Each year, the Texas Apartment Association recognizes outstanding rental housing industry professionals.
The rental housing industry in Texas is a dynamic and growing profession. The Texas Apartment Association’s professional awards program honors outstanding individuals who exemplify high standards in their field, strive for excellence and serve their communities and their profession by participating actively in their local apartment associations.
Awards are given annually at the TAA Education Conference & Lone Star Expo
- Barbara MacManus Apartment Manager of the Year
- Mary Williams Maintenance Professional of the Year
- Anita Marcino Leasing Professional of the Year
- Rita Kirby Regional Property Manager of the Year
- Bob Ross Independent Rental Owner of the Year
- Olin Steele Product/Service Member
- Association Executive of the Year
Nominations for TAA’s professional awards are made by a TAA local apartment association. Contact your local apartment association for more information.
Barbara MacManus, CAM, CAPS, CPM is a long-time member of the San Antonio Apartment Association and a leader in the Texas Apartment Association’s education efforts. MacManus served on the task force that developed the original CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) course and even helped to write the original curriculum for the course.
TAA’s first CAM of the Year Award was presented in 1989. This award, and its successor, the Apartment Manager of the Year Award, are named in honor of MacManus. She is also a recipient of the Jennette Hunnicutt Distinguished Service Award.
Mary Williams, CAMT was an active member of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, and helped to move the Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians program from a classroom lecture series to a hands-on program emphasizing practical skills. AAGD was also the first local apartment association with a training facility that could accommodate these skills-training elements of the revamped CAMT program.
The Texas Apartment Association’s CAMT of the Year Award, which was first presented in 1989, is named in honor of Williams.
Anita Marcino, CAM, CAPS, NALP, another tireless advocate for industry education and professional development, was a past president of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and a former Vice President at Large on the Texas Apartment Association Executive Committee. In her position with First Worthing, Marcino was responsible for bringing large groups of site-level employees to the annual TAA Education Conferences, and First Worthing was one of the first large management companies to host company meetings in connection with the TAA Education Conference.
Marcino was instrumental in the development of the Professional Leasing Program in the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, which was adapted nationally as the National Apartment Leasing Professional program. TAA’s Leasing Professional of the Year Award was named in honor of Marcino in 2011.
Rita Kirby, CAM, CAPS, CPM is a strong advocate of life-long learning. She was a member of the task force that wrote the original CAPS (Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor) curriculum, and is the “namesake” for the Texas Apartment Association’s Regional Property Manager of the Year Award, formerly known as the Professional Designate of the Year Award. She is a past president of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, a past chairman of the TAA and NAA Education Committees and a past president of the Dallas IREM chapter.
As principal with The Resource Company, Kirby authored the TAA Bluebook crime awareness and prevention guide and the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas’ Fair Housing Compliance for Apartments guide. She developed a Human Resource Management Guide for Apartment Professionals for AAGD and the National Apartment Association. She is also a recipient of the Jennette Hunnicutt Distinguished Service Award.
Bob Ross was the fifth president of the Texas Apartment Association and also served as president of the National Apartment Association. His family-owned and operated business, Bob Ross Realty in San Antonio, is still an active member of the Texas Apartment Association and the National Apartment Association. His son, Marc, followed in his father’s footsteps at the company and in his association involvement, serving as a president of TAA and as chairman of the National Apartment Association.
Olin Steele was the consummate team player and a dedicated apartment association volunteer. He was instrumental in founding a number of Texas Apartment Association local affiliates around the state, serving as a role model for associate members and demonstrating the vital role supplier members play in supporting and furthering the goals of all our associations. “His biggest strengths were his heart and his word,” according to his son, Ron Steele. “If he gave you his word on something, you could certainly count on it, and that meant a lot to him,” Steele said.
Olin Steele worked for Solon, which later became WEB Service Company, and eventually Coinmach. All have been long-time supporters and sponsors of TAA and local apartment associations. TAA first presented an award to the outstanding product/service member of the year in 1987, making it the first such award recognizing an individual’s contributions to the industry and the association. The award, named in honor of Olin Steele, is still the only award exclusively recognizing the important role played by associate members.
Barbara MacManus Apartment Manager of the Year
Christine Galvez, CAM, CAMT, CAPS, CPO, NALP
Bohannon Development Corporation
El Paso Apartment Association
“Since winning this award I have had the opportunity to implement the Leadership and Mentorship initiatives I’ve cultivated throughout our organization. Leaders create Leaders … I’m mentoring the next generation of apartment industry professionals and I could not be more pleased with that.”
Mary Williams Maintenance Professional of the Year
Filemon Torres, CAMT, CPO, NALP
Bohannon Development Corporation
El Paso Apartment Association
“This award is a very important accomplishment in my career. It gives me more confidence and makes me very happy to know I’ve reached a goal in my career. This will help me to grow more within my company and within the apartment industry.”
Anita Marcino Leasing Professional of the Year
Monica Morales, CAM, NALP
Bohannon Development Corporation
El Paso Apartment Association
“Since winning this award, I now know that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. The opportunities for professional and personal growth are abundant. I aspire to be a great leader and mentor with my co-workers so that I can help develop them with their careers.”
Rita Kirby Regional Property Manager of the Year
Nicolle Block, CAMT, CAPS
AMLI
Apartment Association of Tarrant County
“So many people helped me to achieve this milestone! We are in the people business and I am nothing without the people that I support and the people that have supported me along the way. This industry has given me my livelihood and I am blessed to love my career! I am honored to be on a short list of industry professionals that TAA has deemed worthy of such a distinction!”
Bob Ross Independent Owner of the Year
John Ridgway, CPM
Celtic Realty Advisors
Houston Apartment Association
“I was elated when I was told I had won the award. It is a validation of the hard work and efforts made over the years. I am very honored to receive an award named after one of our association’s founders and his family, who continue to be leaders at every level.”
Olin Steele Product/Service Member
Nancy Payne, CAS
ForRent.com
San Antonio Apartment Association
“After being presented with the Olin Steele Award, my first thought was ‘what can I do to inspire someone, to help someone grow and be successful in our industry?’ It was never my intent to win an award for something that I truly love and enjoy doing and have passion for.”
Association Executive of the Year
Jeff Hall, CAE
Houston Apartment Association
“Winning the TAA AE of the Year Award was the highest honor and most satisfying award and recognition that I have experienced during my career. After 33 years in association management (all working for HAA), and the past 14 years as AE , it is very gratifying to know that one’s accomplishments are still acknowledged and appreciated.”
From 1989-2004, this award was known as the Barbara MacManus CAM of the Year Award.
Evelyn Branch, CAM
Indian Creek Apartments
Lubbock
1990
Debbie Turner, CAM
McDougal Properties
Lubbock
1991
Carol Rowald, CAM, CAMT, CAPS
Compass Alliance
Belton
1992
Margie Sikes, CAM, CAPS
Plantation Oaks Apartments
College Station
1993
Tami Martin, CAM, CAMT, CAPS
The Sharp Network
Austin
1994
Anne Emery, CAM
Lookout Ridge Apartments
Copperas Cove
1995
Linda Moore Neeley, CAM
Dovetree Apartments
Tyler
1996
Dolores Crawford, CAM
Capitol Consultants Management Company
Abilene
1997
Penny J. Murphy, CAM
TGM Realty Partners
Dallas
1998
Kimberly Aguilar, CAM
Covington Development
Abilene
1999
Holly Stuckey, CAM, NALP
Great West Management and Realty, LTD
Dallas
2000
Georgia Matthews, CAM
Willowoaks/Willowwind
Bryan
2001
Dedra Bouffard, CAM
Gables Central Park
Austin
2002
Molly Stroud, CAM, CAPS, NALP
Pinnacle/Bristol Oaks
Dallas
2003
Kimberly J. Clark, CAM
Mill Creek Apartments
Abilene
2004
Angela D. Bratcher, CAM, CAPS
FIMC/Canyon Properties
Amarillo
2005
Amy Jones, CAM, CAPS
AMLI
McKinney
2006
Shannon Joe, CAM, CAPS
Gables Residential
Austin
2007
Gaylynne Isbell, CAM, CAMT, CAPS
Capstone Real Estate Services
Abilene
2008
Ray Morris, CAM, NALP
Dogwood Village Apartments
Nacogdoches
2009
Tricia Grimstead, CAM, CAPS, NALP
AG Rentals
Lubbock
2010
Diane Black, CAM, CAPS
Willow Crest Apartments
Abilene
2011
Tammy Kister, CAM, NALP
Camelot Apartments
Abilene
2012
Elizabeth Bryant, CAM, NALP
Brothers Management Company
Waco
2013
Shannon Gollihar, CAM, CPO
First Choice Management
Abilene
2014
Bradley Roschyk, CAM, CAPS
Berkshire Property Advisors
Dallas
2015
Chad Christian, CAM, CAPS, NALP
Winthrop Property Management
Austin
2016
Michael Garcia, CAM, CAPS
Capstone Real Estate Services
Austin
From 1989-2004, this award was known as the Mary Williams CAMT of the Year Award.
1989
J.B. Honeycutt, CAMT
First Capital Management Company
Dallas
1990
Paul Nicholson, CAMT
Pace Realty
Dallas
1991
Michael Curry, CAMT
Highland Park Apartments
Fort Worth
1992
Neal “Buddy” Harlan, CAMT
Apple Creek Apartments
Austin
1993
Douglas R. Brown, CAMT
BREDCo/Guardian Savings
Houston
1994
Jim Floyd, CAMT
Allegiance Realty Group
Austin
1995
Ron Donaho, CAMT
Monte Vista Apartments
Austin
1996
James Don Willard, CAMT
Monterey Management
Dallas
1997
Darrell Krebsbach, CAMT
Pace Realty Corporation
Dallas
1998
Steve Lewis, CAMT
Willow Crest of Abilene
Abilene
1999
Lloyd H. Crawford, CAMT
Camden Property Trust
Houston
2000
Karen Wilkinson, CAM, CAMT
Costa del Sol Apartments/Walden
San Antonio
2001
Walter “Bo” Simpson, CAMT
AIMCO
Houston
2002
David Bankston, CAMT
Greystar
Houston
2003
Nichole Burke Curl, CAMT II, ARM, CPO
Lincoln Property Company
Houston
2004
Tom LaFave, CAMT
JTI, Inc.
Lubbock
2005
Jonathan Joe, CAMT
Park Terrace @ Town Lake
Austin
2006
David Moreno, CAMT
Greystar Management Services
Austin
2007
Nadab Contreras
Equity Residential
Houston
2008
Warren Strouts, CAM, NALP
DTI Investments, Inc.
Nacogdoches
2009
Dennis Norris, CAMT
Randor Management
College Station
2010
Juan Ramirez, CAMT, CFC/HVAC, CPO
Archstone
Houston
2011
Mark Bigham, CAMT, CPO
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Dallas
2012
Rogelio Jurado, CAMT, CPO, HVAC
Integrity Asset Management
El Paso
2013
José Alvarado, CAMT, CPO
Rockstar Capital
Management, LLC
Houston
2014
Jimmy Earl McClung, CAMT, ARM
LumaCorp, Inc.
Lufkin
2015
Thomas Baird, CAM, CAMT
Winthrop Property Management
Austin
2016
William Lobo, CAMT
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Houston
From 1999-2004, this award was known as the NALP of the Year Award and then the Leasing Professional of the Year Award; it was named for Anita Marcino in 2011.
1999
Erin Gonzales, CAM, NALP
Fairfield Properties
Austin
2000
No winner
2001
Bill Chatham, NALP
Mill Creek Apartments
Abilene
2002
Tammy Kister, NALP
Camelot Apartments
Abilene
2003
Brandi Muniz, NALP
Gables Central Park
Austin
2004
Molly Stroud, CAM, CAPS, NALP
Pinnacle/Bristol Oaks
Dallas
2005
Primavera Wolfe, CAM, NALP
Greystar Management Services
Austin
2006
Dana Oliver, NALP
Greystar Management Services
Austin
2007
Kathy DeLaCruz
Willow Crest Apartments
Abilene
2008
Anita Gilliam, NALP
Southhampton Management
Houston
2009
Kristin Redding, NALP
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Austin
2010
Natalie Pizana
Greystar
San Antonio
2011
Jessica Machristie, CAM, CPO, NALP
Bohannon Development
El Paso
2012
Johanna Llorente, NALP
Gables Residential
Austin
2013
Christina Soto, NALP
Bohannon Development
El Paso
2014
Courtney Lindley, CAM
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Houston
2015
Rachel Rodriguez, NALP
Case & Associates
El Paso
2016
Erica Diaz, NALP
Austin
From 1991-2004, this award was known as the Rita Kirby Professional Designate of the Year Award.
1991
Anita Marcino, CAM, CAPS
First Worthing
Dallas
1992
Janie Clinkscales, CPM
Summers Property Management
Dallas
1993
Vicki Sharp, CAPS
The Sharp Network
Austin
1994
Larry Duncan, CAPS
Metro-Site Management Company
Flower Mound
1995
Shirley O’Brien, CAM, CAPS, GRI
Apartments Plus
College Station
1996
Linda H. Handley, CAPS, CPM
Bradley Apartment Homes
Houston
1997
Kelly Scott
Insignia Management Group
Houston
1998
Margie Sikes, CAM, CAPS
BH Management
College Station
1999
Victoria Lynn Morgan, CAM, CAPS, PLP
JPI
Dallas
2000
Angie Marsalis, CAM, CAPS, NALP
Key Property Management
Abilene
2001
Tami Martin, CAM, CAMT, CAPS, NALP
Archstone
Austin
2002
Renee Clark, CAM, CAPS
Gables Residential
Austin
2003
Debi Wehmeier, CAM, CAPS, CPM
Greystar
Austin
2004
Wanda Schertz, CAM, CAPS
Fairfield Residential
Grand Prairie
2005
Ron King, CAM
CSA Management
Cedar Park
2006
Molly Stroud, CAM, CAPS, NALP
Pinnacle
Dallas
2007
Jacqueline Rhone, CAPS, CPM
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Houston
2008
Janie Nash Burnett
JNB Consulting Services, Inc.
Calvert
2009
Kara Garst, CAPS
UDR
Austin
2010
Gaylynne Isbell, CAM, CAMT, CAPS
Capstone Real Estate Services
Abilene
2011
Melanie Bailey, CAM, CAPS, NALP
Integrity Asset Management
El Paso
2012
Sherry Jordan, CAM, CAPS, CPM
LumaCorp, Inc.
Dallas
2013
Char McCurdy, CAPS, ARM
Sunchase American
Crowley
2014
Kristin Sizemore, CAM, CAPS, CAS, CAMT, CPO
Bohannon Development Corporation
El Paso
2015
Brooke Mahoney, CAPS
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Austin
2016
Katya Watson, CAM
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Austin
This award was first given in 2010, and named in honor of Bob Ross in 2015.
2010
Trey Stone
Guardian Equity Management, LLC
Houston
2011
Ian Hancock
HM Equity Management, LLC Houston
2012
Mark Hurley
Highland Commercial Properties, Inc.
San Antonio
2013
Timothy Doerbaum, CAM
Lone Star Realty & Property Management
Killeen
2014
Jerry Turner, CAM, CAPS &
Sharon Turner, CAM, CAPS
T4 Housing Interests
Management, LLC
Houston
2015
John Boriack, CAM, IROP
Veritas Equity Management
Houston
2016
Matthew Haines, CAM, CAMT, CAPS, IROP
The Tangent Group, LLC
Dallas
(also recognized his wife and partner, Jennifer Holub)
This award honors the outstanding associate (product/service) member of the year and has always been named in honor of Olin Steele.
1987
Danny Beck
Freedom Furniture Rental
Dallas
1988
Bob Wibker
WEB Service Company, Inc.
Houston
1989
Leonard Nisenson
Kwik Wash Laundries, Inc.
Corpus Christi
1990
Lonnie Derden
Resident Data, LLC
Richardson
1991
Merry Mount
Redi-Carpet Sales
Stafford
1992
Nora Krakower
Royal Plumbing Supply
Houston
1993
Douglas R. Rowald, CLP
Heart of Texas Landscape Mgmt.
Belton
1994
Diana F. Beck
Freedom Furniture Rental, Inc.
Dallas
1995
Ed Greene
Coinmach
San Antonio
1996
Mark Schmitz
Schmitz Industries
Dallas
1997
Michael “Doc” Young
Schmitz Carpet Care
Austin
1998
Sherry Stevenson
Great Shapes Landscapes
Stafford
1999
Fran Weiss
The Marketing Department
San Antonio
2000
Mike Koch
Camp Construction Services
Houston
2001
Tom Law
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Euless
2002
Martha Busbice
Coinmach
Dallas
2003
Lisa McQueeney
Apartments.com
Dallas
2004
Theresa Tollett Lamar, CAS
Web Service Company, Inc.
Houston
2005
Pierre Rouly
Rasa Floors & Carpet Cleaning
Carrollton
2006
Pat Keller
Consulting, Inc.
Houston
2007
Billy Griffin
Century Air Conditioning
Houston
2008
Larry Duncan, CAPS, CAMT II, CAS
Larry Duncan Consulting
Flower Mound
2009
Kay Sachs, CAS, CSP
Apartment Finder – Austin
Austin
2010
Cesar Lima
AAA Plumbers
Houston
2011
Joe Smith
Coinmach
Dallas
2012
Cindi Bewley
Arbor Contract Carpet
Austin
2013
John Cullens, CAM, CAPS
ApartmentCareers.com
Dallas
2014
Michelle Bridges-Pahl, CAS
Century A/C Supply
Houston
2015
Cathy Spinney
Rasa Floors
Waco
2016
Tommy Dodd
Dodd Creative Group
Dallas
This award honors the outstanding TAA affiliate local apartment association executive (chief staff officer) of the year.
1993
Scott Blech, CAE
San Antonio Apartment Association
1994
Belva Fuller
Heart of Texas Apartment Association
1995
John Mitchell
Apartment Association of Tarrant County
1996
Angie Marsalis, CAM, CAPS
Big Country Apartment Association
1997
Rosemarie Selman
Bryan/College Station Apartment Association
1998
Lucy Eade
Lubbock Apartment Association
1999
Kristan Arrona
Austin Apartment Association
2000
Gerry Henigsman, CAPS
Apartment Association of Greater Dallas
2001
David Guin
San Antonio Apartment Association
2002
Lucy Eade
Lubbock Apartment Association
2003
No award
2004
Gerry Henigsman, CAPS
Apartment Association of Greater Dallas
2005
Jeff Hall, CAE
Houston Apartment Association
2006
Rosemarie Selman, CAE
Bryan/College Station Apartment Association
2007
Jeff Hall, CAE
Houston Apartment Association
2008
Gerry Henigsman, CAPS
Apartment Association of Greater Dallas
2009
Elisa Ochoa
Galveston County Apartment Association
2010
Kristan Arrona
Austin Apartment Association
2011
Janette Litz
Apartment Association of the Panhandle
2012
Mary Mocniak, CAM, NALP
Piney Woods Apartment Association
2013
Toni Stithem
Victoria Apartment Association
2014
Sharon McCauley
Bryan/College Station Apartment Association
2015
Linda Neeley, CAM
Tyler Apartment Association
2016
Rhonda Lesley, CAM, NALP
Permian Basin Apartment Association