As 2023 comes to a close, we would like to take this time to

highlight the achievements of the wonderful SAHMA community.

A Season of Change...

I can hardly believe that my tenure as President of SAHMA has come to an end, and this will be the last President’s Perspective I will write. 2023 has brought a lot of changes, both personally and for SAHMA. We had a huge turnout for our conferences and yet again were named AHMA of the year. I am thrilled about our new logo and how much fun we had at conferences voting on it. I think we all know how to use a QR code after that! We have launched new education programs like SAHMA Facts and Snacks (did I say FREE) and continue to provide important Elderly/Disabled Resources on our community resource page. All of which are just small examples of how we are better together.  

I am so thankful for each of you and the role that you play within our association. Every member has something to add, and we are so glad you are engaged. I don’t know of another organization that has such hard-working volunteers and such talented and committed staff. A great big thank you to every volunteer who has helped this year, from welcome ambassadors to the board of directors there is no way we can be successful without you! A HUGE shout-out to the SAHMA staff. They keep us all running smoothly and never miss a beat. Nothing we do would be as amazing as it is without them.  

So as this year comes to a close, I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. It has been such a privilege. I have made friendships that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I have learned more than I ever thought I would, and I have grown as a person. I leave you with this challenge for the coming year and the incoming President – JUST DO ONE. Go to one more session at conferences this year. Complete one more survey. Volunteer one more hour. If we all just did ONE small thing, imagine the change we can make in 2024.

Sonja Horn McGaha!



...and a New Year!

What just happened? Did we finish out another year? It’s true! That means we are gearing up for another new start. A new start for me in which I am thrilled to represent you in SAHMA as your new President. A new start for our Board of Directors with new goals for the next two years. A new start for our volunteers gearing up for another successful conference season. A new start for our members as we learn all we can about HOTMA and NSPIRE. 

The question isn’t: Did this happen? The question is: Are we ready? Am I ready for this new chapter as President? Is the Board ready for all the unseen challenges that lie ahead? Are our volunteers ready for the heavy lift to create and put on amazing state conferences? Are we all ready to learn about changes in our industry or to learn about the affordable housing industry for the first time? 

In my mind, I can hear a crowd chanting, “Yes, we are!” over and over. We will place one foot in front of the other and move forward with a resounding cry that simply states we can handle anything that comes our way. Before you know it, we will be walking, striding, and then running towards the next hurdle that is placed in front of us. We are a determined, dedicated, and resilient group of professionals that doesn’t just sit back and let things happen. No, we will not go quietly into the night. We will stand tall, face all challenges head-on, and conquer those obstacles as we have done every day until now. 

The future of the affordable housing industry is being led by the members of SAHMA. Members like you, who attend trainings and conferences. Members like you who volunteer to be on committees or help at conferences. Members like you who work tirelessly to serve those who need affordable housing. We, the members of SAHMA, are the leaders of the affordable housing industry. I hope you are as pumped up as I am. I am so thrilled to start this year off placing one foot in front of the other and leading our walk forward into the future as your President of SAHMA. Come join us!

Dennis McWilliams



SAHMA is proud to offer three types of conferences each year: an in-person Leadership Conference, which is geared toward management agents, owners, and regional management staff, as well as seven in-person State Conferences and a Virtual Southeast Conference, which focuses on the onsite staff and daily management issues. Countless hours of volunteer involvement are spent each year coordinating these conferences. The SAHMA Board of Directors was very pleased and excited that many of our in-person conferences’ attendance experienced healthy growth and exceeded expectations, including 38% of conference attendees reporting as first-time attendees across our state conferences.

We are very proud of our SAHMA Leadership Academy graduates this year. The Leadership Academy is designed to engage and support staff at any level in their organization. Successful organizations want strong leaders thriving throughout their organizations. This learning experience creates an enriched experience of shared learning with colleagues, guest coaches, and facilitators. This past year, 22 students were enrolled in the Leadership Academy and will gain invaluable knowledge and experience that will immeasurably benefit them and their organizations. In August, SAHMA is proud to have presented the 22 Leadership Academy cohort members with their certificates during the Awards & Recognition portion at the 2023 Leadership Conference in Knoxville, TN. The success of the Leadership Academy has continued with the 2023-2024 cohort. The 2023-2024 cohort began (and sold out!) in September with 30 participants!

The SAHMA Board of Directors and SAHMA members continue to embrace the Communities of Quality National Recognition Program. The COQ Program continues to grow each year and awarded participants continue to support their Communities of Quality to maintain a high level of excellence within their communities as program members.

We would like to recognize our new member in 2023:

• Baptist Retirement Village II in Gadsion, AL

SAHMA volunteers are the backbone of the organization. Our volunteers range from long-term commitment volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors and State Committees to micro-volunteers who serve just a short time. Our network of over 300 volunteers helps support SAHMA’s programs and mission to Inform, Educate, and Connect the SAHMA community of affordable housing professionals.  

The amazing work of the SAHMA volunteers was more notable this year as they planned and reimagined the many events throughout our year as we returned to in-person events. Each year SAHMA recognizes the State Director of the Year, the State Conference Coordinator of the Year, and outstanding volunteers at our Leadership Conference. Beginning in 2022, SAHMA began recognizing Volunteer Champions, volunteers who went above and beyond either during the planning process or on-site, in 2023. SAHMA truly believes in acknowledging all the hard work of our many volunteers.    

State Director of the Year

Stephanie Haynes of DGA Residential, LLC is the Tennessee State Director and the 2023 SAHMA State Director of the Year. She has given 110% to her state and worked hard with her volunteers to put on another amazing event. She always has a positive attitude and makes sure that everyone around her feels included as part of the team. 

State Conference Coordinator of the Year

Veronica Serrano of Mansermar, Inc. loves working with a great group of volunteers in her state. No task is too big or too small, it just needs to be done, and she makes sure

every detail is handled promptly. She truly enjoys the planning process and facilitation of her state’s event.

Outstanding Volunteers

These folks have contributed to SAHMA and our events in immeasurable ways. All of these volunteers, in their own special way, exemplify the great spirit of our SAHMA community, and we thank each of them for all of their amazing work.

Tori Boyd, Signature Property Services

Florida State Conference Coordinator.

Tony Johnson, SPM, LLC

Alabama/Mississippi committee volunteer

Linda Mills-McClain, TESCO Properties Inc.

Alabama/Mississippi & Tennessee Registration Coordinator

Kim Ripberger, Bernard Robinson & Company LLP

North Carolina State Conference Co-Coordinator

Synithia Smith, Mansermar, Inc.

Georgia committee volunteer

Volunteer Champions

Each volunteer exemplifies the great spirit of our SAHMA community, and we thank each of them for all of their amazing work. We would like to recognized our volunteer champions below:

• Rita Redolfi, Villa Rica Housing Authority
• Janet Stokes, National Housing Compliance
• Synithia Smith, ManSerMar, Inc.
• Tonya Norman, ManSerMar, Inc.
• Kelly Blatchley, Westminster Company
• Angela Shillinglaw, Michaels Management Affordable
• Julie Lucas, Michaels Management Affordable
• Amy Deal, Edgewood Management Corp.
• Tony Johnson, SPM, LLC
• Shanga Clay, TN Valley Regional Housing Authority
• Janice Anderson, TESCO Properties, Inc.
• Denise Hines, TESCO Properties, Inc.
• Lisa Heredia, Michaels Management Affordable
• Kerri Jones, WRH Realty Services, Inc.
• Luis Misla, Carteret Management Corp.
• Kaitlyn Richter, Presbyterian Homes and Housing
• Rieda Walker, Kentucky Housing Corporation
• Mike Krejci, Kentucky Housing Corporation
• Stephanie Meadows, Gene B. Glick Company, Inc.
• Cindy Kepler, TESCO Properties, Inc.
• Randa McCauley, NC Housing Finance Agency
• Heidi Holt, NC Housing Finance Agency
• Michelle Burchette, Community Management Corp.
• Stacey Orr, Wesley Living
• Bronca Caldwell, Wesley Living
• Toni Scott, Wesley Living

The Rising Star Award, honors one of SAHMA’s founding members, the late Ed Sisson, and someone who has made a profound impact on our organization from its earliest days, Past President, Patty Ownby. Both were recognized early on in their careers as rising leaders and they exemplified great commitment and dedication to affordable housing management.

This summer, Jennifer Scott, Director of Compliance of SPM, LLC was selected to be the recipient of the 2023 Rising Star Award. Since joining SPM in 2018 she has helped develop the internal Compliance Department, with a focus on streamlining existing processes and expanding our LIHTC portfolio. Her goal is to help develop the next generation of affordable housing industry leaders with a multi-faceted understanding of the program. Thank you for all you do in service to our affordable housing industry!

Mia V.

Westview Valley Apartments

North Carolina

Westminster Company

Ashton W.

North Hill Manor Apartments

The Michaels Organization

Mississippi

For seventeen consecutive years, the NAHMA Educational Foundation was able to provide impactful financial assistance to residents as they pursue higher education. 111 students were selected with each individual scholarship totaling $3,500. Additionally, $2,000 will be donated to the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management at Virginia Tech for scholarships for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in property management.

This year, six residents from SAHMA Member communities were selected as recipients of the NAHMA Educational Foundation Scholarship. Through your giving, you have helped give residents the support to pursue their dreams and reach their future goals.

Kalene C.

Abbey Lane Apartments, Winter Haven, FL Michaels Management-Affordable

Jacqueline D.

Cedars Green Apartments, Anniston, AL

SPM 

Tina R.

Northpoint Commons II, Asheville, NC Partnership Property Management 

Tricia C.

Belmont Heights Estates, Tampa, FL

Michaels Management-Affordable 

Trinity M.

Sandygate Village Apartments, Myrtle Beach, SC Westminster Company 

Sienna W.

Belmont Heights Estates, Tampa, FL

Michaels Management-Affordable 

If you have already paid your 2024 Dues invoice, we thank you!

SAHMA membership runs from January 1 – December 31 of every year. Don’t miss out on SAHMA member benefits. A grace period of January 1 – January 31 is held for those whose budgets do not allow for payment until the dues renewal year. On February 1, if dues have not been paid, the membership and associated benefits will expire. We truly appreciate your membership support and participation in SAHMA, so we encourage you to log in and access your dues invoice today. For step-by-step instructions, see below:

1. Log into your primary member account
2. On the right-hand side under Account Details click on My Invoices
3. Click View Invoice, to print – right click and select Print
4. To pay online using a credit card, click on Make Payment, and follow the instructions on the screen

If you need assistance with this process please contact the SAHMA office at info@sahma.org or by calling 800-745-4088.

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