360 DEGREES OF REFLECTION THE PEOPLE BEHIND OUR SUCCESS
BY MARK WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Earlier this year, I received the incredible honor of being inducted as the 65th member of the AAMD Hall of Fame. To say I was taken aback would be an understatement; I was truly overwhelmed as much as I was surprised. In that moment when Ed Schell graciously introduced me on stage, presenting me with this remarkable award, I found myself lost for words. It was a mix of gratitude and not wanting to be in the spotlight. The experience compelled me to fully reflect back on my journey over the past 26 years with AAMD & CAA.
Predominately, I want to emphasize that this honor is not about me— it is much more a( full circle) tribute to the extraordinary talented people who influenced me and have been part of this incredible journey. They say“ surround yourself with people who are smarter than you” – indeed I have surrounded myself by 360 degrees of amazing people who inspired me, challenged me, and supported me.
The recognition that I have received ultimately embodies the work of the entire AAMD Staff. I have had the privilege of working alongside such a diversely talented group who have worked tirelessly to make AAMD not just an organization, but a wonderful community. I cannot emphasize enough that our success at AAMD is attributed to always having a great Staff.
The roles played by the AAMD and CAA Presidents have been vast, encompassing a partnership of unwavering support and teamwork through both difficult challenges and crowning achievements. I am deeply grateful for their guidance and for the shared commitment that has propelled our organization forward. What struck me most during the induction ceremony was the sight of so many Past Presidents and Hall of Fame members in attendance, showing their continued support for me. Their presence was profoundly moving and a heartfelt reminder of the connections we’ ve built over the years.
As I roll back the memories and lessons— the brightest moments generally are focused with Staff and Board Leadership teams. It is these relationships that have enriched my life, offering countless lessons along the way. The wisdom, insight, and life-altering revelations I ' ve gleaned from so many remarkable individuals are treasures I hold dear.
Beyond the members of the Staff and the AAMD & CAA Presidents, my appreciation is deep and wide for the thousands of members and volunteers whose unwavering commitment and passion have transformed the Apartment Association of Metro Denver into one of the foremost associations in the country.
In the excitement of wanting to acknowledge the people who have shaped my experience and influenced me with their leadership, I began to compile a list of those who have made a meaningful impact on my work at the Association. However, what started as a short list quickly mushroomed, growing from 30 names to 50, then 100, 200 … and eventually 360! It was a humbling realization that fully capturing the essence of my gratitude would be an impossible feat … even 360 would never fully cover everyone, but it seemed like a nice thematic place to stop.
So at this juncture, I must extend my heartfelt apologies. I know I will inevitably miss names of deserving industry leaders who have played a crucial role in making AAMD the success it is today. If you do not see your name mentioned, please know that it is not out of lack of appreciation but rather the constraints of time and my memory … and ultimately stopping at 360.
So, what follows is a compilation of 360 individuals( listed alphabetically by First name)— each one having made a significant impact on my journey. Some, as simple as a fleeting moments of kindness, some are more about inspiration or a lesson I garnered. And others are more about groundbreaking achievements across many years of work. Most of these reflections are about leadership – and a celebration of all those incredible leaders who have enriched my path and AAMD’ s path to advance, promote and serve the apartment industry in Denver. Thank you!
26 | TRENDS NOV / DEC 2025 www. aamdhq. org