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 Mariana Alvarez.
What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?
I am the Property Manager at Terraces at Town Center. I have been in this role since the acquisition of Terraces in October 2022. My main responsibilities include managing my team, overseeing the property and taking care of the needs of the residents. Additionally, I supervise the interior renovations of the property.
One of my significant accomplishments was managing the eventful year of 2023 with my team. We began the interior renovations in January, which resulted in some employee turnover. In addition, I went on maternity leave during the summer, adding to the challenges. As a result, the occupancy rate of the property went down to 79%. However, with the team’s dedication and hard work, we were able to exceed the budgeted occupancy rate and achieved 92% by the end of the year.
Do you have any hobbies? I enjoy reading a good book, and nothing beats the joy of spending quality time with my friends and family.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about being a mother to my daughter, who was born last year in April. I look forward to watching her grow and building our relationship.
What’s your ideal way to spend your weekends? My favorite weekend activity is to read a good book while relaxing at the beach.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to fly. As a new mom, I need all the time-saving hacks I can get!
What advice would you give to your teenage self? If I could tell my teenage self one thing, it would be to slow down and enjoy life because time is limited.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know that I was born in Peru and spent most of my childhood there before moving to the United States with my family.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from? One of my college professors once told us that life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. This advice really helps me put situations into perspective and process stress more efficiently.
What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation? I am confident that I could deliver a comprehensive and engaging one-hour presentation on any aspect of the Harry Potter book series.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? My friends would describe me as someone who is spontaneous, silly, and reliable.
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 someone starting out not to be afraid to reach out to people with questions they have! This organization is closely-knit, and people are always willing to lend a hand.
What’s your go-to productivity trick? To maximize productivity, I prioritize tasks through time-blocking and to-do lists. Crossing items off my list gives me great satisfaction.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success, and why? I believe that my communication skills are what help me most with my job. Having a good rapport with your team and making them comfortable with you is crucial for success.
What are you currently excited about in your job? Our clubhouse is currently undergoing renovations and is expected to be completed in February. I’m excited to witness the transformation and to complete the interior renovations on the property this year!
What’s one thing that surprised you about working at StoneRiver? It’s refreshing to work at StoneRiver, where asking questions and giving suggestions is not only welcomed but encouraged!
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position? Many people misunderstand my job when I tell them I am a property manager. They assume that I spend most of my time sitting in my office doing paperwork and reports. However, in reality, my job is very dynamic and requires me to do a lot of walking. I have to interact with vendors, residents, prospects, and other team members regularly.
