Michelle Betchner is the Vice President of Performance for Pinnacle Family of Companies and is currently responsible for overseeing various departments such as Marketing, Training, and New Business Development. Her team supports the company’s national portfolio ranging across approximately 185,000 units. Ms. Betchner’s position is both strategic and operational in nature contributing to the implementation of comprehensive programs, initiatives, and tactics that promote the achievement of optimum operational and financial performance. With more than 26 years experience in the Multi-housing industry, she has previously held such positions as SVP of Performance with Alliance Residential Company, Regional Manager and National Marketing and Training Director with Lincoln Property Company. She holds a Bachelors degree in Microbiology and a MaED. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. For more details on the company, please visit www.PinnacleAMS.com.
Claire Collins serves as Vice President of Marketing and Education for Princeton Properties of Lowell, MA. A 20 year veteran of the company, she has contributed to its growth from 800 units in three Massachusetts markets to over 5000 units in four states by directing the lease-ups of repositioned assets and participating in the development of new communities from floor plan design to interior specifications. Her involvement in the multifamily industry includes serving on NAA’s Education Committee and on NAHB Multifamily’s RAM Board of Governors. Claire began her career in the apartment industry as member of CLASS, Inc’s elite group of Leasing Specialists, based in Atlanta, GA. She holds BA in Psychology from Emory University. An enthusiastic Brainstorming participant, Claire has attended the Brainstorming Sessions every year since 1995 and has been a Facilitator since 1999.
Karen Kossow is currently a Leasing/Marketing consultant who most recently filled the role of Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Kettler Management where she was responsible for the strategic planning, development and implementation of sales, marketing and branding programs as well as lease-up and 3rd party management transition oversight, with responsibility for a portfolio of over 16,000 apartments in over 65 locations throughout the Washington metro area and New Jersey. She also interacted with the development team regarding product development. Ms. Kossow has extensive experience in the areas of leasing, marketing and troubleshooting. She has also worked with numerous product lines ranging from affordable to upscale, and has worked with vendor partners to assist with enhancements to existing product lines. Prior to joining Kettler, Ms. Kossow was employed at Charles E. Smith Residential where she began as a Leasing Manager and was ultimately named Director of Marketing; and also at Dreyfuss Brothers Management where she served as Activities Director and Leasing Manager. A graduate of William and Mary, Kossow received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a psychology minor. Ms. Kossow served on the AOBA-DC Metro AACE Award Committee. She hosted local radio show “Apartment Chat,” and since 2002 has served as a facilitator and speaker for the Multifamily Pro Brainstorming Conference (and since 2008 has facilitated the Executive Sessions at this conference). In July of 2006, she was named one of the industry’s “Rising Stars” by Multi-Family Executive Magazine, and in July of 2007 was profiled as one of five people named “The New Order” by Multi-Family Executive Magazine. Ms. Kossow is a speaker at National Industry Conferences and has been published in industry publications. She was the 2005 Vice-Chair and 2006 Chair of the DC Metro Property Management Association Marketing Council, and currently serves on various committees within this organization including the brand new PACE Awards Committee.
Ginger Long has twenty three years of experience in the property management industry. She began her career as a leasing consultant for Harvey Freeman & Sons in Memphis, TN. in 1987. She received several awards in sales and proceeded to advance in the industry taking on many challenging positions. Managing her first property at the age of twenty-two, she realized she had found her career path. Mrs. Long has worked in many facets of property management. Her husband’s position took her to Indianapolis, IN., where she worked for Edward Rose of Indiana. There she worked as a Property Manager and then on to Corporate Director, training the 15 sites on their Corporate Suite Program. Mrs. Long came on board with CLK Multifamily Management Group in 2002 as Director of Marketing. Covering 13 states and twenty seven cities, she stays very active in training and marketing their communities. Her home is Indianapolis, Indiana where she is the wife of Bryan Long, a Federal Express Aircraft Technician and the proud mother of Hunter (16), and Kayla (12). When she is not traveling and thinking up new ideas, she is a dedicated wife and mom and all around carpool driver.
Wendy Muse unravels the sometimes complicated and confusing concepts and strategies for success in property management. She knows how to motivate teams and present clear market analysis and strategies that really work in today’s challenging market. Wendy shares her marketing expertise using both traditional and new innovative approaches that deliver real results. She draws on her 20 years of industry experience to inspire and excite professionals all over the US with her innovative training programs, strategic organizational initiatives, and high powered motivational speaking. As the Vice President of Education and Marketing for Tarragon Corporation, Wendy designed and implemented Tarragon University, the cornerstone of Tarragon’s training for all employees within the property management division. The long-term success of Tarragon University and its bottom-line results earned her a promotion in 2007 to strategically align marketing efforts within Tarragon’s Homebuilding and Investment divisions. In this role, Wendy was responsible for curricula development and implementation of education and marketing programs. Professional and sincere in her approach, Wendy makes the learning process comfortable and enjoyable, and she has developed a reputation for her ease in transferring learning into practical application. She also developed Tarragon’s Ambassadors Leadership Program and Tarragon Graphics Group, while simultaneously supporting four departments over 40 properties. A current member of American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), the National Apartment Association (NAAEI), and the ROI network, Wendy is ASTD-certified in Measuring and Evaluating Learning, Facilitation Organizational Change, Human Performance Improvement and ROI Basics. Further certifications include: Training Generalist and Training Manager/Director certifications with Langevin Learning Services and Fundamentals of Managing Training certification with Training Magazine. Visit MUSE at www.MuseOnline.com.
Terri Norvell is a nationally recognized industry speaker and author on how to achieve strong leasing performance, effective leadership and result-focused management. Terri has over 20 years of corporate office to the front-line experience as VP of a $1.2 billion dollar property management & development company and GM of a $9 million dollar temporary housing firm, along with a Business Degree in Marketing. Terri gives proof that thinking differently and self leadership drives strong NOI. She is coauthor with Jack Canfield and Ken Blanchard of the acclaimed book, ‘The Masters of Success’ and is a regular presenter for Multifamily Pro Brainstorming, NAA, apartment associations and multifamily companies across the continent. www.FurtherPerformanceGroup.com.
Stay Tuned for Additional Facilitators To Be Announced!