PMI’s Residential Division held its multiday Leadership Liftoff event in May 2025, bringing together both on-site and off-site leaders from across the organization. The event focused on enhancing collaboration, reinforcing operational consistency, and fostering a more connected leadership culture throughout the division. From the start, the room was filled with energy and a shared enthusiasm.
Day One Kicks Off Leadership Liftoff with Energy and Engagement
Day one began with PMI President, Eric Kunkle providing an organizational overview, highlighting recent developments across each division. Community Directors then introduced themselves through a get-to-know-you team building activity led by Toni Stockdale, Vice President of Marketing and Training, setting a tone of openness and engagement. The session encouraged participants to connect across job roles and locations, helping lay the groundwork for the collaborative atmosphere that defined the event.
The first day featured two guest speakers: one lead a group discussion on leadership and the other showcased new products. Breakout sessions followed, with conventional Community Directors participating in a session on leasing updates, while affordable housing Directors focused on document organization strategies — both critical to ensuring consistency across communities.
Next, leaders shared some of their most memorable moments on the job. From funny apartment tour stories to unexpected resident encounters, the room was filled with laughter and a shared understanding of the being a Community Director.
The session closed with a Q&A led by Angela Unterbrink, Senior Vice President, Division Manager, Residential, who opened the floor for a discussion about growth opportunities. It was a relaxed and genuine way to end the day — focused on connection, support, and shared goals.
Day Two Builds Momentum with Education and Collaboration
The second day of the event saw a much larger group as maintenance leaders joined the sessions, adding to the energy and momentum. Eric Kunkle kicked off the day once again, welcoming the expanded audience and diving into some of PMI’s latest initiatives. Educational sessions continued with an in-depth presentation on Fair Housing followed by a presentation on preventative maintenance.
Next, Jess Beck, Residential Systems Utilization Manager, delivered an informative session on technical operations, emphasizing the importance of consistency in daily practices. Her presentation covered essential tools and processes that drive operational efficiency, including the Maintenance Mobile app, standardized documentation practices, and effective file organization strategies. By focusing on these core elements, Jess highlighted how consistent use of technology and uniform procedures can streamline workflows and support seamless day-to-day execution across maintenance teams and residential division.
Angela Unterbrink closed out the Leadership Liftoff event with a forward-looking session that highlighted upcoming changes and future plans for the organization. She emphasized the critical role of consistency, collaboration, and key performance indicators (KPIs) in driving continued success. Angela spoke about the power of data-driven decision-making and how reliable metrics shape strategic direction moving forward. To conclude, she expressed heartfelt appreciation to the attendees for their participation and commitment. As a final highlight, she recognized four standout properties with Community Excellence Awards, celebrating their dedication to high standards and exceptional performance.
Community Excellence Award Winners:
- Conventional, over 100 apartments – Delbrook Manor (Emily Miller and Charlie Barge)
- Conventional, under 100 apartments – Rockledge Townhomes (Alison Brady and Eric Covington)
- Affordable, over 100 apartments – Roxbury Ridge Apartments (Jamie Talley and David Blankinsop)
- Affordable, under 100 apartments – Mount Joy Senior Housing (Beth Perez)
Consistency and Collaboration
As the event ended, the impact of Leadership Liftoff was clear—not just in the valuable information shared, but the unity and excitement among attendees. Leaders walked away with stronger connections, a deeper understanding of shared goals, and a commitment to consistency and collaboration. Linda Picardo, Wesley Park Community Director, mentioned, “I realize that I have a lot of support.” Traci Stremmel, Briarcrest Gardens Apartments Community Director, emphasized “there’s a value of having support from an on-site team & home office team.” while Courtney Petrowski, Woodland Park Apartments & The Weightman Community Director, noted that “as a whole, we seem more like a team.” These comments underscore what Leadership Liftoff was about: building a culture where leaders feel supported, aligned, and empowered to build consistency.
