From Housekeeper to Property Manager: How Carol Adams Built a 32-Year Career in Multifamily

Episode Summary: In this episode of Work Order Nation, co-hosts Sherrod Hunter and Fred Tomlin Jr. sit down with Carol Adams, Property Manager at Ardmore at the Trail, to explore her 32-year journey in multifamily, from starting as a housekeeper to becoming a property manager and regional leader. Carol shares how she worked her way up by setting clear career goals, proving herself as a leasing agent, and learning everything she could from the people around her. She explains why communicating your ambitions to leadership, asking for opportunities, and continuously developing your skills can help create a path toward advancement. Carol also discusses managing Ardmore at the Trail, a 252-unit community in Indian Trail, North Carolina, including the challenges of maintaining occupancy in a competitive market. She explains why her team, strong resident relationships, and well-maintained community are key to creating a successful property. The conversation also highlights the importance of strong maintenance teams, clear goals, cross-training, and human connection in property management. Carol shares why she believes technology and AI should never replace the personal customer service residents expect. Carol closes with a memorable "Work Order Wow" story involving a resident who believed Martians were entering through her air vents, highlighting the patience, creativity, and customer service required to handle even the most unusual maintenance requests. Key Takeaways: How Carol progressed from housekeeping into property management and regional leadership Why setting clear career goals can help create opportunities for advancement The importance of communicating your ambitions to leadership How strong teams and clear goals contribute to property performance Why cross-training employees can help prepare them for future opportunities The importance of maintaining a human connection as AI becomes more common in property management How resident-focused service can strengthen the community experience Why patience and creative problem-solving matter when handling unusual work orders Golden Nugget: “I told everybody I wanted to be a manager in 5 years, and I wanted them to teach me everything that they could teach, so I could get to that.” Connect with Carol Adams: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-adams-b5571924/ Email: [email protected] Listen Now & Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Listen and subscribe here: https://work-order-nation.captivate.fm/listen Work Order Nation is the podcast for property managers who care, sharing real stories, leadership lessons, and on-the-ground insights from the industry.