NEWS AND VIEWS
FEATURE STORY
New July 2021 Capstone Communities!
NEWS AND VIEWS
“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
— C.S. Lewis
Jeff Mitchell, SPHR, SHRM-CP Senior Human Resources Manager
Jeff Mitchell possesses over 20 years of Human Resources Management experience. He has developed effective onboarding, talent acquisition, performance evaluation and training program systems. Jeff has served in roles as Recruiter, Program Manager, Project Manager, Human Resources Manager and Director of Human Resources. Jeff is a US Army veteran, received his BA at The University of Texas at Austin and is Six Sigma certified.
“When the dark clouds come……..Keep going.”
— Charlie Machesy
Susan Hansen, Regional Vice President
Susan began her multi-family career as a leasing consultant in South Florida in 1987. After relocating to Houston, she began managing a variety of properties and successfully navigated the market during the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Her experience includes various assets in renovations, value adds, acquisitions and dispositions. She earned her CAM designation in 1997 and CPM designation in 2019. Susan joined Capstone as a Regional Manager in 2018.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
— Benjamin Franklin
William Lovelace, Manager of Cash Management
William oversees Capstone’s Cash Management team that provides support to their operations team. He joined Capstone in 2018 in the position of Treasury Analyst working his way up to Cash Manager, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. William has career experience in property management, construction, and government contracting.
“You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way.”
— Dr. Suess
Heather Jurgenson, Property Accounting Controller
Heather is the Controller for the Property Accounting Group at Capstone. She has 7 years of property management experience spanning across Multi-Family, Commercial, Storage Units, and New Construction. She has 14 years of overall accounting experience. Heather has a BS in Accounting from York, Nebraska and her Master’s in Forensic Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. She is also studying to become a Certified Management Accountant. When she is not working or studying, Heather spends as much time as she can with her husband and two kiddos.
Pops
After joining the company in 1977, Jim Berkey helped establish Capstone into what it is today, focusing his efforts on building an organization that would lead the property management industry in competence, professionalism, technology, and results. For decades, his vision and leadership provided superior management service to our clients and an attractive career for our employees. A long and successful career based on hard work and the drive to hold true to Christian values has provided for a happy retirement. Today, Jim and Marilyn Berkey spend their time on the lake, traveling, or enjoying their 7 grandchildren. And they are loving it!
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.
— Michael Jordan
Renetta Quintana, Regional Vice President
Renetta brings 30 years of multifamily industry experience ranging from conventional market rate, new construction high end luxury lease ups to affordable lease ups, stabilized assets and renovations/value add assets. Her portfolio experience ranges from 21 successful new construction lease ups, operations, financial reviews, new development from ground up, strategic team development for asset position, marketing and advertising initiatives, client relations and portfolio management. Texas market experience includes, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Corpus Christi and San Marcos. Prior to joining Capstone, Renetta worked as Regional Property Manager for The NRP Group and United Apartment Group. Renetta was SAAA President in 2013, served in SAAA Officer positions for 6 years, served on SAAA Board of Directors for 4 years and Chairman for Membership, Government Affairs, Nominating, Leadership Lyceum and Programs Committees. She has received numerous industry awards during her career start from Capstone Leasing Professional, Assistant Manager, Property Manager of the Year to Regional Property Manager recognition.
Kelly Blaskowsky, CPM®, Chief Operating Officer
Kelly Blaskowsky brings over twenty-five years of multifamily experience and has worked with a variety of asset types and clients. Previously Kelly served as the Senior Vice President focused on growing new markets and teams to operate with consistency across the company. In addition, Kelly served on multiple committees and is the past President of the San Antonio Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®).
“Do, or do Not. There is no Try.”
— Yoda
Dally Ward, Regional Vice President
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
Melissa Fasci, Vice President of Operations
“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
— Victor Hugo
Tim Joyner, Risk Manager
Tim Joyner, Risk Manager has been with Capstone since July 1, 1985. Over the course of his time with Capstone, Tim has held many positions both in operations and corporate. Tim has been Risk Manager since 1993. There are many aspects to the Risk Management department. Managing properties in today’s world present many very difficult situations. Tim’s extensive knowledge of Capstone and the Property Management field puts them in the position to guide properties through difficult situations. Some of the areas they assist are in property incidents, injuries, legal matters and fair housing issues. Tim also administer the Capstone Employee Health & Safety Program. Tim visits properties when possible and provide another set of eyes and ears to help Capstone provide the best Property Management services available.
“Always seek to Understand before being Understood.”
— Stephen Covey
Steve Roach, Vice President of Operations
Steve has oversight for the entire Dallas region. With more than 25 years of experience in the multi-family industry, Steve has held executive positions with several large companies including the position of President of BH Management with responsibility of over 34,000 units in 17 states. He has a very solid working knowledge of value add rehabs and the management of all classes of assets. Steve is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, past President of the Apartment Association of Tarrant County, past NAA Certified CAM/CAPS Instructor, experienced speaker at the Annual TAA Education Conference and has served on the Advisory Board of Multifamily Pro Magazine.
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
— Dr. Seuss
Todd Berkey, Communications Coordinator
Bringing over 20+ years of creative advertising experience, Todd designs, directs and produces the Capstone company communications through, print, web and advertising. He provides layered support for the team through various marketing resources.
“The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well.”
— John D. Rockefeller
Karma Cargal, Director of Affordable Housing Compliance
Karma Cargal serves as Capstone’s Director of Affordable Housing Compliance. She has worked in multifamily property management for 25 years, with direct supervision of compliance departments monitoring various affordable housing programs in 30+ states. Her affordable experience includes Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME, Bond, BMR, Section 8, Public Housing, Inclusionary, ADU, MOH, MFTE and other local programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and the National Compliance Professional, Housing Credit Certified Professional, and Certified Occupancy Specialist certifications.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference.”
— Winston Churchill
Brad Priest, Director of Accounting
Brad is the Director of Accounting for the Property Accounting Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in corporate accounting. Brad has a BBA in Accounting & Management from St. Edward’s University and an MBA from Texas State University and has been a Texas CPA for over 30 years.
April Royal, Regional Vice President
April started with Capstone Real Estate Service in March 2014 as a Regional Manager with over 20 years of multi-family experience prior to assuming this new role as Regional Vice-President. She has had the opportunity to serve in both the commercial and residential industry and for owner managed and third party clients. Her experience includes new construction, repositions, senior, luxury, affordable, value add and mixed use. April’s track record shows her strengths in client and employee relations. She enjoys the challenge of meeting the owner’s goals, supporting her management teams and always keeping focus on learning and development. She is a Certified Apartment Property Supervisor (CAPS) and is CPM (Certified Property Manager) candidate with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
“Be Humble. Be Hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’
Kelly Scott, Vice President of Operations
Kelly has oversight for the entire Houston region. Kelly brings more than 28 years of multifamily industry operational experience with an extensive background in the oversight of lease ups, stabilized and rehab communities, budget maximization, developing staffing plans, and owner and equity partner relationship management. Prior to joining Capstone, Kelly worked as a VP at Alliance Residential, and previously held leadership positions such as President at Lane Company, Executive Vice President at Riverstone Residential Group and a partner at Trammell Crow for 12 years. She holds her CAM and CAPS designations, has served as chair of both the Membership, Investment and Education committees with the Houston Apartment Association, and has also been the Education Conference Chairperson for the Texas Apartment Association. Kelly received the TAA Rita Kirby Award, the HAA Property Supervisor of the Year Award and named HAA’s 2016 Management Executive of the Year. In addition, Kelly has served on the HAA board of directors for over 12 years and was the Secretary/Treasurer for 2017. Kelly provides a strong passion for leading and inspiring teams — the driving force behind her success.
Grant Berkey, CPM®, President; Chief Executive Officer
Grant Berkey is responsible for the executive oversight of all Capstone operations. He has been active in the property management industry and with Capstone Real Estate Services, Inc. since 1993. In addition to his CPM® designation, he is both a licensed Real Estate Broker and a Property and Casualty Agent. Mr. Berkey is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
Marc Berkey, Vice President
Marc Berkey is responsible for Capstone’s National Account programs. Marc is charged with negotiating the greatest possible terms with the industry’s best vendors who provide supplies and services to our properties. He has been associated with the management industry and Capstone since 2008. Prior to Capstone, Marc worked for two national homebuilders in a variety of roles, including building and purchasing, but primarily as a Land Acquisition Manager. Marc is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Texas and is a graduate of Baylor University with a B.A. in Real Estate.
Mike Gettman, Chief Financial Officer
Mike Gettman is responsible for the oversight of Capstone’s Corporate Finance, Risk Management, and Human Resources departments. He has broad administrative experience in accounting, risk management, employee benefits and human resource issues relating to property management. Mr. Gettman is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin with a major in accounting, and has been employed by Capstone since 1985.
Matthew C. Lutz, Executive Vice President
Matt Lutz has over thirty years of experience in the property management and real estate industry. In addition to his corporate and operational duties, Mr. Lutz is primarily involved with Capstone’s Business Development initiatives. Mr. Lutz is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in Texas and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Lutz has been employed by Capstone since 1984.