WHO'S WHO 2020
KATIE GORDON
ERIC GEIST
Director of Training & Culture
Director, Construction Services
Zocalo Community Development
Greystar Real Estate Partners
15
YEARS WORKED IN
THE INDUSTRY
32,946
UNITS I
OVERSEE
8
EMPLOYEES I
OVERSEE
$6B
VALUE OF PORTFOLIO
I OVERSEE
WHO HIRED YOU INTO THIS BUSINESS, AND WHAT’S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM TODAY? Judy
Blaes and Corey Holmes. Corey is one of my closest friends and Judy is
always a great mentor when I ask for guidance. BEST OR WORST DECISION YOU
MADE IN LAST 6 MONTHS: Refocusing on my personal growth and health.
WHAT CAN DEVELOPERS DO DIFFERENTLY WHEN DESIGNING A PROPERTY? Plan for parking
for surrounding amenities as well as the community itself. HOW DO YOU
MOTIVATE PEOPLE? Recognition in what they have accomplished for the year
or for their career. THREE FAVORITE APPS: Gmail, SmartNews and Southwest
Airlines app. BIGGEST PET PEEVE? Being late. ONE ITEM ON YOUR BUCKET LIST: Watch
a Notre Dame football game in Notre Dame Stadium
RON GOETZ
Senior Vice President
Simpson Property Group, LP
43
YEARS WORKED IN
THE INDUSTRY
19k
UNITS I
OVERSEE
620
EMPLOYEES I
OVERSEE
$4.4B
VALUE OF PORTFOLIO
I OVERSEE E
WHO HIRED YOU INTO THIS BUSINESS, AND WHAT’S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM TODAY? Irv
Baker in 1976 when we were JBK Management Group. Unfortunately,
Irv passed in 2011. YOUR “GO TO” INTERVIEW QUESTION? When conducting an
interview I love to ask why would you ever want to get into this
business? The three things people dislike the most in life are death,
taxes and moving. We defi nitely cover one of those. WHAT IS THE BEST
DECISION YOU MADE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS? I really appreciate our national
vendors and continue to work close with them, it has been a continued
asset for our company and cost saving. WHAT CAN DEVELOPERS DO DIFFERENTLY
WHEN DESIGNING A PROPERTY? Developers seem to forget our maintenance
people when doing the design and leave out maintenance shops. AN
AMENITY YOU WISH YOU COULD INVENT? It is already here, but smart apartments
with wireless capability is a defi nite trend. IF YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY SITCOM,
WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? Cheers, sitting at the bar with Norm. FIRST GUEST ON
YOUR TALK SHOW: I would choose a former talk show host, Jay Leno. He
was at NAA once and his hour monologue was so sharp and impressive.
MOVIE TITLE DESCRIBES YOUR WORK LIFE: Not using a gun, the Clint Eastwood
expression from Sudden Impact, “Go Ahead , Make My Day” is perfect.
HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE PEOPLE? Doing recognition luncheons and awarding
the top producers and seeing how proud they are of their
accomplishments is the best. FAVORITE TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY? Top Golf.
THREE FAVORITE APPS: Stocks, Weather and Instagram. BIGGEST PET PEEVE?
Mean People. CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Being able to motivate others to do their
best. ONE ITEM ON YOUR BUCKET LIST: Fishing in Alaska.
24 | TRENDS NOV/DEC 2019
10
YEARS WORKED IN THE
INDUSTRY
822
UNITS I
OVERSEE
45
EMPLOYEES I OVERSEE
WHO HIRED YOU INTO THIS BUSINESS, AND WHAT’S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM TODAY? The
fi rst company I was hired on with was Windsor Communities and still
enjoy seeing many of my original co-workers at AAMD events! YOUR “GO
TO” INTERVIEW QUESTION? Which of our Core Values do you most strongly
identify with? BEST OR WORST DECISION YOU MADE IN LAST 6 MONTHS: Our family
adopted a very curious and energetic friend, my 5 month old kitten,
Dusty! WHAT CAN DEVELOPERS DO DIFFERENTLY WHEN DESIGNING A PROPERTY? Work
closely with the architects to decrease unnecessary variations in fl oor-
plans. A well thought out selection of distinct fl oor-plans is easier to
market and less confusing to the prospect verses a collection of many
diff erent fl oor-plans with slight variations. AN AMENITY YOU WISH YOU COULD
INVENT? I just read about a resort that has a “popsicle fairy” at their pool.
During summer mid-day hours you can walk over to the poolside
intercom and order a popsicle to be delivered to you. I’m thinking
maybe a “margarita fairy” would add value to any amenity package! IF
YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY SITCOM, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? Friends, because I’m from
generation X and love visiting Manhattan. BINGE-WATCHED EMBARRASSINGLY
FAST: The Walking Dead, until Glen died, then I was out. FIRST GUEST ON YOUR
TALK SHOW: My mom. She is such an inspiration to me and I would want
to share how cool she is with the rest of the world. HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE
PEOPLE? Through a strong culture of collaboration. I believe that most
everyone has a desire to feel connected to their teammates and be a
valued contributor at work. From mentorship programs to “idea share”
team calls, I love to give people the opportunity to engage and learn
from each other and use their experience and talents. FAVORITE TEAM
BUILDING ACTIVITY? Our all company events, like going to Top Golf. It’s
great to see people from our construction, leasing, and development
teams all competing to see who can hit golf balls the furthest. THREE
FAVORITE APPS: Apple Books, Door Dash and All Trails – you can guess
my hobbies! BIGGEST PET PEEVE? Tailgaters on my I-25 morning commute
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Developing Zocalo’s training program, beginning with
instructional design all the way through to facilitation. ONE ITEM ON YOUR
BUCKET LIST: To travel to northern Alaska, rent a log cabin, and lay under
the stars to view the northern lights.
www.aamdhq.org