.png)
April 21, 2025
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.
SPECIAL EDITION
Cohen Esrey Annual Leadership Conference
April 15–17 | DoubleTree Hotel, Overland Park, Kansas
​
Cohen-Esrey’s 2025 Annual Leadership Conference brought together a dynamic group of property managers, regional managers, and corporate team members for three days of collaboration, connection, and celebration. Hosted at the DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas, the event welcomed attendees from across the country who came together to sharpen their skills, build relationships, and celebrate successes.
​
The conference kicked off with an inspiring opening speech by Lee Harris, followed by a packed agenda that included a vendor fair, impactful breakout training sessions, a powerful keynote address, and various expert-led presentations, including Mark Fletcher's presentation on Fulfillment, and a special RM panel discussion.​​​
Attendees also took part in a meaningful Community Impact event, further reinforcing Cohen-Esrey’s commitment to giving back. In the evening, the group enjoyed dinner and cocktail hour—offering valuable time to connect face-to-face and strengthen bonds beyond the screen.
​
The event concluded with the much-anticipated Annual Awards Ceremony, where outstanding team members were recognized for their exceptional contributions over the past year.
​
All in all, the 2025 Leadership Conference was a powerful reminder of the talent, passion, and purpose that drive the Cohen-Esrey team forward.
Registration
As attendees arrived on Tuesday, April 15th, the HR team greeted them at the registration table with a program, name badge, a Cohen-Esrey branded backpack, t-shirt, and a bag of goodies—just before they made their way into the vendor fair. It was a great chance to reconnect, meet face-to-face, and set the tone for an exciting conference ahead.
Vendor Fair
The vendor fair consisted of all the vendors shown below. This was a 3-hour event designed to encourage property managers and regional managers to network and build potential partnerships with the attending sponsors. Attendees made their rounds to all the tables and left with lots of new information and free goodies!
Welcome Reception
Community Impact Event
Presented by: Cassie Colston, Regional Vice President; the Community Impact Team.
Another highlight of the conference was the Community Impact event. The event supported CASA, a nonprofit organization serving children in the foster care system across Wyandotte and Johnson counties. President and CEO Natalie Julien, along with Development Director, Esther Mengarelli, spoke about the organization’s mission to advocate for the best interests of these children and the importance of community support.
​
For more information on Casa's mission and values, click here: Casa
The Community Impact Team organized a meaningful initiative to assemble birthday boxes for children experiencing difficult times. The goal was to ensure that every child could still enjoy a special birthday and experience a moment of joy and celebration. Each box included cake mix, frosting, birthday candles, a birthday card, a birthday banner, and other festive items to help the children feel loved and remembered on their special day.
​
This effort also served as a team-building event, with a collective goal of creating 100 birthday boxes—an achievement that was successfully met. Attendees were invited to decorate the boxes using craft supplies provided, adding a personal and creative touch to each one. Participants worked in small groups of two or three, and the Community Impact Team selected the top three most creatively decorated boxes. There was also an opportunity to write heartfelt, encouraging notes to include in the boxes.
​
During the event, Cassie Colston shared a moving story about her own childhood birthdays and how they were something she always looked forward to, even during tough times. Her message served as a reminder of how powerful and uplifting a simple birthday celebration can be for a child in need.
1st
3rd
2nd
Morning Kick-Off
Presented by: Lee Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer
Lee Harris delivered opening remarks the morning of Wednesday, April 16th.
Keynote Speech
Presented by: Gary Wilbers, Speaker & Trainer
Keynote speaker Gary Wilbers delivered an inspiring message emphasizing how the world is changing daily and we should be too. His talk focused on the power of mindset and the importance of embracing change. Through interactive group exercises, he encouraged attendees to shift their thinking, erase negative thoughts, and elevate their energy.
​Wilbers emphasized focusing on the positive, reminding everyone that “if you focus on problems, that’s all you’ll ever see.” He spoke about cultivating a strong mental attitude and adopting a “climber mindset”—one that is committed to growth, learning, and persistence in reaching goals. He highlighted that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react, stressing the value of proactive language and transforming bad habits into good ones.
He also touched on the importance of customer fulfillment, noting that great service is at the heart of meaningful customer experiences.
Fulfillment
Presented by: Mark Fletcher, Chief Operating Officer
Mark Fletcher delivered a powerful presentation grounded in real-life examples, emphasizing that we value what we work hard for. He walked through a breakdown of our company’s core values, highlighting how they were built and why they matter. At the heart of it all: people. “We are a people business”—in everything we do.​
He stressed that leadership isn’t limited to titles; anyone can lead by inspiring and empowering others toward a shared vision. KPI's serve as a guide toward that vision, and he introduced the “law of the farm” as a metaphor: you reap what you sow. There are no shortcuts—consistent effort is key. Neglect leads to failure, while daily attention and care lead to growth.​​
He challenged attendees to embrace the hard work of leadership, particularly accountability. Problems can’t be solved if we’re not aware of them—leaders must be attentive and proactive. Accountability thrives in one-on-one conversations, and recognizing teammates' efforts builds their confidence. He emphasized the importance of asking the simple but powerful question: “Will you?”—a call to commitment and personal responsibility. Leadership, he concluded, is about solving problems, serving others, and holding ourselves and each other accountable.
.jpg)
What's Your Communication Style?
Presented by: Marilee Scheid, Director of Learning and Development; Kipp Keffel, Director of Training and Customer Fulfillment;
Jayme Deal, Regional Vice President; James Huss, Regional Manager.
​As leaders in property management, communication is everything. Effective communication isn't just a skill—it’s a cornerstone of our success. Whether we're speaking with residents, guiding our teams, or collaborating with vendors, the way we communicate shapes outcomes and relationships. Great communication isn’t just about delivering a message; it’s about connecting, listening, and leading with clarity. Strong communication skills can help build stronger teams, resolve challenges faster, and create communities where people thrive.
​
Team members participated in a group activity to determine what type of thinker they are. (doing, visioning, thinking, collaborating)
​
.jpg)
Ask the Experts: Navigating Property Management Challenges
Presented by: Kipp Keffel, Director of Training & Customer Fulfillment, and Regional Managers.
Team members had the opportunity to submit questions for the regional managers, which were thoughtfully selected and expanded upon to provide valuable insights moving forward.
LEAPS Method of De-Escalation
Presented by: Marilee Scheid, Director of Learning and Development; Kipp Keffel, Director of Training and Customer Fulfillment;
Jayme Deal, Regional Vice President; James Huss, Regional Manager.
LEAPS—a proven approach for de-escalating tense situations. By Listening, Empathizing, Asking questions, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing, we can address resident concerns more effectively and maintain a calm, professional environment. This technique helps foster trust, improve communication, and keep interactions solution-focused.
.jpg)
Managing Delinquency: Best Practices with the most Fulfillment
Presented by: James Huss, Regional Manager; Alyssa Garza, Regional Manager; and Julie Johnson, Regional Manager
This session provided valuable insight into how our team addresses late payments while maintaining respectful and constructive communication with residents. We explored strategies for promoting timely rent collection and ensuring the financial stability of our community.
.jpg)
Breakout Training Sessions
Financial Health
Presented by: Kurt Parrett- Property Accounting Manager; Michele Rollo-Burns-​ Director of Leasing & Revenue​​
The Fulfillment Factor: Happy Team = Happy Residents
Presented by: Jennifer Turner, Director of HR; Dee Krause, Recruiter; Gina Long, HR Business Partner; Alexis Cruz, HR Coordinator; Val Quezada, Recruiter; Sara Antar, Payroll Administrator; Marilee Scheid, Director of Learning and Development; Kipp Keffel, Director of Training and Development.
The RealPage Playbook - Affordable
Presented by: David Catlett, Director of Compliance; Brent Phillips, Maintenance and Safety Director; Cassie Colston, Regional Vice President; Rebecca Grimm, Regional Manager; Kamari Welch, Regional Manager.
The RealPage Roundup - Market
Presented by: Michele Rollo-Burns, Director of Leasing & Revenue; Arley Hoskin, Leasing Performance Strategist; Chris Keef, System Products Supervisor; Richard Williams, Renovation Director.
Couch Discussion
The couch discussion was hosted by Lee Harris, Bob Esrey, and Jeanette Jayne. Attendees were able to learn from the experiences and insights of these seasoned professionals through a timeline of events, industry advice, and personal stories.
Annual Award Ceremony
.jpg)
The Annual Award Ceremony honored team members who demonstrated our five Core Values, with winners selected from Spotlight submissions on KNET. Don’t forget—submitting a Spotlight gives team members a chance to be recognized! We also celebrated excellence with the Ace Awards for Outstanding Property Team of the Year and the Top NPS Property Awards, recognizing teams with the highest resident satisfaction scores.
Core Value Awards
Ace Awards
-
Commitment
-
Customer Fulfillment
-
Integrity
-
Team Member Fulfillment
-
Community Impact
-
Ace Award <50 Units
-
Ace Award 51-100 Units
-
Ace Award 101-200 units
-
Ace Award 201+ Units
Top NPS Awards
-
Top NPS Score <50 Units
-
Top NPS Score 51-120 Units
-
Top NPS Score >120 Units
Commitment Awards
Recipients of the Commitment award take responsibility for their roles and accountabilities and strive to surpass expectations, do what they say; follow through and take ownership for their actions, and contribute constructive input for our company when requested or when needed.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Aisha Robinson
Alanna Johnson
Alexis Cruz
Alisha Brooks
Alvin Parker
Alyssa Garza
Amanda Rivera
Amanda Trew
Andre Smith
Andrea Hernandez
Arlette Galvan
Ashley Harper
Atleigh Woosley
Barbee King
Bennie Gates
Brent Phillips
Brian Weber
Bryan Parsons
Carlos Martin
Carolyn Henson
Cassie Colston
Chanda Lutz
Chanda Webb
Christian Paniagua
Claudia Ruiz
Cynthia Cobbins
Debbie Van Dyne
Dee Bosier
Destiny Kraemer
Dominic Padilla
Elizabeth Duey
Emily Fletcher
Erin Hamel
Francisco Gonzalez
Gavin Jones
Gavin Renft
Gina Dickerson
Guadalupe Camacho-Santiago
Hayley Fisher
Jack Brenton
James Gray
James Huss
Jasmin Santana
Jayme Dannen-Deal
Jennifer Fields
Jeremy Kohler
Josh LaValley
Julio Rivera Cabrera
Kathleen Williams
Kati Muntefering
Kimberly Espinoza
Ladasia Milton
Latosha Devould
Laureen Woods
Lauren Cano
Lisa Moore
Lydia Bargabus
Macaria Gonzales
Michele Kiehl
Michele Rollo-Burns
Monyelle Starr
Morgan Gassert
Nancy Lewis
Naomi Sedberry
Nicolas Hernandez
Noelle Wilson
Paige Bohling
Pam Oakes
Pamela Weatherford
Randen Woods
Rebecca Grimm
Richard Williams
Robrelle Murray
Rogelio Rosales
Rosalina Arce
Ryan Simmons
Samantha Nusz
Sara Antar
Sherry McGee
Shlonda Fields
Shuntia Richardson
Terrance Vetaw
Tiffany Hollie
Tracy Powers
Tracy Williams
Trisha Parsons
Victor Brooken
Yasmeen Gasper
Yazmin Flores Rivas
Zachary Wise
Alyssa Garza, CE Communities
Brent Phillips, CE Communities
Rosalina Arce, Loretto at Creekside
Tiffany Hollie, Greenwood Estates
Customer Fulfillment Awards
Recipients of the Customer Fulfillment award treat all customers equally and with respect, carefully listens to customers and goes out of the way to provide excellent service, and seeks out feedback from customers and responds in a timely manner.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Alanna Johnson
Amanda Rivera
Anthoni Alexander
Arlette Galvan
Barbee King
Becky Trost
Bryan Parsons
Carlos Martin
Christian Paniagua
Cynthia Cobbins
Daniel Lott
Elizabeth Duey
Emilia Martinez
Emily Fletcher
Erin Hamel
Gavin Jones
Gina Dickerson
James Gray
James Huss
Jeff Tuter
Julio Rivera Cabrera
Katie Reed
Kimberly Espinoza
Kimberly Stinard
Kinger Cline
Lisa Paszkiewicz
Lizzy Darby
Maureen Crombie
Michael Gioia
Naomi Sedberry
Pam Oakes
Phillip Smith
Randall Richards
Rosalina Arce
Ryan Simmons
Samantha Jones
Shuntia Richardson
Tiffany Hollie
Tracy Powers
Travarus Washington
Trisha Parsons
William Angle
Cynthia Cobbins accepting for Anthoni Alexander- Justin Place
Jeff Tuter- Nexus 5 Group
Cynthia Cobbins- Justin Place
Erin Hamel- CE Communities
Mark Fletcher accepting for Lizzy Darby- Information Technology
Pam Oakes- CE Communities
*insert pictures*
Integrity Awards
Recipients of the Integrity award are open, honest and timely in all communication, speaks directly with people to resolve issues as they arise, and embraces our company’s Core Values and walks the talk so that associates can count on them.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Alisha Brooks
Brent Phillips
Eric Kirk
Gavin Jones
Kathleen Williams
Kurt Parrett
Lisa Moore
Lydia Bargabus
Morgan Gassert
Sonya Shifflett
Tiffany McCarty
Eric Kirk- Financial Services
Kurt Parrett- Financial Services
Lydia Bargabus- Sinclair Flats
Team Member Fulfillment Awards
Recipients of the Team Member Fulfillment award always looks for the good in others and speaks well of them, treats others with respect and help others succeed, and uses training opportunities and resources to their fullest in order to grow.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Aisha Robinson
Alanna Johnson
Alexis Cruz
Alisha Brooks
Alyssa Garza
Amanda Rivera
Amanda Trew
Andrea Hernandez
Anthoni Alexander
April Hinrichs
Arlette Galvan
Ashley Harper
Atleigh Woosley
Barbee King
Brent Phillips
Carlos Martin
Cassie Colston
Cedric Schine
Chanda Lutz
Christian Paniagua
Christina Martin
Claudia Ruiz
Courtney Sanders
Cynthia Cobbins
Danielle Smith
Dee Bosier
Denise Holliday
Destiny Kraemer
Emily Fletcher
Garrett Cook
Gavin Jones
Gavin Renft
Gina Long
Hayley Fisher
James Huss
Jamina Beal
Jasmin Santana
Jayme Dannen-Deal
Jessica Bell
Josh LaValley
Kamari Welch
Karri Landers
Kathleen Williams
Kenneth Dumire
Kimberley Ruffino
Kurt Parrett
Lana Frank
LaTosha DeVould
Laureen Woods
Levi Cook
Lisa Melgoza
Lisa Moore
Lisa Paszkiewicz
Lizzy Darby
Macaria Gonzales
Marilee Scheid
Mark Booker
Michele Rollo-Burns
Monyelle Starr
Nancy Lewis
Naomi Sedberry
Nicolas Hernandez
Noelle Wilson
Paige Bohling
Pam Oakes
Pamela Weatherford
Phillip Smith
Rebecca Grimm
Rebecca Roddy
Regan Olson
Richard Williams
Robrelle Murray
Rosalina Arce
Samantha Jones
Sara Antar
Sharran Spratt
Sherry McGee
Shlonda Fields
Susan Belisle
Tammi Jordan
Terrance Vetaw
Tiffany McCarty
Tonya Foreman
Tori Turner
Tracy Powers
Tracy Williams
Trisha Parsons
Laureen Woods accepting for Barbee King, Brighton Creek
Dee Bosier, Lofts at Ventura
Josh LaValley, Information Technology
Kathleen Williams, Financial Services
LaTosha DeVould, The New Broadview
Community Impact Awards
Recipients of the Community Impact award are aware and relay the needs of the community to colleagues in order to identify opportunities for impact, makes an impact by participating and making decisions to enhance the community, and takes advantage of opportunities provided to serve in the community.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Alexis Dominguez
Brian Weber
Cameron Dawn
Cassie Colston
Cedric Schine
Chanda Lutz
Claudia Ruiz
Dee Bosier
Francisco Gonzalez
Gina Dickerson
Jessica Bell
Kathleen Williams
Kimberly Espinoza
Lydia Bargabus
Ryllie Hays
Cassie Colston, CE Communities
Jessica Bell, Nexus 5 Group
Chanda Lutz, Jefferson on the Lake
Ryllie Hays, Pam Apartments
Ace Awards
Recognizes the Outstanding Property Team of the Year in all areas of property management.
<50 units, 50-100 units, 101-200 units, and 201+ units.
< 50 Units
Willow Point​
Walnut Street Flats
Willow Point​​
101-200 Units
Lofts at Ventura
Oneida Mill Lofts
The Boulevard
The Maxwell
Oneida Mill Lofts
50-100 Units
Freedom Place
Justin Place
Orchard View I & II
Justin Place
201+ Units
Brighton Creek
Carlyle
Loretto at Creekside
Perry 81
Brighton Creek
Top NPS Property Awards
Recognizes the team who achieves the highest NPS score from surveys in the following categories:
<50 Units, 51-120 Units, >120 Units
#1 Top NPS:
Rankin Mills​
1st runner up:
Willow Point​
2nd runner up:
Orchard View II​
#1 Top NPS
Pam Apartments
1st Runner up:
Justin Place​
2nd Runner up:
Freedom Place​
#1 Top NPS:
The Boulevard​
1st Runner up:
Lofts at Ventura​
2nd Runner up:
Brighton Creek​
Rankin Mills
Pam Apartments
The Boulevard
Post-Awards Celebration
More Pictures
A Big Thank You
HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the annual conference such a wonderful success. Special thanks to Debbie Van Dyne, Tammi Jordan, and Noelle Wilson—your hard work, dedication, and thoughtful planning are much appreciated. We couldn’t have done it without you!
