THE STONERIVER SCOOP
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHT
Wellness Challenge Results
What started as a small challenge in 2022 to provide an opportunity and encouragement to promote healthy and active lifestyles within our teams has become one of our most successful team-building events. For the third year in a row, we challenged teams to log as many steps as possible during the month of February. This included steps taken during and after hours, outside of work activities, etc. When all the numbers were tallied, the overall company step count came to 8,090,909! Each team “stepped” up to the challenge and knocked it out of the park.
The overall challenge team winner, with a total average of 268,231 steps, was Hanging by a Thread (Terraces team captained by Joel Enright). This win didn’t come easy as the Chips and Walkamoli Team (One Highland) came in a close second-place victory with 224,397 total team average steps taken.
The wellness challenge was a huge success, with participants pushing themselves to the limit to achieve the highest overall step count. In the male category, the winner was Joel Enright, who took the crown with an astounding total of 331,012 steps! But Colin Moorhouse wasn’t far behind, with an impressive 324,204 steps. And in the female category, Christie Smith was the unbeatable champion, with a dazzling total of 279,298 steps, while Makayla Phillips was right on her heels with 268,621 steps. And let’s not forget about the lucky winner of our week 5 raffle – Idovel Cespedes!
Thank you to all who participated in the Wellness Challenge, and well done to all teams!
Employee Spotlight
At StoneRiver Company, we highly value our team and recognize the significant contribution they make towards our success. Our team's accomplishments are celebrated on a daily basis, and we take pride in them. We're thrilled to share their stories with the world, and we'll be highlighting one employee every month.
This month, we’re featuring Mollie Seymour.
Click on the picture to learn more about Mollie.
What is your role at StoneRiver, and how long have you been a part of the team?
In September 2022, I joined StoneRiver as the Managing Director of Capital Markets. My primary role is to raise capital to deploy in StoneRiver’s investment strategies. Our team works closely with our investor partners to keep them informed of their investments and opportunities for additional investment in StoneRiver strategies. Additionally, we aim to expand our network of investors to have the equity needed to acquire and develop StoneRiver properties. One notable achievement I am eagerly anticipating is reaching our target goal for Fund III.
Before joining StoneRiver, I worked in the private wealth management and trust industry. I assisted individuals, families, endowments, and foundations in developing and executing estate plans and managing portfolios. I managed a large book of business for a regional bank for 13 years and then managed a local office of an independent trust company for four years before joining StoneRiver.
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy playing tennis! Recently, I shared with my husband that I’m looking for some new hobbies to add to my list. If I do end up picking up something new, I’ll definitely keep you posted!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in fifth grade, I had this thought that, whatever I did, I never wanted to be stuck behind a desk. It’s great that my current role gives me a good balance of office work, meeting with investors and potential investment partners, and being involved in the community.
What’s your ideal way to spend your weekends?
I love spending time with my loved ones on the weekends! It’s the perfect time to unwind, relax, and enjoy the company of my active and fun-loving family. Our weekend activities are always exciting and diverse, ranging from cooking delicious meals together and listening to music to cheering on my son during his basketball or baseball games, watching my daughter perform in dance competitions, meeting up with friends for a game of tennis, taking a leisurely walk with a friend, or even heading out to the lake for some quality family time. Sometimes, we even catch a concert or sporting event or simply chill out at home and watch a movie together. The possibilities are endless, and I cherish every moment of it!
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Exercise. I feel so much better when I prioritize this and get it done in the mornings before the day gets crazy.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I had the highest batting average among all the players on my high school softball team.
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
I try to keep things in perspective and go about the day with a grateful heart. I often think of my brother, who inspires me in so many ways. It is a challenge for him to do some simple things, things I take for granted, but he always tries and has the best attitude. When he accomplishes a small task, he takes a deep breath and says, “Well, that wasn’t hard.” I try to look at things in that light and take the day and the tasks in stride.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Lists. I keep lots of lists, and I enjoy checking things off. The list never ends, and there is always more work to be done, but it’s so satisfying to know things are moving forward.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success, and why?
I think being adaptable has helped open doors and provide opportunities. One thing that is certain is change. In every industry and organization, change is going to happen, and being able to adapt to those changes, adjust my mindset, learn new skills, and adapt as a team to provide an optimal outcome for the organization has been positive. However, I don’t get comfortable because it will change again.
What energizes you at work?
The people energize me, both internal and external. It really takes the whole StoneRiver team for us to continue to be successful in raising, deploying, and managing our partners’ capital. Being part of this dedicated team is energizing. The external contacts also energize me as we are trying new things, going outside our known network, and seeking growth of our partners in number and complexity.
We Need Your Help!
Help us find our next employee spotlight. Know someone who went above and beyond? Submit your nominee’s name, property, and accomplishment here.
Employee News
New Hires and Promotions
Promotion – Jackson Avant (Magnolia Grove):
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Jackson Avant as the new Property Manager at Magnolia Grove. Jackson joined StoneRiver in May 2023 as the Assistant Manager at Inverness Cliffs. She quickly demonstrated her leadership abilities by effectively managing the team and ensuring the success of the property by keeping delinquencies in check and handling any challenges that came her way. Jackson’s extensive experience in property management, including her time at Inverness Cliffs, made her the perfect candidate for this role. We congratulate Jackson on her promotion and look forward to seeing her excel in her new position at Magnolia Grove.
New Hire – Dan Fuchs (Birmingham):
Dan joins StoneRiver as the Executive Vice President of Development. In this role, Dan will focus on growing and leading our multifamily development strategy while overseeing the daily operations of StoneRiver’s Development, Construction Management, and Asset Management teams. Dan has over 17 years of real estate development and financial experience. Prior to joining StoneRiver, Dan worked as Chief Financial Officer and later as Chief Investments Officer with a national real estate developer. Dan graduated from Gettysburg College with a B.A. in Management and Economics. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business.
New Hire – Gordon Lehman (Birmingham):
We are thrilled to announce that StoneRiver has a new addition to the team – Gordon Lehman! Gordon brings with him a wealth of experience in corporate accounting, having worked extensively in the Real Estate industry. He holds both a B.S. and a Masters in Accounting from the prestigious University of Alabama and is a licensed CPA. We are excited to have him on board as our new Corporate Controller and look forward to the remarkable contributions he will make to our team.
New Hire – George Newkirk (Concord Ridge):
Please welcome George Newkirk, who has recently joined the StoneRiver team as the Maintenance Technician at Concord Ridge. George has moved to Charlotte from New Jersey and has spent the last four years working in the multifamily industry. We are thrilled to have him join our team at StoneRiver and can’t wait to see him grow his career with us!
New Hire – Merary Pineda (Concord Ridge):
Merary was born in California but has lived most of her life in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been working in the property management industry as a leasing consultant for several years and has enjoyed meeting new people and gaining experiences throughout her career. The job offer for the position of Resident Relations Coordinator at Concord Ridge came at the right time, as she was seeking to expand her knowledge and skills in a new area within the industry. She is thrilled to be a part of the team at StoneRiver! When she is not working, she likes to spend her free time on her hobbies, such as art, traveling, and listening to a variety of music.
New Hire – Yasmine Burney (Concord Ridge):
Yasmine spent her childhood in Florida, but she moved to North Carolina a few years ago. She has joined Concord Ridge as the new Leasing Consultant. Before this, Yasmine worked in a similar position at a nearby lease-up in the Concord market. She was searching for a new project and a company where she could continue to develop her career. Yasmine is passionate about the real estate industry and spends most of her free time studying for her real estate license. She is always eager to learn new things.
New Hire – Caroline Sanchez Ponce (Magnolia Grove):
Caroline is from El Paso, TX, and moved in 2021 to Dallas, where she lives with her husband and their now 11-month-old son. Caroline has a multitude of work experiences ranging from the service industry to the largest online retailer and the multifamily sector. Caroline has joined the Magnolia Grove team as a Leasing Consultant. “I’m so excited to start this new journey with you all!” says Caroline.
New Hire – Creed Parker (Birmingham):
Please welcome Creed Parker, who has recently joined the StoneRiver team as a Floating Property Manager. Creed comes to us from Harbert Realty, where he was solely responsible for managing a portfolio made up of 11 individual properties, totaling 200 units, while also providing support to an additional 600 units within Harbert’s portfolio. He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he received his Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance.
HR Corner
Tips for Managing your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
If you are enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can visit the BeneTech website to access your most recent account details, including your balances, claim status, and transaction history. The website also allows you to manually submit claims or required documents. Additionally, you can download the free BeneTech Administrators, Inc. mobile app from your app store to manage your FSA on the go.
If you are a new participant and have not registered via the BeneTech website, click on Participant Login, then Create Account, and follow the instructions. Your Employee ID is your social security number with the dashes. Your Employer ID is BTA002818 for StoneRiver Company and BTA002819 for SRPM.
To submit claims for reimbursement, you must send an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance provider if the expense is covered by insurance or an itemized statement from the provider/retailer if not covered by insurance. You can submit the EOB on the BeneTech website, through the app, or by completing a Request for Reimbursement Form (available on the website or by emailing administrator@btai.com) and submitting via email, Fax, or mail.
Grace Period Reminder for 2023 Participants:
You have until the Grace Period End Date of March 16, 2024, to incur expenses to use any funds left in your Flexible Spending Account from the 2023 plan year.
After the Account Plan End Date of December 31, 2023, any Benefit Card swipes or manual claims submitted will come out of the prior year’s funds first until the balance is zero or the end of the Grace Period, whichever comes first.
March Contests
and Celebrations
National Women's History Month
During the month of March, we give a little extra attention to all of the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women. Since 1987, the United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month. Every woman has a story to tell and gifts to share with the world. So get ready because this month is about honoring magnificent ladies, and we are ready to celebrate it to the fullest.
How to Observe National Women’s History Month:
Put it in writing – Think of a woman you look up to and admire. She can be someone in your personal life or a public figure. Write her a letter describing the impact she has had on your life. Your thoughtful gesture is sure to be appreciated.
Have a girl’s lunch – Lunch, breakfast, or dinner — it doesn’t matter. Having the chance to spend some one-on-one time with the lovely ladies in your life is a great way to reconnect and remind them how much they mean to you. Who knows, they may even tell some interesting stories you’ve never heard before.
Read up on women’s history – There are some excellent museums dedicated entirely to the accomplishments of women. If you don’t happen to live near one of these places, many venues set up special exhibits during National Women’s History Month.
March Madness
With the calendar turning to March, sports fans everywhere start concentrating on college basketball and preparing for March Madness. Regardless of how well your favorite team performed during the regular season, the NCAA tournament provides an opportunity to identify underdogs primed to pull off the big upset or the team that’s about to get hot and make a run to the Final Four.
The thrilling and action-packed tournament of March Madness commences with the First Four games on March 19 and 20. From there, you will witness back-to-back thrilling matches for the nearly three exhilarating weeks.
More information about the StoneRiver bracket challenge will be circulated in the coming weeks. Whether you watch hours of games before the tournament starts or you pick your teams based on conference allegiance, location, or colors, the bracket challenge is a great way to enjoy March Madness while engaging in some friendly competition with your colleagues.
How to prepare for the Spring ahead time change:
Millions of clocks across the United States will revert to daylight saving time this month. Clocks will “spring forward” one hour at 2 a.m. on March 10, causing most people to lose an hour of sleep. It won’t be until Nov. 3, the first Sunday of November, when we will fiddle with our clocks again to “fall back” to standard time.
Every spring, we “spring ahead” an hour to help us make the best use of daylight during the summer. We certainly enjoy soaking up those extra hours of sun after the fact, but it can take a few days to get used to daylight saving time. But believe it or not, daylight saving time doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your sleep routine. Luckily, you can face the time change head-on by making a few simple adjustments to your routine. The best part? These expert-approved tips work equally well for kids and adults alike.
Reconsider your bedtime: Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier, starting two to three days before the time change. This will help make sure you are well-rested before the clock changes so any resulting ‘sleep debt’ will feel less extreme.
Shift your wakeup call: A few days before daylight saving time, set your wakeup time to 30 minutes ahead. This will narrow the difference and make it easier for you to adjust to the time change.
Readjust your routine: Take advantage of your earlier start for the day and shift your activities to an earlier schedule, including dinner, exercise, and bedtime.
Trick your brain: The brain looks for visual cues to know what time it is. Another thing you can do is change the time on a wristwatch 15 minutes ahead each day before daylight saving time to provide that visual cue.
St. Patrick's Day traditions that'll add a bit 'o fun to your holiday
Whether you’re Irish or just pretending for the sake of the holiday, you may be looking to level up your St. Paddy’s celebration this year. To help inspire your holiday festivities, I’ve collected some favorite traditions. Trust me when I say that these St. Paddy’s activities are worth their weight in gold.
Watch an Irish movie. Press play and transport yourself to the rolling hills of Ireland. Let Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson show you what it’s like to live on a remote island off of Ireland in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” which took home the top prize at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards. Or warm your heart (and break it) while watching “P.S. I Love You,” starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler.
Cook a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. You can serve up some traditional favorites to your family, like potato pancakes, breakfast sausage, applesauce, and Irish coffee for the adults. Or come up with your own Irish-inspired foods to serve and make breakfast a yearly St. Paddy’s tradition for your family.
Go to a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Do you and your family go to a St. Patrick’s Day parade every year? If not, it’s definitely something you should do with your with your whole family.
Wear green. St. Patrick’s Day isn’t really St. Patrick’s Day until you’re wearing green.
Share a family meal. End your day by sharing a warm and hearty meal with your family. Enjoying a meal of corned beef and cabbage around the table with the people you love is a perfect way to celebrate.
Property Operational Tips
Outlook Tips
Everybody loves a time-saving tip! Here are a few that can cut down the time you spend creating emails each day.
Custom Outlook Templates
Use email templates to send messages that include information that infrequently changes from message to message. Compose and save a message as a template and then reuse it when you want it. New information can be added before the template is sent as an email message.
- On the Home menu, click New E-mail.
- In the message body, enter the content that you want and add any attachments you like (be sure to delete any email signatures that automatically drop in)
- Once you have completed writing your content. Click File (In the message window) > Save As.
- In the “Save As” dialog box, in the “Save As” type list, click Outlook Template.
- In the File name box, type a name for your template, and then click Save.
- To use your template, Select New Items > More Items > Choose Form.
- In the Choose Form dialog box, in Look In, click User Templates in File System.
- The default templates folder is opened. If your template is saved in a different folder, click Browse, and then select the template.
- Select the template, and then click Open.
- Make any additions or revisions to the recipients in the To, Cc, or Bcc boxes and any changes to the subject and message body.
Delaying Delivery of a Message
In New Outlook:
- While composing a message, select the dropdown next to the Send button and select Schedule Send.
- Select one of the default options, then select Send, or choose a custom time and then select Send.
- After you select Send, the message remains in the Draft folder until the delivery time.
- If you would prefer to send the message immediately, do the following:
- Switch to the Draft folder.
- Open the scheduled message and select the Edit pencil icon.
- Select Send Now.
In Classic Outlook:
- While composing a message, select the More options arrow from the Tags group in the Ribbon.
- If you don’t see these options, you probably have the simplified ribbon: On the ribbon, select the Options tab, then select More commands > Delay Delivery.
- Under Delivery options, select the Do not deliver before check box, and then choose the delivery date and time you want.
- Click Close.
- When you’re done composing your email message, select Send.
- After you click Send, the message remains in the Outbox folder until the delivery time.
- If you decide later that you want to send the message immediately, do the following:
- Switch to the Outbox folder.
- Open the delayed message.
- Select the More options arrow from the Tags group in the Ribbon.
- If you don’t see those options, you probably have the simplified ribbon: On the ribbon, select the Options tab, then select More commands > Delay Delivery.
- Under Delivery options, clear the Do not deliver before check box.
- Click Close, then click Send.
Birthdays
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to all of the March birthdays:
- 03/05 – Nino Yu Tiamco (Birmingham)
- 03/05 – Caroline Sanchez Ponce (Magnolia)
- 03/12 – George Newkirk (Concord)
- 03/19 – Jose Alcantara (Terraces)
Anniversaries
- 3 Years – Stephen Lewis (WildForest)
- 8 Years – Colin Moorhouse (Birmingham)
- 16 Years – Christie Smith (Birmingham)
A Look Ahead
- 03/01 9:00 A.M. PA to submit prelim P2P report to PMs
- 03/01 PMs send reclass & accruals to RMs by EOD
- 03/04 PMs complete lease trade-out report & send to RM by EOD
- 03/04 RM load final accruals & reclasses to PM drive by EOD
- 03/04 PMs begin initial BV review
- 03/05 Leasing commissions due for the prior month by 5:00 P.M.
- 03/05 PAs send BV and BS reports to Controller
- 03/06 PAs send BV reports to PMs by 12:00 P.M.
- 03/06 Renewal rates due for May 2024
- 03/08 PMs send BV reports with notes to RMs for review by 5:00 P.M.
- 03/11 RMs & PAs to review BV together to finalize changes
- 03/11 PA sends internal reports to the Controller by 5:00 P.M.
- 03/12 RM’s load BV reports with notes to PAs, Controller, VP Accounting & VP PM to PM drive
- 03/12 RMs to upload rent growth reports to PM drive for VP PM & AM
- 03/13 Market survey due
- 03/15 RMs to review for any needed market rent increases
- 03/15 Controller distributes financial packages to investors
- 03/25 PMs send write-offs to RM for review
- 03/26 RM sends approved write-offs to PA by 9:00 A.M.
- 03/27 PAs to complete write-offs by 5:00 P.M.
- 03/27 Market survey due
- 03/28 PMs complete month-end pre-close checklist
- Every Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) – Occupancy updates are due
- 5:00 P.M. Every Thursday – PM weekly checklists are due
- 12:00 P.M. Every Friday – RM weekly checklist due
- 5:00 P.M. Every Friday – clear out your P2P Queue
- 5:00 P.M. Every Friday – be sure to code any credit card receipts
Have an Idea?
Would you like to share your stories, ideas, or comments to feature in our upcoming publications? Kindly send your request and a member of the newsletter committee will get in touch if chosen.
