People Archives

Employee Highlight – Connor Kelley

At StoneRiver Company, we recognize the immense value our team brings to our success. We take pride in our team and celebrate their accomplishments every day. We are delighted to share their stories with the world, so stay tuned for our monthly employee highlights. We hope you enjoy getting to know our exceptional team!

This month’s featured employee is Connor Kelley.

What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?

In May 2023, I joined StoneRiver as the Assistant Property Manager for The Highlands Communities. As a team of one, my role encompasses a wide range of daily duties that are essential to the efficient functioning of the complex.

My primary role is to respond to inquiries from potential tenants and provide them with information about available units, lease terms, and amenities. I also conduct property tours, showcasing the features and benefits of each unit and addressing any questions they may have. Additionally, I manage the application process, including screening applicants, verifying documentation, and preparing lease agreements.

As the Assistant Property Manager, I maintain accurate records, manage lease renewals and move-ins, and handle work orders for repairs, all while ensuring a high level of resident satisfaction. Being a one-person leasing office demands excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask effectively.

I’m proud to say that my time at StoneRiver has been incredibly rewarding. Recently, I was nominated for the prestigious Assistant Property Manager of the Year title in the GBAA, which reflects the dedication and hard work I’ve put into my role. Furthermore, The Highlands Community received the Impact Award for the second quarter of 2023, which highlights the positive impact our team has made on the community.

Connor Kelley’s outstanding work ethic has helped him earn the second quarter Impact Award, maintain high occupancy rates, successfully increase rent growth every month, and provide additional support to sister properties. We are thrilled to see where Connor’s future with StoneRiver leads! – Tori Baxley

What are you passionate about?

One thing I am very passionate about is my work. I always try to be the best version of myself and complete all tasks to the best of my ability.

What’s your ideal way to spend your weekends?

Weekends are the perfect opportunity to break free from the stresses of everyday life and take trips exploring other towns.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that while working a full-time job, I’m also a full-time student at UAB.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

When it comes to my personality, my friends often use three words to describe me: Ambitious, Accountable, and Motivated.

What are you currently excited about in your job?

I am thrilled about the prospect of growth that my current role offers. The idea of being able to learn new skills and take on greater responsibilities is what keeps me motivated to excel in my work.

What’s one thing that surprised you about working at StoneRiver?

When I joined StoneRiver, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm and friendly atmosphere that greeted me. From the very first day, I was welcomed with open arms, and everyone was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed.

Kristy Medley In People

Employee Highlight – Xavier Robles

This month’s featured employee is Xavier Robles.

What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?

As the Lead Maintenance at Pecan Springs, my primary responsibilities include developing effective repair strategies, initiating and completing preventive maintenance, completing work orders, supervising, ordering, and leading my team. I have been in the industry for the past 28 years and started working with StoneRiver in November 2022. Starting work at Pecan Springs was challenging, but with the help of my team’s inside and outside leadership, we have been able to achieve our goals.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy kicking back and relaxing with a cold mixed drink and a cigar.

What are your hobbies?

I love going to car shows and rooting for my favorite team, the Green Bay Packers!

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about my family. I have been married for 28 years, and we have three kids. Our daughter is 19, our son is 23, and our other son is 27.

What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?

My family and I had an amazing trip to Las Vegas this past year, and we are already looking forward to our next annual trip.

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

My parents always advised me to keep pushing forward, no matter what life throws my way.

What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you started working at StoneRiver, or what advice would you give to a newbie?

I would tell a new employee how much this company values each individual and how great it is working here.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success to, and why?

Being patient and humble are my best traits for success. I have always possessed these qualities, and they have helped me build strong relationships with others. These traits have also enabled me to become a better listener and more understanding of other perspectives.

What energizes you at work?

The opportunity to help people and make a positive impact in their lives energizes me. We have the pleasure of meeting all kinds of people in this industry.

What’s one thing that surprised you about working at StoneRiver?

One thing that surprised me about working at StoneRiver is the company’s exceptional organization and structure.

Xavier Robles was nominated for Employee Spotlight of the Month in November due to his humility, reliability, and consistent delivery of high-quality work. The staff around him appreciate his willingness to help others and his eagerness to share his expertise. Xavier’s remarkable work ethic and dedication to his job are evident in his willingness to take on any challenge and go above and beyond to ensure the best possible results. He is a valuable asset to our team and a pleasure to work with. Additionally, Xavier is an excellent trainer who possesses the skills to teach anyone the necessary skills to succeed in maintenance. He is patient, supportive, and encouraging to new hires.

Kristy Medley In People

StoneRiver Company Employee Updates

Thomas Hiltz (Tommy), Vice President of Investments

StoneRiver Company is pleased to announce that Thomas Hiltz (Tommy) has joined the StoneRiver team as Vice President of Investments. With his expertise in deal sourcing, underwriting, and business plan development, Tommy’s arrival is a significant addition to the company’s real estate investments. In line with the company’s acquisition strategy, he will work closely with Blake Sellers and Donald Gambril to source and execute new opportunities.

According to Joseph Welden, President and Chief Investment Officer of StoneRiver Company, “We are thrilled to have Tommy on board. His expertise and experience will be invaluable to our investment team, and we look forward to working with him to achieve our goals.”

Welcome to the team, Tommy!

Donald Gambril, Vice President of Investments

StoneRiver Company is excited to announce the promotion of Donald Gambril to Vice President of Investments! Donald has certainly been an invaluable team member since he joined us in January of this year. Moreover, he recently led the successful acquisition of Concord Ridge, a 336-unit community in Charlotte, NC, MSA. As a result he will continue to work on fulfilling the acquisition strategy of StoneRiver. Additionally, Donald is responsible for maintaining our pipeline of acquisitions and underwriting investment opportunities.

Congratulations, Donald!

Stuart Mackintosh, Vice President of Construction

StoneRiver Company is proud to announce the promotion of Stuart Mackintosh to Vice President of Construction. Stuart joined StoneRiver in 2019. During his time with StoneRiver, he has been instrumental in the successful execution of all construction activity associated with both development and value-add projects. Additionally, Stuart works closely with our general contractors and subcontractors to manage the construction of each project and build strong relationships.

Congratulations, Stuart!

Kristy Medley In People

Employee Highlight – Michael Babkowski

This month’s featured employee is Michael Babkowski.

What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?

I am a Leasing Consultant at Pecan Springs, and in this role, my primary responsibilities are leasing, marketing, and maintaining positive resident relations for my community. I have been in the industry for nine years and have worked in various positions, such as leasing consultant, assistant property manager, and property manager. Since joining the team in February 2023, I have had the privilege to help in the due diligence process for Concord Ridge and assist at other locations as needed.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in business, so I spend most of my free time studying. When not studying, I enjoy hiking, reading a book, or listening to podcasts.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

From a young age, I had a strong desire to work in the medical field and initially pursued a career as a PA by enrolling in college. However, after tackling chemistry and biology simultaneously, I realized that perhaps this wasn’t the right path for me. As a result, I decided to pursue property management as my next career choice. While I may not be saving lives, I still find fulfillment in helping people on a daily basis.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

I have two things I would tell my teenage self. One would be “Don’t let the ignorant and superficial opinions of others destroy your self-confidence,” and the second is “When unsure, remind yourself that “everything you want is often on the other side of fear.”

What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?

One of my fondest memories from the past year took place at a Dallas restaurant called XOXO. My best friend and I decided to play a prank and pretended to have a proposal, fooling the entire restaurant. It was such a fun experience that now I jokingly refer to her as my “fiancé” instead of just a friend.

What led you to this career?

When I was 17 and rented my first apartment, it was a complete nightmare. The unit was unfinished, appliances were on the patio, the carpet was torn up, doors were painted shut, and there were pest control issues. However, this experience sparked my interest in property management, and I’ve since had success in this field. My goal is to ensure that all prospects and move-ins have a positive and substantially better experience.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?

In my opinion, one of the most common misunderstandings about being a leasing consultant is the belief that we are the lowest-ranked or least significant role. However, as the face of the company, we are crucial in shaping the community’s first impression and ultimately impacting the property’s success. As the initial point of contact with prospects, our role is vital and should not be underestimated.

Kristy Medley In People

Employee Highlight – Paul Daniels

This month’s featured employee is Paul Daniels, Construction Manager.

1. What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?

I am the Construction Manager at StoneRiver, and in this role, my primary responsibility is to execute the renovation and value-add projects within our business plans, ensuring that we remain within budget and on schedule. Since joining the team in July 2020, I have implemented a more comprehensive system for tracking the progress of interior unit renovations, utilizing existing data systems. I now provide weekly reports to the leadership team. I am constantly seeking ways to enhance our processes, both within the construction department and throughout the company.

2. How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Lately, I’ve started a few small renovation projects at home that I’m doing on my own. It’s true that this takes up more time than I’d prefer at the moment, but I find it beneficial to stay active and to have the chance to evaluate my progress each week. It’s satisfying to see the steady improvement and the outcome of my hard work.

3. What’s your ideal way to spend your weekends?

Currently, my ideal weekend involves tackling home projects and getting myself out from underwater. Although my friends offer their assistance and stop by to visit, the greatest help I have had so far is my girlfriend, Alexis. It is interesting to teach different disciplines as most of my friends lack hands-on experience.

4. What advice would you give to your teenage self?

I would tell my younger self that there is always room for improvement and not to be satisfied with the status quo.

5. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I started my college career with an appointment to a service academy. Unfortunately, due to color blindness, I was delayed 1 year, and a subsequent shoulder injury prevented me from pursuing that path altogether. I took it on faith that it was not meant to be and instead pursued a career in construction management.

6. What’s the best advice you were ever given?

I’ve always put a lot of stock in the phrase “trust but verify.” In our context, this is simply a charge to take accountability for ensuring the best outcome possible through exhaustive review, analysis, planning, and contract management.

7. What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success to, and why?

If you have spent any amount of time with me, I’m sure that you would quickly attest to the fact that I am extremely analytical and detail-oriented. I use these traits to remain as focused as possible on the ultimate goal without letting myself get sidetracked by distractions.

8. What are you currently excited about in your job?

I’m extremely eager to get to work on our new acquisition, Concord Ridge. I enjoy seeing the value that our collaborative process at StoneRiver creates, and I can already tell this property is going to be yet another exemplary showcase of that.

Kristy Medley In People

Employee Highlight – Stuart Mackintosh

This month’s featured employee is Stuart Mackintosh, Director of Construction.

1. What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?

I am the Director of Construction at StoneRiver, and in that role, my responsibilities are to execute our new development and value-add construction projects successfully. I joined the StoneRiver team in 2019 and take pride in the efficient processes, procedures, and tracking mechanisms we have implemented to achieve success on all our projects consistently.

2. How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I’m deliberate about spending time with my wife and two small children when I’m not at work. The two small children seem to have a commanding control of what that looks like on a day-to-day basis, but I’m always happy to be with them regardless of the circumstances.

3. What’s your ideal way to spend your weekends?

I like to be active on the weekends; this is the time to tackle projects around the house or get outside to play a round of golf with friends.

4. What’s one item you can’t leave home without?

Sadly, it’s my Airpods I can’t leave home without. I spend much time on the phone and have gotten spoiled with this modern amenity.

5. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

When I was in the 6th grade, my family moved to Hong Kong. It was supposed to be for two years, but it ended up being over twenty.

6. What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

A mentor turned me to the phrase, “Trust the process.” Although its origin is in sports, it effectively means that you put in place processes and procedures to get through difficult times and rely on them along with hard work to achieve success.

7. What book, movie, music, etc., changed your outlook on life?

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. I have always believed in displaying ownership of outcomes regardless of whether they are positive or negative; this book just coined the terminology around that idea. Just because something isn’t technically your responsibility, you still need to ensure it gets addressed one way or another before it creates a negative outcome for the project or team.

8. What’s your go-to productivity trick?

I always keep a notepad and make lists to prioritize my tasks. This way, I can ensure that no smaller tasks get overlooked, and the notepad helps me keep track of anything that comes up during the day, such as impromptu phone calls or conversations.

9. What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success, and why?

I believe success is essentially a reflection of attitude. If someone has a positive attitude along with the willingness to tackle any problem head-on and outwork the competition, success is almost inevitable.

10. What energizes you at work?

I thrive in a collaborative environment where everyone on the team feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, feedback, and queries. This way, we can work together to produce top-notch work that stands out in the industry.

11. What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?

The biggest misconception people might have about me is that I have all the answers regarding construction problems or practices. I have certainly seen a lot and rely heavily on past experiences, but the reality is that every day brings its own unique challenges and circumstances. I work as proactively as possible to put StoneRiver in the best position to manage those adversities when they do come up.

accomplished.

Kristy Medley In People

Employee Highlight – Taylor Marie Hardy

This month’s featured employee is Taylor Marie Hardy, Asset Manager.

1. What is your role at StoneRiver and how long have you been a part of the team?

I am the Asset Manager at StoneRiver, and in that role, I support the development of the business plans for each investment in our portfolio and monitor the execution of those plans, adjusting when necessary. I began working for StoneRiver in April 2019 as a Finance Project Manager in the accounting department. My background is in accounting and financial reporting. I became Asset Manager in January 2021.

2. How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I like to spend my time outside of work with my husband, three children, and our dog. We like to be outside a lot and travel. I like to cook, read, and work out when I have free time.

3. What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about childhood literacy and financial literacy for all ages. I’m also passionate about parenting. Most of my non-StoneRiver work and energy right now goes into raising my three children into confident, independent, and kind adults.

4. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Growing up, I aspired to be a high school English teacher and volleyball coach. English was my favorite subject, and I always had great English teachers. I played volleyball year-round and loved it. The career aspiration was a way to combine two things I really enjoyed in high school.

5. What advice would you give to your teenage self?

I’d tell my teenage self not to take everything so seriously.

6. What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

The advice I remember most is to decide what your enough is; stop the pursuit of more when you reach your enough, then give away the excess you receive or generate once you reach your enough. This advice came from a business mentor early in my career.

7. What’s your favorite story to tell about your past?

I like recounting the story of how I met my husband. We were neighbors in an apartment complex here in Birmingham when I was in college, which is funny given my career now. I end the story by saying, “Be nice to your neighbors, you might end up marrying one of them one day.”

8. What’s your go-to productivity trick?

My go-to productivity trick is time blocking. I group similar tasks together and complete them together.

9. What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success to, and why?

I attribute my success most to my determination, persistence, and drive.

10. What energizes you at work?

I’m energized by making a positive impact, continuous improvement, and seeing results. One of my core desires is to make a positive difference every day in the lives of those I interact with. At work, that also means making a positive impact for the organization and our investors every day. I am energized by continuous improvement, process improvement, and organization. I enjoy creating order and processes. The third big source of energy for me personally is seeing results. I love seeing growth in our organization and reflecting on the impact of our efforts and what they have accomplished.

Kristy Medley In In the News, People

StoneRiver Company Recognized as an official Best Place to Work in Multifamily®

StoneRiver Company, a vertically integrated investment firm that acquires, develops, and manages multifamily real estate in the Southeast, has ranked #11 in the nationwide 2023 Best Places to Work Multifamily®, published annually by Multifamily Leadership. The Best Places to Work in Multifamily ranking is the official survey and awards program for the multifamily industry, recognizing those companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments.

The Best Places to Work in Multifamily distinction is awarded based on the opinions of those who know the organization best – its employees. Employers complete an in-depth questionnaire, and employees are given the opportunity to offer their honest feedback by participating in a company-wide survey. The Best Companies Group analyzes the data from the assessment and determines each organization’s rank.

“We strive to create a culture at StoneRiver that our people value, appreciate, and are proud of. Participating in this annual survey gives our employees an avenue to express their opinions and for us to gain valuable employee feedback. We care about our employees and want them to be proud of where they work and the impact they make on our communities and residents.” said Joseph Welden, StoneRiver Company President.

“StoneRiver values collaboration and wants everybody to have a voice, and it’s very important to our employees that they feel that they have a seat at the table and are an integral part of the success of the entire organization,” said Kristy Medley, StoneRiver Company’s Director of Marketing.

The Multifamily Industry, serving apartments and their residents, contributes more than $3.4 trillion to the economy annually, supporting more than 17.5 million jobs. Not only do apartment homes drive jobs that strengthen local communities, individuals and families realize the value of renting as a smart choice in today’s economy.

Kristy Medley In People

StoneRiver Company Expands Team, Adds Managing Director of Capital Markets

StoneRiver Company, a multifamily real estate firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, is pleased to announce that Mollie Seymour has joined the StoneRiver team as the Managing Director of Capital Markets. Mollie will be responsible for leading a team that will identify and recruit prospective investors while maintaining relationships with current StoneRiver investors.

Mollie joins StoneRiver Company from an independent wealth management firm where she served as Market President. For the past 17 years, Mollie has worked with individuals, families, endowments, and foundations to provide holistic management in a fiduciary capacity. She has been a leader in the Birmingham market, worked to develop business, and built an experienced team to serve clients.

Mollie received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi and is a graduate of the National Graduate Trust School. Mollie is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Birmingham and the Alabama Association of Charitable Gift Planners.

“Mollie’s expertise will be invaluable as we continue fundraising for co-investment opportunities and begin fundraising for Fund III,” says Joseph Welden, President and Chief Investment Officer of StoneRiver Company.

StoneRiver is currently seeking multifamily acquisition and development opportunities in the Southeast through StoneRiver Investment Fund II, a multifamily real estate investment fund that StoneRiver closed in July 2021.

Kristy Medley In In the News, People

StoneRiver Company Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Multifamily and a Top 5 Nationally Ranked Best Places to Work in Multifamily for Women

StoneRiver Company, a vertically integrated investment firm that acquires, develops, and manages multifamily real estate in the Southeast, announced it has been named #16 in the nationwide 2022 Top 50 Best Places to Work in Multifamily and #4 in The Top 35 Nationally Ranked Best Places to Work in Multifamily for Women. The Best Places to Work in Multifamily ranking is the official survey and awards program for the multifamily industry, recognizing the best employers and providing organizations with valuable feedback.

“Here at StoneRiver, we are intentional about fostering a caring atmosphere and supportive culture that helps our teams identify and pursue their passions. It’s an honor to be recognized for the workplace we’ve created,” said Joseph Welden, StoneRiver Company President.

“StoneRiver’s culture reflects the company’s conviction to provide an outstanding work environment and service within the community,” said Kristy Jackson, StoneRiver Company’s Director of Marketing. “StoneRiver is driven by the desire to have a workplace where every opinion is valued, goals are aligned, and employees look forward to coming to work because they know they are directly contributing to the growth of the organization and building something they can all be proud of. Something exceptional.”

The Multifamily Industry contributes more than $3.4 trillion to the economy annually, supporting more than 17.5 million jobs. Not only do multifamily homes drive jobs that strengthen local communities, but individuals and families realize the value of renting as a smart choice in today’s economy.

People

Employee Highlight – Connor Kelley

Employee Highlight – Xavier Robles

StoneRiver Company Employee Updates

Thomas Hiltz (Tommy), Vice President of Investments

Donald Gambril, Vice President of Investments

Stuart Mackintosh, Vice President of Construction

Employee Highlight – Michael Babkowski

Employee Highlight – Paul Daniels

Employee Highlight – Stuart Mackintosh

Employee Highlight – Taylor Marie Hardy

StoneRiver Company Recognized as an official Best Place to Work in Multifamily®

StoneRiver Company Expands Team, Adds Managing Director of Capital Markets

StoneRiver Company Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Multifamily and a Top 5 Nationally Ranked Best Places to Work in Multifamily for Women

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Birmingham, AL 35205

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People

Thomas Hiltz (Tommy), Vice President of Investments

Donald Gambril, Vice President of Investments

Stuart Mackintosh, Vice President of Construction

Contact Us

Find Us

2151 Highland Ave South Suite 200

Birmingham, AL 35205

Get in Touch

(205) 879-0870

2151 Highland Ave South
Suite 200