At our recent Town Hall meeting, four dedicated staff members shared personal stories and insights on what our core value, "Dedicated to Bettering Lives," means to them. Each story highlighted the profound impact our work has on individuals and communities.
Jon Gould: The Power of Doing Good
Jon Gould spoke passionately about how deeply ingrained the value of bettering lives is within Roots Management Group, thanks to the vision of our leader, Tom Stapley. He shared a personal anecdote from his family, quoting his wife's grandfather, "It's nice to be nice." This simple yet powerful phrase has become a mantra in Jon's household.
Jon recounted a memorable Christmas when his family decided to serve meals at a local shelter. They came away from the experience, feeling that they had received more than they had given. "There is a hunger in us to do good things," Jon said, emphasizing that good decisions and doing the right thing in business are inseparable and build trust, which is essential for great teams and relationships.
"Kindness is contagious," Jon concluded. "It makes the world better, makes our communities better, and goes a lot further. It's nice to be nice."
Kelley Agnew: Small Acts with Big Impact
Kelley Agnew shared her lifelong desire to make a difference in the world. Despite feeling like a failure for not having a global impact, she realized the profound effect her work at Roots had on individual lives.
She recalled a lunch with a community manager who expressed gratitude for Kelley's belief and support, which helped her gain confidence and improve her life. Tragically, the community manager passed away a few months later, but Kelley took comfort in knowing she had made a meaningful impact on her life.
"Life has a way of teaching lessons," Kelley reflected. "We are improving lives, one closing at a time. You don’t have to do something grand; you must show up at work. I am very grateful for the team at Roots and the space to do well for our residents."
Tierria Hilton: Investing in People
Tierria Hilton shared her experiences from a previous company where the focus was solely on the bottom line, leaving employees overlooked and undervalued. This experience shaped her leadership philosophy at Roots.
"When I think about 'Dedicated to Bettering Lives,' I think of how we continue to invest in our community and field managers, ultimately bettering the lives of our residents," Tierria said. She quoted, "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success," underscoring the importance of collaboration and support in achieving success.
Eric Blum: The Essence of Home
Eric Blum, Chief Legal Officer, shared a clip from "It’s a Wonderful Life," where George Bailey passionately defends the importance of providing homes for ordinary people. Eric asked all of us on the call to reflect on a time when a home bettered our lives, emphasizing the emotional refuge a home provides during both joyous and challenging times.
"Proud that Roots and all of us stand with George Bailey in giving ordinary people a home they can afford," Eric said. "What we do in our communities truly makes a difference. That is the essence of 'Dedicated to Bettering Lives.' No other housing is like manufactured housing; our Community Managers truly make a difference. We truly appreciate it."
Through personal stories and heartfelt reflections, our team members highlighted how we live our core value of "Dedicated to Bettering Lives" daily. We are proud to stand together and committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our residents and communities.