July 28, 2025

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.

Home Sweet Home in Texarkana

Rosehill Ridge is a 122-unit affordable apartment community located in Texarkana, TX, and is one of several properties Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) manages for Village Communities of Texarkana Texas (VCTT). The property was constructed in 2013 using affordable housing tax credits and is spread across 25 two-story buildings. Rosehill Ridge was Texarkana’s first LEED Platinum affordable housing community. Amenities include a clubhouse with business center, a fitness center, video library, playground, and BBQ grill and picnic area. Apartments are spacious with private balconies and patios. Kitchens come with custom cabinetry, islands and all the essential appliances. Apartments have ceiling fans and residents enjoy high-speed Internet access. One-bedroom apartments are 830 square feet and rent from $605 to $745 per month. Two-bedroom apartments are 1,312 square feet and rent from $723 to $892 per month. Three-bedroom apartments are 1,479 square feet and rent for $1,019 per month. The property even has four-bedroom apartments of 1,649 square feet renting for $1,122 per month.

Texarkana is a vibrant city straddling the Texas-Arkansas border, and known for its unique dual-state identity, with a metro population of about 150,000. Located in Bowie County, it offers a blend of Southern charm and modern amenities. The city’s historic downtown features landmarks like the Perot Theatre and the iconic Federal Courthouse, uniquely positioned on the state line. Texarkana boasts a strong community spirit, with attractions like Spring Lake Park and the Texarkana Regional Arts Center. Its economy thrives on manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Affordable living, diverse dining, and proximity to major highways make Texarkana an appealing destination for families and professionals alike.

Jessica Parker (2024) is the Property Manager. Kotarra Rone (2024), is the Regional Manager. Jalen Havel-Stephens (2024), is the Property Accountant and Callie Vannier (2025), is the Accounting Assistant.

We welcome the following new team members to Cohen-Esrey and the Nexus 5 Group.

Lisa Gamble – Corporate – Affordable Regional Manager
Pamela Pranschke – Park Edge, Lenexa, KS – Property Manager
Kian Stephens – Corporate Office – Corporate Accounting Associate
Matthew Clark – Residences at Franklin Park, Denver, CO – Assistant Property Manager
Sonya Leaks – Pecan Ridge, Texarkana, TX – Assistant Property Manager
Christopher Strickland – Pecan Ridge, Texarkana, TX – Maintenance Technician
Stephen Wyatt – Lakes at North Port, North Port, FL – Maintenance Supervisor
David Demma – Lakes at North Port, North Port, FL – Maintenance Technician
Laythan McClain – Greenwood Estates, Peoria, IL – Groundskeeper
Monty Clark – Alhaven, Kansas City, MO – Maintenance Technician

Meet the Yorkshire Manor Team

Meet the Yorkshire Manor team. (L to R) Brenda Lembke (2025), HUD Service Coordinator; Mark Lembke (2025), Maintenance Technician; and Kasey Gaughen (2025), Property Manager.

Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) manages the 84-unit Yorkshire Manor Apartments, an affordable community in Fremont, NE, for a third-party client.

Transformational Construction

Construction continues at Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) future communities.

Electrical service is being installed on several buildings at the Lofts at Creekview in San Antonio, TX.

Kitchen cabinets are already being set in some units at Heritage at Cottonwood Creek in San Marcos, TX.

Pouring concrete for a new ADA parking space under a carport at Village Park in Amarillo, TX.

The resort-style swimming pool at the Loma Vista Lofts in San Antonio, TX, is going to be a showpiece.

Soil backfilling, slab prep, and terrace level stem walls and section of retaining wall poured at Overlook 157 in Asheville, NC.

The Vital Role of Our New Accounts Payable System

(L to R) Angela Elijah-Williams, Lisa Hale, America Hernandez, and Nicole Foster Zoller.

For the past several weeks, Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) has been moving toward a centralized accounts payable system. This entails requiring property vendors to obtain a purchase order number for every purchase made by the property, and to electronically submit invoices to the Corporate Office. This helps speed along the payment process and eliminate issues we’ve had where invoices don’t make it to the Corporate Office.

To implement this new system, we have hired a team of Accounts Payable (AP) Clerks. Nicole Foster Zoller (2024) is the Accounts Payable Supervisor, and the rest of the team includes Accounts Payable Clerks America Hernandez (2024), Angela Elijah-Williams (2025), and Lisa Hale (2025). As the CEC management portfolio grows, the Accounts Payable team is also expected to grow.

Accounts Payable (AP) Clerks play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health and operational efficiency of an organization. They serve as the bridge between internal teams, vendors, and management, ensuring smooth communication and financial accountability.

A key responsibility of AP Clerks is entering and processing invoices accurately and in a timely manner. This involves coordinating with on-site teams and upper management to validate purchases and resolve discrepancies. Maintaining open lines of communication ensures that all financial transactions are properly authorized and documented.

AP Clerks also manage relationships with external vendors, which includes setting up new vendor accounts, maintaining up-to-date information, and ensuring vendor insurance compliance. This compliance is critical to minimizing risk and protecting the organization against liability.

Another essential duty is reconciling vendor statements. This helps to identify missed invoices, prevent duplicate payments, and ensure that account balances are accurate. Through diligent reconciliation, AP Clerks help sustain trust with vendors and uphold strong financial controls.

In short, Accounts Payable Clerks contribute far more than data entry – they are vital to the financial accuracy, risk management, and professional integrity of our organization.

Coaching Corner

Coaching Corner is a new feature that will appear from time to time in People & Properties. We are pleased that Eric Perdomo (2024), Property Manager at the Trails at Bartram Park has written another article. We really appreciate your thoughts, Eric! If you would like to submit an article for Coaching Corner, please send to me, Lee Harris, lharris@cohenesrey.com.

When Self-Doubt Takes Over

By Eric Perdomo (2024), Property Manager, Trails at Bartram Park

We all have that voice inside that sometimes whispers (or shouts) that we're not good enough, smart enough, or ready enough.

The Challenge:

Self-doubt shows up for everyone at work sometimes - especially when facing new responsibilities or big projects. It's that feeling when your stomach tightens before speaking in a meeting. Or when you stare at your computer, second guessing every word you type. Or when you lie awake wondering if you're the right person for your role. This isn't just normal stress, it's self-doubt stealing your confidence, and holding you back from doing your best work.

Practical Approach:

1. Check what’s real – So what can we do when self-doubt speaks up? Ask yourself, "What's the evidence?" If your mind tells you, "You can't handle this," look for facts that prove otherwise. Think about the challenges you've overcome before. Remember compliments you've received from colleagues. Remind yourself why you were chosen for your position. Feelings aren't facts, and testing your doubts against reality often shows they're not telling the truth.

2. Take one small step – When doubt has you frozen, don't look at the whole mountain ahead. Just focus on one small step you can take right now. You don't need to see the entire path to move forward. Maybe it's making one phone call, drafting an email, or just organizing one part of a project. Just remember that each small action builds momentum and confidence for the next one.

3. Remember who you’re helping – When you shift focus from yourself to who your work serves, self-doubt often quiets down. Are you helping residents have a better home? Are you supporting your team members? Are you making your property a better place? Your work matters beyond your fears about your performance. Connecting with that purpose gives you strength to push through doubt.

Takeaway:

Self-doubt visits everyone, but it doesn't deserve to make your decisions. By checking it against reality, taking small steps forward, and remembering the people you're serving, you can keep moving even when your confidence wavers.

Reflection Question:

What important task might you tackle today if you set your self-doubt aside for just one hour?

Congratulations, Emily!

Congratulations to Emily Fletcher (2022), Supervisor-Property Accounting Assistants, and her new husband Ethan Tew, who were married on July 18, 2025 at the Kansas City Temple. Father, Mark Fletcher (2008), Chief Operating Officer, is beaming!

Welcome, Lisa!

Jayme Deal (2024), Regional Vice-President for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC), is pleased to announce the hiring of Lisa Gamble as a Regional Manager in the Affordable Division.

Lisa has been actively involved in the property management world since 1989. Her most recent experience was overseeing 13 properties scattered throughout Missouri and Kansas with responsibility for compliance management, maintaining occupancy and maintenance standards, and mentoring site teams for subsidized and tax credit housing communities. She also was the Director of Operations for a non-profit organization where she managed full-cycle accounting functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and reconciliation across multiple software platforms. She has also supported Human Resources initiatives including benefits administration, employee onboarding, compliance and state counseling.

Lisa’s portfolio will include properties in Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Welcome to Cohen-Esrey, Lisa!

Mona Gonzales Joins the 15 – 20 Year Club!

Congratulations to Mona Gonzales (2010), Property Manager at Eileen’s Place in Kansas City, KS, for joining the 15 – 20 Year Club!

Cassie Colston (2004), Regional Vice-President, has worked with Mona throughout her career at Cohen-Esrey and has this to say about her.

What stood out about Mona when you decided to promote her from Custodian to Property Manager?

When I hired Mona in July 2010 as Custodian at a 55-unit property I was managing, I quickly noticed something unique in her. While she performed her custodial duties exceptionally well, it was her curiosity, drive, and desire to understand the bigger picture of property operations that stood out. She would ask questions, observe the day-to-day administrative processes, and willingly help with small office tasks when possible. At the time, I was functioning as both the on-site Property Manager and a roving compliance mentor for our Missouri portfolio. To maintain strong occupancy, low delinquency, and efficient operations despite my limited time on-site, I began slowly introducing Mona to administrative responsibilities, things like resident communications, organizing files, and shadowing parts of the compliance process.

She absorbed everything quickly. She had a natural connection with residents and other team members, and she took every bit of coaching and feedback seriously. Despite having no formal background in property management, let alone affordable housing, Section 8, or LIHTC compliance, Mona demonstrated an exceptional capacity to learn and a genuine passion for helping others. When I was promoted and asked to transition to a larger, distressed asset in 2015, my one request was that Mona be considered for the Property Manager role at the Alexandria Apartments, with my continued mentorship. Company leadership agreed, and she stepped into the role with confidence and capability, and she’s never looked back. I’ve been able to be her mentor and leader ever since and I continue to be deeply proud of her and her growth.

What qualities do Mona have that make her a good Property Manager?

Mona brings a combination of emotional intelligence, strong work ethic, and ever-growing compliance knowledge that makes her stand out. She is empathetic, fair, and patient but also firm when needed. Her understanding of HUD, LIHTC, and affordable housing compliance has grown tremendously over the years, and she consistently manages her site with operational excellence and strong Customer Fulfillment. She’s extremely dependable, committed, and always willing to take on additional responsibilities, whether it’s increasing challenges at her own site or helping a sister property with payables, collections, recertifications, or audits. Mona also has strong interpersonal skills. Residents, team members, housing authorities, and ownership groups alike routinely share how much they appreciate her approachability, her calm demeanor, and her professionalism.

What can other property managers and team members learn from Mona?

Mona’s story offers a valuable lesson about growth, opportunity, and the power of mentorship. She started in a custodial role, with no property management experience, and worked her way up through dedication, hard work, and a willingness to learn. Her journey is proof that great talent often comes from within and that with the right support, individuals can truly thrive in this industry.

Other team members can learn from Mona’s adaptability, humility, and commitment to continuous improvement. She takes feedback seriously, supports her peers without hesitation, and always puts residents first. She leads by example, and she reminds us that successful property management is about more than compliance and occupancy, it’s about building community, treating people with dignity, and finding purpose in the work we do.

Mona – we salute you. Thank you for your service!

Cities of Cohen-Esrey

Denver, CO: The Mile-High City

Denver, CO – nicknamed the “Mile-High City” due to its elevation of exactly 5,280 feet above sea level – is a vibrant and fast-growing urban center nestled against the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. Known for its stunning natural backdrop, Denver offers residents and visitors the unique opportunity to experience both city life and outdoor adventure in the same day.

The city is the capital of Colorado and boasts a diverse metro population of over three million people. Its economy is strong and diversified, driven by sectors such as technology, aerospace, energy, and finance. In recent years, Denver has also become a magnet for entrepreneurs and remote workers, drawn to its balance of opportunity and quality of life.

Culturally, Denver is rich with attractions. The Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Nature & Science are popular destinations. The city is also home to a thriving music and food scene, with historic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a wide array of craft breweries and restaurants.

Denver’s extensive park system, more than 80 miles of bike trails, and proximity to world-class ski resorts make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, residents enjoy an active lifestyle year-round.

Combining urban sophistication with rugged outdoor charm, Denver continues to attract newcomers from across the U.S. Its dynamic blend of economic vitality, cultural richness, and scenic beauty makes it one of the most livable cities in the country.

Cohen-Esrey currently manages two apartment communities in the Denver market – the 82-unit Trails at Lehow in the suburb of Englewood, and the 89-unit Residences at Franklin Park. The Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) is active in Denver and is planning to develop another affordable housing community there.

Small and Simple Things – Part 1

By Mark Fletcher (2008), Chief Operating Officer

Surprisingly, small and simple things can bring about spectacular outcomes. Recent research has demonstrated that spending just a few minutes each day on very small tasks can add years to one’s life expectancy.

Similarly, small and simple things can also make a huge difference by producing thriving apartment communities. Consider Jasmine, the fictitious Property Manager (PM) I invented for this article. Jasmine identified several actions that she started doing every single day. The consistency of those small actions, over time, turned her community around.

Jasmine’s Story

Jasmine had managed Lofts at the Elm for a while. Like many affordable communities, the property faced its share of challenges – tight budgets, aging buildings, shifting resident needs, and the relentless pace of compliance and leasing. Over time, things had started to slip: curb appeal declined, recerts ran behind, residents grew frustrated, and delinquency crept up.

One morning, Jasmine took a step back. Instead of fighting fires, she paused and looked at the big picture. What she saw was fixable – not overnight, not with one sweeping change, but with something better: small daily actions done with focus and consistency. She developed a plan.

She began every day with a thorough curb appeal walk, clipboard in hand, using the standard Curb Appeal Checklist. She didn’t rush it. She looked at the details: cigarette butts by the entry, trash corral overflow, leaning signs, flowerbeds in need of fresh mulch. Maintenance received clear, timely direction, and within weeks, the property looked noticeably cleaner and more welcoming – without spending money on major upgrades.

She revisited the delinquency report every day, but instead of just noting the totals, she and her Assistant PM selected a few residents each day to personally reach out to – offering payment plans, connecting to assistance programs, and checking in. Bit by bit, balances came down and trust went up. She didn’t let weeks go by when residents were delinquent. She followed-up daily.

Leasing follow-up got sharper too. Jasmine committed to personally calling one or two leads a day – especially the ones who toured but didn’t apply. Her warmth and professionalism resonated. The Assistant PM and leasing agents took note, and together, they started turning more leads into move-ins.

The KNET Certification Tracker became her go-to tool for recert compliance. She used it every morning to log progress, identify bottlenecks, and plan small daily goals. Instead of overwhelming the team with last-minute scrambles, she and her team reviewed just a handful of files a day well in advance of the due date – ensuring consistent movement and timely communication with residents. Within weeks, the backlog began to clear, and recerts felt manageable again.

In the next issue, we’ll finish Jasmine’s story.

An Empowerment Story

By Kayla Oler (2025), Customer Fulfillment Advocate

Kayla Oler (2025), is a Customer Fulfillment Advocate for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC). Here is what she has to say about her Empowerment:

“I feel Empowered by the role I play in helping residents resolve issues with their apartments and communities. Every phone call I take is an opportunity to listen, reassure, and act. Many times, the callers are upset or frustrated, understandably so, as they’re dealing with problems in their homes. But rather than feeling discouraged, I’ve learned to see these moments as chances to make a real difference.

What Empowers me most is knowing that I can help fix an issue a resident is having and possibly turn their day around. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to listen and understand what they are going through. What makes change happen is strong communication with others to coordinate repairs, follow up on concerns, and make sure no issue falls through the cracks. I’ve become more confident in navigating difficult conversations, problem-solving under pressure, and staying calm when emotions run high. It is easy to implement our Core Values in the work I do. When it comes to the Core Values, the one that most resonates with me is Integrity because I need to be able to act with honesty, openness, and ensure that every resident is provided with a high level of Customer Fulfillment.

By being a reliable point of contact and showing people that they’re heard, I’ve found a sense of purpose in what I do. It’s not always the easiest, but with the constant support of my supervisor, Kipp Keffel (2024), Director of Training and Customer Fulfillment, and the opportunity to genuinely help others, I feel Empowered every day because of the people I work with, and the residents that we have the opportunity to serve.”

A Fun Photo!

Here’s a photo of the first page of the very first issue of People & Properties from January-February 1976. That was back in the Robert E. Esrey and Company days. Pretty crude looking compared to what is produced today!

This is How It’s Done . . .

By Arley Hoskin (2022), Leasing Performance Strategist

Swept Up in Success: A Custodian’s Journey to Property Management

When Mona Gonzales started at Cohen-Esrey as a custodian 15 years ago, she didn’t expect that she would one day become a Property Manager. But it wasn’t a surprise to Mona’s Property Manager at the time, Cassie Colston (2004), now a Regional Vice-President. “When I hired Mona in July 2010 as custodian at a 55-unit property I was managing, I quickly noticed something unique in her. While she performed her custodial duties exceptionally well, it was her curiosity, drive, and desire to understand the bigger picture of property operations that stood out. She would ask questions, observe the day-to-day administrative processes, and willingly help with small office tasks, when possible,” Cassie said. “At the time, I was functioning as both the on-site Property Manager and a roving compliance mentor for our Missouri portfolio. In order to maintain strong occupancy, low delinquency, and efficient operations despite my limited time on-site, I began slowly introducing Mona to administrative responsibilities, things like resident communications, organizing files, and shadowing parts of the compliance process.”

After four years as a custodian, Mona received a promotion to Property Manager. She was working for Alexandria Apartments at the time. “When I was promoted and asked to transition to a larger, distressed asset in 2015, my one request was that Mona be considered for the Property Manager role at the Alexandria Apartments, with my continued mentorship,” Cassie said. “My supervisor agreed, and she stepped into the role with confidence and capability, and she’s never looked back. I’ve been able to be her mentor and leader ever since and I continue to be deeply proud of her and her growth.”

Today, Mona serves as Property Manager for Eileen's Place, a 60-unit property with a mix of tax-credit and market rate units, and Cassie oversees the property.

Mona, who is from Wyandotte County, KS, said she likes being able to give back to her community. “It feels good to be in my own community helping to keep people from becoming homeless,” Mona said. Eileen’s Place is currently 95% occupied with a wait list that enables the vacant units to fill quickly. Mona works with a case manager from Metro Lutheran Ministries to prioritize the waitlist and help residents with social-work related issues. “A lot of residents are really grateful for the opportunity that Eileen’s Place offers,” Mona said.

Mona continues to be grateful for the opportunities that Cohen-Esrey has offered her. She said Cassie continues to be a mentor to her. Cassie views Mona’s success story as one that other team members can inspire towards. “Mona’s story offers a valuable lesson about growth, opportunity, and the power of mentorship,” Cassie said. “She started in a custodial role, with no property management experience, and worked her way up through dedication, hard work, and a willingness to learn. Her journey is proof that great talent often comes from within and that with the right support, individuals can truly thrive in this industry.”

Nicholas Hernandez (2004), Maintenance Technician, and Mona Gonzales (2010), Property Manager.