Spotlight on Success: The Leaders and Legends of the Texas Apartment Association
Synopsis
If you’ve worked in the rental housing industry for even a short time, you’ve almost certainly encountered colleagues who are sharp, driven, and who strive for excellence every day. This business is filled with some of the brightest talent in the country, and the Texas Apartment Association (TAA) is proud to represent them and bring them together.
TAA is also proud to recognize the wonderful talent within the organization. That’s why each year, TAA honors the people and businesses who are leading the way as outstanding rental housing industry pros through their Professional Awards. These awards go beyond your typical industry award and represent another way the TAA continues to grow the statewide community of professionals. Each award is named in honor of industry pioneers, and they are presented each year at the TAA ONE Conference & Expo.
Here’s a closer look at TAA’s Professional Awards, their namesakes, and the most recent 2024 winners.
Anita Marcino Leasing Professional/Assistant Manager of the Year Award
Anita Marcino, CAM, CAPS, NALP, a past president of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and former TAA Vice President at Large, was a strong advocate for industry education. At First Worthing, she led efforts to bring employees to TAA Education Conferences and pioneered hosting company meetings at the events. She also helped develop the Professional Leasing Program in Dallas, later adopted nationally. In 2011, TAA named the Leasing Professional of the Year Award in her honor for her lasting contributions to the industry. From 1999-2004, this award was known as the NALP of the Year Award and then the Leasing Professional of the Year Award; it was named for Anita Marcino in 2011.
2024 Winner: Lizzette Contreras, CAMT, CAPS, Tropicana Properties, El Paso Apartment Association
In just a year at Tropicana, Lizzette has become a leasing powerhouse, mastering the complexities of tax credit housing and delivering exceptional service to her community. From lifting families into better living conditions to guiding her team to success, Lizzette’s passion and expertise shine through. Let’s celebrate her remarkable achievements and dedication!
Barbara MacManus Apartment Manager of the Year Award
Barbara MacManus, CAM, CAPS, CPM, a longtime member of the San Antonio Apartment Association, played a key role in developing the original CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) course and helped write its curriculum. In recognition of her contributions, TAA named the CAM of the Year Award and its successor, the Apartment Manager of the Year Award, in her honor. She is also a recipient of the Jennette Hunnicutt Distinguished Service Award for her leadership in advancing industry education.
2024 Winner: Ambyr Barron, CAM, WPM, San Antonio Apartment Association
As Community Director at LakeHaus @ Dunlap, Ambyr has mastered the art of creating thriving communities. From expertly managing renovations to balancing budgets and keeping occupancy rates on the rise, her dedication is unmatched. Watch Ambyr’s inspirational video, and join us in celebrating her incredible achievements and commitment to excellence in property management!
Rita Kirby Regional Property Manager of the Year Award
Rita Kirby, CAM, CAPS, CPM, a lifelong advocate of education, helped develop the original CAPS (Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor) curriculum and authored key industry guides. She served as president of both the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and the Dallas IREM chapter. TAA’s Regional Property Manager of the Year Award is named in her honor, recognizing her leadership. Kirby also chaired the TAA and NAA Education Committees and received the Jennette Hunnicutt Distinguished Service Award for her lasting contributions to the rental housing industry.
2024 Winner: Diane Totten, CPM, CAPS, Camden Property Trust, Houston Apartment Association
Diane is the heart and soul of Camden and a true industry legend. With nearly 40 years of dedication, starting as a groundskeeper and rising up the ranks, she’s a beacon of wisdom, compassion, and leadership. Her commitment to excellence, both at Camden and within the Houston Apartment Association, is unparalleled! Hear her words of encouragement in her motivational video.
Mary Williams Maintenance Professional of the Year Award
Mary Williams, CAMT, was instrumental in transforming the Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT) program into a hands-on, skills-focused training. Her efforts helped the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas become the first to offer a facility for this practical training. In recognition of her contributions, TAA named its CAMT of the Year Award in her honor, first presented in 1989.
2024 Winner: Jason Simpson, CPO, Avenue5 Residential, Permian Basin Apartment Association
With over 400 make-readies in 2023 and 2,000+ work orders completed that same year, Jason is a true maintenance hero. His leadership, from mentoring staff to running the EPA course, is transforming lives, and keeping residents happy. Let’s celebrate his dedication and drive to make a lasting impact on our industry!
Bob Ross Independent Rental Owner of the Year Award
Bob Ross was the fifth president of the TAA and also served as president of the National Apartment Association (NAA). His family-owned and operated business, Bob Ross Realty in San Antonio, is still an active member of the TAA and the National Apartment Association. His son followed in his footsteps serving as a president of TAA and as chairman of the NAA.
2024 Winner: Jennifer Dawson, IROP and Donald Dawson, IROP, Park Place Apartments, Bryan/College Station Apartment Association
The Dawsons have transformed their Brenham community with a commitment to quality living and top-notch customer service, boasting a 96.3% occupancy rate. With their company, Blue Strada Investments, they’ve invested over $600,000 in renovations, ensuring residents have the best experience. Their dedication to their properties, residents, and community truly sets them apart! Watch their empowering video to hear more about their journey.
Olin Steele Supplier Partner Lifetime Achievement Award
Olin Steele was the consummate team player and a dedicated apartment association volunteer. He founded a number of TAA local affiliates around the state, serving as a role model and demonstrating the vital role supplier members play in supporting and furthering the association’s goals. His biggest strengths were his heart and his word and he worked for Solon, which later became WEB Service Company, and eventually Coinmach. All have been long-time supporters and sponsors of TAA and local apartment associations. TAA first presented an award to the outstanding product/service member of the year in 1987, making it the first award to recognize an individual’s contributions to the industry and the association. The award, named in honor of Olin Steele, is still the only award exclusively recognizing the important role played by associate members.
2024 Winner: Gary Greene, CAS, Foundation Specialists, San Antonio Apartment Association
Mike Clark Supplier Partner Company of the Year Award
Mike Clark spent his career as a principal with Alpha-Barnes Real Estate Services, now part of Asset Living. A well-respected affordable housing executive, Mike is a past president of the TAA and the TAA Education Foundation, the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and the Fort Worth Apartment Association and advocated tirelessly to raise the profile of supplier partners at the local and state levels. When this award was created to honor outstanding efforts of industry supplier partner companies and the impact they make serving our members, Mike was a natural choice as namesake to recognize all he did to help supplier partners have more visibility and opportunities with local and state associations.
2024 Winner: AAA Plumbers, Houston Apartment Association
George Allen Association Executive of the Year Award
For 35 years, George B. Allen, CAE served the rental housing industry through his roles on the TAA staff team, culminating in his retirement as Executive Vice President in 2015 after 25 years in the role. From the time he was hired as General Manager in 1980 until his retirement, George was an integral part of TAA’s success and a vocal and active advocate for affiliate executives and association members at every level of the apartment association family. George was also instrumental in developing a professional staff that created best-in-class member services, including a successful legislative advocacy program, what we know today as the TAA Click & Lease Program, innovative education programming and an expanded conference and trade show. This award is named in his honor.
*Nominations for the George Allen Association Executive of the Year Award may be received only from local association presidents. Nominated AEs will then be contacted and asked to complete an award application.
2024 Winner: Sharon McCauley, Bryan/College Station Apartment Association
Recognizing Excellence in Affordable Housing in Texas
We are also proud to announce the TAA Affordable Housing Awards are now officially part of the prestigious TAA Professional Awards honoring the most creative and innovative affordable housing providers.
This award recognizes outstanding affordable housing providers, exemplary industry leaders, stand-out properties, and innovative community initiatives in the affordable housing market that “go above and beyond” through actions such as:
- Creative resident services
- Innovative partnerships with local governments, neighborhoods, and organizations
- Serving special missions, including support for the homeless, veterans, or people with disabilities.
2023 Winner: Zilker Studios, Foundation Communities, Austin Apartment Association
Shining a Spotlight on Remarkable Talent
The TAA shines a spotlight on the remarkable talent driving the rental housing industry forward. Through these awards, TAA not only honors individual excellence but also strengthens the sense of community and leadership within the field.
As we look to the future, we encourage all professionals to consider nominating their peers or themselves. This is your chance to celebrate outstanding achievements and contribute to the ongoing success of an industry built on innovation and dedication. Let’s continue to raise the bar together!
Nominate a Peer, or Yourself!
The 2025 TAA Professional Awards and TAA Affordable Housing Awards nominations officially opened on October 1 and run through November 17, 2024. We invite you to nominate a peer, provider, affordable housing property—or even yourself for one of these coveted awards today! Simply visit this link https://www.taa.org/about/awards/.
Anyone nominated by a team member or colleague will be invited to complete their own application, and we highly encourage you to submit for someone who is deserving.