May 18, 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.

Supportive Housing at Its Finest

Kansas City, KS, is fortunate to have an affordable housing community in Eileen’s Place, a 60-unit tax credit property for families managed by Cohen-Esrey for a third-party client. Completed in 2021, the property offers one-bedroom units of 600 square feet renting for $1,207 per month. Two-bedroom units are 800 square feet and rent for $1,383 per month, and three-bedroom units are 1,000 square feet and rent for $1,809 per month. Qualified residents can receive rental assistance through the Section 8 program. Amenities include a community room, computer lab, playground, and community garden. Apartment units are equipped with stainless steel appliances, storage shelving, living space ceiling fan, and an in-unit washer/dryer laundry closet. In partnership with Metro Lutheran Ministry, Eileen’s Place offers multi-disciplinary, housing-oriented services which aim to help residents remain stably housed while addressing individual household needs. Sample of services include case management, life skills (parenting, nutrition, time management), financial and employment coaching, and much more.

Kansas City, KS, often called KCK, sits at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers and forms part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. Known for its diverse communities, it offers a mix of industrial heritage, vibrant neighborhoods, and growing cultural attractions. Visitors enjoy the Kansas Speedway, Sporting Kansas City soccer matches, and the Legends Outlets shopping district. The Kansas City Chiefs NFL team announced earlier this year that it will be moving to a new stadium to be built in the western part of KCK. The city reflects a strong working-class history while continuing to invest in redevelopment and infrastructure. With rich barbecue traditions nearby and easy access to regional arts and entertainment, Kansas City, KS, provides a practical, authentic Midwestern urban experience for residents.

Macaria (Mona) Gonzales (2010), is the Property Manager, and Cassie Colston (2004), is the Regional Vice-President. Jalen Havel-Stephens (2024), is the Property Accountant, and Megan O’Connell (2025), is the Property Accounting Assistant.

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

Rosemarie Cadena – Loma Vista Lofts – San Antonio, TX – Property Manager
Raven Ellis – Geneva Towers, Cedar Rapids, IA – Leasing Agent
Ava Paske – The Landing at 818 – Sun Prairie, WI – Leasing Agent
Felicia Summerville – Intrada-St. Louis – St. Louis, MO – Leasing Agent
Alisiah Poyer – Cathedral Square – Mitchell, SD – Property Manager
Rolando Rendon – Lofts at Ventura – San Antonio, TX – Lead Maintenance Technician
Ronnie Glenn – Holiday Garden Townhomes – Grand Island, NE – Assistant Property Manager
Quinton Jones – Lincoln Heights Townhomes – Hastings, NE – Assistant Property Manager
Kaitlyn McKirdy – Skyline Apartments – Norfolk, NE – Resident Services Assistant
Alexis Carmadelle – Jefferson on the Lake – Olathe, KS – Leasing Agent

Meet the Landing at 818 Team

Meet The Landing at 818 team. (L to R) Ava Paske (2026), Leasing Agent; Ash Davis (2026), Property Manager; and Kenneth Harris (2026), Maintenance Technician.

The Landing at 818 is a 100-unit affordable senior community in the Madison, WI, suburb of Sun Prairie. It was developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) and is managed by Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC).

Transformational Construction

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

A courtyard in the newly completed Lofts at Creekview in San Antonio, TX.

There’s still a minor amount of work left at the Lofts at Creekview.

Siding installation continues at The Overlook 157 in Asheville, NC.

The corridors are a major focus at Overlook 157.

Nexus 5 to Renovate Park Plaza Apartments

The Nexus 5 Group has been retained by a third-party client to renovate the historic Park Plaza Apartments, just east of Kansas City’s famed Country Club Plaza. The 32-unit building was constructed in 1926 and the renovation will include rebuilding the interior from the studs and installing upscale finishes including quartz counters, tile bathrooms and back splashes, all new HVAC, electrical and plumbing, in addition to a fire sprinkler system. The $4 million project is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.

Tom Hoelting (2022) is the Project Manager; Katie Reed (2022) is the Project Engineer; and Josh Buller (2017), is the Superintendent. Nexus 5 has extensive experience with apartment renovation work.

HR Corner

By Marilee Scheid (2019), Director of Learning and Development

Introducing Wellness Wednesday

As part of our commitment to supporting your overall well-being, we’re also launching Wellness Wednesday – a simple way to focus on your health each week. You’ll find quick, practical 15–30-minute wellness activities in OASYS under Human Resources/Wellness Wednesday. New content ideas for you will be posted each month. These are designed to fit into your day and help you:

Move more throughout the workday
Reset and reduce stress
Recharge with simple, healthy habits
Connect with your team

From short walks and stretch breaks to quick mindset resets, Wellness Wednesday makes it easy to prioritize your well-being—right at your property. Huge shout out to Ben Carpenter (2025), Regional Vice President, for bringing this idea to us. We can’t wait until you all bring it to life.

Updates for Cohen-Esrey Level Up Program

We’re excited about the content available in our Cohen-Esrey Level Up: Life Skills Series – a new learning experience designed to help you build skills that matter both at work and in your everyday life.

This series focuses on practical, real-world skills across six key areas:

Safety & Risk Management
Self-Care
Relationships
Personal Development
Financial Planning
Personal Branding

Now Available

Courses in Safety & Risk Management are now live in CE University – designed to help you make confident decisions, reduce risk, and stay safe in any environment. Current offerings include:

Active Shooter Training
Alert Driving
Defensive Driving
First-Aid – Initial Steps
What You Need to Know About Identity Theft

Coming soon in this series in our Personal Development courses. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, manage life’s challenges more effectively, or invest in your future, this series is for you.

Log into CE University today to start your first Life Skills course.

We will continue to release our Life Skills series throughout the year—so stay tuned as you continue to Level Up in every area of life.

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.

West Park – Rapid

The historic West Park Apartments in Rapid City, SD, stand as a notable example of mid-20th-century residential development in the Black Hills region. Completed in 1959, the six-story building reflects the post–World War II growth that reshaped Rapid City, as expanding populations and economic activity increased demand for urban housing.

Located at 1018 11th Street, the property sits within a historically significant area near downtown, contributing to the city’s evolving residential landscape. Over time, West Park has transitioned from traditional apartments into an important source of affordable, income-based housing, particularly for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Today, the building remains a “vintage” structure with modern updates, blending historic character with contemporary amenities. Its continued use highlights both the durability of mid-century construction and the ongoing need for accessible housing in Rapid City’s growing community. Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) manages the 81-unit property for a third-party client.

Congratulations, Dee!

Our very own Dee Krause (2022), Recruiting Manager, married Grant Armstrong in a small intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends, on April 11, 2026. The venue was at Berries + Honey in Kansas City, MO. Congratulations to Dee and Grant – here’s wishing them a long and happy marriage!

What an Adorable Baby!

Karri Landers (2022), Property Manager at Marquette Hall in Dubuque, IA, is a proud grandma! Maya Leigh was born on February 28 and weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 20” long. Her dad – Drew (Karri’s son), and mom – Megan, are thrilled to bring a little sister into the world for three-year-old son Noah. Needless to say, Grandma is beyond thrilled. Congratulations, Karri!

The Delinquency Champions!

By Michele Rollo-Burns (2018), Director of Leasing and Revenue

Each month we recognize communities and teams that have excelled at rent collections. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is 2% or less Current Resident Rent Balances. For the month of April 2026, we have 32 properties that are Delinquency Champions or made Honorable Mention, up from 27 the prior month. This level of improvement is tremendous! Congratulations to each team!

Cities of Cohen-Esrey

Mitchell, SD: Home of the Corn Palace

Mitchell, SD is a small but distinctive city located in the southeastern part of the state. It is best known for the world-famous Corn Palace, a unique building decorated each year with elaborate murals made entirely from corn and other grains. This attraction draws visitors from across the country and reflects the region’s deep agricultural roots.

Founded in the late 19th century, Mitchell developed as a railroad hub and farming community. Today, it balances its historical charm with modern conveniences, offering a welcoming atmosphere for residents and travelers alike. The city has a population of around 15,000 people, giving it a close-knit, friendly feel.

Mitchell is also home to Dakota Wesleyan University, which adds an educational and cultural dimension to the community. Local parks, lakes, and outdoor recreation opportunities make it an appealing place for those who enjoy nature and a slower pace of life.

Community events, especially those centered around the Corn Palace Festival, play a big role in local life. Overall, Mitchell combines small-town warmth, agricultural heritage, and a one-of-a-kind landmark that makes it stand out in the Midwest.

Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) manages two affordable properties totaling 128 units in Mitchell for a third-party client.

An Empowerment Story

In past issues of People & Properties, we’ve run Empowerment Stories from residents of The Launchpad in Colorado Springs, CO. Our mission is Empowering People to Thrive. This mission extends beyond our team members and includes our residents. The Launchpad is a supportive housing community developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) for homeless youth. Here is another installment in that series.

Resident Spotlight: Sally’s Journey to Connection and Health

Sally's story this month is a powerful reminder of what it looks like to take the driver’s seat in one’s own life. Throughout March, Sally has balanced the "business" of being a resident with a renewed focus on her personal well-being, showing us all how to navigate hurdles with a proactive spirit.

When a technical glitch in the online rent portal made it difficult to submit payments, Sally didn’t wait for the problem to fix itself. She took the initiative to speak directly with management, ensuring her responsibilities were met. She applied that same "can-do" attitude to her healthcare, following up with The Resource Exchange (TRE) and the Building Bridges mentorship program to ensure her support services were moving forward.

But it’s not all work and no play for Sally. This month, she successfully navigated personal challenges and made a conscious choice to beat the "blues" by getting back into the community. Whether it was meeting with her mentorship team, attending an endocrinologist assessment, or jumping back into the worlds of D&D and Magic: The Gathering, Sally has been on an "upswing."

By the middle of the month, Sally shared that she was feeling more like herself and was excited to get out of the house more frequently. From community-building events at The Launchpad to scheduled bingo and golf outings, Sally is proving that health and happiness are often found through connection and persistence.

Keep up the great work, Sally! We are proud to see you thriving..

Way to Go, Cynthia!

By Cassie Colston (2004), Regional Vice-President

I had to share some exciting and unexpected news about Cynthia Cobbins (2016), Property Manager at Justin Place.

Cynthia texted me a Ring camera snippet of the front door, and as I was watching several people walk in, the last person appeared to be carrying a camera. I immediately called her and said, “Why is there a camera crew at Justin Place?!”

She calmly replied, “Well… Ms. Littlejohn called the news on us.”

Of course, I said, “WHAT?! Why?”

At that point, Cynthia started laughing and said, “She is here in the office now.”

Then Ms. Littlejohn called out my name and said, “Yes, Cassie, I sure did!”

Come to find out, it was for the Pay-It-Forward Spotlight. Our shining Customer Fulfillment superstar, Cynthia, was featured on Kansas City’s Fox 4 television station on May 11th as the recipient of the Pay-It-Forward Award.

Cynthia said, “please let Lee know that the news is here for good reason.” 😊

What an incredible and well-deserved recognition of the care, dedication, and impact she makes every day for our residents and community. I am so proud of her and thrilled to see her being recognized in such a meaningful way.

Congratulations, Jennifer!

By Jeanette Jayne (1996), Executive Vice-President and Managing Director

Please join with me in congratulating our Director of Human Resources, Jennifer Miller (2025), on earning her Caliper Certification! Cohen-Esrey has used Caliper Assessments to assist in hiring since 2003. To achieve her certification, Jennifer completed pre-course work and participated in three half-day online training sessions.

The training provided her with the skills to read and analyze Caliper Assessments, supporting more informed hiring decisions and offering insight into team communication styles and dynamics.

Thank you, Jennifer, for spending the time and making the effort to become proficient with our Caliper tool.

Fun Photo!

The aerial view is of the Brentwood Forest Condominiums in the St. Louis suburb of Brentwood, MO. This is the largest property ever managed by Cohen-Esrey. Beginning in 1979, Cohen-Esrey managed this 1,385-unit apartment community for Jefferson Savings and Loan, which had acquired the property to convert to condominiums over a multi-year timeframe. The sheer scale of this development is impressive encompassing more than 110 acres.

NPS Leaderboards

The three NPS Leaderboards have been updated as of May 14, 2026. In the 50-Units or Less category, Mills Crossing (Salem, IL) remains the leader with a perfect NPS of +100! In the Properties 51 to 120-Units category, Justin Place (Kansas City, MO) has vaulted into first place on the Leaderboard with an NPS of +93.41. And in the Properties of More than 120-Units category, Panorama Heights (Colorado Springs) stayed in first place for the second month, with an NPS of +72.00. There are 28 properties on Leaderboards – one more than last month. Our overall NPS remains at +39!