CHICAGO – (October 9, 2018) – From a mobile training unit spawned by the belief that better equipped associates deliver better service, to the development of a high school that enables students to receive a college preparatory education while gaining invaluable real-world work experience, this year’s REME Awards honored the industry’s best and brightest.
The IREM REME Awards for real estate management excellence champion the great companies and individuals in the industry, and highlight the excellent work they are doing to propel real estate management forward. This year’s awards were presented on Friday, September 29, at IREM Global Summit Inaugural Gala and REME Awards, held in Hollywood, FL.
“All of the 2018 REME winners have demonstrated excellence in what they do. Not only do they stand out among their peers, but they share a commitment to adding value to their teams, their clients, and their properties,” said Don Wilkerson, CPM, 2018 IREM President, Gaston & Wilkerson Management, AMO, Reno, NV. “We are so proud that they are truly making a difference in our industry – and fostering advancement for all of us!”
The 2018 REME Awards Winners are:
CPM OF THE YEAR
Branden Barker, CPM, CCIM, CSM
Barker Property Management
Baton Rouge, LA
Barker is an exemplary CPM (Certified Property Manager), who goes above and beyond expectation. From caring for tenants, staff and the community during a region-covering flood, to allowing for peaceful protests during a time when the city was divided, Barker consistently provides superior service to all he works with.
ARM OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Oates, Jr., ARM
Marco Polo Apartments
Honolulu, HI
Oates exemplifies the ARM (Accredited Residential Manager) designation in the knowledge and leadership he provides to his management team and tenants. In addition, in the face of the worst high-rise structure fire ever in Honolulu, Oates worked tirelessly to evacuate residents, ensure access for first responders, provide shelter for all, and above all, take care of his people.
AMO OF THE YEAR
MEB Management Services, AMO
Phoenix, AZ
Executive CPM: Libby Ekre, CPM
MEB Management Services core purpose is to enrich the lives of their clients, residents and team members by creating value – which means they understand the value created by being an AMO (Accredited Management Organization) firm. They hold their company, and their employees, to a higher standard with continued professional development, community service, and following of IREM Best Practices.
CORPORATE INNOVATION
Cortland, AMO
Atlanta, GA
Winning Initiative:
Created a 64-foot, custom-branded mobile facilities training unit (MTU) to allow for hands-on training experience for their service team members.
CORPORATE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
ResProp Management
Tampa, FL
Winning Initiative:
Assisted in the creation of Cristo Rey Tampa HS, and continued support of the school includes fundraising, managing renovations, teaching, mentoring, and job training.
EMPLOYEE & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Phillips Edison & Company
Cincinnati, OH
Winning Initiative:
Developed PECOI, a comprehensive program designed to raise the profile and visibility of the internship program, including the creation of a new brand identity for the program.
SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
Phillips Edison & Company
Cincinnati, OH
Winning Initiative:
Partnered with Blue Sky Utility to enhance the energy efficiency of their California properties by installing new roof membranes and solar panels, giving the properties a new, maintenance-free roof and tenants the ability to purchase energy at a discounted rate.
Additional information on all of the 2018 REME winners can be found here.
About the Institute of Real Estate Management
IREM is an international force of 20,000 individuals united to advance the profession of real estate management. Through training, professional development, and collaboration, IREM supports our members and others in the industry through every stage of their career.
We believe in our people, and we provide the tools they need to succeed. We open doors, we forge connections, and we help show the way forward. Backed by the power that comes with being an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS, we add value to our members, who in turn add value to their teams, their workplaces, and the properties in their commercial and residential portfolios.
Our memberships empower college students, young professionals, and industry veterans who are committed to career advancement. Earning our credentials, including the CPM, ARM, ACoM, and AMO, demonstrates a commitment to, and passion for, good management. These credentials, along with our courses and array of resources, all exist with one goal in mind – to make a difference in the careers of those who manage. To learn more about IREM, visit www.IREM.org.