The True Cost of Technology: Has Multifamily Lost Its Human Touch?
In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Ben Nollola, Vice President of Operations at Gables Residential, for a deep dive into leadership evolution, operational excellence, and the future of multifamily management. Listen in to hear Ben:
- Share his inspiring story of how a life-altering decision at 18 led him from a music scholarship to a nearly three-decade career in property management
- Explain why the rapid adoption of technology has increased business sophistication but weakened on-site teams’ fundamental operational knowledge
- Discuss how Gables is preserving a "Rolls Royce" experience through mentorship, subject matter expertise, and a human-first approach in an increasingly automated industry
From Dishwashing on Mother’s Day to Screening Millions: A Journey in Grit and Growth
In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Nate Thompson, Director of Screening at Morgan Properties, for a deep dive into the evolution of resident screening, fraud prevention, and data-driven decision-making in multifamily operations. Listen in to hear Nate:
- Share his surprising journey from the restaurant and cheese-importing world to becoming "The Screening Guy" in multifamily
- Break down the myths behind industry standards like the income-to-rent ratio, and reveal what the data really says about renter reliability
- Explain the layered fraud prevention strategies he's testing—from identity verification to CPN detection—and how these innovations are shaping the future of property management
From Immigrant Struggles to Property Management Success: Navigating Challenges with Determination
In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Issa Mider-Martinez, Vice President of Operations at Mountain States Property Management, for a deep dive into leadership, customer service, and the challenges of managing in the property management industry. Listen in to hear Issa:
- Share her inspiring, novel worthy story, from overcoming early challenges as an immigrant to becoming a high level leader in operations,
- Explain how she's kept her company performing at 4% higher occupancy than the competition in a highly competitive market
- How a seemingly small communication error can create massive hard and soft cost losses
Empathy Over Process: A New Approach to Leadership
In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Barry Slaymaker, President and CFO of ATC Development, for an insightful conversation about leadership, empathy, and the multifamily industry. Barry shares a powerful story about bending the rules to help a woman in need of housing, illustrating the profound impact empathy can have in decision-making. What begins as a routine housing application process turns into a life-changing moment, highlighting the true value of what the multifamily industry provides.
The Future of Accounting:Challenges, Technology, and Talent Gaps
In this engaging episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Jason Miller, Business Consulting Director at Dean Dorton, to discuss the evolving accounting industry and i ts challenges. Jason breaks down how technology and automation are reshaping roles, shifting workforce structures, and widening the talent gap. He highlights the need for leadership development, on-the-job training, and innovative strategies to attract and retain professionals.
Lessons in Leadership, Resilience, and Personal Growth
In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Latrice Leake, Learning & Development Specialist at Mission Rock Residential, LLC to explore her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and impact in both professional and personal spaces. Latrice shares profound insights on energy alignment, personal growth, and the power of storytelling, emphasizing how our experiences shape the way we show up in the world.
From Mysterious Sounds to Unbelievable Surprises
In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress sits down with Kristen Diamond, Vice President of Multifamily Management at Hayman Company, for a behind-the-scenes look at a truly bizarre and eye-opening property management experience. Kristen recounts dealing with mysterious noises that leave residents frustrated and the unbelievable truth uncovered during maintenance. What begins as a puzzling issue soon leads to an astonishing discovery.
From Setbacks to Comebacks
In this engaging conversation, host Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with David Keinert, Executive Vice President of Operations at Aeon, to discuss resilience, adaptability, and growth in both personal and professional life. They explore navigating career transitions, embracing innovation, and overcoming challenges with the right mindset. David shares personal stories and valuable insights on staying authentic, handling uncertainty, and thriving in a fast-changing world. Whether you’re seeking motivation, leadership advice, or practical strategies, this episode is packed with thought-provoking discussions and actionable takeaways!
People Come Before Product
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, sits down with Katherine Maestas, Community Manager at Kairoi Residential. Katherine shares her passion for property management and emphasizes the importance of connecting with prospects—highlighting how relationships play a crucial role in leasing success. With her core belief that people come before product, Katherine’s perspective offers a refreshing take on what it means to build community in the industry.
Memorable Moments
In this special episode of Multi-Family Grit, Kerri and William reflect on their favorite moments from recent interviews with standout leaders in the property management industry. Tune in as they revisit top highlights and elaborate on thoughtful insights from conversations with Hunter Nelson, Partner at Elmington; Meg Tibbs, Vice President of Operations at Dominium; and David Strange, Senior Managing Director - Commercial Real Estate Finance at Walker & Dunlop.
Financing Challenges and Housing Affordability
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, sits down with David Strange, Senior Managing Director of Commercial Real Estate Finance at Walker & Dunlop, to discuss the current challenges in financing deals in today's market, along with other important topics such as home and rental price increases, and the growing group of individuals who earn too much for affordable properties but too little for market-rate properties.
The Data Behind Successful Teams
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, sits down with Meg Tibbs, Vice President of Operations at Dominium, to dive into the data that drives successful teams. Meg shares her experiences and insights on the importance of hiring and retaining the right people, discussing how leveraging data can help shape strong, high-performing teams in the multi-family industry. This conversation uncovers how the right people and data-driven decisions create lasting success in property management.
Affordable Housing: Election Impact and Solar Savings
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, sits down with Hunter Nelson, Partner at Elmington. Together, they discuss the critical role affordable housing plays in a city's infrastructure, why the demand will always outpace supply, and how elections can significantly impact affordable housing policies and initiatives.
Memorable Moments with Multifamily Experts
In this special episode of Multi-Family Grit, Kerri and William reflect on their favorite moments from recent interviews with standout leaders in the property management industry. Tune in as they revisit top highlights and elaborate on thoughtful insights from conversations with Tracey Crowe, active past Chair of the Greater Nashville Apartment Association; Jonathan Wogan, Founder and CEO of Wogan Group; and Tabitha Isbill, President of Evergreen Real Estate.
Enhancing Teams and Service
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, Kerri Davis, Founder and CEO of Fortress OS, chats with Tabitha Isbill, President of Evergreen Real Estate. They dive into why it's so important for leaders to spend time on-site with their teams. They talk about how being present helps quickly solve problems, boost customer service, and build stronger connections with the on-site teams.
Presenting Solutions to Owners
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, Founder and CEO of Fortress OS, welcomes Jonathan Wogan, Founder and CEO of Wogan Group. Together, they discuss how third-party management groups need to work seamlessly with owners. They highlight the importance of offering solutions, not just pointing out problems, and the value of embracing new approaches.
Recharging For Success
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, is joined by Tracey Crowe, a seasoned property management professional and active past Chair of the Greater Nashville Apartment Association. Together, they explore the significance of happiness in both personal and professional life. Tracey shares insights on the importance of nurturing your spirit and making time to recharge for success.
Memorable Moments with Multifamily Experts
In this special episode of Multi-Family Grit, Kerri and William reflect on their favorite moments from recent interviews with standout leaders in the property management industry. Tune in as they revisit top highlights and elaborate on thoughtful insights from conversations with Stephanie Lehman, Executive Vice President of Asset Management at Elmington; DeAnna Moore, President at Elmington Property Management; and Jenny McClain, Chief Marketing Officer at Giarratana.
Beacon of the Brand
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, talks with Jenny McClain, Chief Marketing Officer at Giarratana, about the importance of being a beacon of the brand in property management. They discuss how product excellence and going above and beyond for residents is crucial, emphasizing it's more than just renting an apartment. It's about creating an incomparable experience.
The People Experience
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, interviews DeAnna Moore, President at Elmington Property Management. They explore the people experience in property management, emphasizing customer experience and service excellence for clients, residents, and team members. DeAnna shares her insights on creating a positive environment and delivering outstanding service in the property management industry.
The Struggle to Staff
In this episode of Multi-Family Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, sits down with Stephanie Lehman, Executive Vice President of Asset Management at Elmington. They delve into the struggles of staffing in property management, discussing the difficulties of hiring good people, training, promotion, and the ongoing challenges in the industry.
Multifamily Grit Introduction
In this inaugural episode of Multifamily Grit, host Kerri Davis, founder and CEO of Fortress OS, is joined by her colleague of over 8 years, William Durham. They discuss the inspiration behind the podcast and the journey of its creation. William interviews Kerri about her vision, challenges, and goals for the series.