FROM THE PRESIDENT
SCOTT KIRKWOOD | GRIFFIS BLESSING
Thank You: A Message of Deep Appreciation
M
y AAMD Presidency and
first message is to give
back to the industry
that has given us so
much. I want to say thank the many
longtime friends and mentors I have
encountered along the way.
First, special thanks to Alan King
who I worked with for 20 plus years
together and who taught me a lot
of great lessons. Three of the more
timeless lessons that stand out were:
“Managing Up”, “Don’t’ Sweat The
Small Stuff”, and “It’s ALL Small Stuff”.
All along the west coast, we spent many
days and nights evaluating properties,
markets, and opportunities. Alan and I
have great memories, so thank you for
all the lessons and for supporting me
along the way.
Achieving success also requires
support at home. My lovely wife Linda
has added so much to my life! We have
known each other for many years as
co-workers and competitors. Alan and
Linda’s families knew each other well.
Their children would get together to
ride sofa cushions down the staircase
while the parents played cards. Little
did Alan know so many years later
Linda and I would both reinvent
ourselves and start a new life together
in Colorado. I talked a Texas girl into
moving to Colorado. We bought horses,
cattle, and began living a western
lifestyle. Linda made it clear, saying
“this is your dream not mine!” Through
the years her support generated
6 | TRENDS JULY 2019
success at work and at home, where
I operate a forty-acre ranch with 20
head of cattle in my spare time! Linda
has given me a valued perspective, and
softened her stance as she says “The
calves are just too cute”.
Gary Parrett showed me the way to
lead was by example… and the buck
stops here. Jim Kjolhede showed
me that there’s a formula to analyze
everything, and he could challenge you
like no other.
Thank you to Griffis Blessing… BJ
Hybl, Carmen Azzopardi, Pat Stanforth,
Kerry Eggleston, all have helped give
me an opportunity to stay in Colorado
to follow my dreams both inside and
outside of the business. Within five
years we’ve grown the Denver portfolio
from six, up to twenty-six properties.
In fee management, success is often
rewarded with a sale, and we sold
fifteen assets over that time period.
Griffis Blessing is the pre-eminent
management company in Colorado
Springs and we are working to having
similar distinction in Denver… both in
multifamily and commercial. Thank
you Griffis Blessing for your support.
I can’t thank my longtime coworkers
enough. Mary Zatkalik and Erica
Travelstead who have been with me on
and off for twenty years.
Involvement with AAMD has also
been part of my success. Traveling to
many markets it became obvious the
Denver Association was one of the best.
Short of maybe TAA, made up of five
large cities in Texas, Denver is the most
dynamic organization with incredible
layers of member value, creativity and
participation. It is a tribute to the staff
who represent the core and pull off so
many different member activities and
programs. Beyond the staff, we have
great support from the management
companies and the leaders who engage
with AAMD.
Thank you to Mike Holt. I will have
a hard time following your lead, but
look forward to continuing to work
with you.
Beyond deep appreciation, there
are two tasks I hope to achieve in
the upcoming year. First we have a
challenge at the State Legislature
fighting several issues including rent
control. A multi-layered strategy to
protect this great business is under
development, including strengthening
partnerships with CAA affiliates in the
Springs, Ft Collins and Greeley- to
spread a consistent and
powerful message.
Ultimately, we will “SADDLE UP”
and prepare for the next challenge, as
we maximize value to our members and
protect this industry. Additionally, it is
essential to develop the next wave to
lead the organization. Identifying and
engaging key individuals for leadership
roles is critical. They are our future!
We will transition and support them in
every way!
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