NextGen

Rising Stars Series

ALICIA JONES – Community Manager, Freeman Webb

Years in the Industry

17

Volunteer Positions Currently & Previously Held

I am a current member of NextGen Committee.

What brought you to the apartment industry?

A friend who worked at the community where I lived at the time knew of an open leasing position. I interviewed that day, and the manager hired me on the spot!

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

Not at all. I wanted to go into the medical field when I was younger.

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

Yes, I spent six years in the restaurant industry prior to starting in property management.

Why is property management an attractive career path?

Because it is never boring! You may be leasing apartments one day, and tornado clean-up the next day. We interact with people at the best and worst times of their lives. Also, I have met some of my best friends and mentors through property management.

Best professional advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t ever burn a bridge. You never know who you will be working with in six months.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

Outdoor movies in the backyard, craft projects, concerts, gardening

Do you have any pets?

Yes! I have two dogs, Crosby and Nyla.

Coolest place you’ve ever traveled?

Costa Rica

Give us a fun fact about you.

I started wearing glasses at age 2. I still have that little pair of coke-bottle glasses!

Do you have a motto you live by?

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

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

I am super pumped for the Trade Show and the Gala this year! I managed to miss both events last year, so this year it is on!

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

I am not sure I would want a “do over.” I have learned just as much from the negative experiences in my career as I have the positive ones.

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

Find a company that treats you like family and invests in you.

Congratulations, Alicia, on passing your CAP exam!