December 15, 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.

Note: The next issue of People & Properties will publish on January 12, 2026.

A New CEC Management Assignment

A third-party client has retained Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) to manage the Blue Valley Court Townhomes in Kansas City, MO. Located east of the downtown loop, this 165-unit property was built in 1973. The ownership group is planning a major renovation that will include both interior and exterior upgrades. The property offers two-bedroom townhomes that are 780 square feet and rent for $918 per month. Three-bedroom townhomes are 936 square feet and rent for $1,151 per month. This affordable community offers Section 8 rental assistance to qualified residents.

The property is situated in the Central Blue Valley Park Tower Garde neighborhood, one of Kansas City’s quietly distinctive pockets, shaped by layered development, local pride, and everyday livability. Tree-lined streets and practical, mid-century-to-modern housing sit close to small commercial strips where errands feel easy and familiar. Neighbors tend to know the rhythms: school pickups, weekend yardwork, and the steady buzz of community events in nearby parks. The area’s identity comes less from flash and more from consistency—people invested in maintaining homes, watching out for one another, and keeping things tidy. It’s a neighborhood where convenience, comfort, and routine blend together naturally. The Kansas City Police Athletic League facility is right around the corner from the property and offers many services and activities to area residents.

Samantha Zahnter (2025), is the Assistant Property Manager. Cassie Colston (2004), Regional Vice-President is serving as the Regional Manager. Dominic Padilla (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.

Belinda Facundo – Lofts at Creekview, San Antonio, TX – Property Manager
Patricia Manzo – Carlyle, Shawnee, KS – Assistant Property Manager
Desider Simcoe – The Launchpad, Colorado Springs, CO – Maintenance Technician
Samanatha Zahnter – Blue Valley Court Townhomes, Kansas City, MO – Assistant Property Manager
Kourtney Thomas – Blue Valley Court Townhomes, Kansas City, MO – Leasing Agent
LaWanda Watson – Intrada-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO – Leasing Agent
Sean Welker – The Boulevard Townhomes, Springfield, IL – Maintenance Technician
Salim Lajam – Nexus 5 Group – Project Manager
Donald Karr – Hawthorne Hills, Cedar Rapids, IA – Maintenance Technician
Jeffrey McMullen – Tiger Island Senior, Morgan City, LA – Property Manager
Corinne Ruskey – Morning Hills, Sioux City, IA – Property Manager

Meet the Brighton Creek Team

Meet the Brighton Creek team. (L to R) Tracy Powers (2024), Maintenance Supervisor; Barbee King (2022), Assistant Property Manager; Lindsay Norman (2025), Leasing Agent; Laureen Woods (2022), Property Manager; Phillip Smith (2022), Maintenance Technician; and Ryan Simmons (2022), Maintenance Technician.

Brighton Creek is a 306-unit market-rate community located in Kansas City, MO, and managed by Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) for a Cohen-Esrey Apartment investors (CEAI) partnership.

Transformational Construction

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

A race to the finish at the Lofts at Creekview in San Antonio, TX.

The Heritage at Cottonwood Creek in San Marcos, TX, will open in early 2026.

Framing continues at Overlook 157 in Asheville, NC, the beneficiary of good weather.

A Healthy Tip

By Val Quezada (2024), Recruiter

With the recent time change here, our bodies and minds can feel a little off. Here are some healthy Daylight Savings tips to help you feel more rested, focused, and energized.

Lock in a Consistent Sleep Window

Aim for the same bedtime and wake time every day, even weekends.
If you’re still adjusting, shift in 15-minute steps every few days (earlier or later depending on spring/fall).
Avoid “catching up” with huge sleep-ins—they confuse your body clock and make Mondays worse.

Get Morning Light (Big One!)

Within one hour of waking, get 10–20 minutes of natural light.
Open blinds wide, sit by a window, or go for a quick walk.
Morning light helps reset your internal clock, improve mood, and makes it easier to fall asleep at night

If it’s dark when you wake up, flip on bright indoor lights until the sun’s up.

Wind Down Smarter at Night

Start a wind-down routine 30–60 minutes before bed:
- Dim lights
- No doomscrolling in bed
- Do something low-key (stretching, reading, journaling).
Try to avoid screens in your face right before sleep (or at least use “night mode” and keep them further away).

Watch Caffeine & Alcohol Timing

Last caffeine: aim for no later than six hours before bed.
Alcohol might make you sleepy, but it wrecks sleep quality, especially during time changes. Try to keep it:
- Earlier in the evening
- Light or occasional

Move Your Body (But Not Too Late)

Even 10–20 minutes of light movement helps – walk, stretch, quick home workout.
If intense workouts ramp you up, schedule them earlier in the day and keep evenings gentle (yoga, stretching, light walk).

Eat in Rhythm with Your New Time

Try to eat meals on the new clock, not the old one:
- Don’t delay breakfast too much
- Keep dinner at least 2–3 hours before bed
Avoid super heavy, greasy meals late at night – they can make sleep more restless.

Extra Caution: Driving & Focus

The weeks after the time change, people tend to be sleepier and more distracted:

Double-check intersections, especially on darker evenings.
If you feel drowsy at the wheel, pull over; don’t fight it.
At work, don’t overload that week with high-stakes tasks if you can help it.

If You’re Feeling Off Right Now

Prioritize morning light plus consistent bedtime for the next seven days.
Don’t panic if you feel:
- Sleepier earlier
- A little “off” in the afternoons
  That’s normal; the routine + light combo usually resets things within about a week.

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.

Woodson Historic Residences

The Woodson Hotel (often called the Hotel Woodson) has anchored the northwest corner of Yates Center’s courthouse square since it opened in 1887. Built as a two-story limestone landmark, it’s long been part of the life of the square – hosting the steady churn of travelers, salesmen, and small-town bustle that once defined rail-era Kansas.

Local histories describe the hotel as more than a place to sleep: it was a front-row seat to entertainment and commerce, with medicine shows, circuses, and “drummers” (traveling salesmen) using the building – including its basement – to pitch goods and draw crowds.

Among the stories that keep the Woodson Hotel vivid in community memory is the tale of Buffalo Bill Cody coming to town and staying at the hotel – an episode repeated in local accounts of the building’s heyday. Other luminaries who registered in the guest book (which we keep under lock and key) include Teddy Roosevelt, Wild Bill Hickok, and the outlaw, Jesse James.

In 2009, the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) acquired the hotel and converted it into nine affordable apartments using federal and state historic tax credits and federal affordable tax credits. This property along with three others were part of an experiment to identify and re-purpose historic buildings in small rural communities using no outside debt. The total cost to purchase and renovate the Woodson Historic Residences was $2.1 million.

Operation Breakthrough – Community Impact at its Finest

This year, once again, our Community Impact team chose to adopt a family through Operation Breakthrough. A goal of $1,500 was set for the Corporate Office and thanks to the generous support of our team, our donation campaign collectively raised $1,755! The contributions went to purchase gifts and household necessities for Carla and her five children – Damani, Amias, Mahina, Haniyah, and Darrius. Each child received several outfits, socks, underwear, a new coat, hat, and numerous toys. The contributions also purchased a few household items along with gift cards for Mom to take the kids to dinner and the movies. Your kindness made a meaningful difference for this family, and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed. It is heartwarming to see the impact this program had for our adopted family!

Help Us Shine!

We’re always looking for ways to grow and improve, and your voice plays a big part in that. If you’ve had a positive experience working here, we’d love for you to share it on our Indeed and Glassdoor company pages.

Your feedback not only helps us attract great talent but also gives future candidates a genuine look into what makes our workplace special.

Here’s how you can help:

• Leave a review on Indeed Cohen-Esrey Careers and Employment | Indeed.com

• Share your thoughts on Glassdoor Working at Cohen Esrey Real Estate Services | Glassdoor

It only takes a few minutes, and your insights make a big difference!

Thank you for being a valued part of our team

CEDG to Re-develop Oklahoma City School

On November 19, 2025, Oklahoma City Renewal Authority (OCURA) awarded the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) exclusive rights to redevelop the historic Creston Hills school site in the eastern part of the city.

This development will create 80 to 90 affordable units in the Creston Hills neighborhood by converting the existing historic school building to apartments and creating an additional 60 new construction units. OCURA is working to invest in the neighborhood and complement the project with a new basketball court and sidewalks using a city funding source dedicated to redevelopment.

CEDG will apply for 4% affordable housing tax credits (AHTC) and the competitive state AHTC in January 2026 and will concurrently seek historic approvals from the National Park Service. Based upon the various approvals that are necessary, construction is estimated to begin sometime as early as possible during 2027.

Welcome Salim!

John Hinman (2011), Managing Director of the Nexus 5 Group, is pleased to announce that Salim Lajam has joined the company as a Project Manager.

Salim is a construction operations and business development professional with over a decade of hands-on experience across residential, multifamily, and commercial construction. His background spans project management, estimating, production oversight, and new customer acquisition, with a strong focus on building efficient systems, managing people, and delivering profitable, high-quality projects.

Over the years, he has worked in single-family restoration, commercial tenant finish, multifamily remodels, and ground-up construction, while also owning and operating his own contracting company. Salim bring a unique blend of field knowledge and strategic thinking – understanding both what it takes to build the work and how to win the work.

He is passionate about growth, accountability, and execution, and thrives in environments where leadership, problem-solving, and relationship-building drive results. Whether managing complex projects or developing new business opportunities, his goal is always the same: build lasting partnerships and delivering work people are proud to stand behind.

Welcome to Nexus 5, Salim!

The Revenue Growth Champions!

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

Each month we recognize communities that have realized stellar year-over-year (YOY) revenue growth. For the month of November 2025, here are the standouts with positive rent growth. Congratulations to each team for the progress made! Five properties are on the list this month.

Cities of Cohen-Esrey

Sun Prairie, WI: Birthplace of Georgia O’Keeffe

Sun Prairie, WI, is a northeastern suburb (population 40,000) of Madison and feels like a place where small-town friendliness and fast-growing energy meet in the middle. Once known as a classic railroad and farming community, it’s now one of the Madison area’s most popular suburbs – built for families, commuters, and anyone who likes having both quiet neighborhoods and easy access to city life.

At the heart of town, you’ll find a walkable downtown with local restaurants, coffee shops, and community events that pull people outside when the weather cooperates. The city is especially proud of its public spaces and parks, with trails and green areas that make it simple to take a quick evening stroll, toss a Frisbee, or let kids burn off energy. In summer, farmers markets and festivals give the place an upbeat, neighbors-running-into-neighbors vibe.

Sun Prairie is also closely tied to Wisconsin history and pop culture: the city famously celebrates world famous artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, who was born there, and those roots show up in local pride and programming. Schools and youth sports are a big part of community life, and the library and civic facilities often serve as gathering points beyond the usual “just stop by” errands.

Because it’s so close to Madison, residents can enjoy Badger game days, concerts, and lakeside weekends without living in the thick of downtown traffic. Yet Sun Prairie keeps its own identity – practical, welcoming, and a little bit Midwestern in the best way. Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon or looking for a place to settle, it tends to leave the impression of a community that’s growing, but still trying hard to feel like home.

Cohen-Esrey manages a 100-unit affordable apartment community – The Landing at 818 – in Sun Prairie, developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG).

An Empowerment Story

By David Garrett (2024), Property Accounting Assistant

David Garrett (2024), is a Property Accounting Assistant in the Corporate Office. Here is what he has to say about his Empowerment:

I have spent a lot of time considering my personal core values, and Empowerment is a principle that both Cohen-Esrey and I hold deeply. At the heart of Empowerment is respect – something I have consistently experienced throughout my career at Cohen-Esrey.

Coming from a retail environment, I was accustomed to minimal respect for employees and team members. I was feeling seriously burned out and stressed every day. Working at Cohen-Esrey was a very welcome adjustment! From my first day onward, I have seen an environment built on respect for team members. Cohen-Esrey has been responsive to my work needs, flexible, when necessary, appreciative of my efforts and successes, and generous in providing opportunities for me to shine.

Cohen-Esrey’s greatest strength is the people who make up the company, and it is refreshing to see the efforts made to ensure team members succeed. In the short time I’ve worked here, I have witnessed many internal promotions, and the sheer number of my coworkers pursuing continuing education reflects a culture of ongoing personal development.

I’ve been Empowered to Thrive as I’ve been respected by managers and coworkers, encouraged to learn more and develop my skills, and been given opportunities to use those skills I’ve developed.

Fun Photo!

Here’s a photo from the 2018 archives in our old Cloverleaf Corporate Headquarters of a summer BBQ luncheon.

This is How It’s Done . . .

By Arley Hoskin (2022), Leasing Performance Strategist

Courtney Bell Rings in Success with High NPS Scores

In January 2025, Courtney Bell transitioned from a career in nursing to one in property management. In a matter of months she became a top performing Property Manager. Courtney manages Clay Hall, a 30-unit senior living community in Enid, OK, developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG).

“I saw an ad on Indeed and I hopped on it,” Courtney said. “I’ve fallen in love with it.” As the manager of a senior living community, she said she’s still able to use the same bedside manner skills that she utilized while working in nursing homes and hospitals. “It’s an elderly setting so it still touches home,” Courtney said. “I’m kind of on the back side of it now.”

These days, instead of treating patients, Courtney finds herself checking in on residents and encouraging them to seek medical care when needed. She said that she and her Maintenance Technician Steve Bradford (2023) are close with the residents. “It’s pretty fun,” Courtney said. “They are our best friends.”

Courtney and Steve work as a team of two at Clay Hall. “Everything is a team effort at Clay Hall,” Courtney said. “Steve was actually the Property Manager before I came along. Everything I know he taught me.”

Steve has enjoyed his transition to Maintenance Technician with Courtney in the role as Property Manager. “The student already surpassed the teacher,” Steve said. “Courtney is a smart girl. She’s a quick learner. She’s not afraid to ask for something and she’ll find the answer wherever it is.”

Clay Hall currently sits at fourth on the NPS Leaderboard for properties with 50 or less units with an NPS score of +62.86. Courtney said that she and Steve use a team approach to help residents fill out the surveys if they need help. “Steve and I offer help when it is needed,” she said. She will sometimes bring in donuts so that residents have a treat to snack on while she and Steve help them log in to their emails to fill out the NPS survey.

But it’s more than donuts that contributes to Clay Hall’s high NPS scores, said Regional Manager Charlie Kinnard (2025). “Courtney has a drive and dedication to her property and her residents. This comes through in everything she does and each interaction she has with them,” he said. “She truly cares and that is invaluable. You can’t always give people/residents what they want, but you can always treat them with respect, decency, and empathy. Putting yourself in their shoes is important and Courtney does this consistently.”

Charlie said that other managers can learn a lot from Courtney. “Courtney’s attitude is upbeat, positive, and contagious. She is not afraid to make mistakes or decisions and will ask for guidance when needed. She owns any mistakes, which are few and truly learns from them. She takes personal responsibility and accountability for her property and duties. She has an eagerness and desire to learn as much as she can and truly cares about the output of her work,” he said.