.png)
May 6, 2024
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
Cohen-Esrey's 18th Annual Leadership Conference was held on April 23-25 at the Double Tree hotel in Overland Park, Kansas. The event was attended by a significant number of property managers, regional managers, and members of the CEAI and CEDG teams who flew in from various locations. Over the course of three days, attendees participated in several events including the vendor fair, the keynote speech, Ryan Huffman’s opening speech, the Community Impact event, breakout training sessions, and a couch discussion hosted by Lee Harris, Bob Esrey and Ryan Huffman. Attendees also enjoyed dinner and cocktail hour; giving many team members the opportunity to personally connect with each other and put “a face to the zoom."
The conference concluded with the annual awards ceremony to recognize the outstanding performance by team members over the past year. Overall, the conference provided attendees with an opportunity to learn from industry experts, recognize outstanding performance, and make a positive impact in their communities.
​
​
A Cheerful Registration
As property managers began arriving to the conference on Tuesday, April 23rd, they were greeted with cheers and encouragement from their managers. Following this lively welcome, they made their way to the registration table where the HR team checked them in by providing them with a program, Cohen-Esrey shirt, name tag, and a "welcome to the conference" bag with snacks and water.
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!
The Keynote Speech
The Keynote speech was the first presentation to kick off the Annual Conference. Courtney Thomas, a motivational public speaker, delivered a very eye-opening, thorough, and informative presentation filled with insightful information and some crowd participation in which the audience scanned QR codes to share their own responses. Her experience and passion for the work she does was the perfect way to get attendees eager and ready for the remainder of the conference.
Ryan's Opening Remarks
Ryan Huffman delivered opening remarks the morning of Wednesday, April 24th. Huffman shared some personal stories and used it as a way to inspire all of the attendees to tackle any obstacles or challenges they may be facing. He emphasized how success is achieved when you work diligently toward a goal. It doesn't always come easy, but it will come with hard work.
The major key take-away was perseverance. No matter what life throws your way, you can change your mindset and make it happen.
The Community Impact Event
Another highlight of the conference was the Community Impact event, which gave attendees the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors at the Newhouse Kansas City domestic violence shelter.
To form groups, each table was assigned a group number. The activity involved creating welcome kits to help these individuals feel valued and special upon their arrival to the shelter. Team members participated in a riddle/race/scavenger hunt to collect items for the kits. A total of 13 items were assembled for each basket. The process involved selecting an envelope, reading the riddle inside, and deciphering which item to collect based on the clue provided. Once confident, a team member retrieved the item and returned to the table to repeat the process until all 13 items were gathered. Upon completion, teams assembled the baskets to ensure they looked visually pleasing and well-organized.
​
Team members also had the opportunity to take a minute to write down some words of encouragement and positive affirmations to help brighten their day.
This was an amazing example of our Community Impact Core Value and proves how working together as a team can positively benefit those in our community.
Training Breakout Sessions
The training sessions were hosted by the Regional Managers and other members of the Corporate office in several unique sessions relevant for both market-rate and affordable properties. These breakout sessions helped provide team members with insightful knowledge, and helped inspire them to become better leaders and communicators moving forward. These sessions were also a great opportunity for team members to collaborate with other properties as well as with members from corporate. We are hopeful these sessions will help property teams with their continued success and growth.
-
Unlocking Success: The Communicative Leader
-
Finding Harmony in the Hustle
-
Surviving to Thriving
-
Habits of Excellence
-
Revive! Rebound to Thrive!
-
Navigating the Number
Couch Discussion
The couch discussion was hosted by Lee Harris, Bob Esrey, and Ryan Huffman. Attendees were able to learn from the experiences and insights of these seasoned professionals through a timeline of events, industry advice, and a plethora of personal stories. The floor was opened up to questions at the end.
Annual Award Ceremony
The Annual Award Ceremony recognized individual team members in each of the five core value categories for their performance over the past year. These awards winners are selected directly from the Spotlight section on KNET. Any time you witness a team member demonstrating a core value, you can enter a spotlight for them and they will have a chance at winning a core value award. Ace Awards recognizes the Outstanding Property Team of the year in all areas of property management, and the Top NPS Property Awards recognizes the team who achieves the highest NPS score from surveys.
Core Value Awards
Commitment Award
Team Member Fulfillment Award
Customer Fulfillment Award
Integrity Award
Community Impact
Property Awards
Ace Award <50 Units
Ace Award 51-100 Units
Ace Award 101-200 units
Ace Award 201+ Units
Top NPS Score <50 Units
Top NPS Score 51-120 Units
Top NPS Score >120 Units
Commitment Awards
• Takes responsibility for their roles and accountabilities and strives to surpass expectations.
• Do what they say; follow through and take ownership for their actions.
• Contribute constructive input for our company when requested or when needed.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Aaron Johnson
Aisha Robinson
Alanna Johnson
Alisha Brooks
Alyssa Garza
Amanda Rivera
Amanda Trew
Amanda Zepeda
Amber Rodriguez
Anthony Terry
Barbee King
Bennie Gates
Blair Wells
Brent Phillips
Brian Harrell
Cassie Colston
Chanda Lutz
Constance Riley
Cory Modgling
Cynthia Cobbins
Deanna Krause
Debra Van Dyne
Dustin Trew
Emilia Martinez
Emily Fletcher
Erin Hamel
Gina Long
Heidi Hess
Jacklyn Espinoza
Jorgji Pazolli
Karen Crouch
Kurt Parrett
Laureen Woods
Lauren Cano
Levi Cook
Lisa Melgoza
Lisa Moore
Lori Jeffries
Madeline Rivera
Megan Lierz
Michael Gioia
Michele Rollo-Burns
Paige Bohling
Pamela Oakes
Rebecca Grimm
Richard Williams
Robert Burris
Rosalina Arce
Sarah Dawson
Sherry McGee
Sonya Shifflett
Susie Demiter
Svetlana Frank
Tammi Jordan
Timothy Nelson
Tracy Williams
Trisha Parsons
Whitney Marshall
​
Alanna Johnson- Rankin Mills
Cory Modgling- Nexus 5
Alyssa Garza- Cohen-Esrey Communities
Cassie Colston- Cohen-Esrey Communities
Deanna Krause- Human Resources
Heidi Hess- Carlyle
Karen Crouch- Corporate
Laureen Woods- Brighton Creek
Lauren Cano- CEDG
Lisa Melgoza- Libertad
Paige Bohling- Financial Services
Sarah Dawson- Nexus 5
Susie Demiter- Nexus 5
Customer Fulfillment Awards
• Treats all customers equally and with respect.
• Carefully listens to customers and goes out of the way to provide excellent service.
• Seeks out feedback from customers and responds in a timely manner.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Alanna Johnson
Amber Rodriguez
Anthoni Alexander
Barbee King
Bennie Gates
Calvin Holmes
Carlos Martin
Carolyn Henson
Cedric Shine
Charles Hardesty
Christina Martin
Cleva Richardson Donohue
Cynthia Cobbins
Dedrick Williams
Heidi Hess
James Kerby
Jim Marshall
Jorgji Pazolli
Karri Landers
Kim Plumb
Lakeisha Andrews
Latosha Devould
Lisa Paszkiewicz
Lizzy Darby
Lori Davies
Madeline Rivera
Mark Denk
Nola Bounds
Perfecto Puente
Randen Woods
Robert Burris
Rodney Chmidling
Rosalina Arce
Ryan Simmons
Sherry McGee
Tina Shirey
Cynthia Cobbins- Justin Place
Jim Marshall- Nexus 5
James Huss accepting for Jorgji Pazolli- Elmhurst Terrace
Sherry McGee- CEDG
Kim Plumb- Bluejacket Lodge
Integrity Awards
• Is open, honest and timely in all communication.
• Speaks directly with people to resolve issues as they arise.
• Embraces our company’s Core Values and walks the talk so that associates can count on them.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Alanna Johnson
Alisha Brooks
Becky Trost
Cassie Colston
Chanda Lutz
Eric Kirk
Heidi Hess
Karri Landers
Kathy Cogdill
Kurt Parrett
​
Laureen Woods
Lisa Ralston
Lori Jeffries
Rosalina Arce
Sara Antar
Heidi Hess- Carlyle
Alisha Brooks- Cohen-Esrey Communities
Laureen Woods- Brighton Creek
Sara Antar- Human Resources
Team Member Fulfillment Awards
• Always looks for the good in others and speaks well of them.
• Treats others with respect and help others succeed.
• Uses training opportunities and resources to their fullest in order to grow.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Alanna Johnson
Alisha Brooks
Amanda Trew
Amanda Zepeda
Anthoni Alexander
Barbee King
Bennie Gates
Brent Phillips
Carolyn Henson
Cassie Colston
Constance Riley
Danareteda Bosier
Dawn Boyer
Deanna Krause
Debra Van Dyne
Dedrick Williams
Delon Mitchell
Dustin Trew
Edgar Bryant
Emilia Martinez
Emily Fletcher
Eric Kirk
Garrett Cook
Gavin Jones
Gavin Renft
Gina Long
Heidi Hess
Jacklyn Espinoza
Jamina Beal
Karen Crouch
Karen Hildebrand
Karri Landers
Kim Plumb
Kimberley Ruffino
Kristina Viera
Lakeisha Andrews
Latosha Devould
Laureen Woods
Levi Cook
Lisa Melgoza
Lisa Moore
Lisa Paszkiewicz
Lori Jeffries
​
Marilee Scheid
Megan Lierz
Michael Gioia
Michael McDonald
Michele Rollo-Burns
Nancy Lewis
Noelle Wilson
Paige Bohling
Pamela Weatherford
Randall Richards
Rebecca Grimm
Robert Burris
Rodney Chimdling
Rosalina Arce
Ryan Rupert
Sara Antar
Stan Phelps
Suzanne Perez
Tammi Jordan
Tina Shirey
Trisha Parsons
Alanna Johnson- Rankin Mills
Amanda Trew- St. Thomas Historic
Brent Phillips- Cohen-Esrey Communities
Cassie Colston- Cohen-Esrey Communities
Heidi Hess- Carlyle
Marilee Scheid- Human Resources
Emily Fletcher- Financial Services
Gina Long- Human Resources
Kim Plumb- Bluejacket Lodge
Noelle Wilson- Cohen-Esrey Communities
Laureen Woods- Brighton Creek
Suzanne Perez- Walnut Street Flats
Community Impact Awards
• Is aware of and relays 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.
• Takes advantage of opportunities provided to serve in the community.
Nominees in black, winners in red:
Carolyn Henson
Eric Kirk
Jamina Beal
Jessica Bell
Jim Marshall
Kathleen Cogdill
Kurt Reinke
Latosha Devould
Lisa Paszkiewicz
Lizzy Darby
Marcaria Gonzalez
Rodney Chmidling
Ryan Rupert
Sherry McGee
Tina Shirey
Eric Kirk- Financial Services
Kathleen Cogdill- Old Orchard Estates
Lizzy Darby- Information Technology
Macaria Gonzalez- Eileen's Place
Ace Awards
Achieving Cohen-Esrey Excellence
Recognizes the Outstanding Property Team of the Year in all areas of property management in the following categories:
< 50 units 50-100 units 101-200 units 201+
< 50 Units
50-100 Units
Rankin Mills
Willow Point
Walnut Street Flats
Justin Place
101-200 Units
Oneida Mills
Old Orchard
Rankin Mills, Alanna Johnson
Justin Place, Cynthia Cobbins
Oneida Mills
201+ Units
Brighton Creek
Loretto at Creekside
Elmhurst Terrace
Brighton Creek, Laureen Woods
Elmhurst Terrace, James Huss
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
Mills Crossing- 91.9
1st runner up:
Summit at Osage- 87.77
2nd runner up:
Rankin Mills- 83.87
#1 Top NPS
Orchard View- 95.3
1st Runner up
Justin Place- 84.5
2nd Runner up
Freedom Place- 82.7
#1 Top NPS
Boulevard Townhomes- 91.1
1st Runner up
Old Orchard Estates- 75.8
2nd Runner up
Big Chair Lofts- 69.9
Mills Crossing, Rebecca Roddy
Orchard View, Christina Martin
Boulevard Townhomes, Trisha Parsons
After party fun!
More Pictures
A Big Thank You
A special thank you to everyone who was involved in making the annual conference a success, including all of the regional managers and Tammi Jordan and Debbie Van Dyne for their hard work and dedication in planning the event!
