2025 Power Broker Awards

Last week, we gathered at Napa Kitchen & Wine to celebrate an awesome year of achievements with our Commercial Brokerage team. Here are the highlights:

*Top Performers Recognized*

• 🏆 Road Runner Trophy: Lynne Worth for most brokerage transactions completed

• 🌟 I’m Kind of a Big Deal Trophy: John Kerr for closing the division’s largest single transaction

• 🥇 Best Broker Ever Trophy: Judson McMillan being awarded the Top Producer spot

*Team Strength*

Our Commercial Team is powered by:
• 10 full-time brokers
• 1 part-time broker
• An amazing marketing and admin group including Gardenia Buendia, Victoria Eaton, Candi McDowell, Shelby Hinshaw and Brooke Hanford

Congratulations to all of our incredible brokers!

Property Management Leadership Update

We’re excited to share important leadership news at York.

After nearly 30 years of remarkable leadership, Lamont Farmer will retire at the end of the year. Throughout her time with us, Lamont transformed our Property Management division into one of York’s strongest pillars, leaving behind a legacy of vision, stability, and opportunity.

As Lamont begins her well-earned retirement, we’re thrilled to announce that Amy Rogers has stepped into the role of Senior Vice President & Director of Property Management. Amy has grown with York over many years, earning trust and admiration with her dedication, attention to detail, and future-focused mindset.

This planned transition provides valuable continuity as Amy works alongside Lamont to ensure seamless operations and continued growth for our Property Management division and clients.

Please join us in congratulating Amy on her promotion and expressing our gratitude to Lamont for her outstanding contributions to York’s success over the past three decades.

Brokerage Leadership Update

Congratulations to Brian Wallace and Judson McMillan who have each been promoted to Senior Vice President, Commercial Brokerage, joining John Kerr on the division’s leadership team.

Brian Wallace (20 years with York) will step in to lead collaboration and communication, guiding operations and strategy.

Judson McMillan, also with 20+ years at York and one of our top producers, will take the lead on business development efforts and client relationship growth.

Alongside John Kerr, whose nearly four decades of expertise continue to guide our team, this strengthened leadership group positions York for continued success, innovation, and client service excellence.

We are proud of the incredible talent within our firm, and we look forward to the impact Brian, Judson, and John will make in driving our Commercial Brokerage Division forward.

Please join us in congratulating Brian and Judson on this well-deserved achievement!

Shelton Griffin: Chief Investment Officer

We are proud to announce that Shelton Griffin has been appointed Chief Investment Officer at York Properties!

Shelton has been a vital part of the York Properties team for over 20 years, having graduated from NC State University and held various roles within the company. His dedication and expertise, especially in collaboration with our former CIO, Hal Worth, have prepared him well for this new chapter.

 

Congratulations to Shelton on being appointed Chief Investment Officer.

Meet Our People

Meet our Association Manager, Carol Slaven.

Born in East Liverpool, Ohio, Carol moved to multiple states before making North Carolina home in 1985. Carol joined York Properties in 1987 as an Apartment Manager. The apartments were eventually converted to condominiums and Carol transitioned to association management. She then connected with other colleagues in the area who worked in association management. Together they established the first chapter of the Community Association Institute of NC.

Carol has gained an array of experience over the years working for other companies and owning her own home healthcare business, but nothing compared to York. Carol kept in touch with her York colleagues over the years which helped prompt her return to the company in 2022.

Carol now resides in Virginia to be closer to her daughter, Catie, and her older brother. These days, Carol enjoys reading, swimming, and volunteering with Compact Canine Rescue. She adopted Oreo from Compact Canine Rescue, her “foster failure,” after he was left ill at a dog pound.

We are so grateful for Carol’s commitment and dedication to the team and company over the years.

Meet Our People

This month we’re taking a moment to highlight Bloomsbury Landscapes’ very own, James Richardson. Born in Asheville, NC, James currently resides in Greensboro, NC.

Five years ago, James transitioned from having his own roofing company to joining the Bloomsbury team where he now serves as the Field Manager and is focused on maintaining great relationships amongst team members and clients.

James says from the moment he learned about the company and met the team, he knew this was the place for him. “This is a family here,” he said. James lives by the motto “teamwork makes the dream work” and he encourages the team members to do quality work safely and efficiently.

When James is not in the Greater Triangle area for work, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 30 years, Rhonda, and his two children and four granddaughters. He tells them that they can do anything if they believe and work hard for it. James also hopes to cross “meeting LeBron James” off his bucket list some day. In the meantime, he looks forward to enjoying life to the fullest.

Thank you James for your hard work and dedication to the team and the company. Everyone could use a James on their team!

P.S. If you see him around this month, be sure to wish him a happy (early) birthday. His birthday is on March 18.

Patty Friedman Named CPM of the Year at the Raleigh-Durham IREM Chapter

Congratulations to our Property Manager Patty Friedman for being named Certified Property Manager of the Year at the Raleigh-Durham IREM Chapter annual luncheon.

Lamont Farmer, Director of Property Management, stated, “Patty’s perseverance in getting her CPM designation in record time, being nominated and then voted as CPM of the Year, and also being installed as Secretary for 2024 is a testament to her passion for and dedication to the property management industry and the Raleigh-Durham IREM Chapter. We are incredibly proud of her!”

Meet Our People

This month, we’d like to recognize Captain Coy Dixon.

Captain Dixon was born and raised in Tifton, Georgia. He recalls having a job as early as 9 years old picking tobacco. At 16, he joined the army in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. There he received his GED and spent the next 9 years moving up the ranks while serving our country. Dixon says he enjoyed jumping out of airplanes back then.

Captain Dixon found his way to York through a mutual connection in security. In 2003, at the request of the division leaders, Captain Dixon joined our Security team with an aim to help structure the overall division. He worked as an on-call security officer for 8 months, then a lieutenant for 6 months. He continued climbing the ladder into other leadership roles, but being captain is what feels like home for him.

Captain Dixon says the most important things in his life today are his family, work, hunting, and fishing. He and his wife of 54 years, Mary, call Holly Springs home. They have lived there since 1994 and have seen many new developments since they planted their roots. They have a daughter and son, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. If he’s not spending time with his family or patrolling the premises of a property, you can catch Captain Dixon hunting at Jordan Lake or near the Harnett/Chatham County line. With no desire to injure animals, Captain Dixon says he enjoys watching and being in the midst of nature the most.

In reflecting on his favorite thing about York, Captain Dixon praised the people that make York Properties. He says “if you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Captain Dixon carries an attitude of positivity everywhere he goes and shares it with everyone he meets. He believes if you keep a positive attitude, it will encourage others to do the same.

It is a privilege to have such a kind-hearted and dedicated employee such as Captain Dixon. This past May made 20 years since he has been with the company and we couldn’t be more appreciative of his years of hard work and commitment. As his 79th birthday approaches in August, Captain Dixon says he looks forward to working with us for years to come.

Meet Our People

Office Manager and Receptionist Cindy Franks is the glue of the office. July will make a year since Cindy joined our team, but she agrees with us that it feels like much longer!

Cindy is a North Carolina native from Fuquay-Varina. When asked about her work life, Cindy says that her favorite part is the people. She appreciates how everyone is willing to help each other out. “The minute I started, I didn’t feel like I was new. I’ve never been treated like that at any job anywhere before.” Cindy heard about the position from a fellow colleague. With 12 years of HOA and accounting experience in real estate, Cindy knew it would be a great fit.

Outside of the office, Cindy loves to spend time with her husband of 28 years. They have settled in the Garner area, but venture out to try new restaurants on occasion. Cindy also enjoys scrapbooking, painting, yard work, and spending time with her children and grandchildren whenever she can. Cindy and her husband have a Shih Tzu named Bella – short for Isabella Swan, the main character from the hit movie Twilight.

We are very grateful for Cindy and all the work she does. We look forward to her journey with us!