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September 26, 2022
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.
Village on Main Now Open in Waunakee, WI
The Village on Main is a brand new 50-unit affordable workforce community located in the Madison, WI, suburb of Waunakee. It is an $11.1 million project of the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) and will soon be joined by a second Madison area community, the Landing at 818 in Sun Prairie, WI. The property was developed utilizing affordable housing tax credits, funds from the Dane Workforce Housing Fund, LLC, a loan from the city, TID funds (tax incremental district), and a first mortgage provided by Great Southern Bank. In addition to apartments, the single, three-story building also contains a commercial space that is being sold via a condominium concept. Negotiations are underway with a prospective purchaser. The pet friendly property offers several amenities including a dog park, parcel locker system, playground, and conference room. One-bedroom units are 634 to 730 square feet and rent for $539 to $1,150 per month; two-bedroom units are 853 square feet and rent for $646 to $1,450; and three-bedroom units are 1,129 to 1,254 square feet and rent for $1,345 to $1,642. The property offers great wildlife views and is close to shopping, schools, parks, and restaurants. The Village on Main is connecting those in need with affordable housing in a place to improve lives and build stronger communities. This is the second CEDG property in Wisconsin. The firm previously developed the 33-unit Walnut Street Flats in Reedsburg, WI, and has another development planned in Sun Prairie besides the Landing at 818.
Madison is the capital of Wisconsin with a Combined Statistical Area (CSA) population of more than 910,000. Waunakee is a suburb in northwestern Madison with a population of approximately 15,000. Major employers in Waunakee include NORD Gear, Uniek Plastics, Octopi Brewing, Suttle-Straus, Inc., and Scientific Protein Laboratories. Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin, and economic growth has been driven recently by biotech and health information technology organizations.
Brian Sweeney (2015), Development Director, discovered the site and worked with the city to make the project happen. “The Village of Waunakee went from not sure it wanted affordable housing in its community to a full-throated unanimous series of votes in favor of financially supporting the project—including TIF support. As they learned more about the product, its unique and attractive design enhancing the western entrance to the Village, and who it would serve, the community has fully embraced the project and are grateful to Cohen-Esrey for our efforts,” said Brian.
Many members of the CEDG team were involved in supporting Brian Sweeney to make this project happen including Sonya Shifflett-Bly (2018), Development Manager, Jack Brenton (2018), Development Manager, Lauren Cano (2021), Development Manager, Tim Minson (2019) Vice-President of Design and Construction for Construction Technologies (CT), Kyle Ervin (2021), Project Manager for CT, Becky Trost (2015), CEDG Accountant, Susan Belisle (2019), Construction Coordinator for CT, and Jon Atlas (2015), Managing Director.
Amanda Ashley (2022), is the Property Manager and Rebecca Grimm (2019), is the Regional Manager. Kurt Parrett (2008) is the Senior Property Accountant, Nancy Lewis (2021), is the Accounting Assistant, and Rodney Chmidling (2015), is the Accounts Payable Specialist. The property received its Certificate of Occupancy on August 31, 2022, and is already 58% leased and 30% occupied. Kudos to Amanda for such a rapid lease-up!
We welcome the following new team members to Cohen-Esrey and the Nexus 5 Group.
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Amanda Trew – St. Thomas Historic Residences, Colby, KS – Property Manager – welcome back Amanda!
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Dustin Trew – St. Thomas Historic Residences, Colby, KS – Maintenance Technician – welcome back Dustin!
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Spencer Strickling – Perry 81, Overland Park, KS – Leasing Agent.
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Andrew Gouvion – Jefferson on the Lake, Olathe, KS – Maintenance Technician – welcome back, Andrew!
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Jordan Puente – Jefferson on the Lake, Olathe, KS – Groundskeeper – welcome back, Jordan!
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Alexander Valdez – Preserve at Westover Hills, San Antonio, TX – Maintenance Technician.
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Kamaria Marshall Banks – Lofton Place, Fort Worth, TX – Assistant Property Manager.
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Grant Owens – Perry 81, Overland Park, KS – Leasing Agent.
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Norma Johnson – South Pointe, Dallas, TX – Property Manager
Meet the Lofts at Ventura Team
On September 15, 2022, the Lofts at Ventura team was assembled for a ribbon-cutting ceremony involving this newly constructed 200-unit affordable housing community developed by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) in San Antonio, TX. Here’s the team from L-R – Stephanie Jones (2021), Property Manager; Carlos Martin (2022), Maintenance Technician; Tabitha Esparza (2022), Leasing Agent, and Danareteda Bosier (2022), Assistant Property Manager.
Lofts at Ventura is CEDG’s first affordable/workforce community in San Antonio. Two more properties are currently under construction and two more are in the pipeline for a total of 1,271 units including Lofts at Ventura.
Another Empowerment Story
By Joshua McDonald, (2018), Senior Project Manager – Nexus 5 Group
Joshua McDonald, (2018), is the Senior Project Manager for the Nexus 5 Group (N5). Here is what he has to say about his Empowerment:
I grew up in the trades. Construction was in my blood. As a kid, I wanted to be a builder or a major league baseball player. I have finally thrown in the towel on the baseball career but have been given the ability to live my other childhood dream – building. My professional career took me away from construction and into corporate hospitality management roles for several years. However, I circled back a few years prior to joining the Nexus 5 Group.
I will never forget my introduction and first few months here. My family and I were in California preparing to move (back) to Kansas City. I was introduced to Nexus 5 by a long-time friend. After looking through the N5 website, I called my friend and asked if the company actually lived by the Core Values and the “Serve Well” motto that were listed. To my surprise, he assured me that they did. This was refreshing to me since I had experienced a lot of companies that did not hold to their values. In my first few months with Nexus 5, I recall several instances of arriving home to tell my wife, Jamie, of specific stories and experiences that supported the assurance I was given before I started. This was exciting to work for a company that truly cared about their values and made decisions with those values as the parameters while, at the same time, being given the ability to do what I loved.
Fast forward four years. As the Nexus 5 Group team has grown, I have been Empowered to step into additional roles and responsibilities. Whether it’s being a part of the blog team (posted on the N5 website), assisting with business development, brainstorming ideas and ways to continue to develop and protect our culture, giving input on project types and direction, or filling a management role in the construction division, the leadership within Nexus 5 has continuously given me opportunities to Thrive out of my strengths while challenging me to continuously stretch, grow, and develop as a person and a leader.
As do all team members of N5, I am now responsible for delivering the values and culture that were so important to me. I am also responsible to Empower others to do the same. I get the opportunity to live my childhood dream and couldn’t think of a better place to do it.
Introducing Paige Bohling
Paige Bohling has joined Cohen-Esrey as a Property Accountant. She recently moved to the Kansas City area from outside Chicago where she was born and raised. Paige received her Accounting Degree from Purdue University Northwest in 2020 and is currently wrapping up her last semester for her Master of Accountancy Degree from the same university. She started her accounting career working at a CPA firm as an external auditor for almost three years.
As a Property Accountant, Paige will be collaborating with property management to develop annual property budgets in KNet, analyzing and funding escrow and security deposit accounts, answering questions from stakeholders and team members, calculating and recording the asset management fees for properties (where applicable), completing property on-boarding and off-boarding tasks in KNet, conducting peer reviews of monthly financials, preparing and distributing quarterly and annual reports, as required, processing, reviewing and distributing monthly financial statements by deadlines, providing auditors’ requested items on a timely basis, maintaining books for assigned properties, reviewing and posting adjusting journal entries (AJE) from audits, and monitoring and reviewing expenses and capitalizing per policy in addition to other responsibilities.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking her dog on adventures, and exploring new surroundings.
Thank you for joining Cohen-Esrey, Paige!
Haley Hite Joins Cohen-Esrey
Haley Hite has joined the Cohen-Esrey (CE) team as the Fund Accountant. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri where she majored in Banking and Finance. Haley moved to Kansas City in April 2022 and tells us that her first job was at a bank at the age of 16 which launched her career in the finance industry.
In her new role, Haley will be responsible for the accounting of and management of the cash flow for CEAI Fund XXIII, CEAI Fund 24, CEAI Fund 25, Cohen-Esrey Capital Partners (CECP), and our various tax credit entities. In the coming months she will also gradually take responsibility for the corporate accounting of Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC) and the day-to-day accounting work for CE Corporate.
Haley loves to travel, go to concerts, and play golf. She is also a volunteer at Wayside Waifs, an animal protection organization in Kansas City, MO.
We are pleased that you have chosen to join the Cohen-Esrey team, Haley!
Why I Came Back . . .
From time-to-time team members leave Cohen-Esrey for a wide range of reasons. We are thrilled when they return. We asked several such team members to tell us why they came back. Here’s what they had to say.
Becky Trost (2015), CEDG Accountant
“When re-entering the workforce after staying home with my kids for their first few years of life, I saw that Cohen-Esrey had an opening for a Property Accountant, the position that I had held prior to stepping away. I decided to apply and see what would happen. I wasn’t completely sold on coming back to this company. However, once I was interviewed, it was clear that the company had gone through a very positive change during my time away. There was a major corporate cultural shift with the development and implementation of the Core Values. Experiencing the company before and after the Core Values has really strengthened my appreciation of them. I’m glad that I made the decision to accept my invitation back to Cohen-Esrey.”
Connie Riley (2012), CEC Senior Deputy Managing Director – Market-Rate Division
“I came back knowing that when I left, I would be back (even said that in my exit interview), my heart has always been with Cohen-Esrey. During my time away, I kept being told, “why did you leave Cohen-Esrey; you talk about how much you loved it there.” I knew that for me it was about being Empowered, involved, and valued, while watching others grow and succeed. The Core Values, culture, and the direction the company was going was always something I have been a part of and want to continue to do so. It feels like everyone matters and that is so important in our lives in the place where we spend so much time. We need to feel fulfilled, and certainly I do!”
Gilberto Pedraza (2013), Property Manager, Astoria Park in Amarillo, TX
“I came back because of the Core Values that Cohen-Esrey follows. Many companies say they have many of these values, but it is evident that these values are real with Cohen-Esrey. I appreciate being dealt with respectfully and honestly. I am glad to be back and hope I can do my part to deliver these Core Values.”
Heidi Hess (2021), Property Manager, Jefferson on the Lake in Olathe, KS
“I came back to Cohen-Esrey because the company has Core Values that they honor daily. I excel in an environment that empowers their employees and creates a positive work environment.”
Val Price (2016), Business Development Representative, the Nexus 5 Group
“I came back to Cohen-Esrey because of the positive, constructive, and encouraging culture. The shared values of family first, honesty, integrity and teamwork focused on leaving the world and the people we meet better than we found them are benefits I consider priceless.”
Carla Sanders (2022), Property Manager, Park Edge in Lenexa, KS
“I came back to Cohen-Esrey to further enhance my career path and continue to grow as a Property Manager, as well as getting the beautiful Park Edge Apartments to manage. Thank you for this opportunity.”
Jonathan Kline (2021), Property Manager, The Carlyle in Shawnee, KS
“I came back after such a short period and the main reason I did was because of the people I worked with. Not only on a property level but at Corporate as well. The company feels like ‘the right fit.’"
Perfecto Puente (2022), Maintenance Technician, Jefferson on the Lake in Olathe, KS
“The reason I came back – I feel like with Cohen-Esrey I am given the right set of tools and parts to do my job. Cohen-Esrey is a good company to work for with very friendly people that work for them.”
James Huss (2014), Area Manager, CEC – Market-Rate Division
“When I made the decision to leave originally, it was to be closer to my home as my wife and I were beginning our family. The joke was on me and just a few short weeks later I would be back at Cohen-Esrey as a traveling manager. I held that position for just about a year and a half until I took on the Property Manager position when CEAI purchased Jefferson on the Lake. Three years later I became an Area Manager. I very much enjoy working for Cohen-Esrey and the teams I interact with daily. The company has grown a lot over the last nine years, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”
A Ribbon Cutting in San Antonio, TX
On September 15, 2022, a team from the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) participated in a ribbon cutting for the Lofts at Ventura, a 200-unit affordable housing community in San Antonio, TX. This newly constructed property received its Certificate of Occupancy on April 28, 2022, and is already 99% leased. The project cost was $36.1 million with equity and the construction loan provided by Bank of America, permanent financing by Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, and additional financing from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Cohen-Esrey team members who participated included Jon Atlas (2015), CEDG Managing Director; Jack Brenton (2018), Development Manager; Susan Belisle (2019), Construction Coordinator for Construction Technologies (CT); Stan Waterhouse (2022), Development Director-Texas; Sonya Shifflett-Bly (2018), Development Manager, and Tim Minson (2019), Vice-President of Design and Construction for CT. Also in attendance from Cohen-Esrey were Kristina Viera (2017), CEC Deputy Managing Director – Affordable Division, Morgan Gassert (2022), Marketing Coordinator, Mark Fletcher (2008), Chief Technology Officer, Bob Esrey (1970), Chairman, and Lee Harris (1975), President and CEO. Several members of the CEC team were also on-site during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A special thanks goes to Sonya for organizing the event. Congratulations to Stephanie Jones (2021), Property Manager, and her team for such a stellar lease-up.
The Lofts at Ventura was the brainchild of the late Jay Johnson (2018), Development Director. As we previously reported, Jay was the driving force behind creation of one of the first and only accessible playgrounds in San Antonio. In honor of his memory, a plaque has been installed at the playground commemorating it as Jay’s Place.
You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression
By Marilee Scheid (2019), Director of Learning and Development
Do you remember your first day with Cohen-Esrey? What set this first day apart from other roles you have started? The adage still holds true: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." What kind of first impression do you want a new team member to have. A new team member arrives full of energy and enthusiasm. They’re looking for the best way to get up to speed and start contributing. A great onboarding process lets them do just that. Onboarding is a core driver of the property success. Creating a great first day experience for new team members can determine their tenure and development. The entire property team plays a role in welcoming their new team members.
“69 percent of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experienced great onboarding.” SHRM
The Onboarding and Training Synerteam worked with Zach Wise (2020), IT Web Developer, to update and create new checklists to assist managers in onboarding new team members. The Onboarding checklist is new for field team members and the new hire checklist has been updated. Managers need to watch the training video in CE University in KNet titled: Administering the New Hire Orientation to learn how to complete orientation with their new hire. The Onboarding Checklist assists hiring managers to assure everything your new team member needs is ready for them to start their first day with Cohen-Esrey. The New Hire Orientation Checklist will ensure you review resources, policies, procedures including the Team Member Handbook and any acknowledgements. This information is also available in OASYS/Human Resources/Onboarding/New Hire Orientation. Your goal in the first few days is to acclimate your new team member to their new work family, residents and begin to learn the Cohen-Esrey way of property management. It is proven that how new team members are oriented impacts their longevity with the company. Let’s make an amazing lasting first impression for our new team members!
Ground Broken for Sinclair Flats
Another groundbreaking was held for the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG), this time in Mankato, MN, where the 48-unit Sinclair Flats will be the first of a two-phase affordable housing community. The second phase Lewis Lofts (62-units) will be started in 2023. Team members who participated were Lauren Cano (2021), Development Manager; Jon Atlas (2015), CEDG Managing Director; Jack Brenton (2018), Development Manager; Sonya Shifflett-Bly (2018), Development Manager; Brian Sweeney (2015), Development Director; and Matthew Heirigs (2022), Project Manager for Construction Technologies (CT) and Tim Minson (2019), Vice-President of Design and Construction for CT. Also in attendance from Cohen-Esrey were Jeanette Jayne (1996), Executive Vice-President and Cohen-Esrey Managing Director, and Lee Harris (1975), President and CEO.
Brian Sweeney is the Development Director who found this project to be a labor of love. Tax credits had been previously awarded to another developer, but that party could not perform. Brian persevered and worked through an exhausting process to win the tax credit awards for both phases. This is Cohen-Esrey’s first development project in Minnesota. At a cost of $12.4 million, Sinclair Flats is expected to open in the third quarter of 2023. Mankato has a metro population of nearly 104,000 and is 78 miles southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
A Big Dig!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look at these stunning views of the sitework that is well underway in Mankato, MN at Sinclair Flats, an affordable housing project of the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG). At one end of the site (left), you can see footings that are already in place. At the opposite end is the site for the second phase, Lewis Lofts. The land was a maintenance yard for the city and the soil was contaminated requiring some remediation to occur prior to construction.
A Conversation with John
This is another installment in conversations with members of the Executive Leadership Team. Today we’re talking with John Hinman, (2011), Managing Director for the Nexus 5 Group, a Cohen-Esrey affiliate.
P&P: How long have you been in the construction industry?
John: 29 years. I started in the construction industry in January 1994.
P&P: How did you come to Nexus 5 and Cohen-Esrey?
John: I was introduced to Lee Harris (1975), President and CEO, and initially was hired as the Managing Director of Construction Technologies (CT) and Service Technologies (ST) in July 2011. Currently I am the Managing Director of the Nexus 5 Group, launched in January of 2018. Nexus 5 Group was a rebrand of ST and a portion of CT.
P&P: Tell us about your family.
John: I have been married to Stefanie for 22 years. Stefanie is an art therapist and board certified Christian Counselor focused on dealing with acute trauma. She is the founder of Healing Expressions, LLC, The Trauma Healing Center, and is an author of four books (Building Bounce, Building Bounce for Kids, and three children’s books). Lastly she volunteers as a chaplain with the Overland Park Police Department. All of this is in addition to being an amazing mom to our kids.
We have four kids (two girls and two boys). Taylor (21) is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in elementary education; J.D. (19) is a freshman at Pittsburg State studying construction management; Molly (17) is a senior at Blue Valley High School, and Luke (16) is a sophomore at Blue Valley High School.
P&P: What do you do outside of work?
John: My first love is being on the water at Table Rock Lake, water skiing, wake boarding, wake surfing and coving out. I also love hanging out with friends and family, and enjoy an occasional round of golf.
P&P: What is the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?
John: Riding on the hood of a car, hanging onto the windshield wipers, while my buddy was driving approximately 70 MPH down a dirt road (prior to the formation of my pre-frontal cortex).
P&P: Tell us about your education and credentials.
John: I graduated from Kansas State University in 1993, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science/Management.
P&P: What do you do outside the company to help the community?
John: I am a founder and board member of the Father’s Club. The Father’s Club started at Blue Valley High School and is now in 22 high schools in the Kansas City Metro area – the www.fathersclub.org. I have been on the board of the Kansas City Crime Stoppers since 2018. I also work with F3 Kansas City. F3 is a national network of free, peer-led workouts for men. We plant, grow and serve these groups to invigorate male community leadership – www.f3kc.com. Finally, I am a mentor, meeting with other men to challenge them to be better husbands and fathers.
P&P: How has Cohen-Esrey Empowered You to Thrive?
John: When Lee hired me I had never managed a company. I was hired to manage two companies initially and then a third was added. It was definitely baptism by fire. Prior to arriving at Cohen-Esrey, I had been a project manager for several years. Lee gave me the opportunity to grow and be mentored by him which in turn gave me the opportunity to thrive as a professional. He gave me space to struggle and figure things out but has always been there if there was a need. Through the last 11 years I have gained management skills, confidence, business development skills, and strategy that have been implemented for the benefit of the Nexus 5 Group. When I step back and think about the opportunity given to me to thrive, I am very grateful.
Way to Go Sarah and James!
It’s with great pleasure that we announce that Sarah Cranford (2022), Regional Manager and James Huss (2014), Area Manager, have become Certified Property Manager (CPM) Candidates and have enrolled in their first courses. The highly coveted Certified Property Manager designation is earned through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. One of the Vision 2026 elements is for all Regional Managers to hold the CPM designation. Currently Connie Riley (2012), Senior Deputy Managing Director-Market-Rate Division, Ryan Huffman (2002), Chief Operating Officer, Lee Harris (1975), President and CEO, and Bob Esrey (1970), Chairman, are CPMs. Cohen-Esrey has been a strong supporter of IREM for decades, and Ryan is a member of the national Board of Directors.
NPS Leaderboards
The three NPS Leaderboards have been updated as of September 23, 2022, and we have a new leader on one of the boards! In the 50-Units or Less category Clay Hall (Enid, OK) has now jumped back into the lead with an eye-popping NPS of +91.67. In the Properties 51 to 120-Units category, Eileen’s Place (Kansas City, KS) remains in the lead for the second month in a row with an NPS of +78.95. And in the Properties of More than 120-Units category, The Boulevard (Springfield, IL), continues its leadership with an NPS of +93.88, yet another Leaderboard record! There are 31 properties on a Leaderboard so far during September.
We continue to recognize those properties with a Maintenance Survey NPS that is equal to or exceeds our Overall NPS of +34. To qualify a property must have surveys from the equivalent of 40% of its units or more. We continue to emphasize the importance of providing improved maintenance service to deliver Customer Fulfillment. There are 18 properties this month – two more than last month. It’s progress, folks!
Maintenance Ticket Surveys
