closets for additional storage, sleek wood plank flooring, granite countertops, accent walls with modern paint, tile backsplash, oval soaking tubs, and double vanities.

The Lofts at Watters Creek is a pet-friendly community and offers several shared amenities, including two resort-style outdoor pools, a business center, a clubhouse with pool tables, two 24-hour fitness centers, and secure package receiving lockers.

The community also offers direct access to Watters Creek Trail, a Watters Creek Concierge+ Service, and a relaxing outdoor courtyard with grilling stations and lounge seating.

The Lofts at Watters Creek sits in the heart of Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms, a mixed-use development that’s home to various retailers and office spaces, providing residents immediate access to local entertainment, eateries, and employment.

Some of Allen’s natural attractions, like Watters Creek Trail and Watters Creek, are west of the community and visible from some of the homes.

The community is positioned near the area’s major freeways, creating a short commute to neighboring cities, like Dallas, just a 30-minute drive away. There are also six business centers across the street.

We are excited to enter a new market and add another luxury apartment community to our Texas portfolio with The Lofts at Watters Creek.

Stats:

Units: 341 Location: 935 Garden Park Dr, Allen, TX 75013 Buildings: 2

Floor Plans: 45 floor plans, 1x1, 2x2, 3x2 Parking: 868 spaces Net Lot Area: 17.37 acres

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Love Notes

Vesada Apartment Homes, Riverside, CA

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Sonoma Landing Apartment Homes, Gilbert, AZ Larry Hastings, the Service Manager at Sonoma Landing Apartment Homes in Gilbert, AZ, pulled out all the stops for their recent Breakfast-On-TheGo event. Larry handed out over 75 premade breakfasts to residents driving in and out of the community that morning. Now that’s what we call dedication! Glad the Sonoma Landing community enjoyed the most important meal of the day.

A resident at Vesada Apartment Homes in Riverside, CA, was involved in a major car accident, and the following day he received news that his father passed away. To show their support, the team left Poinsettias and a heartfelt note at his door. The resident was touched by their gesture and left them a sweet voicemail expressing his gratitude. Thank you for showing your support, Vesada Team!

Ridgeview Village Apartment Homes, Fort St. John, BC

Legends at River Oaks Apartment Homes, Sandy, UT

Ridgeview Village Apartment Homes in Fort St. John, BC, recently welcomed two new baby girls. To congratulate the new families, the team put together a goodie basket filled with newborn essentials. It sounds like these little ones are in good hands in their new homes!

A resident at Legends at River Oaks Apartment Homes in Sandy, UT, ordered groceries from Walmart to be delivered to his apartment. However, the delivery driver left the groceries at the community mailboxes instead.

The team noticed the unattended groceries and tracked down their owner, only going off of initials on one of the juice containers. When the team delivered the bags to the resident, he was overjoyed, as he was on the phone with Walmart Customer Service for two hours trying to sort out the situation. Great detective work, Team!

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Four Seasons Apartment Homes, Anchorage, AK The Four Seasons team in Anchorage, AK, went above and beyond for a family moving in. Coming from a homeless shelter with four young children, the family moved in with nothing but their clothing and a few blankets. The Four Seasons team jumped into action and reached out to the entire Alaska region, asking for any help or donations they could provide. Within 15 minutes, the team received over $500 in gift cards and several donated items. The Four Seasons team also donated $400 and provided many essential items for the family to use to set up their new home. Way to make their transition positive, Four Seasons!

4800 Excelsior Apartment Homes, St. Louis Park, MN

Indigo Apartment Homes, Oklahoma City, OK

A couple from Kansas City toured 4800 Excelsior Apartment Homes in St. Louis Park, MN. During the tour, the leasing consultant and the couple bonded over being fans of the football team, the Chiefs. The couple loved the community but were still on the fence about moving. To encourage them to move in, the leasing consultant said he’d purchase them each a Chiefs jersey if they moved. That sealed the deal, and the couple moved into their new apartment with Chiefs jerseys in hand!

Indigo Apartment Homes in Oklahoma City, OK, celebrated National Pie Day by bringing in Pizza Hut catering. Every team member and resident enjoyed a delicious personal pizza pie and soda drink of their choice. Better yet, the team went door to door, handing out the leftover pies to neighboring areas. The recipients were so surprised and thankful. Excellent job building community within and beyond our apartment walls, Indigo Team!

Avenir Apartment Homes, Milwaukee, WI

The Wisconsin Regional Team completed a tour-de-Wisconsin, or as they call it, “The W Awards Road Show,” delivering all of the winners their W Awards. While presenting one of the awards at Avenir Apartment Homes in Milwaukee, WI, the team was shown a new mural in the community yoga room.

The piece was done by one of our very own maintenance associates, Lavano Brady! Although it’s not finished yet, we are so impressed with the creativity and talent. Wow!

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W e A re W eidNer

THE NEW MYWEIDNER

This spring, MyWeidner underwent a large-scale upgrade. This new version has been in the making for the past few quarters and involved multiple teams, including Software Systems, Marketing, and People Services. The main goal of the revamp was to improve MyWeidner’s functionality and speed.

The entire intranet was rebuilt from the ground up and features new servers, tools, and page frameworks. These modifications made the site’s speed 60% faster than the previous version to increase efficiency on the platform.

The new MyWeidner has also improved the intranet’s organization. Now, Weidner-specific content like Leasing Stars & Top Shops, Company News, Acquisitions & Developments, and Love Notes are displayed in individual sections on the homepage. This makes it easier to find company information and updates.

Not only did the new version affect the intranet’s design and interface, but it also incorporates exciting features we’ve never offered before. So if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the following new elements to utilize MyWeidner to its fullest!

Department Communication At the bottom of the homepage, you’ll see a carousel featuring sections representing each department. Here, you’ll find helpful links and quick communication blurbs curated by our department leaders. This section streamlines department communication and is updated monthly to ensure the information remains relevant.

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Single Sign-On Links Your MyWeidner login credentials are now the only ones you need to access Concur, Yardi Voyager, and Weidner University. Once you log into MyWeidner, you’ll also be logged in to those three accounts, making it easier than ever to access various resources and links.

Survey On the homepage, you’ll find a survey. We’ve made this addition to learn more about Our People and respond to your needs and requests even faster.

You can also use the open-ended response section to leave us feedback and share your suggestions.

Tips of the Month At the bottom of the homepage, you can find leasing and maintenance tips shared by the Maintenance and the Learning & Development departments. These are updated monthly so that you can try new tips at your community every few weeks.

We hope you have enjoyed the new changes and have experienced greater efficiency with the latest version of MyWeidner. We’re always trying to improve the intranet and are currently in the process of adding more single sign-on links, a User Directory, and more usability features. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to WeCare@Weidner.com. We are happy to assist however we can and would love to hear from you in order to continue our efforts to support Our People.

WHY WEIDNER DOESN’T USE STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY While browsing through our company website, promotional content, and previous issues of Our People, you may have noticed familiar faces and places. That’s intentional. We avoid using stock photography, when possible, and prefer to showcase the best in the business, you, Our People! Weidner values the connection between people. By featuring our associates on all Weidner branded content, we’re able to build a sense of community as most of us are hundreds of miles apart. It also creates an authentic feel because we’re highlighting actual employees in their element.

Whether you’ve seen a team member, a community, or were able to put a face to the name of someone in an email, showcasing Our People strengthens the roots of the Weidner Family. When we say “We Are Weidner,” we mean it. That’s why Our People are the face of Weidner Apartment Homes.

To get these awesome photos of our teams, we hold an annual photoshoot to showcase different associates and regions. In 2019, MN, WI, CO, and WA all participated and have been featured throughout Weidner’s branding. We’re currently planning our next photoshoot in October 2021 and plan to visit Canada, AZ, TX, and OK. In 2022, we will be visiting CA, AK, UT, and ND. If you’d like to be included in future Weidner content, now is your chance! You don’t need to have prior modeling experience to volunteer. We’re looking for enthusiastic associates who love what they do and are willing to have some fun showing it off. To request your community to be featured in our next Weidner photoshoot, please contact Marketing@weidner.com.

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Tips for the times HOW TO HOST A VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON SOCIALLY DISTANCED OPEN HOUSE Author: Joe Gerena Although the pandemic has presented obvious challenges for our industry, Weidner has taken these setbacks as an opportunity to reevaluate our operations and improve the way we do business.

One of these pivots includes the adjustments we’ve made in conducting open houses to effectively introduce our communities while prioritizing safety.

Now, we hold an in-person socially distanced open house as well as a virtual event. By shifting our processes, we’ve successfully held several open houses amidst COVID-19, and our new strategy has proved widely effective. The adjustments to create a safe in-person event and an exciting virtual tour have been a huge learning experience and have forever changed how we host open houses. “We’ve learned a lot about pushing the boundaries and getting creative in these uncertain times, and it’s paying off,” says Social Director Joe Gerena.

As we’ve grown accustomed to the ‘new normal,’ Joe has provided some insight on how to effectively host a safe in-person and productive virtual open house so we can continue to emulate the same success we’ve seen thus far.

Virtual Open House: Although this event is virtual, it’s essential to bring the pizzaz you usually would for an in-person open house. So, break out the decorations, make the scene spotless, and dress to impress. The tour should change slightly, and it’s important to have everyone participate so attendees aren’t listening to one person the entire time.

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During the tour, it’s essential to have a virtual meeting host to monitor the broadcast and ensure the attendees remain muted until the Q&A portion at the end.

If an attendee has a question about an area during the tour, encourage them to use the chatbox. This should be monitored by the host, who can relay the question to the leasing consultant. This tailors the tour to the audience while keeping it structured. We also recommend keeping the tour under an hour to avoid losing the audience’s attention. If your community is extensive and tours require more time, that’s ok. Not showing everything leaves more to be desired and encourages participants to schedule a personal tour.

In-Person Socially Distanced Open House: As to be expected, in-person open houses look different due to social distancing. However, they are still an effective way to market a community.

While planning the event, be sure to stay informed on your area’s COVID-19 Policy to remain compliant. A successful socially distanced tour includes the following precautions to keep the event helpful and safe.

• All event signage should outline the precautions the community will take. This reminds attendees to follow your state’s social distancing guidelines and helps guests feel more comfortable.

• If your area requires masks, remind guests to wear a mask beforehand and enforce mask-wearing during the event. There should also be enough masks on-site to provide one for every attendee.

• Have sanitizing stations at each tour checkpoint with extra gloves, masks, and sanitizer.

• Tour guides should limit their touches with the community. Propping open doors and leaving the lights on will help avoid points of contact.

• Adjust the tour to abide by the 6-ft apart rule by avoiding studios and bringing guests into confined areas. If it’s necessary to show a smaller space, have attendees enter one at a time.

To follow social distancing guidelines, tour groups will be significantly smaller, so allot a longer time for the event as guests will be more staggered. You can use this to your advantage by grouping target audiences to tailor the tour to their interests. Also, have your #1 group tour first. That way, they have time to reach out to their contacts and encourage them to attend before the event ends.

Although this event will be smaller, it’s still essential to bring the wow factor. Have a ribboncutting ceremony, presentations, and local vendor booths to show your connection to the community.

Other components that elevate the event include food trucks, giveaways, radio hosts, and live music.

For those who have hosted an event since the pandemic or are planning one soon, thank you for being willing to pivot your tactics and embrace new opportunities. We’re in this together!

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.

Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 15

Our People

Andrea Avitia, Leasing Consultant, at Watercrest Apartments in Lake Forest Park, WA.

Emily Mosher, Texas Area Manager.

! e t a r eb

Josh Draughn – Director of Marketing, Nyssa Welliver – Reputation Manager, Lauren Hurst – Digital Marketing Specialist, Chris Rosser – SEO Strategist, Anna Reichstein – Marketing Specialist, Adam Schildt – Advertising Specialist, Lauren Charleson – Content Writer, and Tyra Campbell – Reputation Specialist at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, CO.

Melissa Tankersley, Texas Area Manager.

Kristen Harris, Leasing Consultant, at Andalucia Villas Apartment Homes in Odessa, TX.

L E T’S

l e C

Have you recently celebrated a special occasion, started a new family, 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 or nominate someone to be featured, please share your story with us at: WeCare@Weidner.com.

16 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine

Peter Kim – CIO, Robert Carr – V.P. of Operations, Greg Cerbana – V.P. of Government Affairs, and Josh Draughn – Director of Marketing, at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, CO.

Kylesha Rucker, Leasing Consultant, and Doug Nelson, Community Director, at Elements at Briargate Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs, CO.

James Clary, TX Regional Maintenance Director, at his 70th birthday party.

La’Teshia Dockery – Leasing Consultant, Courtney Cramton – Leasing Consultant, Jenifer Holstein – Leasing Consultant, Miles Diaz – OK Area Director, Hannah Porter – Leasing Consultant, Brittany Hayes – Community Director, Cynthia Schwartz – OK and CA Regional Director, Luke Shelton – Community Director, Herman Pendley – Service Technician, and Jeremy Davidson – Service Manager, at 35 Degrees North Apartment Homes in Edmond, OK.

Natalie Hojati, Community Director, at Marquis Towers Apartment Homes in Saskatoon, SK.

Samantha Rickard, Community Director, and Nancy Tarleton, Community Director, at Cypress Pointe Apartment Homes in Midland, TX.

Sandra Bravo, Leasing Consultant, and Paula Farmer, Leasing Consultant, at Trailside at Hermosa Pointe Apartment Homes in Phoenix, AZ.

Alyssa Madrigal, Community Director at Portsmith Apartment Homes, at Watercrest Apartments in Lake Forest Park, WA.

William Burwell, Assistant Community Director, at Riverside 9 Apartment Homes in Wenatchee, WA.

Shania Tiereny, Leasing Consultant, at Accolade Apartment Homes in Phoenix, AZ.

Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 17

ReG Re G ioNal NeW Ne W s

A MATCH MADE AT HYDE PARK Sparks flew at Hyde Park Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs, CO, when our two associates, Luis Fontanez and Peggy Sharp, met in early 2019. Luis is a Service Technician at Eagle Ridge Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs, CO, and has been a member of the Weidner Family since 2013. Peggy is a Housekeeper at Camelback Pointe Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs, CO, and has been with Weidner since 2019.

Luis and Peggy formed a friendship while working together at Hyde Park Apartment Homes. One day, Luis invited Peggy to his cousin’s birthday party, where they danced the night away. Shortly after that, the two began dating and were nearly inseparable.

Almost one year into their relationship, Luis decided to propose to Peggy on Christmas Day. With help from their family, Luis got down on one knee in front of the Christmas tree, and Peggy delightedly said, “Yes!”

18 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine

In October 2020, Luis and Peggy were married at the spectacular Garden of the Gods Nature Center in Colorado Springs, CO. They were joined by 40 of their closest friends and family members, including four other Weidner associates who had watched their relationship flourish. In fact, the pastor that performed their ceremony was a previous Weidner associate.

Luckily, since the ceremony was outdoors, they did not need to make any special arrangements to abide

by COVID-19 restrictions. Luis and Peggy have been married for over ten months, and both still carry the excitement of newlyweds. When Luis was asked what his favorite memory of their wedding day was, he said, “When she said I do.”

Luis was kind enough to answer a fun couples Q&A about their marriage: Who’s more likely to survive a zombie apocalypse, and why?

Both! She has the smarts and he has the survival skills.

Who’s more likely to win the lottery, and why?

Peggy. She is clever and could figure out a strategy to win.

Who’s more likely to skydive, and why?

Luis. He is more of a risk-taker.

When asked if Luis had any advice for newlyweds experiencing their first year of marriage, he said, “If you have a bad day as a couple, don’t go to sleep mad at each other. Every relationship will have its ups and downs, but the key is great communication.”

Thank you for sharing your story, Luis and Peggy. We wish you well on your journey through marriage!

MR. WEIDNER’S LOVE NOTE TO COLORADO SPRINGS

After nearly a decade in the making, on April 23, 2021, Weidner hosted the grand opening of Weidner Field, Colorado Springs’s new downtown stadium and community events center. The stadium can seat over 8,000 people, features a reservable Sky Lounge and Founder Club, holds three concession stands, and offers 6035 Hospitality catering.

Our motives to create a new stadium for Colorado Springs were related to business efforts and personal ties to the city. As part-owner of the Colorado Switchbacks FC soccer team, Weidner wanted to create a new stadium to build the brand and support the club. Colorado Springs is also proudly nicknamed “The City of The Future” and “The Best Place to Live on Earth,” and these claims have a strong backing. The city’s population has grown 37% since 2000, El Paso County has added 7,400 new jobs in the past year, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum was recently built downtown. By rooting ourselves in the downtown market through the creation of Weidner Field and a new apartment community, we can be at the foreground of the area’s continued growth and prosperity.

Business purposes aside, Mr. Weidner has a strong connection to Colorado Springs as he grew up in the town and still has family living in the area. Due to his hometown pride, he believes in investing in Colorado Springs to help develop the emerging city. He has given

back and strengthened the community by creating a place where people can celebrate for games, events, and concerts. Mr. Weidner has also added additional features to Weidner Field to contribute to the architecture and culture of Colorado Springs.

One of the unique features of Weidner Field is the art installation displayed outside of the stadium.

This installation is our participation in the Colorado Springs Art Walk which features a city tour highlighting everything from local museums to giant art sculptures.

Weidner Field is now a stop on the Art Walk with our ten 12-foot-tall murals of stunning pieces by the late Olympic Games artist LeRoy Neiman. These pieces bring color to the city and make Neiman’s legendary art accessible to everyone, every day, free of charge.

Showcasing his work is synonymous with the city’s connection to the Olympics, evident in their training facilities and new Olympic museum. The art installation is part of our collaboration with the Neiman Foundation and Weidner Field’s sister project, City of Champions, at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic museum.

Another special addition to Weidner Field is our stunning 35-foot-tall entryway sculpture, The Epicenter.

This is a 164,000-pound polished stainless-steel masterpiece of a sphere surrounded by elevated rings.

The structure is also outlined with a remote-controlled LED lighting system that creates a spectacular display, perfect for pumping up the crowd after a Switchbacks goal! The sculpture is Weidner’s gift to the city for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Epicenter is a memorable and distinctive part of downtown and a new landmark in Colorado Springs.

We are thrilled to give back to Colorado Springs and contribute to their city development. Our efforts would not be possible without the hard work from you, Our People. We are eager to give back to each of our regions and are excited to strengthen more communities in the future.

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The W eidNer F amilY

WHY WEIDNER

Weidner prides itself on building associates’ careers through outlining a clear developmental path with educational opportunities and promoting from within. You may have heard the term “glass ceiling” associated with other businesses, where organizations unofficially place a barrier to professionally advance. At Weidner, things are different.

Growth Opportunities We’re held accountable to our Vision, Mission, and Values statement by providing educational incentives that align with the value of personal improvement. This promise is upheld by offering thousands of hours of industry-related course content on Weidner University, having an education reimbursement program, and providing the opportunity to earn industry designations such as the NALP, CAM, and CAMT. By emphasizing continued education, employees are cultivated at all levels of the industry, which gives associates promotional opportunities to enter new roles and departments.

Monica Williams, Director of Recruiting, shared her experience utilizing Weidner’s educational resources to further her career. “After 11 years working on-site, I was ready for a change, but I did not want to leave Weidner. When Weidner expanded the Recruiting department, I knew that was where I was meant to be. Through learning about the department and having onsite experience, I was able to shift my career path and became a National Recruiter. The upward trajectory through promotional opportunities led me to my current Director position. Working for Weidner has afforded me unique career 20 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine

opportunities which I would not have had at other companies.”

Stability Especially in these uncertain times where the need for job security has increased, Weidner provides stability and growth. Since its founding in 1977, Weidner has been on a mission to expand. We began with one property, and now 44 years later, we have 289 communities and counting. Even amidst economic ups and downs, Weidner has never had mass layoffs and continues to purchase new properties.

During the 2021 CO and UT W Awards, Robert Carr spoke about Weidner’s steadiness with the following statement, “2020 reminded me of how grateful I am to be working for a company purposefully built to withstand an economic downturn. One of our key components to financial stability is geographic diversity. We are invested in diverse markets throughout the U.S. and Canada on purpose to help us mitigate our risk in challenging times. Thankfully Mr. Weidner has a long-term vision and strategically invests to lessen our vulnerabilities.”

Private Company

Philanthropy

Being an independently owned and operated organization means Weidner has low debt and can handle business operations in-house to make decisions for the betterment of the entire company. The structure and growth not only supports business initiatives but also directly benefits Our People. Through the development, we haven’t lost sight of taking care of the Weidner Family. It’s no coincidence we receive a notification nearly every day congratulating an associate on another year with Weidner, a promotion, or a notable award.

Our business model extends beyond apartment living, and being a Weidner associate means you genuinely make a difference. Weidner heavily invests in charitable ventures, giving back, and creating communities. Associates don’t just wear a Weidner Love Notes pin; they actively live out its meaning by performing daily acts of service.

Weidner Cares also helps associates get involved with local and national charities and strengthens bonds between teams through community service programs.

Fernando Chavez, the CD at Windtree Apartment Homes in Colorado Springs, CO, shared his experience with Weidner in the difficult year of 2020. “I’m very appreciative of how Weidner handled the pandemic. We still receive 401K match benefits, have the opportunity to make bonuses, and the implementation of the daily COVID-19 questionnaire helps me continue to feel safe going into work. Weidner cares, and Weidner adapts quickly.”

Employee Recognition Although sound business practices are essential, Weidner also emphasizes company culture and celebrating Our People. We value connecting with one another and sharing our achievements, which is why we hold our annual W Awards. It gives us great pride to congratulate our teams by coming together to recognize associates who embody Weidner’s values and are ultimately the reason for our success.

Joe Gerena, Social Director, further elaborates on Weidner Cares. “The program originated as an employee initiative from a companywide satisfactory survey. Our People shared an overwhelming desire to build communities outside of our walls. Mr. Weidner listened to our associate’s needs and not only created Weidner Cares but wholeheartedly supports it. The program brings everyone in our regions together to engage in community service while strengthening the Weidner Family. Although the pandemic has prevented us from participating in the national Weidner Cares event, we are planning to fully resume Weidner Cares in 2022!”

But Weidner doesn’t just talk the talk; we also walk the walk. Countless associates have developed lifelong careers at Weidner, touching several departments and developing different skill sets along the way. In previous issues of Our People, we’ve highlighted several stories from company leaders who have started at entry-level positions and have grown into their V.P. and Director roles.

Choosing to work with Weidner doesn’t stop at working in an industry-leading organization. It’s choosing to enter the Weidner Family, where the guiding principles are education, growth, community, and philanthropy. We can’t wait to see where the future takes Our People!

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A ccolades & AW AWards ards 2021 W AWARDS

We successfully completed our second W Awards season during the pandemic. Even though the majority of us still met virtually, we were able to come together to celebrate our individual successes, community wins, heartfelt moments, and silly shenanigans. This year, across 11 ceremonies and using ten different audio-visual companies, we proudly presented over 500 awards.

As Weidner continues to pivot and improve our tactics in this everchanging season, the W Awards were no exception. One change was the addition of the Our Values Awards. These awards highlight associates who embody Weidner’s core values and bring those qualities into every facet of their work. The new awards included the Integrity Award, the Customer Service Award, the Quality Award, the Communication Award, the Personal Improvement Award, and the Performance Award.

Another upgrade we made came from a conversation with Mr. Weidner where he asked us to “bring the fun!”

Our teams took this advice and ran with it! We added trivia with prizes, W Awards Jeopardy, and encouraged video submissions. Each regional team did a great job creating beautiful stages complete with streamers, balloon bouquets, and glittering podiums. Plus, unlike last year, regional teams and communities could present awards and celebrate together due to the increased phases. This meant more cheering, decorations, and togetherness, something we can all use more of as life begins to resemble normalcy.

The 2021 W Awards also featured three Lifetime Achievement Awards, an award we don’t always present.

The three recipients of this 22 | Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine

great honor were Garry Edwards, our Service Manager in AK; Sergey Krivtsov, our Service Manager in WA; and Victor Diaz Bagnod, our Groundskeeper in AZ. This is our highest level of award, and presenting one to an associate means they have made a significant impact at all levels of the company and industry.

Even in a pandemic, each regional team’s incredible dedication to go the extra mile was unwavering. Every region came up with amazing highlights, showcased their personalities, and focused on Our People. Each ceremony shared wonderful Love Notes and testimonials about how Weidner and individual communities supported their teams and residents during the pandemic. We also saw impressive dance numbers, hilarious spoofs, and even a few cameos from stars, including former professional basketball player Sean Elliott, 3 Doors Down lead singer and drummer Brad Arnold, and country musician Aaron Watson.

A big thank you goes out to Anna Reichstein for her management of these awards. Also, the Marketing team for their assistance, the Software Systems team for their technical support, and regional leadership for their planning, coordination, and endless creativity. These awards would not be possible without your hard work, and we are grateful for your efforts to let us celebrate together as a Weidner Family. Although things are subject to change, we plan to continue to “bring the fun” in-person for the next W Awards season!

NAA 20 IN THEIR TWENTIES Join us in congratulating three of our associates who were awarded the National Apartment Association (NAA) 20 in Their Twenties scholarship for their professional achievements and industry potential.

We Care

HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS, PHOTOS, AND IDEAS

Annie McRae – Assistant Community Director at 600 Riverside Apartment Homes in Wenatchee, WA.

Alyssa Madrigal – Community Director at Portsmith Apartment Homes in Lake Forest Park, WA.

Isis Sanchez – Leasing Consultant at Riverside 9 Apartment Homes in Wenatchee, WA.

The NAA 20 in Their Twenties celebrates the best and brightest in the rental housing industry. The scholarship recipients are individuals who are 29 years or younger and have made great strides in their careers.

Thank you, Annie, Alyssa, and Isis, for your hard work and dedication to your community and the property management industry. We are so proud of our Weidner Family team members and can’t wait to see their future accomplishments as they continue to grow!

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 it with us so we can spread the word! If you have any news, photos, Love Notes, or great ideas, we invite you to send them to us at WeCare@weidner.com.

W eidNer Stats UNITS

56,149

COMMUNITIES

289

NMHC RANK

15

ASSOCIATES

1,542

Our People - Weidner’s Associate Magazine | 23

New! Weidner is excited to announce our recent acquisition of The Residence at North Penn Apartments. This luxury community is located in the Brasswood neighborhood in Oklahoma City, OK. The Residence at North Penn holds 276-units and offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes. It also provides highly desired amenities like a community room, a 24-hour fitness center, secure package receiving lockers, a resident clubhouse, a Wi-Fi cyber center, and a resort-style pool with an outdoor lounge.

In the next issue of Our People, we look forward to sharing the highlights of future acquisitions, photos of Our People, Weidner milestones and promotions, regional news, Love Notes, associate spotlights, and more!

LAUREN CHARLESON Editor-in-Chief MARGO CAVIS Graphic Designer