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March 13, 2023
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.
The New and Improved Elmhurst Terrace
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 $1,043 to $1,108 per month. One-bedroom units range from 370 to 670 square feet and rent for $1,276 to $1,770 per month. Two-bedroom units are 800 square feet and rent for $1,600 to $1,961 per month. Elmhurst Crossing is a major shopping center that adjoins the property and features Whole Foods, Kohl’s, Petco, Dressbarn, Shoe Carnival, Subway, Hallmark, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, At Home, and many other retailers. What a great convenience fo our residents! The Elmhurst Terrace team has done a terrific job delivering Customer Fulfillment as evidenced by their NPS of +38.87.
Elmhurst is a city of 47,260 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. The city is home to the headquarters of Sunshine Biscuits and Famous Amos cookies are distributed from Elmhurst. 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 $140,000 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 James Huss (2014) is the Regional Manager. Leslie Whitney (2022) is the Property Accountant, Lana Frank (2022), is the Accounting Assistant, and Rodney Chmidling (2015) is the Accounts Payable Specialist.
We welcome the following new team members to Cohen-Esrey and the Nexus 5 Group.
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Jolinda Toland – Old Orchard Estates, Carbon Cliff, IL – Assistant Property Manager
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Angela Elliott – Jefferson on the Lake, Olathe, KS – Assistant Property Manager
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Valerie Woehler – Park Edge, Lenexa, KS – Assistant Property Manager
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Randen Woods – Justin Place, Kansas City, MO – Make Ready Technician
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Lucero Fabian-Martinez – Perry 81, Overland Park, KS – Leasing Agent
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Amario Velazquez – Andover Park, Kansas City, MO – Property Manager
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Larry Jones – Life Skills, Kirkwood, MO – Maintenance Technician
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Joe Rendon – Loretto at Creekside, Live Oak, TX – Assistant Property Manager
Meet Retro Team
We’re doing something a little different in this issue for our featured team. We’ve dug into the archives and have found old – REALLY OLD – photos of Bob Esrey (1970), Chairman; Lee Harris (1975) President and CEO; and Jeanette Jayne (1996), Executive Vice-President and Managing Director. We all look about the same today. Well maybe . . .
We Would Hire Patrick Mahomes
By Clifton Printy (2019), Assistant Superintendent, Nexus 5 Group
At the Nexus 5 Group, we all try to live up to the five Core Values of our company. These are the heart of our organization. It is only natural that we strive to recruit similar and like-minded individuals. I don’t want to hire Patrick Mahomes because he is the MVP or that he is top ranked in the NFL. I want to hire him because after the Super Bowl I saw a clip showing Skyy Moore’s touchdown.
Skyy had an interesting season, and he sure pulled his weight during the AFC playoffs. This was the first touchdown of his pro career. When I watched the game live, a part of the dialogue was not heard. When I was able to watch a replay, I was astounded by what happened immediately after the touchdown.
“Give me the ball,” Mahomes said, chasing the ball through a throng of happy Chief’s players. “Keep that ball,” he yelled to the players close by. “Keep that ball, Give me that ball. Take that ball,” he adamantly followed the ball around and finally, “I got it,” he said as he secured it taking it to the sidelines. “That’s his,” Mahomes shouted. Leaning into his teammate, “Got his first one in the Super Bowl,” Juju Smith – Schuster exclaimed. Lastly I hear someone shout, “That’s legendary.”
Patrick Mahomes is someone who would understand that our five Core Values are not just something we talk about, but that being open and honest with one another while working in unity is how we really win.
We all want a player that is committed to the needs of our customers and holds themselves accountable. Patrick is a team player. He remembers the needs of others and nurtures their personal and professional growth. Mr. Mahomes understands strengthening lives where we live, and work is what community is about.
It's not about football, or him being a winner, not that I am star struck or a mega fan. I want to hire Patrick Mahomes because he cares about the success of his teammates enough to make sure that this snapshot of Skyy’s touchdown was more important to him than any of his worries at the time. Anyone who watched that game should respect that there were things to contend with. This is what it means to be on a team and to be a leader. I would gladly work with a man of that character. I would hire Patrick Mahomes.
Nicholas Hense is a Centurion!
We are pleased to announce that Nicholas Hense (2021), iiM Principal, has been accepted into the highly competitive Centurions Leadership Program. In conjunction with the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the two-year leadership development program has prepared greater Kansas City’s emerging leaders for roles including judges, CEOs, and nonprofit executives. Centurions is an unequaled training ground for future Kansas City leaders.
Centurions develop leadership skills by working with a committee of their peers to facilitate small-group discussions with high-level executives and plan events focused on cultivating relationships across various sectors of the Kansas City community. Members also coordinate task forces focused on topics like the history and future of Kansas City, entrepreneurship, criminal justice and the legal system, the nonprofit space in Kansas City and much more, creating a lasting impact in the community.
Nicholas has already been quite involved in the community - in addition to personally mentoring students and younger professionals, he has helped raise nearly $50,000 for Boys Hope Girls Hope of Kansas City, which seeks to break the cycle of poverty by improving the lives of young people. He has been involved with this organization for several years, and also volunteers as treasurer for the University of Notre Dame’s local alumni group. Nicholas is living our Core Value of Community Impact and we are excited to support him as he expands his leadership skills through the Centurions program. Congratulations Nicholas!
Lisa Sorensen Joins CHFA Tax Credit Advisory Group
Lisa Sorensen (2019), Development Director-Mountain West Region for the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) has been invited to serve a two-year term on the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) Advisory Group. This is a diverse group that includes developers, syndicators, property managers, non-profits, etc. who meet regularly to give CHFA staff perspective, feedback, and guidance for future Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) and to better understand challenges & opportunities of the affordable housing tax credit program.
CHFAs mission is to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. The authority was created in 1973 by the Colorado General Assembly to address the shortage of affordable housing in the state. Since 1974, CHFA has helped add 76,544 affordable rental units to the state housing stock.
Lisa has multiple projects in development totaling nearly 1,000 units including one in the Denver suburb of Englewood, two in Colorado Springs, one in Longmont, CO, one in Glenwood Springs, CO, and another in Ogden, UT. Congratulations, Lisa on being invited to serve on this council and delivering on our Core Value of Community Impact!
Cassie Colston Earns Certificate for Mental Health First Aid
Congratulations to Cassie Colston (2004), Assistant Vice-President, for earning a Mental Health First Aid certificate from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program that teaches a person to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. The training has given Cassie the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis. More than 2.6 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA by a dedicated base of more than 15,000 instructors.
This is a wonderful demonstration of our Core Value of Community Impact – something that is a passion for Cassie. We are proud of her for this accomplishment and the fact that she chose such a worthy cause in the first place. Well done, Cassie!
A Healthy Tip
By Jennifer Turner, SHRM-SCP (2018), Director of Human Resources
March is National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, an annual nutrition education and information campaign led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign brings attention to the importance of informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme, Fuel for the Future, highlights the importance of fueling our bodies at every age and eating with sustainability in mind. Sustainable eating is choosing foods that are helpful for the planet and our bodies.
Ways to Celebrate National Nutrition Month:
Start a weekly nutrition challenge at work. For example: making half your plate fruits and vegetables; swapping sugary beverages for water; practicing mindful eating by turning off your phone, TV, or other devices during mealtimes.
Host an iron chef contest at home. Select an ingredient, such as a banana or egg, and ask each family member to create a healthy snack using the ingredients and available pantry items. Share and find out who is the gifted chef in your household.
Start a container or backyard garden to grow your own foods and herbs.
Another Empowerment Story
By Brent Phillips (2021), Maintenance and Safety Director
Brent Phillips (2021), is the Maintenance and Safety Director for Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC). Here is what he has to say about his Empowerment:
Many of you may not know this but my career with Cohen-Esrey actually began in 2010 when I was hired as a maintenance technician at the Silverwood Apartments in Mission, KS (formerly managed by Cohen-Esrey). It was my first job in the apartment industry, and I was hired, in part, because I had just acquired my universal EPA certification. Our Core Values had not been put on paper yet but even then, just like now, I was consistently Empowered to Thrive.
At Silverwood we were required by the City of Mission to have five percent of our units inspected each year. They had to be perfect. I was given the task of not only making sure the units were up to snuff but also planning, with the city inspector, when the inspections would take place and tracking the units inspected each year so that we did not repeat the same ones year after year. In my three years managing the program we did not fail a single inspection.
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The successful inspections gave me great satisfaction and confidence. So much so that when the Property Manager position at Silverwood became vacant, I applied. I was obviously underqualified but Carol Smith, the Regional Manager then, took the time to interview me. The interview became more of a discussion about what I could do to advance my knowledge so that when another Property Manager position became available, I would be a better qualified candidate. Carol did not have to take the time out of her schedule to interview me but in doing so she started me down the path that led me to where I am today. One of the suggestions to come out of our meeting was that I complete a Certified Property Manager course (CPM®). That stuck with me as one of many goals I wanted to complete in the future.
Since my return to Cohen-Esrey I have been Empowered to Thrive in many ways. I have made my start in the CPM® program and completed my first course last month. Also, with the Facilities Plus roll out I gained confidence in speaking to large groups and now do so on a regular basis without the anxiety it would normally cause an introvert like me. Since my return to Cohen-Esrey two years ago, being in an environment that fosters innovation, I have grown in ways I had not previously imagined.
These are a few specific examples of how Cohen-Esrey has Empowered Me to Thrive. In a more general sense Cohen-Esrey Empowers Me to Thrive by living its Core Values. I work with people every day that go out of their way to do their best for their teammates as well as their customers. People that would rather take the blame and give away the credit. A group that is committed to doing their best for each other and for the community around them. It is very easy to thrive when working with such an amazing group!
The Cool Amenities of Cohen-Esrey
We continue to share photos of some of the great amenities that are offered on Cohen-Esrey properties. This includes swimming pools, clubhouses, clubrooms, car washes, tennis courts, parcel locker systems, and many other features. Many of our communities have some very unique playgrounds and we will highlight them in upcoming issues of People & Properties. Please send your photos if you haven’t already done so.
Package lockers at Lakes at North Port (North Port, FL)
Lakes at North Port car wash
Custom game table at the Park at Forest Hill (Memphis, TN)
More custom games
Dog washing station at the Lakes at North Port
(North Port, FL)
Grills at the Park at Forest Hill (Memphis, TN)
Smoker at the Park at Forest Hill (Memphis, TN)
Package room at Lofton Place (Ft. Worth, TX)
Grill, smoker, and firepit at Elmhurst Terrace (Elmhurst, IL)
The Revenue Growth Champions!
By Michele Rollo-Burns (2018), Director of Revenue
Each month we recognize communities that have realized stellar year-over-year (YOY) revenue growth. For the month of February 2023, here are the standouts with growth of 5% or more. Congratulations to each team for the progress made! Sixteen properties are on the list this month!
Core Value of the Month
Transformational Construction!
Construction continues at several Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) future communities.
Foundation work has started at the Loma Vista Lofts in San Antonio, TX.
Vertical construction is well underway at the Trails at Lehow in Englewood, CO
Massive amounts of dirt have been moved at Panorama Heights in Colorado Springs, CO.
Sinclair Flats in Mankato, MN is really taking shape.
Rough-in plumbing is the next phase to begin at the Lofts at Creekview in San Antonio, TX.
A Solid +37!
We’re on a roll! During most of February and into March the Net Promoter Score (NPS) increased to and maintained +37! It’s clear that everyone in Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) and Nexus 5 is working extremely hard to deliver Customer Fulfillment. The NPS for CEC was +35 in January 2023 – so we’ve increased the score by two points in 60 days. Let’s keep the streak alive and continue to dazzle our customers. Cohen-Esrey’s Vision 2026 objective of achieving a +50 NPS by December 31, 2026, is only 13 points away! Thanks to everyone for going the extra mile for the customer!
