Blue Ridge Property Management : Property Management Services

Awards & Accolades

2009 Property of the Year

The Above and Beyond Property of the Year Award is given each year to the property that goes above and beyond expectations in their performance, is committed and determined to doing their absolute best as a team, and sets the standards by which others must follow.

The winner of this award:
Legacy at Linden Park, Lynchburg, VA

The Above and Beyond Property of the Year Award is given each year to the property that goes above and beyond expectations in their performance, is committed and determined to doing their absolute best as a team, and sets the standards by which others must follow.

The Property of the Year for 2009 is Legacy at Linden Park. This property for the past 17 months averaged 22.4 net leases per month. The team had 1,277 visits, 492 leases with a gross closing ratio of 38.52% with 381 net leases.
The Team has an average shop score of 91.73%. This represents five scores of 100% and 5 that are 95% and above. The average property score is 96.75% for the last four formal property inspections

The Team at this property still finds time for community outreach. They have taken turns serving at a local soup kitchen. They have shown that they believe in BRPM, their property and themselves.
BRPM is very proud of the team at Legacy at Linden Park. They are recognized as being an essential piece to the puzzle that makes Legacy at Linden Park such a great success. This community has had a successful lease up in very hard economic times. They were able to lease Phase I (264 units) in such a manner that we were able to continue and build Phase II immediately resulting in a total of 408 units.

2009 Manager of the Year

The Above and Beyond Manager of the Year Award is given each year to the Manager that goes above and beyond expectations in their daily duties, is committed and determined to doing their personal absolute best, and is a role model to others in their profession and in the company.
The winner of this award:

Jennifer Hewitt
Reserve at Jacksonville Commons
Legacy at Abbington Place

Jennifer joined Blue Ridge over nine years ago as a leasing consultant and worked her way up to Property Manager. Having served as Property Manager at Jacksonville Commons for over 6 years, Jennifer led the team in achieving numerous awards and recognitions both inside the company and in their local community.
Having had much success at Commons, in 2009 Jennifer and her team accepted the challenge of managing both of the Jacksonville Commons and Legacy at Abbington Place as a combined property totaling 624 units. Traditionally turning 100% of the units annually, the team does all turn work in house and has grown to 16 fulltime associates. Reserve at Jacksonville Commons had an average occupancy for 2009 of 97.5% with an economic occupancy of 96.9%. Legacy at Abbington Place maintained an average physical occupancy of 97.5% and an economic occupancy of 96.5%. Additionally, NOI for the first 11 months of 2009 increased 16.8% at Jacksonville Commons and 8.7% at Abbington Place when compared to the same period in 2008. Considering current economic conditions those numbers are exceptional.

2009 Management & Marketing Team Member of the Year

The Above and Beyond Management & Marketing Team Member of the Year Award is given each year to the team member that goes above and beyond expectations in their daily duties, is committed and determined to doing their personal absolute best, and is a role model to others in their profession and in the company.

Adriana Molina
Ashford Place

Adriana has been at Ashford Place since March 2007 and has been a very loyal and hardworking employee. Adriana is bi-lingual and works at a community that requires the constant use of this skill. She always gives our customers excellent service.
When visiting the property, we see Adriana going above and beyond with our residents by helping them understand and complete various forms since she is sometimes the only person they know to help with translations. She holds the NALP designation and has assisted the GCAA behind the scenes with the translation of a renter’s insurance document into Spanish. Adrianna is being promoted to the role of Assistant Manager at Ashford Place.

2009 Maintenance Supervisor of the Year

The Above and Beyond Maintenance Supervisor of the Year Award is given each year to the Maintenance Supervisor that goes above and beyond expectations in their daily duties, is committed and determined to doing their personal absolute best, and is a role model to others in their profession and in the company.

Maurice Muller
Ashford Place

Maurice joined our Blue Ridge family in September, 2005. On the merit of his hard work and dedication at Ashford Place, Maurice was promoted from the position of Maintenance Technician to Maintenance Supervisor in November 2006.

“Many nominations talk about data percentages, and while this is important, in this recognition, I want to discuss great customer service and a wonderful team member” says Tami Fossum, Regional Manager.

From the first day, Maurice has had a smile on his face and a willingness to get the job done no matter what. Ashford Place has had its ups and downs over the years but through all the change Maurice has always had the attitude of “whatever it takes”. Maurice exemplifies great customer service. He knows every resident and every resident loves him. He knows what each resident likes and dislikes when entering their apartment for a work request and always does service with a smile no matter what the task. It is not unusual to see Maurice assisting some of the elderly residents with their garbage and bringing in their groceries.

Not only does he provide outstanding service to the residents; he provides that same service to his fellow team mates. He comes in early everyday to make coffee for the team, make sure the office is ready for show time and then tackles the grounds.

When you call him he never says “no” or “I can’t”. His answer is always “no problem”, or “yes, it can be done”. Maurice treats his team like more than employees. If he is needed after hours or on the weekends even when it is not a resident emergency, Maurice will always lend a hand.

Maurice does a great job with the physical part of his job, his many other qualities that make him deserving of this award. He is dependable, trustworthy and kind hearted and he truly cares for his team, just like family. When it is wet and cold outside he will make sure Darrell’s projects are indoors, because he doesn’t want him to get sick.

2009 Maintenance Support Team Member of the Year

The Above and Beyond Maintenance Support Team Member of the Year Award is given each year to the maintenance team associate that goes above and beyond expectations in their daily duties, is committed and determined to doing their personal absolute best, and is a role model to others in their profession and in the company.

The winner of this year’s award is:

Alfonso Hernandez
Legacy at Cross Creek

Alfonso Hernandez began his employment as a groundskeeper with Blue Ridge Property Management in December, 2006.
Alfonso has been applauded by all levels of management to be dependable, hard working and a great time manager. He is said to require no oversight and minimal guidance. He truly has a willingness to help out in any way, even when it is outside of his primary responsibilities. Early this year when the property was short staffed he gladly took on additional responsibilities to help with apartment turns and basic service request in addition to his grounds responsibilities. As a result of Alfonso’s willingness to assume additional responsibilities, the property was still able to deliver excellent customer service to the residents.
Alfonso is often complimented by BRPM Senior Management during site visits and inspections about the cleanliness of the breezeways and the sparkling clean grounds. With his background in landscaping, during this past summer, he was able to make repairs to the irrigation system, saving the property a significant amount of money.
Karen Rea, the Manager of Legacy at Cross Creek, said that she has never worked with an employee who constantly gives 100% to his job all the time. She goes on to say that she has never had a resident complaint or a complaint from another staff member in regards to Alfonso.
Alfonso truly exemplifies the meaning of “TEAM PLAYER”. His peers all say that he is an absolute joy to work with and all are in full agreement that there has never been a more deserving staff member as Alfonso Hernandez.

2009 Top Shop Award

The “Top Shop” award is a maintenance team award that recognizes organizational, time management and customer service excellence! Having an efficient well functioning shop is a key part to helping BRPM to execute top notch customer service!

The winner of this year’s award is:

Salisbury Village Maintenance Team
Larry Tucker and Jerry Johnson

Larry Tucker and Jerry Johnson have been working together for almost 4 years. They take great pride and have the highest level of ownership when it comes to the care and organization of their shop. Using the power of imagination and utilizing their skills to carry out their innovative ideas, they came up with some unique uses for every inch of available space. They have created a fold down vice work area and a mounted vacuum system for shop clean up. All this was done while continually meeting Blue Ridge high standards of excellence in performing their regular job responsibilities.

In 2009 Larry and Jerry completed 94% of all work orders within 72 hours while also turning 68.75% of the units at the property. This shop is always found to be well stocked with all the necessary parts, clean and very well organized.

To quote Larry directly; “We pride ourselves on not only giving excellent customer service, but GREAT customer service to all of our residents within the community.”

2009 Community Outreach Award

This award is given to the BRPM property that has made the most impact on their community through acts of charitable service.

This year’s winner, Ashford Place, tackled a number of endeavors:

For the last three years they have participated in and coordinated a free summer lunch program. The property offers free lunches to its younger residents 3 days a week for the entire summer.

The team participated in Steve Coates Coat’s for kids which resulted in 40 coats being donated to this cause.

They also have a team member that has a disability and they work with Resident Support services to assist him in performing his job and assist him with personal needs.

They had 100% participation for their Apartment Association Food Drive.

They teamed up with Victory Christian Church in their area to offer Saturday programs for kids 5-12 years old.

They joined with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to provide the children of resident’s scholarships to day and overnight summer camp programs. The purpose of these programs is to promote anti-gang activity and good citizenship in the community.

The Property Manager served as Director of Starmount Pre-K Clean-Up Day with Hands-On Charlotte. They cleaned up, planted flowers and put out pine needles. The maintenance team pressure washed all the school’s sidewalks.

This winter the property is a Crisis Assistance Ministry Clothing drop off site.

Three team members participated in the Susan G. Komen 3K Race for the Cure.

They are participating in a WISH and HOPE program to assist homeless families.

This team has fulfilled and embraced the Blue Ridge commitment; “Creating positive impact for all we touch so that we leave each community better than we found it.”

2009 Victor Burm Awarded GCAA Maintenance Supervisor of the Year

Victor Burm was honored by being named the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association Maintenance Supervisor of the Year. Victor brings 19 years experience in the industry of which 9 years have been with Blue Ridge. He was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor at Halton Park in May 2009.

Brandi Robertson, Manager of Halton Park says “we all know him as Victory, because Vic always goes in with a winning attitude.” It is said that Vic works long and hard to create a community where residents are happy and affortable and a place where the entire team is proud to work. Brandi goes on to say that Vic is a great leader and enhances our community and manages his staff in a manner that fosters a spirit of teamwork with an emphasis on quality.

Vic we are very proud of your recognition of Maintenance Supervisor of the Year for the Greater Charlotte Apartment association.

2009 SatisFacts Awards

These awards are given to the properties with the highest SatisFacts scores in the Blue Ridge portfolio.

Experience tells us that there is a direct correlation between resident satisfaction and lease renewals. All three of the properties below have demonstrated a strong commitment to resident satisfaction. They are leaders in superior customer service and professionalism in managing the operations of their properties. As a result each of these properties have the highest scores in their individual categories within the Blue Ridge portfolio.

The winners for 2009 are as follows:

The 2009 Resident Satisfaction Award – For a Lease Up Property - Breckenridge Park, Hattiesburg, MS

The 2009 Resident Satisfaction Award – For a Stabilized Property Up to 4 Years Old – Legacy at Manchester Village, Rock Hill, SC

The 2009 Resident Satisfaction Award – For a Stabilized Property 5 Years and Older – Abbotts Creek, Kernersville, NC

Finally the property that had the Highest Resident Participation in the 2009 SatisFacts Survey – Berkshire Park, Knightdale, NC. This property had over 55% participation from their residents.

2009 Susan Passmore Recognized As Women Extraordinaire

Susan Passmore, Director of Property Management was recently recognized by Triad Business Leader as one of their 2009 Triad Women Extraordinaire. Susan was one of over 300 nominees and was in the top 10% of all finalist.

Susan has been with Blue Ridge since 2001. She holds a Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) and Certified Property Supervisor (CAPS) designations through the National Apartment Association. She is a graduate if the NAA Leadership Lyceum. She is a licensed Real Estate Broker and has over 15 years of multi]family property management experience. She has served as a Board member and a two time President of the Triad Apartment Association, she currently serves as Vice President and President elect of the Apartment Association of NC. In addition Susan serves as Secretary of the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).

In her nomination by her peers, such terms as mother, cheerleader, friend, mentor and leader are numerous. In addition to her outstanding accomplishments as Director of our 9,542 apartments on 31 sites with increasing revenues and decreasing operating expenses, she finds time to give back to the community. Not only is she an active participant in community outreach , she leads the pack in getting others involved. Under Susanfs leadership Blue Ridge Property Management was the winner of the Triad Apartment Association Food drive again in 2009 raising more than 36,120 cans of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank. In addition she is an active participant in such charity events as Special Olympics, Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, Toys for Tots and TAA Labor of Love.

It has been said repeatedly by Susanfs peers, gshe constantly is seeking to improve herself and pushes associates to be the best that they can be by offering a helping hand to reach their goals. Susan truly lives by the Golden Rule. She always treats others as she would like to be treated.

2009 Maintenance Response Time Team Award

2009 Maintenance Response Time Award winner, with a score of 82% is:

The Legacy at Friendly Manor Maintenance Team!

Congratulations to Dale Turner, Francisco Tapia, Jeremy Shelton & Mirna Cisneros

This is a new Champion Award. This award is based on how quickly your team completes service requests. We tallied the number of service requests completed within 24 hours portfolio wide. The maintenance team who completed the most requests within that time frame team is considered the Champion. The average percentage, for the BRPM portfolio, of service requests completed within 24 hours in 2009 was 64%.

2009 Tami Fossum To Serve As President of GCAA

Tami Fossum, Regional Manager has been elected to serve as President of the 2010 Greater Charlotte Apartment Association.

Tami has been with Blue Ridge since 2005 and actively involved in the GCAA since 1993. Tami has served as Treasurer and on the Board of Directors and in addition she has chaired the GCAA Education and Programs Committee. The GCAA named Tami Manager of the Year in 2003, Volunteer of the Year in 2005 and Instructor of the Year in 2007. She received her highest honor in 2008, when named the NAA’s Paragon winner for Designate of the Year. She is also an NAAEI faculty member and a graduate of the NAA Lyceum Leadership Program. Tami still has the time to be a mother , actively involved in neighborhood association and her church.

We at Blue Ridge Property Management are extremely proud of Tami and wish her the best in her new role as President of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association.

2009 Leasing Professional of the Year - Wilmington Apartment Association

Heather Parraga of The Reserve at Forrest was recently awarded The Crest Award for
Leasing Professional of the Year by the Wilmington Apartment Association.

This prestigious award is based on job performance and involvement in the Wilmington
Apartment Association. Heather was selected out of four finalist for this award. She
joined Blue Ridge Property Management in February 2009, and in this short time she has excelled in her position as a leasing professional. All in all, Heather has had a 40% closing rate on leases and all her mystery shops have been 90% and above. She is very active in the Wilmington Apartment Association and always takes advantage of classes and activities offered by the Association.

She is almost solely responsible for all of the Craig’s List ads, newsletters and flyers for the Reserve at Forest Hills. She has been applauded by her Manager and peers as being very creative and a high energy self-starter. Amy Ritchie, Manager of Forest Hills and Treasurer of the Wilmington Apartment Association says it is a pleasure to work with Heather because of her positive attitude and her very strong work ethic. Royce Hawley, Regional Manager for The Reserve at Forest Hills says “Heather is a great asset to Forest Hills and in the short time she has been with Forest Hills and Blue Ridge Property Management, she has proven herself as deserving of this Crest Award for Leasing Professional of the Year”.

2008 Resident Satisfaction Award

This award is given to the BRPM property that achieves the highest resident satisfaction score in the Portfolio.

This year’s winner is:

Independence Park
With an Overall Average of 4.64

2009 Maintenance Supervisor of the Year - Mississippi Multifamily Council

Reggie Welborn, Maintenance Supervisor of Breckenridge Park was recognized as well by the Mississippi Multifamily as Maintenance Professional of the Year for the Hattiesburg Chapter. This award is given to the maintenance professional who has excelled in their responsibilities, maintains a good relationship with management and residents alike. Above all these individuals have shown a desire to sharpen their expertise by attending educational seminars hosted by the Multifamily Council.

2009 Property Manager of the Year - Mississippi Multifamily Council

Nicole Baker, Property Manager of Breckenridge Parkin Hattiesburg, MS was honored by the Mississippi Multifamily Council at it’s recent annual awards
banquet in Jackson, MS. She was recognized for her outstanding work in the multifamily industry in 2009.

Nicole was honored this year with not one but two awards! She was recognized as the Property Manager of the Year for the Hattiesburg area, and then went on to also win the Property Manager of the Year for the
entire state of Mississippi.

This prestigious award is given each year to honor an outstanding property
manager who has excelled in their position. Nicole is an active member of the MMC, she has been elected as President of the Hattiesburg Chapter for
2010.

2008 Property of the Year

The Above and Beyond Property of the Year Award is given each year to the property that goes above and beyond expectations in their performance, is committed and determined to doing their absolute best as a team, and sets the standards by which others must follow.

While they made it look easy, they struggled with some difficulty over the last year, both personally and professionally. Their property replaced every single window, over 1000 windows this year, along with the high turnover, and resident retention endeavor, proved to increase the tension for their team. Four of the employees had husbands in Iraq, the Property Manager’s daughter had surgery, the Maintenance Supervisor had a heart catheterization, the groundskeeper was hospitalized for two weeks and the housekeeper’s son was hospitalized for 3 weeks. At the end of the day……even with all they endured……they stuck together as a team, and pulled off an amazing year!

Accomplishments for the year:

•Has become a pillar of success in the company through their commitment and determination to uphold our ideas of excellence in all that they do, no matter what internal or external obstacles they encountered.

•The leasing staff came together to help clean apartments while the housekeeper was out with her son.

•Their tenacity and loyalty not only to the company but to each other.

•Completed window and blind replace project three months early.

•Sustained a year to date average occupancy of 95.3%

•Won 2nd Quarter Clean/Green Award

•Maintenance Supervisor was run over by a golf cart, but don’t worry he is ok!

•First ever 2 time winner of this award.

The winner of this award:

Reserve at Jacksonville Commons

Congratulations to the entire staff: Jennifer Hewitt, John Riggs, Selina Daniels, Mia Oquendo, Ashley Justice, Robert Dula, Michael Campbell, Michelle McConnell, John Bellamy & Phillip Graham.

Your staff is truly deserving of this prestigious award.

2008 Community Outreach Award

This award is given to the BRPM property that has made the most impact on their community through acts of charitable service.

This year’s winner tackled a number of endeavors:

• Boys and Girls Club
• Second Harvest Food Drive
• Toys for Tots
• The Salvation Army Angel Tree
• Wounded Warrior Project
• American Breast Cancer Society
• Onslow Shop with a Cop
• Relay for Life
• Personally donated $400.00 to replace presents stolen from a team-members home after a break-in
• Received the Mayor’s award for “Distinguished Service by a Business”

This team has fulfilled and embraced the Blue Ridge commitment; “Creating positive impact for all we touch so that we leave each community better than we found it." They are truly deserving of this award.

The winner of this year’s award is:

Reserve at Jacksonville Commons
Congratulations to the entire staff!

2008 Manager of the Year

2008 Reader's Choice Award

Congratulations to Palladium Park for being recognized as the best of the best by the High Point Enterprise newspaper!

2008 Maintenance Support Team Member of the Year

2008 Management & Marketing Team Member of the Year

The Above and Beyond Management & Marketing Team Member of the Year Award is given each year to the team member that goes above and beyond expectations in their daily duties, is committed and determined to doing their personal absolute best, and is a role model to others in their profession and in the company.

The winner of this award:

Robin Dowd
Independence Park

Robin Dowd joined Blue Ridge Property Management in March 2008 as the Leasing Consultant at Independence Park. She began her BRPM career as 1 of 2 staff members on a lease up site. She received a 100% on her video shop making her a Platinum Champion. Her hard work was essential to the success of the Grand Opening when she went ABOVE AND BEYOND in preparing the property for this prestigious event. Her experience and enthusiasm has made a difference to their team. Her manager relies on her heavily and Robin is fully trained to complete daily tasks in the mangers absence.

Congratulations to Robin for your hard work and dedication.

2008 Maintenance Supervisor of the Year

2008 Tami Fossum Wins NAA Professional Designate of the Year

It is with great pleasure that we share with you that Tami Fossum of Blue Ridge Property Mangement has been selected by the National Apartment Association as the recipient of the Paragon Award: Professional Designate of the Year.

She was presented this prestigious award at the NAA Education Conference in Orlando, Florida in June 2008. She was selected based on the following criteria among her peers across the country by a national selection committee:
Professional Designate of the Year (note – this nominee must be employed at a middle to executive level, managing a portfolio of communities)
• Achievement of portfolio financial goals
• Team leadership and role modeling
• Effective management and execution of multiple priorities and assignments
• Development of industry personnel
• Local association recommendation
• Supervisor's recommendation &
• Report of qualifying experience

2008 Wilmington Apartment Association Crest Award

Congratulations to The Reserve at Forest Hills for winning Property of the Year at the annual Wilmington Apartment Association Award Ceremony on 12-09-08. Congratulations to their team.

2008 Triad Apartment Association Regional of the Year

The Triad Apartment Association presented Tammy Oglesby of Blue Ridge Property Management the Diamond Award for Regional Manager of the Year 2009. Tammy has been with Blue Ridge for 10 years and is currently serving as Regional Asset Manager for the Triad properties.

2008 Distinguished Service by a Business

The Reserve at Jacksonville Commons Apartments has been recommended to the Mayor’s Committee for Person with Disabilities for a monthly award in the category of “Distinguished Service by a Business.”

“I would like to thank the management and staff of The Reserve Apartments for the difference they make in the lives of our disabled community. The accommodations provided by your complex have increased the quality of life of disabled individuals and you should be commended for your efforts. The generosity of the management and staff of the Reserve Apartments is a true inspiration for others.” -Sammy Phillips, Mayor

The Reserve was recognized at the Jacksonville City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008.

2007 Blue Ridge Portfolio Recognized Nationally

The 2007 Satisfacts annual company awards have been released and Blue Ridge Property Management placed third nationally in our category. This is a wonderful acknowledgment and we appreciate all the hard work and commitment to service that you guys show each and every day. You should be very proud!

Check out the Satisfacts logo on BRPM website.

2007 TAA Property of the Year 1-8 Years

Legacy at Friendly Manor received the Triad Apartment Association Property of the Year Award for the 1-8 year age group.

2007 GCAA Instructor of the Year

Tami Fossum, Regional Asset Manager received the Instructor of the Year Accolade award for 2007 from the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association.

2007 TAA Assistant Manger of the Year

Walter Vogler, Assistant Manager of Abbotts Creek received the Triad Apartment Association Assistant Manager of the Year award for 2007.

2007 GCAA Manager of the Year

Melody Reddick, Property Manager of Ashford Place in Charlotte, NC received the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association’s esteemed Manager of the Year Accolade award for 2007.

2007 Maintenance Mania

The Fayetteville area saw its first Maintenance Mania competition April 26, 2007. BRPM was represented by the team of Chuck Fite and Francisco Garcia, both of Reserve at Forest Hills. Francisco had the best score overall for changing a handle lock the quickest. Chuck and Francisco’s car one 1st place in the race competition and they also won 1st place overall for having the best combined score. This is a national competition and Chuck and Francisco have a shot at going to Las Vegas to compete against the best of the best. Let’s all wish them well! A big “Thank You” to Mike Lopeman of Legacy at Cross Creek for organizing the whole event. Great job guys!

2006 GCAA Service Team Member of the Year

Jeff Allende, Maintenance Supervisor of Pavilion Crossings received the Charlotte Apartment Association Service Team Member of the year award for 2006.

2006 TAA Leasing Professional of the Year

Daniel Runyon, Leasing Consultant of Friendly Manor received the Triad Apartment Association Leasing Consultant of the Year award for 2006.