We would just like to say best wishes to our new group of managers in their new career with WSPM. We are glad to have them as part of our team.

Missi Pollender conducted an intense, yet enjoyable, new manager training at the Weststates Property Management corporate office October 11^th & 12^th.  She was assisted by Kelly Steninger, Dawn Keyes and Holly Gregory. Those in attendance were: Kimberly Smith manager of  Quail Run Apartments and Morse Lane trailer park in Elko; Antoinette Chiesa manager of  Pinion and Mountain Shadows Apartments in Elko; Renee’ Foster manager of  Steptoe Apartments and assists at the Highland/Silver Ridge office in Ely; Peggy Long manager of Broyles and Woodhaus apartments in Battle Mountain; Shanna Dangel manager of Humboldt Pines Elderly & Family Apartments in Winnemucca and Ann Evans manager of Yerington Garden and Southwood Apartments in Yerington.

The training covered:

Understanding your property program (USDA RD, LIHTC, HOME, HUD), management agreements

Marketing, curb appeal, and office organization

Resident, Unit, and vendor files

The application process/program eligibility/tenant selection plans

Waiting List policies

Income and Asset worksheets, deductions, certifications

Monthly reporting, PO's and completion reports, asset disposition forms, payables

Yardi training, rent collection, charges, reports etc

Budgets

Affirmative Fair Housing Plans

WSPM employment policies and timesheets, employment evaluations

Section-8 voucher system & requirements

Leases, Lease Violations and evictions

Occupied inspections and follow up, regular exterior inspections

The Supervisory Inspection process

Agency Inspections

Employee training opportunities

Fair Housing

Rent ready units

On Wednesday afternoon, participants expressed gratitude for the training and felt it was very well done and worthwhile.

(see slide show to your right)

Accessible Routes @ Cottonwood

Michelle was (having fun on a scooter) checking if the sidewalks were accessible!

Michelle West Accomplishes a Lofty Goal

Earlier this year at Weststates training in Elko I was inspired to climb a mountain.(Literally)  Totally Toni was sharing her hiking experience with us and it made me think about my goals and what I wanted to accomplish.

Years earlier I had climbed to a certain point on the famous “Angels Landing” in Zion National park, but I had never made it to the very top.  The last ½ mile was a very treacherous climb with sheer sandstone drop offs. I had planned that “someday” I would hike Angels landing again and go all the way to the 5785 foot high top. I was always waiting to be a certain dress size or a certain weight at which I thought was ideal to even think about that mountain climb. Of course that time never seemed to come. When I listened to Toni I realized I had to just set the goal and accomplish it instead of waiting on ‘the perfect time’ that may not ever come.  I decided to give myself a few months to build up strength and set the date for October 8^th, the weekend of mine and my husband’s 11^th wedding anniversary. So this past weekend, along with my husband and two friends, I climbed Angels Landing- all the way to the top. There were points where my feet were on 6 inch wide ledges and I was gripping the chain bolted into the side of the mountain, where I could not remember why I thought this was a good idea.

However, eight hours, a few bruises, skin rubbed raw from sandstone, and many sore muscles later I finished the hike.  It was an amazing sense of accomplishment.

I honestly do not think I would have even attempted this if it had not been for the Weststates training. I am so thankful for a company that not only cares about its employees- but also for people that their employees are.

One of the girls that did the hike with me has a son who is 7 years old and has stage IV Neuroblastoma. He is currently flying back and forth to NY for treatments. He made me a card for finishing my hike. At first I noticed the drawing, (and LOVED that he drew my husband falling on a cactus!) Then I fought back the tears as I read the other side.

Michelle West ~ Area Supervisor & Manger @ Millstream & Sun River Apartment

(see attached slide show at the right)