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.

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!

Kathy Decker is a North Carolinian through and through.  She grew up in Chapel Hill and Durham, then attended college in Boone at Appalachian State University, earning a degree in Elementary Education.  After graduation, she taught 5^th grade in Charlotte for a time before moving back to the Triangle area.

In 1990, just after her move to Raleigh, Kathy made a career change and began working for Summit Properties in the apartment management industry. Six years later she came to work for York, joining the team as an on-site manager for City Market in Downtown Raleigh.

During her 25+ year tenure here at York, Kathy has worked in our Association Management and Property Management divisions.  In her various roles she has handled event planning, leasing, tenant renewal negotiations, vetting vendors, creating budgets, property renovations, and more!

On the weekends, Kathy works for a local wedding and event planning company as a wedding coordinator assistant. When she’s not assisting with a wedding, Kathy enjoys trying new restaurants in town, cake and cupcake decorating, traveling, or enjoying a binge-worthy Netflix thriller paired with a good glass of wine.

Kathy has volunteered with Triangle Dress for Success, which helps clients find an interview outfit or a week’s worth of clothes for work after they find employment. Kathy says that she sees firsthand how with the right clothing, a woman’s self-esteem increases and makes her more confident during the interview process. “It is rewarding to help someone find an interview outfit and then see them in a month or two to help them find work clothes for the job that they were interviewing for.” Kathy is also a member of the Junior League of Raleigh and Edenton Street United Method Church, where she has enjoyed various volunteer experiences over the years.

Kathy’s parents, brother, and sister-in-law are in the Wake Forest—Rolesville area. About two years ago, Kathy was a foster volunteer with Purr Partners Rescue and became what they call a “foster fail.” Purr Partners’ rescues are named after a letter of the alphabet. She was given the B Team – Barry, Belva, and Bixby, all four-month-old sibling cats. She says that by the time they got healthy, they had bonded, and she couldn’t give them up. Kathy formally adopted all three of them. Now that they are two years old, Kathy says that they have calmed down somewhat, but they still keep her busy and entertained with all of their shenanigans.

Property Management can be stressful at times, but Kathy says she is glad to work with a supportive team and positive company work culture at York. Her motto? “Don’t look for happiness… Create it.”

Special thank you to Kathy Decker for her years of dedication and commitment to York and the community!