Honoring Our Heroes: A Salute to Veterans at Roots Management Group

As Veterans Day approaches, Roots Management Group is honored to pay tribute to the men and women who have selflessly served our nation, both in the past and present. Within our remarkable team, we are privileged to have a group of veterans whose stories and experiences truly inspire. Today, we aim to shine a spotlight on these exceptional individuals, celebrating their unwavering dedication and sacrifices. 

A Service Project with a Heart: Operation Gratitude 

During our annual Community Manager training summit, Roots Management Group rallied our community managers and support staff to participate in a special service project, resonating deeply with our commitment to giving back. Together, we assembled over two thousand hygiene kits for active military members, a heartwarming endeavor that filled our hearts with pride and gratitude. 

Operation Gratitude, an organization established in 2003, has been on a mission to send care packages to active military members, packed with essential items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, mints, and other self-care necessities for their time overseas. Rooted in their mission, they aim to send one million care packages each year by 2027, and Roots Management Group is immensely proud to be part of this nationwide initiative. 

Our veterans within our company shared their heartfelt stories about the profound significance of these hygiene kits and the inspiring messages that accompany them. Their narratives underscored the importance of our collective efforts to support and honor the troops. We, at Roots Management Group, are deeply moved and grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of those who selflessly serve our nation. 

Molly Turner, Director of Environmental, Social Governance (ESG), on the Service Project: 

"We have several employees and residents who have previously or are currently serving in the military. To acknowledge their service, we wanted to give back to an organization working to impact the lives of current military members positively. Operation Gratitude's mission to create opportunities for all Americans to express their gratitude to the US Military and First Responder Communities aligned perfectly with our goal for the service project." 

Molly was not only surprised by the enthusiasm shown by our employees but overjoyed. "I could not have predicted how enthusiastic Roots' employees would be about the service project. Many went above and beyond, assembling more than their share and ensuring that as many kits as possible had handwritten thank-you notes. It was amazing to see all of our employees unite for a good cause." 

 A special touch during the project was having two of our employees who had served share their stories and explain how vital it is to receive a care package with a handwritten note while serving. Heather Jones and Gregg Kreun spoke in front of all our employees, telling their stories and sharing what it means to them. 

Within our remarkable team, we are privileged to have veterans whose stories and experiences truly inspire. Today, we aim to shine a spotlight on these exceptional individuals, celebrating their unwavering dedication and sacrifices.  

Heather Jones, our Accounts Payable Manager at Roots Management Group, has been an invaluable member of our team for eight years. Her dedication to her work is unwavering, and she finds it fascinating to witness the company's impressive growth firsthand. When she first started, we had just a handful of communities and six employees. Now, we have expanded to over 750 employees and manage over 235 communities. Heather's role constantly evolves, and she takes pride in being part of this ongoing progression. What she values most is the powerful sense of community at Roots, especially within her team, where mutual support is tangible. Heather would go to great lengths for her team, and she knows they'd do the same for her. She attributes her success to her time serving in the military" The biggest lesson I've learned from my military service, is resilience. Being resilient in the face of adversity equips you with the tools needed to overcome any challenge," says Jones. 

Heather's military journey began when she watched a Navy commercial on TV. Uncertain about her direction after high school and with college not feeling right at the time, the ad's message resonated with her: "If you wrote a book about your life, would anyone want to read it?" Inspired by this question, Heather knew that her calling was to join the military and experience something unique. She called a recruiter and embarked on her journey, leaving for basic training on December 3, 2003. 

After basic training, she attended Operations Specialist "A" school in Virginia and was stationed on the USS John C. Stennis, an aircraft carrier based in Bremerton, WA. During her time on the Stennis, she completed three deployments in five years, serving as the ship's Tactical Information Controller. Her remarkable service earned her three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Surface Warfare Specialist insignia, and Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia. 

After her sea duty, Heather was assigned to instructor training, preparing her to teach at the Center for Surface Combat Systems detachment in Pearl Harbor. There, she instructed the Pacific fleet in Naval Surface Gunfire Support, Close-in Weapons Systems, Search and Rescue, Radar Navigation, and Surface-to-Air Missile Systems. During her three years as an instructor, she earned the title of Master Training Specialist. Pearl Harbor marked the final station of her military career, and she was honorably discharged on June 20, 2012. 

Heather's most memorable experience in the Navy occurred during flight operations. She was tracking aircraft when two FA-18C aircraft had a midair incident. Heather, as the only one with communication to the pilots, successfully established a data link architecture and emergency procedures, ensuring the safe return of the damaged aircraft to base. Her exceptional performance in this challenging situation earned her a Letter of Commendation from the Commander of Carrier Strike Group Three. 

Heather's father takes immense pride in her service, and he was there to witness her reenlistment for another four years. Heather reflects on the happiness she felt knowing he could witness that moment. She credits her military service for the life she enjoys today, as she met her husband in the Navy and gave birth to both of her children during her time in Hawaii. While she would have loved to stay on active duty, she did not want to miss major moments with her family. 

Gregg Kreun, Community Manager at Park Haven Estates in Mesa, AZ, has a remarkable background that includes dedicated service in the Navy. His journey began in 1987, right after high school, significantly shaping his character and skills. 

During his military career, Gregg served as a Communications Specialist aboard the USS Vincennes (CG-49) during Operation Praying Mantis, responding to the Iranian mine incident in the Persian Gulf. He also contributed as a Top-Secret Communications Specialist on the USS Okinawa (LPH-3) during the first Gulf War and on the USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) in Yokosuka, Japan. 

In our community at Park Haven Estates, Gregg is known for his hands-on approach to management. He ensures that tasks are completed promptly and efficiently, wearing various hats to guarantee residents have a safe, clean, and welcoming place to call home. 

Gregg's motivation to join the Navy stemmed from his late uncle's service on the USS Liberty during the 7 Days War between Israel and Egypt, where he deciphered communications. This role model inspired Gregg to follow him. 

His military experience has left an indelible mark on his life. Gregg often reflects on the military adage, "The only hard day was yesterday," and his response to inquiries about his day echoes the same sentiment: "I do not know, it is not over yet; a lot can still happen." His deep respect for those currently serving in the field, protecting our peace, resonates with his daily life as a civilian. The constant vigilance learned in the military remains part of his routine, ensuring he never sits with his back to a door, even at home, and stays alert in public spaces. 

Military service runs in Gregg's family, with his father serving in the Army during the Korean War, his mother in the Marines, and his youngest son, Eddie, following him by joining the Navy. Eddie's commitment to working on aircraft fuel systems reflects the family's strong military tradition.  

Travis Green, the Community Manager at Hidden Springs Country Club in Desert Hot Springs, CA,

embarked on a remarkable journey that began when he joined the ROTC at the young age of 14. Travis later served in the Marine Corps, specializing in parachute operations and completing an astounding 35 jumps. His military experience not only equipped him with invaluable organizational and leadership skills but also instilled in him a profound sense of dedication and responsibility. 

"The comradery and connection that was shared by the guys on the team that I led as we went on operations in different parts of the world was incredible," says Green, who credits his time in the military for helping him throughout his life "It keeps me mentally and physically strong and maybe makes me a little more resourceful". And most of all, Green says that his experience of working with various cultures has opened his eyes to the fact that we are all different in traditions and acts.

On this Veterans Day, we express our deepest gratitude to all veterans, including our esteemed colleagues, for their unwavering dedication to serving our nation. Your sacrifices and commitment have played a pivotal role in creating a safer and better world. We take immense pride in having you as integral members of our Roots Management Group family. 

Thank you for your service, and Happy Veterans Day!