Roots Management Group's Core Value Spotlight: Unveiling the Power of 'Ownership for All'

In the bustling business world, core values not only define the ethos of a company but also serve as guiding stars for its employees. At Roots Management Group, "Ownership for All" is a pivotal core value, weaving together responsibility, pride, and commitment.

The President of Roots Management Group, Tom Stapley, believes this core value encompasses what Manufactured housing truly is. “Ownership for all, I believe, separates Manufactured housing from all other home asset classes. “ This value embodies what MH is on many levels, what our responsibility is as Stewarts and operators and managers of these communities but also to our residents and uniqueness to what manufactured housing is.”

This principle is not just a motto; it's a lived experience resonating through the voices of our diverse team members. We’ve asked four senior leadership team members to share what Ownership for all means to them.

Bridget Fontaine: A Tale of Commitment and Collaboration
Bridget Fontaine, our director of accounting, brings to life the essence of "Ownership for all" with a personal narrative that underscores the value of initiative and teamwork. Fontaine shares a story that happened while on leadership training in Montana. Fontaine met with a few fellow employees. While on a hike before the training started, one of her co-workers said they really needed help for an upcoming overwhelming project. Bridget promised that she would help and stayed on the project until it was completed. This proactive approach to a software conversion project showcased her commitment. It highlighted the smooth collaboration within the team, leading to one of the most seamless transitions in the company's history.

"We all play a role in Roots and taking ownership of that role, whatever that role is if it’s accounting or IT taking ownership and pride helps Roots and the Roots team" adds Fontaine who values her relationships with her co-workers and roles up her sleeves when needed and digs in. "It wasn't easy, I'm not going to lie, but we worked together the whole way through and we did it"!

Darrin Caldwell: Envisioning Home Through Ownership
Darrin Caldwell, VP of Marketing, says, "Ownership for All" means ensuring everyone has a place to call home, especially during the recent housing crises. He emphasizes the pride and fulfillment of homeownership, highlighting Roots' mission to make this dream a reality for many.

“Our mission is to provide affordable living for anyone looking for it . There has never been a more important time to do this than now, with the housing crisis and the increasing cost of living. If you’ve ever owned a home, I think you can remember the first home you’ve either moved into when you were growing up or the first home you bought, and there is a sense of pride and ownership of that experience. It’s a lot about dreams coming true” says Caldwell.

Markita Robertson: The Collective Engine of Work
Markita Robertson, VP of Title and Dealership, underscores the importance of individual ownership in collective success. Drawing inspiration from Maya Angelou, she emphasizes that each team member's commitment is crucial for the organization's progress. "Nothing will work unless you do," Markita emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between individual responsibility and collective achievement. Markita’s message is clear: ownership at work mirrors teamwork in sports, where the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Tyler Brady: Mission-Focused Ownership
Tyler Brady, Director of Revenue at Roots, parallels mission-focused ownership and military discipline. He stresses the importance of staying focused on the mission, citing examples of team member Tanya, a community manager who oversees two communities, and how she took the initiative and audited invoices she was getting and recognized that some of the billing wasn’t being allocated correctly and made sure the error was corrected. She is now saving her community money, and her budget is back on track. 

Another example is when Greg, a maintenance technician at another property, knew when their trash contract was ending and took the initiative to shop around. He not only found a better price for the residents, but the community was able to get a dumpster, and they are spending less overall each month. These are just a few examples of the many that we hear each day just because Roots employees are going above and beyond. 

President Tom Stapley tied together the threads of individual stories and reflections in the company-wide meeting to reinforce the core value of "Ownership for All." Tom says this core value is about nurturing the well-being of shared resources and spaces.