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Julie Agne-Highsmith
SAAA 2018 President I Portico Property Management
W
elcome 2018! It's hard to believe another hol
iday season is behind us and we are moving
on to another year. A year that I have dreamt
about for many years prior ... a year that I am
honored to serve you, our industry, and the San Antonio Apart
ment Association.
I would like to take a moment and introduce myself. The big
gest privilege of my life has been to serve as a mother of two
boys, ages 15 and 21. I could not be prouder of these young
men and cannot wait for you to meet them at the Installation
of Officers on January 18, 2018. My loving husband of almost 7
years is my best friend and should be commended for his level
of patience with me. I work hard, am a straight shooter, have
high expectations for myself and others, get much joy watch
ing people grow both personally and professionally, and ab-
solutely love assisting teams develop a plan and watching it
come to fruition. To be honest ... People are my passion. I en-
tered this industry because I needed a job in 1995! (No need to
count the years!) I continue in this industry because I love and
believe in people. People are my passion.
I believe the apartment industry provides many needs but
deem the following the most important. One being the most
basic need ... housing. The other might be more of an intangi-
ble need ... a sense of community that everyone should have
the chance to feel. This sense of community can so easily be
provided by our on-site teams, executive teams, and even our
vendor members. This symbiotic relationship is a necessity to
running our businesses.
Merrion-Webster defines community as: people with common
interests living/working in a particular area/field. Is this not true
for the communities we manage and serve? Location and
amenity offerings are just two of the "common" interests we
could find on our assets. The San Antonio Apartment Associa
tion is also a community. A community that is near and dear
l r
to my heart. An organization that educates, communicates
and advocates for professionals in the rental housing indus
try. My hope for 2018 is that every one our members has an
opportunity to engage, feel, and be part of this community.
We are part of something much bigger and every member
is valued and needed. Educational events, PAC events, and
committee meetings are just a start. We are a growing associ
ation and are planning for years past 2018. You are part of our
community and your involvement is critical as we move into
the years forward.
I do want to share a story. Many of you know that I travel al
most weekly. Uber, most times, gets me from point A to point B.
I had an opportunity to ride with someone quite amazing just
last week. I must admit I almost did not take the ride. Needless
to say I hopped in the car for a reminder I will never forget.
This man lived through the Great Depression as a small child,
fought in a war, had a small part in the movie Urban Cowboy,
taught special needs children until he retired, and now driving
Uber. And you know what he told me as I was getting out of
the car? His greatest joy i n life was serving others. It got him up
every day and with a smile on his face.
I thought about his comments all day and I could think of noth
ing but the San Antonio Apartment Association and the com
munity it serves. In turn, I feel it is our duty to serve the San An
tonio Apartment Association. Culture and Community .... two
words you will hear much of this year. This is our community ...
our family. Let's make it so.
r
To 2018 and beyond!
www.saaaonllne.org
I January/February 2018
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