CEO Summit 2021

We are all feeling reconnected and recharged after The 2021 CEO Summit! The theme: We are survivors–was chosen to celebrate the strength, resilience, and resourcefulness we saw during such a challenging year for everyone.   

Thank you to our two amazing speakers: Jason Berger and Kristen Hadeed who not only inspired us, but helped to facilitate the right conversations amongst our team so we are fully prepared to tackle 2021 in a fun, empathetic and collaborative way. 

The Summit ended with Dave presenting the 2020 Homestead U President's award!   

"This manager has led her team. She pushes them, she has high expectations. She rolls up her sleeves and works with them–I've watched it!"  

Congratulations, Donna. Thanks so much to you, your team and your undying effort. You're the best!  

Rent Grata x Homestead

Homestead U is pleased to announce a new partnership with Rentgrata– a platform that offers prospective renters the opportunity to message with current residents of apartment buildings when considering a new place. Rentgrata will help our residents and incoming residents feel more engaged and excited about our communities. The platform also makes it easier for property management teams to learn more about what their prospects and residents like and want, and increase their lead-to-lease conversion rates. It's a win-win-win!

Employee Spotlight: Angie Tsitouris

Job Title: Office Administrator

Property: Home Office

1.) How long have you been with Homestead? 6 and 1/2 years

2.) What were you doing before Homestead? Hotel Business for 25+ years

3.) Where are you originally from? Columbus, OH

4.) What are your favorite hobbies? Traveling, watching sports, yard work, and hiking.

5.) What would you most like to tell your 13 year old self? Quit worrying about things you have no control over; Everything always works out the way they are supposed to. And always, always be happy and kind to others.

6.) If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be? The Pope, Dolly Parton and any of my grandparents ( I actually only knew one grandparent so even seeing/meeting the others would be overwhelming ).

7.) Who is the most famous person you have ever met? I have met a few- Aretha Franklin, Wayne Gretsky and Jon Bon Jovi.

8.) What is your dream vacation? Going to Italy for a month and going back to Hawaii.

9.) What is the one THING, you can’t live without? Ice Cream, oh and of course my family!

10.) What is your proudest moment at Homestead? Not one proud moment stands out. Just being hired at 60 yrs old and being with such an awesome company has been a privilege!

11.) What is on your retirement bucket list? Travel, travel , travel....

CAPTAIN JOHN’S HEALTH TIP: Vitamin D

Vitamin D aka the sunshine vitamin–is both a vitamin and a hormone. It helps support immune function, bone and gut health, a healthy thyroid and more. Unfortunately, over half of the American population suffers from a vitamin D deficiency. Increased time spent indoors (thanks Covid) and the general cloudiness that comes with the winter season causes vitamin D insufficiencies to flare up!  

So what should you do? Eat more salmon? Drink more milk? Getting enough vitamin D from diet alone is a challenge. Especially, when the recommended daily intake is between 2,000 and 3,000 IU. This is assuming you get no significant sun exposure (hello Ohio Winters) and you maintain a healthy weight. Individuals with higher body fat might require 2-3x that amount.  

The solution? Getting outside more, and supplementing when you can’t. Doing so is sure to boost your mood and feel especially restorative during pandemic times. On the clearer days this month, try and get outside for at least 30 minutes with your face and arms exposed. Otherwise, get out and grab a supplement. Yes, even the gummies count! Just make sure you're taking vitamin D3–it's more active in the body than D2. And to improve absorption, take it with some fat since it's a fat soluble nutrient. 

Cheers to better health and better moods!  

Champ Chain Winner: Victor Huerta

Congratulations to our January Champ Chain Winner, the team member who went above and beyond to deliver on our mission statement of providing the best resident life experience possible: Victor Huerta, our rockstar Maintenance Tech at The Cottages!  

"Victor provides exceptional customer service to our residents and goes above and beyond for them. Any time they see him on the property they will wave, or stop him to say hello.  He is never too busy to help someone and is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.  He continues to take on more responsibilities, helping out with whatever is needed."  - Victoria Hicks, Community Manager 

Thank you, Victor, for being a shining example of our mission and providing the best resident life experience! Your commitment to quality work, as well as the relationships you're building with our residents will help drive renewals and referrals and continue building on The Cottages reputation of being the best place to live in College Station!  

Notable Anniversaries- February

Gregory Burchwell, Homestead Village, 13 Years

Dana Donofrio, The View, 8 Years

Rebekah Wolford, Pavilion, 4 Years

Christina Johnson, River Park, 3 Years

Mary Marable, Helix, 2 Years

Jeffrey Rankey, Home Office, 2 Years

Michael Deguevara, College Station, 2 Years

Shelnequa Smith, College Station, 1 Year

Sara Ralston, Lubbock, 1 Year

Homestead U Focuses On Growth In 2021

Acquisitions for Homestead U are starting to ramp up. The HU due-diligence team has been bustling over the last several weeks. The student division of Homestead Companies is looking to expand in Texas, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Shannon Latsko, National Leasing and Operations Manager for Homestead U noted, "This is a very exciting time for our company.
We look forward to growing the portfolio and bringing our expertise to these markets."

Champ Chain Winner: Tabriel Smith

Congratulations to our Champ Chain Winner, the team member who went above and beyond to deliver on our mission statement of providing the best resident life experience possible: Tabriel Smith, our Leasing & Marketing Manager at Helix!

"Parents love her!  People really appreciate her willingness to dig in for answers to their questions and follow up.  She's honest; if she doesn't know, she's going to tell you, but also won't give up until she figures it out.  She was really excited to be a part of our Fall Festival, joined the "It's for me" video and got everyone to participate.  I don't think I've ever seen her with a bad attitude or in a bad mood...she's always smiling, and that positive energy rubs off on the team!"  - Heather Doty, Community Manager

Thank you, Tabriel, for approaching work every day with a positive attitude and leading by example! Your commitment to your team and your property is so appreciated, and EXTRA kudos for keeping leasing on track during the most challenging of times!