January Round Up
Highlight
Earlier this month, FORWARD 2026 took place in Raleigh, NC. This annual event is designed to help members of our organization enhance sales strategies and elevate marketing techniques, equipping our properties with the tools and insights needed to stand out in an ever-changing multifamily landscape. As our industry evolves, so do we—and FORWARD ensures we’re growing together.
FORWARD featured a packed agenda filled with vibrant, engaging sessions focused on learning, collaboration, and real-world application. Attendees gained:
Practical takeaways to strengthen sales and marketing performance
Opportunities to learn from peers, leaders, and subject-matter experts
Collaborative discussions that sparked new ideas and fresh perspectives
Beyond the sessions, FORWARD created space for meaningful connection. It brought together teammates from across the company to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships that will continue long after the event concluded.
Spotlight
The Facilities Impact Award — celebrating facilities/maintenance team members who lead with initiative, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence is a quarterly recognition with the winner receiving a $500 bonus check! This award recognizes individuals who don’t just do their jobs — they drive progress, lead by example, and go above and beyond to make an impact on their property, their team, and the company as a whole.
Please join us in congratulating our Q4 2025 winner!
Dahnavon Clephane | Maintenance Supervisor | Park on Morton
Why Dahnavon?
Dahnavon stepped into the Maintenance Supervisor role at the very start of the holiday season, transitioning from his previous position as a Maintenance Technician during an especially challenging time. For several weeks, he managed the property without additional maintenance staff while the property worked to fill the open role. Despite having PTO approved during this time, Dahnavon selflessly chose to cancel his time off to ensure the property was fully supported and that nothing was overlooked and his decision spoke volumes. For a new Maintenance Supervisor to demonstrate that level of dedication, ownership, and pride in both his work and the property he oversees is truly commendable. His willingness to put the needs of the property first exemplifies the commitment and professionalism we value so highly.
"Dahnavon, We are SO proud of you and the way that you have stepped up in your new position! The changes that you have implemented are already making a noticeable difference and are a reflection of your hard work!! Your dedication and leadership truly make a difference. We’re lucky to have you."
- Mariana Morton | Regional Manager
Dahnavon, thank you for being a shining example of what it means to drive results, support your team, and lead with action.
We look forward to recognizing more incredible team members like Dahnavon in the future!
Resource
Below are the 2026 holiday company closures fo is closed . To make planning even easier, we’ve created a shared Google Calendar that includes all company holiday closures in one place.
New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan 1st & Friday, Jan 2nd)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan 19th)
Good Friday (Friday, April 3rd)
Memorial Day (Monday, May 25th)
Juneteenth (Friday, June 19th)
Independence Day (Friday, July 3rd)
Labor Day (Monday, Sept 7th)
Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov 26th & Friday, Nov 27th)
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 24th, Friday, Dec 25th)
Click the link below and select “Add to Google Calendar” so that the holiday calendar will appear alongside your existing calendars
Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
Each month, Employee Resource Groups formed by the Preiss DEI Council meet via Zoom. We encourage all employees to join as many ERG meetings as they wish for a great opportunity to connect with fellow employees who share common interests. Check out the schedule for the upcoming meetings and click the link to add to your personal calendar!
1/21 | 12PM EST
1/28 | 1PM EST
Employee Updates
We’re always excited to see our employees take a next step in their careers. Help us congratulate and celebrate some recent employee changes!
Mary Cline was promoted to Property Manager at Hoffler Place
Dahnavon Clephane was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor at Park on Morton
Junior Johnson was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor at the Boundary at West End
Welcome to everyone who joined the Preiss team as a new employee last month!
Gabriel Tomlin | Maintenance Technician | The Nest at University Center
Cydney Littlefield | Leasing Consultant | Madera Apartments
Jesus Garcia Romero | Leasing Consultant | Orion on Orpington
John Castillo | Maintenance Technician | The Edition on Oberlin
Alyssa Pena | Leasing Consultant | The Forum
Ava Black | Leasing Consultant | Signature 1909
Samuel Johnson | Leasing Consultant | Signature 1909
Julianna White | Leasing Consultant | Campus Edge
Hannah Zenn | Porter | Cabana Beach San Marcos
Tatum Staton | Leasing Consultant | Orion on Orpington
Mia Pierson | Leasing Consultant | 21 Pearl
Abigail Cumbee | Leasing Consultant | UV Clemson
Aarika Foster | Leasing Manager | Park on Morton
Muad Gatish | Maintenance Technician | Park on Morton
Kenlee Miller | Leasing Consultant | The Collective at Lawrence
Nija Bryant | Maintenance Technician | Proximity at 10th
Shout Outs
“Shout out to Kaleigh Bordeaux and Tifani Brown who are the heart of The Nest! Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to outstanding customer service have completely transformed the property. In just a few short months, they’ve helped turn The Nest into a home for many UNCW and CFCC students, and I couldn’t be prouder of them and to be a part of their team. Love y’all!”
“I would like to give a shout out to Eric Espinal, Mitchell Smith, Jesse Tymas & Matt Guzman for helping me get the Market Snapshot spreadsheets and Collegehouse reports updated & fixed. Couldn’t have done it without you all!!”
“Shout out to Precious Mosely 🎉
I’m so proud of you for getting president’s circle!!!!!! Plus... You always brighten my day. 🫶”
“Huge shout out for Toni Yrlas for planning and executing Forward 2026. The event was a huge success! Well done! ”
“Shoutout to Hannah-Scott, Candice, and Laura Lugo. I seriously cannot thank you three enough for all the support, guidance, and help you gave me during Forward. From prep to execution, you were always there, and it truly made all the difference. I’m so grateful to have had such amazing people to learn from and lean on throughout the entire process. Y’all are truly the best, and I appreciate you more than you know”
“I would like to send a big shout out to Melissa Bontoum. Your commitment, dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed. Last year went pretty smoothly with your help, especially at TURN. Thank you for holding down the fort when I am out of the office and the work you do on the event planning committee. You’re the BEST!!!!”
Birthdays
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to all of the January birthdays!
1st – Crista Church, Kyler Longdon, James Riggs
3rd – Grace Zhang
4th – Juan Ayala, Lillian Dunlavy, Dewana Falks, Michael McMillan
6th – Austin Burgess, Tammon Crudup
7th – Jason Patterson
8th – Scott Canady, Jordan Casselman
9th – Marcellus Alexander, Miranda Contreras, John Gehm
11th – Ross Cooper, Terrance McCauley
13th – Lauren Phillips, Loran Spradlin
15th – Hassan Foad, Janae Green, Nathan Howard
17th – Craig George, Karisma Silva
18th – Felix Lerma, Ainsley Moye
19th – Ethan Lewis
21st – Daniel Kirkland
22nd – Kofi Atiase, Martha Cerda, James Hardin, Annafaith Orvin
23rd – Anna Allen-Hughes
24th – Neva Chance, Fanazia Diaz, Marysa Wigley
25th – Hope Lee
27th – Chavarius Garrett, Colton Lassinger
28th – Leah Dixon, Georgianna Jenkins, D'Mya Missouri
29th – Brandon Conrad
30th – Dustin Durrence
31st – Marshall Sherrod
Milestone Anniversaries
We’d like to recognize everyone celebrating their work anniversary this month! We’re so glad you’re a part of the Preiss family and appreciate all you do!
We have made a change to the way we calculate an employee’s milestone! From now on, for the employees who left and returned to the company, we will be couting your total time as your milestone. For example, if you worked 3 years for Preiss and then left and returned for 2 years, your milestone will be 5 years in the month that your total time hits the milestone.
1 Year – Giana Bosch, Isaias Ramirez, Maasona Sanyang, Laura Ramirez, Mariah Hayes, Brooklyn Tanner
2 Years – Destyn Mauldin, Belia Sanchez-Booth, Gregory Ryall, Larry Jones, Lindsey Hughes, Jordan Casselman, Frans Rodriguez Mora, Mathew Ramirez
3 Years – Kelli Gross, Stephen Marable, Devaughn Thomas
4 Years – Ruben Garza, Noah Venecia
5 Years – Kimberli Borgh, Abigail Tickle, Erin Fugagli
6 Years – Jeffrey Bartholomew, Heriberto Vengoechea
7 Years – Alexis Guerra, Destany Hayes, Tashayia Busby, Nathan Howard, Jonathan Owens, Kevin Bell
9 Years – Chataqua Samuel-Franklin, Katherine Marlow, Brittany Peterson
10 Years – Rayvon Davis, Dustin Durrence, Kenneth Kaczor
23 Years – Susan Folckemer
24 Years – David Leake
28 Years – John Preiss
