March 9, 2026

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.

Living in History

In February 2020, Cohen-Esrey Apartment Investors (CEAI) acquired Elmhurst Terrace in the western Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, IL. Since then the 315-unit market-rate property built in 1947, has benefited from $2 million in physical improvements including the addition of decorative metalwork to conceal air conditioning units on all buildings, new building entrances with new doors, modern siding and address numbers, and added siding to portions of all buildings to modernize the once basic 1940s tan brick. Signage was updated throughout the property and interior hallway facelifts included paint, lighting and new flooring. Interior upgrades included new cabinets and granite countertops, stainless steel appliances with the addition of microwaves in each unit, wood plank flooring throughout each unit, updated blinds, fixtures, and hardware, new bathroom cabinets and counters, and updated air conditioning units. Amenities include garage parking, a BBQ area including a smoker, four additional grilling stations with picinic areas, firepit, bicycle storage, package receiving, and a modernized fitness center. Studios are 370 square feet and rent from $1,293 to $1,363 per month. One-bedroom units are 650 to 670 square feet and rent for $1,529 to $1,594 per month. Two-bedroom units are 800 square feet and rent for $1,788 per month. Elmhurst Crossing is a major shopping center that adjoins the property and features Whole Foods, Kohl’s, Petco, Bath & Body Works, Shoe Carnival, Subway, Hallmark, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, and many other retailers. What a great convenience fo our residents!

Elmhurst is a city of 46,298 mostly in DuPage County with some overlap into Cook County. The Keebler Company’s corporate headquarters was in Elmhurst until 2001 when the Kellogg Company purchased it. O’Hare International Airport is 18 minutes from Elmhurst, and Chicago Midway International Airpot is 33 minutes away. The famous poet, Carl Sandburg was from Elmhurst. The average household income in a one-mile radius around Elmhurst Terrace is more than $192,000 per annum, and it’s only 1.5 miles to the Elmhurst Metra with a 27-minute express train to downtown Chicago. Elmhurst is home to the Elmhurst Art Museum, the Elmhurst History Museum, and was originally the home of the world-famous Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art.

Lisa Ralston (2020) is the Property Manager and Karen Crouch (2019), Managing Director, is serving as the Regional Manager. Jalen Havel-Stephen (2024) is the Property Accountant, and Rhianna Jones (2025), is the Accounting Assistant.

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

Kahla Stanley – Corporate – Regional Manager – Affordable Division
Robert Psota – The Landing at 818, Sun Prairie, WI – Maintenance Technician
Christopher Magdowski – Carlyle, Shawnee, KS – Make Ready Technician
Terri Montes – Big Chair Lofts, Thomasville, NC – Assistant Property Manager
Christina Mayo – Alhaven, Kansas City, MO – Property Manager

Meet the Big Chair Lofts Team

Meet the Big Chair Lofts team. (L to R) – Seated: Terri Montes (2026), Assistant Property Manager, and Yolanda Jackson (2024), Property Manager. (L to R) -Standing – Anthony Terry (2020), Maintenance Technician; Jeremiah Bogier (2024), Lead Maintenance Technician.

Big Chair Lofts (139-units) located in Thomasville, NC, was developed by a partnership of the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) and Third Wave Housing and is managed by Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC).

Transformational Construction

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

Parking lot paved and striped at the Lofts at Creekview in San Antonio, TX.

Courtyard and pool nearing completion at the Lofts at Creekview.

Exterior work continues at Overlook 157 in Asheville, NC.

And now, the contractor is also working on the inside at Overlook 157.

A Healthy Tip

By Dee Krause (2022), Recruiting Manager

Beating the Winter Blues – Understanding SAD

As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, many people notice changes in their mood, energy levels, and motivation. For some, these seasonal shifts can develop into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a type of depression that typically occurs during the fall and winter months. February and March are often the peak months for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or "winter blues" due to the cumulative effect of low sunlight and cold weather.

Common signs of SAD include:

• Low energy or fatigue

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in sleep (often sleeping more than usual)

• Increased cravings for carbohydrates

• Feeling down, irritable, or less motivated

The good news? There are simple, proactive steps you can take to help combat seasonal mood changes:

☀ Get More Light

Maximize natural light by opening blinds, sitting near windows, or taking short walks during daylight hours. Some individuals benefit from using a light therapy box in the morning (consult your healthcare provider for guidance).

🚶 Stay Active

Regular physical activity can boost mood and energy levels. Even a 10–15-minute walk during lunch can make a difference.

🕒 Stick to a Routine

Consistent sleep and wake times help regulate your body’s internal clock and support better mood balance.

🥗 Fuel Your Body Well

Balanced meals with lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help stabilize energy levels and reduce cravings.

🤝 Stay Connected

Social interaction, even a quick coffee break with a colleague, can reduce feelings of isolation during darker months.

If seasonal symptoms begin interfering with daily life, consider speaking with a healthcare provider. Early support can make a significant difference. Taking small, intentional steps, each day can help you stay energized, focused, and well all season long.

The Delinquency Champions!

By Michele Rollo-Burns (2018), Director of Leasing and Revenue

This is the second month that we are announcing the Delinquency Champions in People & Properties. Each month we will recognize communities and teams that have excelled at rent collections. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is 2% or less Current Resident Rent Balances. For the month of February 2026, we have 18 properties that have met the KPI up from 15 the prior month. Congratulations to each team!

Core Value of the Month

Historic Buildings of Cohen-Esrey

Cohen-Esrey has a long history of developing and/or managing some really cool historic buildings. In this series, we feature one such building in each issue.

Clay Hall Senior Residences

Clay Hall Senior Residences occupies a historic building in Enid, Oklahoma, with roots stretching back to the early 1940s. Originally constructed in 1941 as a women’s dormitory for Phillips University, Clay Hall was designed in the Mission Revival style and expanded in 1951 and 1959 to house more students. It served as a residence for female students until the university’s decline led to its closure in 1987. The imposing structure remained vacant for over two decades, deteriorating until redevelopment began in the early 2010s. In 2013–2014, the building was rehabilitated using historic and affordable housing tax credits and transformed into 30 affordable apartments for seniors by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG). The project preserved key historic features while giving the landmark a new community purpose.

HR Corner

By Jennifer Miller (2025), Director of Human Resources

Introducing the Cohen-Esrey Communities Career Path Program

Supporting Team Member Fulfillment Through Growth & Opportunity

We are excited to announce the launch of our Career Path Program for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC), created in support of our commitment to Team Member Fulfillment. This program is designed to foster professional growth, recognize expertise, and provide clear, structured opportunities for advancement across our communities.

At Cohen-Esrey, we believe your career should be more than a job – it should be a journey with purpose, development, and opportunity. The Career Path Program brings that vision to life.

Why a Career Path Program?

The goals of the Career Path Program are to:

Professional Development – Recognize and reward the development of property management and maintenance expertise through clearly defined advancement opportunities.
Clear Expectations – Build essential competencies needed for success in property management and maintenance roles.
Long-Term Growth – Create opportunities for you to expand your knowledge and increase your expertise in areas you want to learn.
Advancement – Establish a structured, consistent, and equitable approach to career progression across all communities.

Program Structure

The Career Path Program consists of progressive levels that reflect increasing responsibility, expertise, and impact within each role. Team members will initially be placed within the path based on their current role. Advancement opportunities will be evaluated during annual performance reviews and based on demonstrated competencies and qualifications.

Career Path Roles Include:

Maintenance & Community Support

Groundskeeper
Make-Ready Technician
Maintenance Technician
Lead Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Technician Supervisor

Leasing & Property Management

Leasing Agent / Mobile Leasing Agent
Senior Leasing Agent / Senior Mobile Leasing Agent
Leasing Manager
Assistant Property Manager (Market/Affordable)
Property Manager (Market/Affordable)
Senior Property Manager
Area Manager (Market/Affordable)
Regional Manager (Market/Affordable)
Managing Director

Each level clearly outlines the skills, knowledge, and behaviors expected for success, helping team members understand what is required to grow and advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my level on the Career Path Program be determined and communicated?

Placement will be based on an assessment of your current skills and demonstrated competencies compared to the expectations for each level. Management will review recommendations to ensure consistency and fairness across teams.

What role does tenure play in determining my level or advancement?

Advancement is based primarily on competencies and the work you are able to perform — not on years of service alone. While each level includes minimum qualifications to guide expectations, progression depends on demonstrated ability and readiness rather than time in role.

Will I receive a salary increase when I advance?

Advancement to a higher level may include eligibility for a promotional salary increase. Any increase will be determined by leadership based on performance, internal equity, and company guidelines.

Team members who receive a promotional increase will remain eligible for annual merit increases as well.

Investing in Your Success

We are proud to introduce this program as part of our ongoing investment in your growth and success. The Career Path Program provides clarity, consistency, and opportunity — empowering you to build the career you envision at Cohen-Esrey Communities. Your manager will be sharing more detailed information about the career path program in your team meetings and 1:1 meeting in the coming weeks.

Ready to learn more now?

To take a look at the career path matrix and associated resources, please visit the Career Development section of OASYS, and/or,
Join the Career Development Quick Connect each Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. central time.

In the meantime, please reach out to your manager or Human Resources with any questions.

Your growth matters. Your development matters. And your future at Cohen-Esrey matters

Be the Hero of Your Own Story

By Mark Fletcher (2008), Chief Operating Officer

Every great story has a hero — but here's the twist that many people miss: heroes rarely feel like heroes in the moment. They're not standing on mountaintops with capes billowing in the wind. They're showing up. They're solving the problem in front of them, steadying the person beside them, and quietly making the world a little more livable for everyone around them. Sound familiar? It should. Because that's exactly what you do every single day.

If you don’t see yourself as a hero in your own life story, then I recommend that you ditch the narrator in your head (your inner voice) and hire new one who sees you as true and living hero. Today’s a great day to choose to see yourself as not just a participant in your own story but the lead character with a freaking awesome development arch.

Now, equipped with a hero mindset, think about the people in your orbit — your family, your coworkers, your residents, your community. Each of those relationships tells a different aspect of your hero story. Your family sees someone who works hard, brings purpose home, and models what it looks like to take pride in what you do. Your coworkers see a teammate who shows up, carries their share, and makes the whole team stronger. Your residents see the person who makes sure their home — the place where they rest, raise their families, and build their lives — is safe, welcoming, and well cared for. And your community sees an organization, and the people behind it, that genuinely invests in the neighborhoods it serves. That's not a small role. That's a legacy.

Viktor Frankl, the psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who wrote "Man's Search for Meaning," believed that purpose is something you discover through the way you serve others. He wrote that life asks each of us a question, and we answer it not with words, but with how we live. For our team, that question gets answered in a lot of ways: a maintenance request handled with care, a new resident who's nervous about moving in and leaves the leasing office feeling at home, a coworker who needs backup on a tough day and finds you already there. Those moments are the answer. And they add up to something that matters far more than any one of us might realize in the moment.

At Cohen-Esrey, Team Member Fulfillment and Customer Fulfillment aren't just values we hang on a wall – they're two sides of the same coin. When you find purpose in your work, your residents feel it. When your residents feel cared for, you feel it too. Frankl called this the ultimate human freedom — the freedom to choose how we show up, no matter the circumstances. So, the next time you're navigating a tough situation or going the extra mile for someone, remember that you're not just managing, developing, and supporting an apartment community. You might also be someone’s hero in their story and hopefully the hero in your own story.

Welcome to Cohen-Esrey, Kahla!

Jayme Dannen-Deal (2024), Regional Vice-President, is pleased to announce that Kahla Stanley has joined the Affordable Division of Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) as a Regional Manager. With over five years of progressive experience in the affordable housing industry, Kahla began her career as a Property Manager and advanced into senior leadership, ultimately assuming regional oversight of large-scale operations while remaining deeply committed to advancing housing stability and financial empowerment within low-income communities.

Kahla brings extensive expertise in public housing operations, including oversight of a portfolio of 11 high-rise communities totaling approximately 1,400 units. Throughout her career, she has led high-performing property management teams, ensured full HUD regulatory compliance, strengthened financial performance, and enhanced resident engagement across diverse populations.

Beyond operational leadership, Kahla is passionate about community engagement and resident empowerment. She has worked closely with families navigating complex socioeconomic challenges, providing mentorship and financial guidance to help them access critical resources, build stability, and pursue long-term goals such as homeownership.

As a strategic leader, Kahla excels in portfolio oversight, team development, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and resident relations. She is driven by the belief that stable housing is the foundation for opportunity and remains committed to operational excellence while creating meaningful, lasting impact in the communities she serves.

Welcome to the Cohen-Esrey team, Kahla!

Cities of Cohen-Esrey

Owensboro, KY: BBQ Capital of the World (disputedly)

Owensboro, KY is a vibrant riverfront community of 116,500 in western Kentucky known for its hospitality, music heritage, and legendary barbecue. Located along the Ohio River, it serves as the county seat of Daviess County and is one of the state’s largest cities. The downtown riverfront has undergone major revitalization in recent years, highlighted by Smothers Park, a family-friendly destination with fountains, playgrounds, and scenic walking paths that overlook the water.

Owensboro proudly calls itself the “BBQ Capital of the World,” famous especially for its slow-smoked mutton, a regional specialty that sets it apart from other barbecue traditions. Each year, the city celebrates this culinary identity with the International Bar-B-Q Festival, drawing visitors from across the region. (Some of us in Kansas City might argue about Owensboro being the BBQ Capital of the World)!

Music also plays a central role in Owensboro’s culture. The city is home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, honoring Kentucky’s deep roots in bluegrass and traditional American music. Throughout the year, concerts and festivals bring live performances to the riverfront and local venues.

With a strong sense of community, quality schools, and a growing healthcare and manufacturing sector, Owensboro blends small-town charm with steady economic growth. Its combination of river views, rich traditions, and welcoming atmosphere makes it a distinctive place to visit or call home.

Cohen-Esrey manages the 29-unit affordable apartment community in Owensboro – Owensboro Historic Residences – that was developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG).

Nexus 5 Completes Two Projects

by Stan Phelps (2017), Senior Project Manager

The city of Olathe, KS, was going to condemn entry decks at the Wingfield Apartments preventing residents from a means of safe egress which would have triggered an immediate evacuation of the residents for the affected building. Wingfield ownership called while the city inspectors were on-site ready to condemn the decks. I immediately headed to the property while reaching out to an engineer and deck builder that we partner with. When I arrived, I had arranged for an engineer and a subcontractor to be onsite shortly thereafter. After meeting with the chief building official for the city, he was amenable to solutions to keep residents in their apartments due to the fact we demonstrated a sense of urgency by showing up with an engineer and deck builder within 30 minutes. We were able to develop an engineered-recommended temporary

support system and install it the following day to keep 16 residents in their units. We also built the decks and used an OSHA compliant temporary stair system as a workaround while permanent deck replacements were underway. We completed the new deck system and provided new code compliant deck drawings for ownership. While the deck system was a big hit to the finances of the property we were still able to Serve Well (our motto) by providing solutions to keep 16 residents in their homes so that ownership did not incur up to three to four weeks of hotel stays for those impacted. Our efforts also helped to serve an ownership group by helping keep them in good standing with city officials.

4541 Pennsylvania is a small 100+ year-old apartment building located two blocks off Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza on a busy one-way street that allows on street parking. The entry staircase was falling apart and one of the structural walls had collapsed into the utilities and parking area. The management company called to ask for help as they now consider Nexus 5 as their go-to contractor for these complex downtown projects. Upon inspection I was worried about my truck fitting in-between cars on the street and wondering how in the world are we going to back a concrete truck into this place. I was also thinking where in the world are all these cars going to park for two days while we demo and repair the steps, and how are residents going to access units? Ownership was also very concerned with protecting utilities while still leaving room for parking. We were able to develop a plan and install custom fencing around the utilities while the fence posts doubled as bollards and the slats were removable for utility access. The new steps also required custom railing with a mix of new and old that had to be welded onsite. With permits for two days of street closure, we were able to complete the project with complete ownership satisfaction and praise.

An Empowerment Story

By Residents of The Launchpad

In the February 9 edition of People & Properties, you read a story about a resident of The Launchpad and what a difference this property made in his life. We’re pleased to bring you another such story about a resident who lives at The Launchpad, which was developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) in Colorado Springs. This property is a real “feel good” story as it provides supportive housing for homeless youths in Colorado Springs. The Launchpad is successful in part, because of a partnership with The Place, a supportive services organization in Colorado Springs. Property Manager Taylor Branch (2025), is continuing to provide a few of the success stories of some of the residents. For privacy reasons, we aren’t publishing the full names of these residents but their stories of Empowerment will warm your heart.

"Brenda was living on the street with her four-year-old daughter. She worked with The Place outreach team and was identified for housing. She was pregnant and her second baby was due the day after she was scheduled to move into The Launchpad. Brenda went into labor the evening before she was supposed to sign her lease. Her baby was born the morning she was supposed to move in. The case manager worked with the leasing agent to obtain the required documentation, and they took it to the resident at the hospital. Brenda signed the lease and the necessary paperwork and was given her apartment keys. The baby was healthy but needed oxygen for the first few months of his life Without a place to stay, it would have been a difficult situation due to not having electricity to power the baby's oxygen. She was able to move into her new apartment when she was released from the hospital. Brenda and her children now have a safe, stable, and warm place to call home. They are all thriving!"

A Fun Photo!

Which Cohen-Esrey property has a building lobby that looks like this? See below . . .

NPS Leaderboards

The three NPS Leaderboards have been updated as of March 6, 2026. In the 50-Units or Less category, Mills Crossing (Salem, IL) remains in the lead with a perfect NPS of +100! In the Properties 51 to 120-Units category, Pam Apartments (Pampa, TX) stayed at the top of the Leaderboard with an NPS of +92.59. And in the Properties of More than 120-Units category, the leader for the third month is the Falstaff Apartments (New Orleans, LA), with an NPS of +65.38. There are 26 properties on Leaderboards – one less than last month. Our overall NPS increase by one point to +38!