October & November 2022
2022 CEO Summit
The Homestead U CEO Summit started 8 years ago with the idea of empowering our community managers to think like CEOs. The event has continued to evolve over the years into a week-long event where our community managers become stronger, and we give recognition to the on-site leaders in the company. The awards ceremony kicked off the summit on night one, and there were some new names that took home hardware this year!
Presidents Award
The Valley
Community Manager: Mikayla Lewis
Maintenance Team of the Year
Live South Green
Community Manager: Ashley Gall
Best Delinquency Management
University Village
Assistant Manager: Tammy Lusk
Comeback Players of the Year
University Village
Community Manager: Todd Jessup
Rookie of the Year
2818/Parkway
Community Manager: Kaitlyn Key
Congratulations to all our winners!
The Awards Ceremony was followed by a solid week of roundtables and fun events that included a tour of the Ohio State Horseshoe, a night in the Short North, and a round of Duck Bowling that ended with a three-story slide. Shannon Latsko, Regional Manager and co-organizer of the CEO summit noted “We put a strong emphasis on building relationships within the organization. It’s always nice to have a support line of someone that is going through the same experiences as you are. So, we create events and workshops where the community managers can come together, share war stories, bounce ideas off each other, and build healthy relationships.”
This year was just that. Attendees got to hear from industry leaders, present ideas to their peers, and even checked off the C-Bus Nightlife bucket list. Thank you to our sponsorships and speakers for making the 2022 CEO Summit a success.
October Culture Recap!
This past month was full of excitement! The office participated in a Halloween Spirit Week, our first annual Chili Cook-off + Costume Contest, and celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a pink breakfast and our very own speaker, Donna Stage.
Donna is a 6 year Warrior, stable Stage 4 Breast Cancer survivor. She offered great statistics and tips on how we can ALL help be aware and support individuals in their cancer journey such as:
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer during their lifetime
Stage 1, 2, 3 Breast Cancer: Cancer has stayed closer to origin. 5-year survival rate is 90%!
Stage 4 Breast Cancer: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body. 5-year survival rate is 28%
Stay on top of your scans and be knowledgeable of symptoms. Pay attention to your instincts if you think something is wrong.
Support those you know going through any type of cancer
They don't want to hear "everything will be fine." Let them know you are there to support them, go to appointments with them, listen to them when they need an ear.
Don't be in denial about their condition, accept it, be positive but realistic. Understand that they will have up and down days, and side effects to deal with as they go through treatments. Help them deal with the side effects the best they can.
Be YOU! Don't force yourself to act the way you think you are supposed to. Nothing is more uncomfortable than someone trying too hard to "do the right thing". Ask questions if you are uncomfortable or don't understand. Be honest that you don't know what to do or say. They will tell you.
Participate in activities that show solidarity of support for those going through cancer. It does help to know others are out there that "get it," and it helps us expand our support groups. Donations help fund research that increase that survival rate, and help Warriors live longer!
Thank you, Donna, for bringing awareness and highlighting the positive ways we can help our loved ones and beyond!
John Brinich: Building Careers in Construction
Contrary to what seems to be popular belief, you don’t need to go to college to find a rewarding career.
I am not quite sure where that idea started in our society, but I know it’s still around. I think back to my high school days and how, when senior year rolled around, I had that meeting everyone scheduled with the high school counselor. I remember the counselor asking me directly what I wanted to study in college as if that was my only option. The same thing happened with my own kids during their high school experience all those years later.
The fact is, for many people, college isn’t for them – and that doesn’t mean they won’t be successful. While college is valuable and required for many careers, it is expensive and takes years to complete. Yet, there are many satisfying and lucrative careers for which college simply is not needed.
My title is the President of Construction at Homestead Companies, which is a fully integrated real estate company with in-house development, property, and construction management. In 2021, our company had more than $200 million worth of new construction contracts in place.
I lead a team of 17 that manages the construction process for our company’s projects. We ensure skilled labor is hired, materials are sourced, and projects get done safely and on time. We have several high-level supervisors that do great work for our company and our clients, none of whom has a college degree.
No college textbook or lecture can get you ready for a construction worksite. What people in construction need is time in the field, along with a passion for the work.
When I interview candidates for our jobs, I never look at the bottom of the resume where education is usually listed. I want to know – can you problem solve, can you think outside the box, and does your personality fit within our culture? Education doesn’t address those questions. With these parameters, we have several people at our company making six-figure salaries.
Right now is a golden opportunity for those who have ever considered a career in construction:
Development driving demand
All over the country, development continues at a rapid rate, but the construction side can’t keep up. Data from Associated Builders and Contractors says the industry needs 650,000 additional construction workers to meet the rising demand.
Workers getting older
Not only is development driving the need for workers, but a large share of the industry’s workforce is reaching retirement age. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22% of our workers are 55 or older.
Salaries going up
Over the past few years, wages in the construction industry have grown due to supply and demand. Analysts are expecting the pay growth to continue to increase along with the growing need for workers. Getting started in construction is quite easy, especially in Ohio where Homestead is headquartered. Ohio has the second largest registered apprenticeship system in the country. Apprenticeship programs allow workers without any prior experience to learn the trade. Not only are these programs free, but the
apprentices are paid for their on-the-job training and receive additional benefits. While many of their peers start their careers in debt from college, apprentices enter the field ahead.
The need for construction isn’t going to slow anytime soon. The jobs are available and so are the opportunities to ascend into leadership roles. College is a great option for many – but it’s certainly not the only one to build a career you can be proud of.
HA Q3 Medal of Excellence: Tanya Brand
Please join us in congratulating Tanya Brand for winning the 3rd Quarter Medal of Excellence Award! Here are a few things that her fellow co-workers had to say about why they feel she helps Homestead "GROW IT!":
"Tanya has done everything in her power to get her brand-new communities off to a great start! She is literally growing the company every day with new residents and new units. She worked late nights and weekends to help get the Blacklick residents into their homes after they received TCO. She will be turning around shortly and doing the same for HSL Miamisburg. We are so lucky to have Tanya on our team through this tremendous period of growth for our company!"
"Ever since I started for Homestead, I have watched Tanya work so hard to lease up the Homestead Villages! She really does care about the residents and the future of Homestead Village. She works endless hours and is great at helping the new team members and prospective residents see how charming Homestead Village is! She is helping GROW this company every day!"
Thank you, Tanya, for all your hard work!
HU September Champ Chain Winner: Travis Lane
Please join us in congratulating our September "Survivor" Champ: Travis Lane, Business Administrator over Parkway and 2818, all the way in College Station, Texas!! (He has to GIG em' for now) but he comes to us from RED RAIDER LAND, WRECK EM'!
"As chaotic as Turn was, Travis was constantly out on the grounds with us. Travis continuously picked up on the slack, drove his team, and encouraged us to go further every day. He showed up every day with a smile and encouraged everyone to do better than yesterday. He looked out for everyone, kept us all in check, kept us hydrated, and encouraged us when we were ready to call it quits. Now that Turn has passed, Travis fell right back in line and made the financial side of move-in day run as smoothly as possible for both 2818 and Parkway. He cares deeply for and always takes care of his team ~ Turn and its aftermath would have been a rocky road if it weren't for Travis. Even now, while Parkway is short-staffed, Travis has hit the ground running and kept Parkway in tip-top shape. He has gone above and beyond in every single way and made the struggles seem like nothing. There's nothing that Travis can't do and everyone at Parkway and 2818 both couldn't be more appreciative of how much he does for both properties and how much of a survivor he truly is. Travis is amazing in more ways than you ever could think, and he has been the biggest team player there could have been throughout Turn. We can all depend and rely on Travis for anything, big or small, personal or professional, financial or leasing... he is our jack-of-all-trades -- the biggest thank you we, as a team, could ever give him is his moment in the spotlight." Nominated by Kasen Hobsen (keep nominating em' Kasen!)
Travis has been a pleasure to work with from Lubbock all the way to College Station. He is dependable and will give it his ALL, no matter what the task. We are so truly blessed to be able to call Travis the SURVIVOR for September's Champ Chain; and could not have gotten through the wild and crazy turn season without him.
HU October Champ Chain Winner: Jordyn Swoope
Please join us in congratulating our October Fall Champ: Jordyn Swoope, Leasing and Marketing Manager at The Valley, all the way in the heart of the Happy Valley of State College, Pennsylvania! "We are, PENN STATE"
"Jordyn goes out of her way, each week, to ensure the best experience for both residents and employees. Whether it be planning an event or bringing coffee in for her coworkers when she knows it will be a busy day, Jordyn goes out of her way to make the office better. I admire Jordyn's dedication and passion for her job as a Leasing Manager here at the Valley in State College. Ever since my interview last year, Jordyn has been outgoing and beyond helpful with any questions that I had, and I know she works 10x as hard for our residents. Jordyn inspires me to work harder and strive for greatness in my role as a Community Assistant. When a screaming resident came in yelling at a community assistant, Jordyn stopped what she was working on at her desk, went out, and defused the situation. She did so by making sure the resident first felt heard and then offered multiple solutions to the resident allowing them to pick what best fit their needs. This impressive display of leadership and problem-solving is why I nominate Jordyn Swoope. Jordyn takes on so much extra responsibility, challenges and critique. She is beyond deserving of this nomination and more. Jordyn puts her job before herself to make sure everything gets done and that our residents are happy. She works hard to resolve any problem and does not let past resident experiences influence her relationship with them. She is fair, honest, hard-working, and professional, and always makes sure residents and staff are taken care of. Everyone loves the community events she organizes, and she really makes sure that The Valley feels like home for everyone." Nominated by Mariah Paolucci-Dougherty, Ryan Irr, Nicholas Troisi, Lindsey Scott
Jordyn has been a rock star since day one! We are so proud of the way she led her team to 100% occupied this past year and has already crushed it on this new leasing season roll out. Thanks for all you do for us Jordyn!
Employee Spotlight: Dustin Holskey
Name: Dustin Holskey
Job Title: Ops Manager
Community: Home Office
How long have you been with Homestead? 6 years
What were you doing before Homestead? Property Manager
Where are you originally from? Barnesville, Ohio
What are your favorite hobbies? Traveling & Hiking
What would you most likely tell your 13 old self? Be yourself!
If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be? My Grandparents, Britney Spears, Elvis
Who is the most famous person you have ever met? Arnold Schwarzenegger
What is your dream vacation? Traveling through Italy
What is the one THING, you can't live without? Music
What is your proudest moment at Homestead? Being a part of the family and making operations magic happen
What is on your retirement bucket list? Travel the world
October Anniversaries
Deandra Boll, Home Office, 4 Years
Del Baker, Appian Way, 5 Years
Cory Ratai, Home Office, 7 Years
Tracie Greene, UV, 3 Years
Sara Yaros, Home Office, 1 Year
Dakaven Townsend, Helix, 1 Year
Shaun Kastner, Home Office, 1 Year
Aaron Meadows, Home Office, 1 Year
November Anniversaries
Penny Ritz, Home Office, 6 Years
Ronnie Bolin, River Park, 4 Years
Steve Wright, Georgetown, 11 Years
Emily Wiltrout, The View, 2 Years
Kasen Hobson, 2818 College Station, 1 Year
Maggie Purdy, Home Office, 2 Years
Andrew Burson, Home Office, 1 Year
Terri Myers, Home Office, 1 Year
Ann Spencer Cunningham, Helix, 1 Year