Q1 2024 HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS!
Women in Construction Week 2024
In the first week of March 2024, our team celebrated Women in Construction Week by highlighting the talented women of Homestead Construction! We were thrilled to highlight a new team member each day and learn about what the construction industry means to them. We want to give a HUGE thank you to Jessica Spears, Andrea Jerome, and Daniela Castillo for their ongoing hard work and dedication. We appreciate all that they do for our Homestead Construction team! Check out the questions below to learn a little more about each team member:
Jessica Spears
What is your current position? I was promoted to Assistant Project Manager in September.
How long have you been with Homestead Companies? At the end of March, I'll have worked for Homestead for 1 year.
What does it mean to you to be in construction? Being part of the construction industry offers me an unparalleled sense of purpose and fulfillment. It's not just about the physical act of building; it's about being an integral part of a team that collaborates effectively, forming strong bonds with colleagues and external partners alike. The opportunity to leverage cutting-edge tools and methodologies to oversee complex projects like Lusso exemplifies the dynamic and impactful nature of our work. For me, construction is about contributing my best to a collective effort that results in tangible, lasting achievements.
What is your proudest construction moment/accomplishment? My journey with Homestead Construction stands out as a testament to personal growth and professional development. Starting with little to no experience in the field, I was propelled by a relentless drive to learn and contribute. This determination was recognized when, just six months in, I was promoted to my current role. This rapid advancement is not just a personal milestone; it symbolizes the potential for growth and achievement in the construction industry for those who are committed to excellence and continuous learning.
What is your favorite thing about working in construction? The essence of construction, for me, lies in the synergy of teamwork and the tangible outcomes of our labor. There's a unique satisfaction in witnessing the direct results of our collective efforts, seeing structures rise and projects come to fruition before our eyes. This blend of collaborative spirit and visible progress fuels my passion for the field, making every day a rewarding experience.
Andrea Jerome
What is your current position? Project Manager.
How long have you been with Homestead Companies? Just under a year.
What does it mean to you to be in construction? There is never a dull moment.
What is your proudest construction moment/accomplishment? Ensuring Homestead Companies continues to develop outstanding multifamily housing that provides residents the best experience possible.
What is your favorite thing about working in construction? Collaborating daily with architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors to guarantee projects remain on time and within budget.
Daniela Castillo
What is your current position? Assistant Project Manager.
How long have you been with Homestead Companies? 10 months.
What does it mean to you to be in construction? I love contributing to the design and construction of new spaces and buildings for society and the urban environment.
What is your proudest construction moment/accomplishment? My proudest construction moment was working on the tallest building in Latin America with Gold LEED Certification.
What is your favorite thing about working in construction? My favorite thing about working in construction is that every day is different. There is always something new to learn, new construction systems, new construction methods/strategies, new softwares, new materials, etc. It is exciting to work with constant changes and challenges.
Big Wins for River Park, River’s Edge, and River Gate!
Throughout Quarter 1, we welcomed our teams at River Park, River’s Edge, and River Gate to the 100% Club for the 2024-2025 leasing season and they did it in record time, too! Congratulations to the teams in Athens, Ohio team on this big accomplishment - we are so proud of your hard work and dedication!
In The News: $1B Buckstone Project in Obetz
We’re excited to announce that Buckstone Flats was named in Columbus Business First as the first facility to open within a $1 billion development in Obetz, OH! Congratulations to the team for working hard to make this project so successful.
Check out the full article here: Columbus Business First
SkyGarden Nationally Ranked In Reputation Management
We're excited to announce that SkyGarden Apartments in Charleston, SC was ranked 28th amongst the top 100 student housing properties in the nation by J Turner Research! Congratulations to the SkyGarden team and their efforts to continue providing the best resident life experience possible! We're so proud of you all!
Click here for more information: 2023 Student Housing ORA Power Ranking
The Blueprint: Insights on Construction
Homestead Construction has been making great strides in 2024 with several exciting projects currently underway! The first quarter has seen significant progress and you can find the latest updates for each project from John Gornall, Vice President of Homestead Construction, below.
Lusso – Italian Village, Columbus, OH
Building G and H are nearing completion at Lusso Apartments! Building F is continuing to move forward as the drywall installation and finish trades are in progress. The model will be open in early April to welcome VIP tours.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @lussoitalianvillage
Stella – Italian Village, Columbus, OH
All buildings have been certified for occupancy with the final touches being completed on building A. The parking garage has been completed and is currently being painted on the interior. The townhomes are progressing smoothly and we are looking forward to welcoming residents into them soon!
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @stellaitalianvillage
Signature – Lexington, Kentucky
The project in Lexington, Kentucky is progressing very well with two buildings approaching completion. The other buildings are being framed and in various stages of completion. Construction team members are actively working on the pool and the final touches of the clubhouse.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livethesignaturelife
Hayden Park – Huber Heights, Ohio
Hayden Park Apartment are all certified for occupancy! Final touches are taking place on the last building while the landscaping is wrapping up.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livehaydenpark
Camden Park – Fort Wayne, Indiana
Camden Park is nearing completion with the final inspections pending on the last building.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livecamdenpark
Homestead Village – Fort Wayne, Indiana
Final touches are underway in the Village and common areas! Units in the B & C wings are facing completion while wing A is well underway with finish trades. We are excited to begin welcoming residents this upcoming spring!
Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates - Homestead Village Fort Wayne
Magic at the Home Office
Our team members at the Home Office gathered together for an afternoon of fun with Ron Spangler Magic! Not only did we learn some impressive tricks, but we also shared plenty of laughs and were blown away by the incredible show. We're grateful to everyone who joined us and participated in the activities. It was a memorable event!
Quarter 1 Champ Chain: Savannah Matthews
Please join us in congratulating Savannah Matthews, Assistant Leasing & Marketing Manager at University Village, for winning the first company-wide Quarter 1 Champ Chain Award! Her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the company is admirable and we are lucky to have her as a member of our team.
Here are a few things that her co-workers had to say about her:
"Savannah has stepped up and taken over more responsibilities with no complaints. She has handled herself with the utmost respect and composure. She has taken this transition smoothly and taken total control. Savannah's positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to collaborate make them a valuable asset to the team. Her commitment to excellence is evident in every task she undertakes, consistently going above and beyond to achieve results and exceed expectations."
Savannah, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to seeing all that you will continue to accomplish in the future!
Employee Spotlight: Roderick Hutchinson
Roderick Hutchinson
Job Title: Community Manager
Community: The Cottages of College Station
How long have you been with Homestead? 7 Months
What were you doing before Homestead? I worked as a Community Manager with Campus Advantage.
Where are you originally from? Friendswood, TX
What are your favorite hobbies? Riding my motorcycle, traveling, and art.
What would you most likely tell your 13-year-old self? John 13:7 "Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be? Will Smith, Lily Collins, and Alexandra Daddario
Who is the most famous person you have ever met? Drake
What is your dream vacation? Fiji
What is one thing you can't live without? My cat.
What is your proudest moment at Homestead? Having such a successful initial renewal push despite a challenging move-in.
What is on your retirement bucket list? Taking a 3 month vacation to Europe!
January
Johan Aleman, University Village, 1 Year
Tanya Brand, Homestead Village, 13 Years
Josh Bucior, The View, 1 Year
Qiletha Caston, Home Office, 6 Years
Doug Falor, Home Office, 4 Years
Jason George, Home Office, 7 Years
Sharron Giles, Ecco Park, 3 Years
John Gornall, Home Office, 1 Year
Todd Jessup, University Village, 3 Years
Lawrence King, River Park, 1 Year
Eric McIntyre, University Village, 1 Year
Jackie Radi, Orchard Grove, 1 Year
February
Cristol Alonso Colon, The View, 1 Year
Madison Bowers, River Gate, 2 Years
Greg Burchwell, HSL Grove City, 16 Years
Hailey Fisher, River Park, 1 Year
Matt Marshall, Home Office, 1 Year
Jake McGinty, The View, 1 Year
Zach Myers, Home Office, 1 Year
March
Richard Arrington, Worthington Commons, 6 Years
Tyler Barton, Home Office, 1 Year
Lorrie Bitner, Home Office, 2 Years
Chonsy Boualoy, Home Office, 1 Year
Ruben Caro, Helix Starkville, 1 Year
Sam Casarez, The Cottages of College Station, 8 Years
Mindy Henson, Home Office, 2 Years
Emily Jones, Home Office, 2 Years
Savannah Matthews, University Village, 2 Years
Travis Robinson, Clintonville Commons, 3 Years
Amber Sandberg, The Cottages of College Station, 1 Year
LeeAnn Sapp, University Village, 2 Years
Jennifer Spaulding, Ecco Park, 4 Years
Jessica Spears, Home Office, 1 Year
James Vest, Orchard Grove, 6 Years
Paul Zirkle, Somerset Square, 4 Years
2023 Year In Review
Looking back at 2023, we can proudly say that it was an amazing year for Homestead Companies. It was a year of immense growth, opportunities, and remarkable achievements. We broke records, laid strong foundations, and achieved our goals, all thanks to our incredible team! We are thrilled to announce the successful roll-out of our 2023 Year In Review and can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for us!
We’re Hiring!
Dear Homesteader,
As a valued team member, we believe you have a network of talented professionals who could make great additions to our organization. That's why we're excited to announce our employee referral program, which rewards you for referring top talent to our company.
For every candidate you refer who is hired and successfully completes their 90-day probationary period, you will receive a referral bonus of $250. Not only will you be rewarded for helping us find great people, but you'll also be helping to grow our company and expand our network of talented professionals.
To refer a candidate, direct them to our job postings on our website and ensure they include your name in their application. If the candidate is hired and completes their probationary period, we'll make sure to send your reward to you promptly.
Please remember that we're looking for talented professionals who fit our company culture and values well. We're interested in individuals who are passionate about what they do, take the initiative, and are committed to continuous learning and growth.
Thank you for your commitment to our company and for helping us build a talented and engaged team. We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your referrals.