Category: News

Honoring Culture, Identity, and Story

For Black History Month, we asked members of our Unity in Color ERG to share something meaningful about their culture, identity, or journey. Through quotes, music, and lived experience, each reflection offers a glimpse into the stories that shape who we are - and how we show up every day.

Jessica Legston - Marketing Manager | Unity in Color ERG Leader
Jessica shared the song “Golden” - Jill Scott.
For Jessica, “Golden” celebrates joy, self-worth, and living fully in your own light. It’s a reminder that success isn’t only about achievement - it’s also about presence, gratitude, and the freedom to be yourself without shrinking. Her identity is shaped by history, culture, and community, but also by personal growth, creativity, and the everyday choices that help her build a life that feels meaningful.

Angel Hays - Regional Performance Manager | Unity in Color ERG Leader
Angel shared the phrase:
“Reclaiming my time.” - Maxine Waters
She also shared the song “Defying Gravity.”
Angel shared that her life hasn’t followed a straight or predictable path. Through both highs and setbacks, she’s learned that growth sometimes means standing alone in your choices. As the song says, “If I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free,” and that line reflects her journey of choosing independence, resilience, and self-trust over comfort or approval. This song reminds her that even when the path is uncertain, owning her direction is what allows her to rise.

Trent Dodson - Community Manager
Trent shared a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.:
“If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl - but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
For Trent, this quote is a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect or fast. What matters is continuing forward, no matter the pace.

Chris Cooper - Regional Human Resources Manager
Chris shared a quote by Eric Thomas:
“Greatness never goes on sale. It costs what it costs. Rent on a great career - and a great life - is due every day.”
He also shared the song “Blessed & Free” - Kane Brown ft. H.E.R.
Together, these reflect Chris’s mindset that growth is built daily through consistency, commitment, and gratitude - showing up with intention in both work and life.

Tiara Foster - Community Manager
Tiara shared the quote:
“Strength isn’t loud. It’s what remains after you’ve survived what was supposed to break you.”
She also shared the song “Firestone” - Kygo ft. Conrad Sewell.
Tiara shared that resilience is often misunderstood as toughness or an endless capacity to carry more. For her, resilience isn’t the absence of pain or fatigue - it’s the decision to remain honest with yourself while continuing forward anyway. Her leadership is rooted in clarity, boundaries, and self-respect, and her story is a reminder that strength doesn’t require spectacle.

Thank you to our Unity in Color ERG members for sharing their voices and stories this Black History Month.

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Bishop Momo Earns Gold at the MHN Excellence Awards

We love a good gold moment – and this one is worth celebrating.

RPM Living’s Austin community, Bishop Momo, earned Gold at the MHN Excellence Awards for Best 2025 Marketing Campaign, recognizing a campaign that blended strategy, creativity, and authentic local connection.

The award-winning campaign was created and submitted by Asterisk, with strong collaboration between RPM Living’s corporate marketing team and on-site execution at the community level. Together, the teams leveraged resident experience, local partnerships, and community-focused content to bring the campaign to life in a way that felt both authentic and scalable.

It’s a great example of what happens when thoughtful strategy meets strong execution – and a proud moment for everyone involved.

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Mariana Estrada Featured in NAA’s UNITS Magazine

The conversation around the future of rental housing continues to evolve – and we’re proud to see RPM Living leaders helping shape it.

Our Chief Strategy Officer, Mariana Estrada, was recently featured in the January–February issue of UNITS Magazine in an article exploring the economic, regulatory, and operational forces influencing what’s next for the multifamily industry.

In the piece, Mariana shares perspective on how thoughtful strategy, disciplined execution, and a focus on efficiency and experience can help organizations remain resilient in a changing landscape.

Her insights highlight the importance of balancing scale with intention – and staying grounded in what truly drives long-term success for operators and residents alike.

Read the full article on NAA’s website here.

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A Strong Showing for RPM Living at the Anchor Awards

The Anchor Awards delivered a big moment for RPM Living – and our Georgia team rose to the occasion.

We’re proud to recognize several associates and communities who were honored for their leadership, performance, and impact across the region. These awards reflect the dedication and consistency it takes to deliver exceptional experiences every day.

Anchor Award winners include:

Ansley Aldridge – Leasing Professional of the Year

Dana Jiles – Regional Manager of the Year

Marcelle Littlejohn – Community Manager of the Year

10x Trellis – Community of the Year

Congratulations to our Georgia team on a well-earned showing. We’re proud to have you representing RPM Living and setting the standard across our communities.

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RPM Communities Recognized in J Turner’s 2025 Rising 1K Rankings

Online reputation plays a critical role in today’s resident experience – and RPM Living communities are leading the way. This year, 20 RPM communities earned spots on J Turner Research’s 2025 Rising 1K ORA Power Rankings, which highlight the most improved online reputations nationwide from January through October.

A special congratulations goes to The Watermark, which ranked #3 out of thousands of communities across the country. J Turner Research even traveled to personally deliver the trophy, recognizing the team’s standout achievement.

View the complete Rising 1K rankings and recognized communities on J Turner Research’s website.

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RPM Living Awarded Property Management Company of the Year (Silver)

RPM Living has been recognized as Property Management Company of the Year (Silver) in the 2025 MHN Excellence Awards – an achievement that reflects the dedication, strategy, and innovation happening across our communities every day.

This recognition celebrates the work behind the scenes, where service becomes an experience and thoughtful strategy delivers real results. From strong partnerships to teams who genuinely care, the award highlights the art and science that define RPM’s approach to property management.

To explore the full list of 2025 MHN Excellence Awards winners, visit the official MHN website.

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How RPM Collected 4,362 Pairs for Soles4Souls – Tips from Our Top Contributors

This year, RPM teams showed up in a major way – donating an incredible 4,362 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, an organization that turns unwanted shoes into providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. Two standout contributors helped push that number even higher:

Melissa Rosado, Remote Payroll Account Manager (Florida): 486 pairs
La Sierra Apartments (San Antonio): 704 pairs

Both took completely different approaches, but each proved that a little creativity – and a lot of heart – goes a long way. Here’s how they did it, and how you can bring their strategies into your next drive.

La Sierra Apartments: How a Community Came Together

La Sierra focused on meeting residents where they already were. Their top strategies included:

  • Encouraging move-out donations: Residents who were relocating were invited to drop off any new or gently used shoes they no longer needed – turning a stressful transition into an easy moment to give back.
  • Highlighting the drive at resident events: The team promoted the shoe drive during multiple community gatherings, making participation effortless and visible.
  • Sending reminders and follow-ups: Simple nudges kept the drive top-of-mind and boosted resident turnout.

Result: 704 pairs collected and an entire community energized around giving.

Melissa Rosado: Getting Creative with Your Network

Melissa’s approach was all about expanding the circle. Here’s what worked:

  • Shared the drive in her kickball league’s WhatsApp chats: Quick messages = fast momentum.
  • Posted in multiple local Facebook groups: Broad reach, zero cost, and highly effective.
  • Enlisted help from the owner of the kickball league: He emailed all participants on her behalf, creating immediate community buy-in.
  • Welcomed support from unexpected places: Even a local Zumba class joined in once they heard about the cause!
  • Stayed grounded in the mission: Melissa loved knowing her donations would support families in countries like Haiti and Honduras – providing consistent, quality food, housing, and education for five months.

Result: 486 pairs collected by one person – powered by purpose, connection, and a little hustle.

Both Melissa and La Sierra proved there’s no one way to make a big impact. Whether you tap into your community, your social circles, or everyday touchpoints with residents, small efforts add up fast. Because when we rally together, extraordinary things happen.

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Rachel Carter Named to Global Top 100 DAP Professionals of 2025

RPM Living is proud to celebrate Rachel Carter, Learning and Development Program Manager, who has been named one of the Top 100 Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) Professionals of 2025. This global recognition highlights leaders across industries who are advancing digital adoption through thoughtful, people-first solutions.

Rachel’s journey with RPM began onsite, where she gained firsthand experience with Yardi workflows and the day-to-day realities faced by property teams. That perspective continues to shape her approach today. Under her leadership, RPM has launched more than 360 WalkMe solutions designed to support associates and simplify processes across the organization.

Congratulations to Rachel on this well-earned recognition, and thank you to everyone who supported her along the way.

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How RPM Veterans Are Spending Their Well-Earned Veterans Day Off

This Veterans Day, RPM Living is doing something we’re genuinely proud of: Giving every RPM veteran the day off.

It’s a small gesture for people who’ve served in big ways – and we wanted to spotlight how a few of our own RPM veterans plan to spend their time off.

Chase Workman – Leasing Manager (pictured returning from his first deployment to Iraq in 2018)

Chase is mixing progress and fresh air. He’s planning to spend part of his day catching up on homework (he’s nearing the end of his bachelor’s degree in accounting with only 14 months to go!) and then taking his fur baby to Floyd Lamb Park for a stroll – and yes, they’ll be stopping by the pet store afterward for a treat.

Johnathan Mathis – Maintenance Technician (pictured in uniform during his time in service)
Johnathan's plan is to relax, recharge, maybe sneak in a workout, and simply enjoy having a day to himself.

John Yanik – Senior Maintenance Manager
John has a clear mission for his day off – he’s hitting as many Veterans Day food perks as possible. San Diego has no shortage of restaurants that recognize veterans – Chili’s, Claim Jumper, Red Lobster, Dunkin’, Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill, Woodstock’s Pizza, Stone Brewery Tap Room, Melting Pot, Applebee’s, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que … and more – and if there’s a deal or a free entrée, John’s on it.

Jose Nunez – Maintenance Technician (pictured while serving in Afghanistan)
Jose is choosing to take his day off on an alternative date – his community, The Douglas, is hosting a Veterans Day get-together and he wants to spend the actual holiday celebrating with fellow veterans.

Dee Shaw Knox – Community Manager (pictured in uniform during her time in service)
Dee’s plan is much like Jose’s – she’s spending her day enjoying the complimentary meals and appreciation events offered throughout her area. A well-deserved day of good food and good company.

To all Veterans (however you choose to spend the day), thank you. Your service, your perspective, the culture you help shape and the heart you bring matter more than we can express in one blog post.

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Q+A with John Napier: Legal Leadership in a Growing, Dynamic Industry

We’re excited to welcome John Napier, Chief Legal Officer, to the RPM Living executive leadership team! John oversees the company’s Legal, Risk, and Insurance functions, helping guide RPM’s continued growth and innovation across the multifamily industry.

With nearly a decade of experience in real estate and more than 16 years in corporate law, John brings a forward-thinking approach to balancing opportunity and risk. His leadership philosophy is centered on partnership, development, and empowering people to do their best work. We sat down with him to learn more about his journey, his approach to leadership, and his perspective on RPM’s continued success.

RPM: What first attracted you to RPM, and what excites you most about this next chapter?

John: I was initially attracted to RPM for its reputation in the industry and its ability to operate at scale. As I explored the opportunity, my attraction grew as I saw how the company has the ambition, platform, and people to remain a leader in a rapidly evolving industry. I’m excited to mobilize my teams—Legal, Risk, and Insurance—to serve as strategic partners in advancing the company’s current and future strategies.

RPM: How do you see the legal function supporting RPM’s long-term growth and innovation while balancing risk and opportunity?

John: I want my teams to operate as trusted advisors who balance risk and opportunity while reflecting RPM’s entrepreneurial spirit. Legal should be an enabler to a growing, dynamic business—not just managing risk, but truly understanding it. That means identifying where opportunities exist today and where they may be in the future, recognizing potential obstacles, and developing solutions that allow the company to move forward confidently. Our role is to align legal strategy with business strategy, helping RPM grow with both agility and integrity.

RPM: What leadership principles guide your approach to work?

John: As a leader, my goal is to identify talent, develop their capabilities, and empower them to showcase their strengths. Leadership, to me, isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about creating the conditions where people can thrive. That means ensuring they have the resources, guidance, and opportunity to do their best work and knowing when to step back and let them lead.

RPM: What kind of team culture do you aim to foster within your department?

John: RPM has an incredible culture, and I want my department to mirror that—one where collaboration, trust, and shared success are core. Beyond that, I want to foster a dynamic where people are encouraged to work together, innovate, and celebrate both individual and team achievements.

RPM: Outside of work, what inspires or motivates you?

John: My family is my biggest source of joy and motivation. My wife and I have two boys, 13 and 11, and watching them grow, challenge themselves, and become their own people is something I’m incredibly grateful for. I always know I’m doing something right when they roll their eyes at my dad jokes.

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