2023 September | News & Events Magazine

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN

Stephanie Liston, CAM, CAPS

CHAIRMAN-ELECT

Jenn Mulholland, CAM

VICE CHAIRMAN

Katherine Morrow, CAM

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Andrew Klahn, CAPS, CAM, HCCP, CALP

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

Tracey Crowe, CAM

MANAGERS REPRESENTATIVE

Tabitha Knox Gill

SUPPLIERS REPRESENTATIVE

Maria Williams

MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE

Brandon Etheridge

MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

Melanie Brink

Sundae Caudle, CPM

Meredith Dixon, CALP

Lauren Hartstern

Eddie Ivey, CAPS

Alicia Jones, CAPS, CAM, CALP

Sully Lemmons, CAM, CPM

Erick Rocha, NALP

Nicole Samson, CPM

Julie Stayton

SUPPLIER DIRECTORS

Nathan Lybarger, Esq.

Jennifer McCoy, Esq.

Rusty McDonald

Lacey Smithson, CALP

Alberto Suastegui, CALP, CAM

MAINTENANCE DIRECTORS

Jeremy Byrd, CAMT, CPO

Rusty Guilliams, CAMT, CPO

IREM LIAISON

Richard Wright, CPM

LEGAL ADVISOR

M. Wesley Hall, Esq.

MDHA LIAISON

Norman Deep PRESIDENT

Ginny Johnson

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

Katelyn Cheatham

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP & FINANCE

Autumn Stiles

STATISTICS & MEMBER SERVICES

COORDINATOR

Alexis Westergan

EDUCATION & MEETING COORDINATOR

Anne Angel

ACTIVE PAST CHAIRMEN

Mary Bradley

Stephanie Burns, CAPS, CAM, CALP

Brad Cather, CPM, HCCP, SHCM, COS

Tracey Crowe

Andy Gass, ARM

Shelley James, CAM, CAPS, CPM

Stacey Holt, CAM

Andrew Klahn, CAPS, CAM, HCCP, CALP

Tammy Lee, CAM

Chari Lewis, CAM, CAPS, CPM

Stacy L. Molen, CAM

Nancy Morris

Linda Page, CPM, ARM

Susan Sherfield, CPM

Lisa Swick,

Legislative Update

On August 8, Governor Bill Lee issued the special session proclamation and presented the Administration’s legislative and budget priorities that went before the Tennessee General Assembly during the Special Session on public safety. The Governor’s stated priorities focused on keeping Tennessee communities safe, supporting law enforcement, and addressing mental health, while preserving Constitutional rights.

The Legislature convened for the 2023 Public Safety Special Session on August 21. After days of contentious committee hearings and raw emotion, the session came to a chaotic end on August 29 after a long stalemate between the House and the Senate chambers regarding the scope of legislation considered. Over 100 pieces of legislation were filed in each chamber, many without a corresponding sponsor that did not continue this session.

While budgetary proposals passed by each chamber varied significantly, the Senate elected to concur with the House legislation after discussions with House leadership, thereby passing the House version of the appropriations bill. Following a particularly tumultuous floor session, the House swiftly adjourned following the action of the Senate, noting that their remaining calendar was rendered moot as the Senate adjourned without opening the necessary committees to consider companion legislation.

Overall, the legislature passed three bills from Governor Lee’s legislative package and additional funding to support public safety measures and mental health services. Legislation and funding passed includes:

• SB7086/HB7013: Requires court clerks to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation of the final disposition of criminal cases within 72 hours.

• SB7088/HB7041: Requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to submit an annual report on child and human trafficking crimes and trends in Tennessee to House and Senate leadership by December 1, 2023.

• SB7085/HB7012: Directs the Department of Safety to provide free firearm locks to Tennessee residents upon request, and exempts the retail sale of firearm safes and firearm safety devices from sales and use taxes beginning November 1, 2023.

• SB7089/HB7070: Makes appropriations sufficient for the payment of any lawful expenses of special session, and makes other related appropriations.

Some called the Special Session a success while others viewed the process as a complete waste of time and tax dollars.

CATIE LANE BAILEY Waller

In a press conference following adjournment, Governor Lee stated that he was encouraged by progress made during Special Session and related public engagement, but acknowledged there is still work to be done on the issue of public safety. He did not specify whether his Administration will continue to push the remaining public safety bills on his agenda, or any alternative legislation, when the legislature reconvenes in January.

Southern Charm Featuring

Franklin, Tennessee

The 2023 GNAA Apartment Tour is set for Friday, October 13, beginning at the GNAA office at 8:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “Southern Charm: Featuring Franklin, Tennessee.” Join us as we travel to one of Tennessee’s most charming towns and enjoy a true Southern experience. You can register for the apartment tour at https://www.gnaa.org/events/apartment-tour-

Camden Franklin Park

Surrounded by both green space and a growing business park, Camden Franklin Park is in the heart of Franklin. Just a quick drive from our apartments in Franklin, enjoy trendy restaurants and endless shopping options in Thoroughbred Village or Cool Springs Galleria. Head over to nearby coffee shop, Honest Coffee Roasters, explore Historic Downtown Franklin, or catch some local live music at Gray’s on Main or one of the many “back porch” venues around Franklin and Williamson County.

The Harper

The Harper’s luxury apartments in Franklin is a community of individuals who wish to live lavishly and experience southern living like never before. We are located in the heart of Franklin, Tennessee where we proudly merge the excitement of urban life with southern charm.

Harpeth River Oaks

Harpeth River Oaks is ideally located to overlook the historic downtown and is just minutes away from Nashville. You’ll feel right at home in our unique and refreshed community! Nestled in a suburban neighborhood, our pet-friendly community offers residents access to a premier selection of amenities like a barbecue/picnic area, swimming pool, fitness center, spa, and much more.

Heartwood at Lockwood Glen

Heartwood at Lockwood Glen offers a delightfully unexpected outlook on apartment living. Located just minutes from Historic Downtown Franklin and Cool Springs, these Franklin luxury apartments are a destination for exceptional outdoor living and an extraordinary sense of community. Our neighborhood setting is situated in the highly-rated Williamson County School System. With spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment floor plans, we offer the best amenities such as a full-size washer and dryer, glass-enclosed stand-up showers, and more.

Storm Preparation Tennessee’s Fall Tornado Season Set for November

While Tennessee’s tornado season peaks in February, March, and April, there is a secondary season in the fall that is predicted to bring a high number of tornadoes during November. Therefore, residents and apartment communities should prepare and brace themselves for the unexpected by creating an emergency management plan.

Here are a few tips to remember to prepare your apartment community for impact: Choose a safe area for staff and residents to wait out the weather.

Safe areas include cellars, basements, and bathrooms – generally an area either below ground or a room on the first floor of a building with no windows.

Hold tornado drills. Practice with your residents on how to evacuate the building and meet in the safe area.

Have enough emergency supplies for all residents. Emergency supply kits contain first-aid supplies,

flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radio, cellphone, chargers, and non-perishable food and water.

It is also beneficial to understand the amount of damage a tornado can bring and the degree of intensity to expect. Below is the Fujita Scale for tornado degree details.

• Category F-0 tornado: Light damage with wind speeds at 40-72 mph

• Category F-1 tornado: Moderate damage with wind speeds at 73-112 mph

• Category F-2 tornado: Considerable damage with wind speeds at 113-157 mph

• Category F-3 tornado: Severe damage with wind speeds at 158-207 mph

• Category F-4 tornado: Devastating damage with wind speeds at 208-260 mph

• Category F-5 tornado: Incredible damage with wind speeds at 261-318 mph

Disaster Recovery Plan

Weather-related issues such as hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides, monsoons, heavy winds, rain, hail, ice and snow buildup and more can inflict damages of a wide variety to commercial and residential properties. Natural disasters are seemingly more and more common in a widespread number of places around the U.S., so it might be time you rethink your recovery plan if a disaster should strike your property.

You may have never given thought to how you might react or who you need to call if this happens on your property. With these simple steps, you can ensure you have all the tools you need in place to make the right decisions after a disaster occurs:

Have an emergency contact on your speed dial you can be confident will answer your call at any time of the day or night. Time is of the essence! It might simply be a subcontractor who can come and fix a leaking pipe or faulty electrical outlet, or you may need to call in the cavalry and hire a restoration contractor that can stop the heavy bleeding by handling all the emergency mitigation work needed to stabilize and restore your damaged property to pre-loss condition.

Next, you will need to call your insurance company in order to alert them of the situation, relay photos of the damage, cause of the damage (if known), and time of occurrence. A meeting with the insurance adjuster onsite should follow as soon as possible after the initial report to your insurance representative/provider.

Have a designated temporary dwelling location in place or temporary shelter and supplies for any tenants who have been displaced from their primary dwelling while the property damage is being evaluated and mitigated.

Ensure the damaged property/properties are properly stabilized, secured, and properly labeled to prevent any unauthorized pedestrians/residents/ subcontractors from entering the worksite or becoming seriously injured. Safety is key!

Property damage can strike with little or no warning, and I hope this information can ease some of the stress. I wish every one of you a happy and healthy remainder of 2023!

BY TAYLOR CROWLEY Business Development Manager, BluSky Restoration Contractors

August Event Highlights

LEGAL CONFERENCE

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Voting Is Now Open!

Voting Period:

September 6, 2023, 12:00 p.m.October 19, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Members may choose to vote online or in the GNAA office. Nominees may campaign during this time. Only primary contacts for each company will receive login credentials.

Voting with GNAA

This year, the Greater Nashville Apartment Association is implementing a new method for Election voting. By utilizing an online voting platform, voting is more accessible, allowing members to vote from the comfort of their office. Key features such as personalized ballots and confirmation of cast ballots are just a few of the highlights accompanying online voting platforms.

Electronic Voting: How It Works

At the beginning of the GNAA election, an email will be sent to all GNAA members containing their member identification, email, username, and password. Once logged in, the ballot will present a selection of nominees along with the positions they are currently pursuing. Each candidate will be able to provide a biography and headshot to accompany their nomination. After making selections, GNAA members will review their ballot one

last time before officially submitting. Members will receive a confirmation email confirming their vote has been cast after submitting. Members will not be able to re-vote or change their votes after this process is complete.

Members will have until the end of Election Night on October 19 to cast their vote. Voting on-site will be available.

For more information on the GNAA 2023 Board of Directors Election, please visit the following link: https:// www.gnaa.org/gnaa-bod-election

<insert video>

On Tour

by Lisa Gunderson, Bristol Development

It is that time again – the annual Apartment Tour. This month, I invite us to examine the customer experience. Of course, during the pandemic we rushed to deploy remote access touring. We found that while prospective residents used it, it was not as frequently as expected. Ultimately, those residents did not make the leasing decision then, and they returned to interact with the on-site teams. They wanted the human touch to make the purchase decision. They had questions that needed to be addressed by the onsite team.

What are your prospective residents’ first impressions? Is your front door clean? Air at a comfortable temperature? We use a scent to enhance the overall experience in our office and common areas. Creating this sense of memory can be as easy as adding HVAC scent pads to your air filters. In our models, we add fresh coffee beans to our staged cups to connect that smell with the place again.

What are you doing to stand out? Our interior design firms work hard up front to design for a wide array of prospective residents so everyone feels at home. We guide their style choices depending on the project location and aim to feel attainable and comfortable in our finish selection. Whether brand

new or just doing a model refresh, we always look to be on trend with the current colors and themes we see in hospitality.

How did they feel about their tour experience?

Recently we watched a leasing agent attempt to schedule a tour for a future date rather than help them. The prospective resident was on their lunch break. Rather than leave frustrated, the assistant jumped in to help them. To paraphrase the great Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Last but not least, make every tour memorable. We have deployed different strategies at each community to make an impression prospective residents can leave with that connects to our community. This can be a quiet theme that repeats on the tour. We have a community in Louisville, Kentucky, in a historic neighborhood named Butchertown. We have small pigs throughout the model and common areas, and as part of our branding, as a nod to that. Other communities have giant adirondack chairs or highly specialized golf carts to be a memorable point of discussion later for future residents.

Rising Stars Series

KRYSTLE WILLIAMS

Commercial Account Manager, BMS CAT

Years In the Industry

Two years in the industry, 18 years in Operations Management/ Sales/Marketing

Volunteer Positions Currently and Previously Held in GNAA

I volunteer on all committees I can assist with.

What brought you to the apartment industry? My company!

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

RVP in Sales/Marketing or Operational Management.

I will also be starting public speaking “Incorporating Hospitality in All Industries.” My platform should be ready by November 1.

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

My entire professional background incorporates Hospitality Management, Operations, Sales and Marketing – all of which have allowed me to be a solid asset to the apartment industry.

Why is property maintenance an attractive career path?

It is a path that allows a person to be proud of what they have accomplished.

Best professional advice you have ever been given?

You cannot take anything personally, whether it be from a disgruntled client all the way to ownership or upper management. Take everything in stride.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

I am either hiking, traveling, playing pool or poker.

Do you have any pets?

I don’t, but plan on getting a pet soon.

Coolest place you’ve ever traveled?

Japan! I highly recommend everyone save to travel internationally. It is incredibly beneficial to explore other cultures.

Give us a fun fact about you.

I am always doing side work. I will be a mobile notary next month in evenings and weekends, and will offer public speaking to companies and associations in November.

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

The Gala. I was very involved last year and will be as involved as I can this year. I love seeing everyone dressed to the nines and enjoy and evening out on the town!

Do you have a motto you live by?

You are never guaranteed the next hour of your life. Do you really want to waste what could be your last moments upset, angry, vengeful, bothered? No. The answer is ALWAYS NO. So make the best of your day, no matter the adversities that come your way.

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

I would have started saving young to invest in rental properties for passive income…and focus on exotic animal preserves. My dream would be to own acres of land for a sanctuary for exotic animals.

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

Hustle. The world truly owes you nothing. Sit down and figure out what is most important to you in this life, set out a goal and work day and night to achieve success. Most importantly, look at roadblocks and stones cast your way as stepping stones for development. Life is too short to not be happy…with work as well as personal. industry and I am so very grateful for that!

NEW MEMBERS

APARTMENT COMMUNITIES

Alaina Park

101 Alaina Ave. Spring Hill, TN 37174

218 apartment homes

931-278-7079

vmichael@liverangewater.com

RangeWater Real Estate

Edge on Main

3416 Murphy Rd. Nashville, TN 37203

48 apartment homes

615-701-7997

cfuentes@volprop.net

Volunteer Properties

Limestone Trail

Mack Casey

1414 Alhambra Dr. Lebanon, TN 37087

864-420-1085

mcasey@ambling.com

Ambling Management Company

Mandolin

Kat Botica

420 Welshwood Dr. Nashville, TN 37211

615-331-3225

kbotica@warrenproperties.com

Warren Properties

SUPPLIERS

Bogle Construction

Brittney Dodson

4802 Burnt Knob Rd.

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

629-654-7663

bdodson@bogleconstruction.com

General Contractor (Remodeling/Repair)

CleanBNB, LLC

522 Cartwright Way

Greenbrier, TN 37073

629-225-5079

info@cleanbnbllc.com

Cleaning Services; Janitorial Services; Odor

Removal

Engineered Floors, LLC

David Ball

PO Box 2207 Dalton, GA 30722

615-828-5229

david.ball@engineeredfloors.com

Carpet & Flooring Sales; Flooring Distributors/ Manufacturing

Ground Up Foundation Repair

Camie Perkins

610 W. Burton St. Murfreesboro, TN 37130

615-624-1027

cperkins@gubinc.net

Balcony Railings; Foundation Repair; Stairs/ Replacement Treads; Waterproofing

Hargrove Sealcoating & Striping

James Tyrone

2712 McIntosh Dr. Columbia, TN 38401 817-600-7549

jktyrone@gmail.com

Asphalt Repair; Concrete Repair/Resurfacing; Parking Lot Maintenance/Paving/Seal; Pressure Washing

KE Andrews

Mike Blackburn 2424 Ridge Rd. Rockwall, TX 75087 336-399-4371

mblackburn@keatax.com

Accounting/Consulting

Meco Corp

Nick Musteen 1500 Industrial Rd.

Greeneville, TN 37745 423-639-1171

nmusteen@meco.net

Grills

The Milliken Corporation, LLC

Austin Acevedo PO Box 8052

Gallatin, TN 37066

615-238-5909

austin@millikencorp.com

Concrete Repair/Resurfacing

Moxie Pest Control Nashville

Matthew Casey

475 Metroplex Dr., Unit 510

Nashville, TN 37211

615-469-5710x6

mcasey@moxiepestcontrol.com

Pest Control Services

Professor Building Services of TN

Sara Smith

219 Bonnabrook Dr. Nashville, TN 37076 931-224-0414

asmin@pbsaoftn.org

Janitorial Services

RCI Mechanicals Company

Carrie Price

833 Esther Ln.

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

615-425-6363

carrie@rcimechanicals.com

Electrical Contractors; HVAC Contractors; Maintenance Services/Supplies; Plumbing Contractors

Southeast Exteriors, LLC

Matthew Seibert 10340 Spanntown Rd. Arrington, TN 37014

615-971-0730

matthew@southeastenterprise.com

Commercial/ nsurance Restoration & Reconstruction/Repair

Watson Metals

Kevin Dotson

4638 Brown Leaf Dr. Green Hill, TN 37138

615-578-2620

kevin.dotson.russell@gmail.com

Holly Wauford

The woman who has traveled the world confesses she has never been to Panama City Beach. Holly Wauford laughs and says, “I have never been one to sit around on a beach all day.”

Holly, a life-long resident of Lebanon, currently serves as the Property Manager of The Falls at 109. She is a 19year veteran of the multi-family housing industry and has previously worked for the Harbor Group (10 years), GVA, and Freeman Webb. She got her start when she was living at Hunter’s Creek in Lebanon. The property manager offered her a job and a career was born.

Holly fell in love with travel when she started going to travel for the Harbor Group years ago – one week in Washington, D.C. and one week back home. She enjoyed it and still gets excited when she heads to the airport, even if it is for a work trip. “I could become a professional nomad, sell everything and live out of a backpack,” she says.

Holly is a dedicated solo traveler and enjoys the connection and friends she makes while traveling. “When you are by yourself, people talk to you more,” she has learned. Currently she talks weekly with friends in Australia, friends made on her most recent trip.

The list of where she has been is truly impressive.

• 43 of 50 states

• Multiple trips to Hawaii

• Puerto Rico

• Hong Kong

• Middle East

• Bali

Holly is active on Facebook, documenting her travel. This began as a way to keep her family updated while she was

BY CHRIS SMITH Entryway (formerly Shelters to Shutters)

gone, and she now has hundreds of followers. She has planned trips for dozens of people over the years, and one friend even took a group of 25 to Bali after Holly came back from her own trip.

This expert traveler offers these professional travel tips:

• Plan ahead. Follow Facebook groups for your destination. Ask lots of questions and take plenty of notes.

• Sign up for a discount flight service – the kind that sends you email alerts. She scored $76 round-trip tickets to Puerto Rico in October.

• Immerse yourself in the culture. For Holly this has meant sometimes staying with families when she travels.

• On your trip, do one thing you normally would not do. Holly has ridden a camel in Qatar, rode elephants in Bali, gone sand surfing and landing in the Persian Gulf, and swam with the sharks in Hawaii.

• Treat yourself to one really nice dinner. Her latest luxurious meal was in a 5-star underwater restaurant in Bali where the G-22 Summit was held.

In addition to a Puerto Rico trip in October, Holly has a 12day trip to Columbia planned in February of 2024 and has started planning for trips to Australia, Iceland, and Antarctica. Holly laments the three canceled trips to Europe because of Covid but adds, “I am going one of these days. But I want to take six months when I do.”

Holly, if you do ever make it to Panama City Beach, here are three tips from the rest of us who are not as adventuresome: Try the Salt Water Grille early bird special, go to Wal-Mart in the off hours or it will take forever, and take your pick of the go-kart tracks. They are all about the same.

August Event Highlights

MANAGERS LUNCHEON