June 1, 2026

Welcome to People and Properties, the Cohen-Esrey newsletter where we celebrate the successes of our team members and keep you informed about what is happening in the Cohen-Esrey world. If you have something you would like to share or an achievement that you would like to celebrate, please send it to Lee Harris at lharris@cohenesrey.com. If you are on a property, please print and distribute this newsletter to each member of your property team. You can also find People and Properties on KnowledgeNet. Click here to view previous editions.

Life in the Texas Panhandle

Fifty-five miles northeast of Amarillo, in the Texas pandhandle, one can find the city of Pampa on U.S. Highway 60. And, in Pampa, one can find the Pam Apartments, an affordable housing community for citizens 55 and older or disabled. The property offers one-bedroom units of 572 square feet that rent for the incredibly low price of $687 per month. Built in 1979, the Pam Apartments consist of 96 units and offers Section 8 rental assistance to qualified residents. This pet-friendly property has a shared laundry facility, covered outdoor sitting area amidst a large greenspace, plank style flooring, and personal patios. Several restaurants are in the immediate neighborhood along with the MK Brown Civic Auditorium and Las Pampas Square Shopping Mall which is directly across the street. Cohen-Esrey manages the property for a third-party client.

Pampa, TX, is a welcoming city of nearly 17,000 people located in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Founded in the early 1900s, Pampa quickly grew during the oil boom and became an important center for agriculture, ranching, and energy production. Today, the city blends small-town charm with a rich history and strong community spirit. Residents enjoy local parks, annual events, and a slower pace of life that reflects traditional Texas values. Pampa is also known for its friendly people and deep ties to the cattle and oil industries that shaped the region. Visitors can explore the White Deer Land Museum to learn about the area’s pioneers, Native American heritage, and railroad history. The surrounding plains provide beautiful sunsets and open landscapes that are unique to the Panhandle. Although smaller than many Texas cities, Pampa offers a close-knit atmosphere and continues to serve as an important hub for nearby rural communities and local businesses.

Evangela Burse (2026), is the Property Manager, and Shlonda Fields (2023), is the Senior Property Manager. Mike Gioia (2020), is the Senior Property Accountant, and Nancy Lewis (2021), is the Property Accounting Assistant.

We welcome the following new team members to Cohen-Esrey and the Nexus 5 Group.

Jillisa Gibson – Jefferson on the Lake – Olathe, KS – Property Manager
JaCourtlyn Hamilton – Tiger Island – Morgan City, LA – Assistant Property Manager
Latessa Zinn – West Park, Sioux City, IA – HUD Service Coordinator
Ashley Chapa – Loma Vista Lofts – San Antonio, TX – Leasing Agent
Angela Ellis – Hawthorne Hills – Cedar Rapids, IA – Leasing Agent
Steven Oates – Oneida Mill Lofts – Graham, NC – Maintenance Technician

Transformational Construction

Construction continues at Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) future communities.

The pool is ready for swimmers at the Lofts at Creekview in San Antonio, TX.

Finalizing the landscaping at the Lofts at Creekview.

The exterior is taking shape nicely at The Overlook 157 in Asheville, NC.

A lot is happening in unit interiors at Overlook 157.

Nexus 5 Completes Fire Job

The Nexus 5 Group was given the opportunity to complete a large fire rehabilitation project at The Orchards in Kansas City, MO. The project involved restoring ten apartment units that had been heavily damaged by fire, smoke, and water. The main goal of the project was to safely rebuild the damaged areas and return the apartments to clean, functional, and comfortable living spaces for future residents.

The project began with the demolition phase, where crews carefully removed fire-damaged materials, unsafe structural components, and debris from the affected units. This included tearing out damaged drywall, insulation, flooring, cabinets, and sections of framing that could not be saved. After demolition was complete, the rebuilding process began.

Nexus 5 completed major structural repairs throughout the project, including installing new roof trusses and reframing damaged sections of the buildings. Once the structural work was finished, the team installed new insulation and drywall to help improve energy efficiency and restore the interior walls and ceilings. Crews also installed new flooring, cabinetry, trim, doors, paint, and other finishes to fully renovate the apartments and give them an updated appearance.

In addition to the interior work, the project required strong coordination between subcontractors, suppliers, property ownership, and on-site crews. Materials had to be delivered on time, inspections had to be completed throughout the project, and safety standards had to be followed carefully due to the amount of fire damage involved.

The project was managed by Project Manager Tom Hoelting (2022), while Superintendent Eric Cornett (2025), handled daily operations and on-site supervision. Their leadership helped keep the project organized and moving forward efficiently while maintaining quality workmanship throughout the restoration process.

By the completion of the project, the Nexus 5 Group successfully transformed the damaged units back into safe and fully restored homes. The rehabilitation of The Orchards stands as an example of the company’s ability to manage challenging restoration projects while delivering quality results for both property owners and residents.

HR Corner

By Gina Long (2022), Human Resources Business Partner

Payroll Processing Reminders & Best Practices

Thank you for your continued partnership and support with payroll processing. We know everyone is balancing many responsibilities, and we truly appreciate the effort that goes into managing timecards and approvals for each pay period.

During Monday morning’s payroll review each pay period, several recurring issues were identified. Addressing these items consistently throughout the pay period will help reduce last-minute corrections and delays during payroll lockdown.

Important Reminders for Salaried Team Members

PTO Entry Guidelines

PTO should only be recorded in:
- Half-day increments (4 hours)
- Full-day increments (8 hours)

Managing Absences

Absences should be cleared using:
- Approved PTO
- Unpaid time off
Deleting schedules does not appropriately resolve absences.

Timecard Management

Team member timecards should be reviewed and approved in a timely manner.
You should always encourage team members to submit their own timecard corrections rather than managers manually adding, deleting, or adjusting punches.

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Important Reminders for All Team Members

Timecard Oversight

Property Managers should manage team member timecards.
Regional Managers should only manage PM timecards if a property does not currently have a PM.
Regional Managers should not manage team member timecards when a PM is assigned to the property.

Team Member Approvals

Team member approvals should be monitored regularly throughout the pay period to help avoid missing approvals at payroll lockdown.

Error Corrections

Timecard errors should be reviewed and corrected as they arise rather than waiting until the end of the pay period or payroll lockdown weekend.

Supervisor Approval Deadline

Supervisor approvals must be completed by: Monday at 9:30 AM

Leave Requests

Leave requests should be reviewed promptly to avoid extended pending requests.

Payroll Lockdown Support

On payroll lockdown mornings, Payroll may occasionally need assistance or clarification.
Your availability and responsiveness during this time are greatly appreciated.

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Helpful Best Practices

To help streamline payroll processing, managers are encouraged to:

✔ Review timecards regularly throughout the pay period

✔ Monitor employee approvals weekly

✔ Address errors promptly when identified

✔ Approve leave requests timely

✔ Complete a final review on the morning of payroll lockdown

Your attention to these details helps ensure accurate and timely payroll experience for all team members. We sincerely appreciate your partnership, support, and continued attention to payroll accuracy.

Core Value of the Month

Historic Buildings of Cohen-Esrey

Cohen-Esrey has a long history of developing and/or managing some really cool historic buildings. In this series, we feature one such building in each issue.

Old School Apartments

The Old School Apartments in New Orleans, LA, traces its roots to the historic G.O. Mondy School in the city’s Seventh Ward. Built in 1897, the brick school served generations of neighborhood children and became an important community landmark. After decades of use, the school closed in 2006 and stood vacant for years, suffering damage from Hurricane Katrina and other storms. In the mid-2010s, developers and preservation advocates worked together to save the building from demolition and convert it into affordable senior housing. The renovation carefully preserved many original architectural details, including hardwood floors, oversized windows, brick walls, staircases, and wood trim, while modernizing the interior for residential living. Today, the restored apartments provide affordable homes for seniors and represent a successful example of historic preservation in New Orleans. The project also helped revitalize the surrounding Seventh Ward neighborhood while honoring the site’s educational and cultural history. Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) manages the 37-unit property for a third-party client.

A Creative Resident Event!

Kudos to Araceli Lopez (2024), Leasing Agent at Elmhurst Terrace in Elmhurst, IL, for planning a Mother's Day Resident Event. The Elmhurst team had flowers for the moms. There were husbands swinging through grabbing them for wives, a girl came to get one for her mother, and in one case a Grandma was with her Granddaughter picking out a bouquet. Needless to say, the event was a hit with the residents!

Life is a Picnic at Walnut Street Flats!

Paula Clements (2025), Property Manager at Walnut Street Flats in Reedsburg, WI, held a picnic for her residents. It was a potluck style utilizing the community room and rooftop access for food and seating. Eighteen residents (out of 33) were in attendance. Paula is looking forward to her next event. Great job of delivering Customer Fulfillment!

Putting the Kids to Work

Sinclair Flats in Mankato, MN, recently held a clean-up day for the Kid’s Club in preparation for the installation of new mulch. The kiddos did a nice job of picking up trash and other debris. Afterwards, Property Manager Denise Gonzalez (2025) treated the kids to milkshakes at Dairy Queen.

Cities of Cohen-Esrey

Graham, NC

Graham, NC, is a charming city of 17,900 people located in Alamance County in the heart of the Piedmont region. Founded in 1851 and named after Governor William A. Graham, the city blends historic character with modern growth. Graham is known for its welcoming small-town atmosphere, beautiful courthouse square, and strong sense of community. The historic Alamance County Courthouse stands as the centerpiece of downtown and reflects the city’s rich heritage and architectural beauty.

Residents and visitors enjoy a variety of parks, local restaurants, and community events throughout the year. Graham is also home to the famous Graham Soda Shop, a classic diner that has served customers for decades. The city’s convenient location near Greensboro, Durham, and Chapel Hill makes it an attractive place to live for those seeking a quieter lifestyle with access to larger metropolitan areas.

Education, local businesses, and cultural traditions continue to shape Graham’s identity. With its blend of history, hospitality, and steady development, Graham remains a vibrant and appealing community in central North Carolina.

Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) manages the 133-unit Oneida Mill Lofts, an affordable property in Graham, developed by a joint venture between the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) and Third Wave Housing.

An Empowerment Story

By Kenneth Dumire (2022), Maintenance Technician

After retiring from the EWIE Group in 2022, I found a part-time job at the Waverly Historic Lofts to occupy my time. While I thought I was finding a job, instead I found purpose. I enjoy engaging with residents daily and making them feel as comfortable as possible in their homes. In 2024, I took some time on medical leave and Destiny Kraemer (2023), Senior Property Manager, and Rebecca Grimm (2019), Regional Manager treated me with kindness and support as I underwent a challenging time, and the company was there to back me up.

Throughout my tenure, I have also been able to travel extensively, which has been a long-time dream of mine. I have been able to fulfill team members and customers alike. Since May of 2025, I had been traveling to and from Marshalltown on a regular basis and in May of 2026, I decided to go full time and handle the maintenance for both Waverly Historic Lofts and Marshalltown Senior Residences. I am very grateful to Cohen-Esrey, Destiny, and Rebecca, for being supportive of me and my career, and grateful to be able to do the job I love.

Compliance Team Presents at Annual Leadership Conference!

The Compliance Team was one of several departments that made stellar presentations at the Annual Leadership Conference. Here are three key slides from their presentation. Thanks to David and Team!

A Healthy Tip

By Franci Rabinowitz (2025), Recruiter

🌼 Seasonal Allergy Survival Tips

Allergy season can be tough—these small steps can help you stay comfortable:

🤧 Check the Forecast

Plan outdoor time when pollen counts are lower (after rain or later in the day).

🧼 Rinse & Refresh

After being outside, wash up and change clothes to keep pollen from spreading indoors.

🕶️ Protect Yourself

Wear sunglasses or a hat to reduce pollen exposure.

🌬️ Breathe Easier Indoors

Keep windows closed on high pollen days and change air filters regularly.

💊 Stay Ahead

Use allergy medications as recommended—don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.

🌿 Quick Relief Reset

If symptoms flare up take a short indoor break and practice slow, deep breathing to relax and reset.

✅ Friendly Reminder: Small, consistent habits can help you enjoy the season with fewer sniffles!

Fun Photo!

This is a photo of the Penntower Building in Kansas City, MO. The Esrey Company (a forerunner to Cohen-Esrey) leased and managed this building from 1976 – 1987. It was also the company’s corporate headquarters (Pam Oakes – remember?). Recently it was announced that longtime owner, the Kansas City Life Insurance Company, will be auctioning the building and there apparently is interest in converting it into apartments.

NPS Leaderboards

The three NPS Leaderboards have been updated as of May 29, 2026. In the 50-Units or Less category, Mills Crossing (Salem, IL) stays on top with a perfect NPS of +100! In the Properties 51 to 120-Units category, Justin Place (Kansas City, MO) has continues to lead with an NPS of +93.81. And in the Properties of More than 120-Units category, Panorama Heights (Colorado Springs) remains in first place with an NPS of +76.67. There are 26 properties on Leaderboards – two less than our last report on May 14 . Our overall NPS remains at +39!