A Grateful Farewell and an Exciting Look Ahead
Dear FWAA Members,
As we close out the year and look toward what’s ahead, I find myself filled with gratitude for the people, leadership, and momentum that made this year so meaningful for the Fort Worth Apartment Association.
In a year when many organizations felt the pressure of tighter budgets and harder decisions, FWAA demonstrated disciplined leadership and thoughtful stewardship. While we came just shy of budget on oneevent, we did not lose money, and every event delivered meaningful connection and value for our members. (We even oversold multiple events.) That level of success doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects careful planning and leaders who care deeply about doing things the right way.
Our supplier partners deserve special recognition. Your time, financial support, and willingness to step into leadership roles are foundational to FWAA’s success. You don’t just support this association. You help lead it, strengthen it, and set it up for success.
That is why serving alongside Kyle Gambrell this year has been such a privilege. The Vice President role at FWAA is the highest seat a supplier partner can hold, and Kyle embodied that responsibility with integrity, heart, lots of humor, and a true commitment to our members. I am incredibly proud of the year we shared and grateful for his leadership, partnership, and friendship.
As I pass the gavel, I do so with complete confidence in the leadership ahead. April Royal, our incoming President, brings thoughtful vision to FWAA. I’m excited to see FWAA thrive under her guidance.
I also want to recognize Adam Keck, our incoming Vice President. Adam is an honest, passionate leader who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo when it serves the greater good. His transparency, conviction, and desire to do right by our members make him exactly the kind of Vice President this association needs.
A big thank you to your Executive Committee, Kyle Gambrell, April Royal, Nicole Zaitoon, Cara Glover, Bryan Downer, and Cayce Coon, who carried an extraordinary load this year and consistently led with professionalism, passion, and a commitment to doing what was right for the association. Even when perspectives differed, the focus always remained on what was best for FWAA.
To our Board of Directors and Ex Officio members, thank you. You didn’t just serve. You led. You chaired committees, guided meetings, planned events, mentored others, and gave generously of your time, talent, and resources. FWAA’s success this year is a direct result of your commitment.
To those whose terms are concluding or transitioning out of formal leadership roles, thank you for leaving FWAA better than you found it. Your contributions created a strong foundation, and your impact will continue long after your titles change. We look forward to seeing your continued engagement in the years ahead. A big thank you to Amy Alvarez, Stephanie Rusnak, Jimmy McClung, Ben Wientge, James Giddens, Kyle Gambrell, Jeff McDaniel, Shannon Cleveland, Alexandra Rohloff, Tony Sims, Laurie Root, and John Brandes.
I want to especially recognize Cayce Coon, whose leadership throughout many years of change and challenge has been nothing short of exceptional. Cayce leads with clarity, courage, and a commitment to doing the right thing for the association and its members. Her guidance and thoughtful leadership have left a lasting mark on FWAA. Thank you, Cayce, for your leadership, your service, and selfishly, your friendship. We are incredibly proud and excited to watch you continue to serve our industry as a future President of the Texas Apartment Association.
This year also marked incredible progress for our members. We expanded access to education by making basic education programs FREE as part of FWAA membership. Yes, you read that right. This was a deliberate decision to invest directly in our people. In addition, we positioned our Education Foundation for long-term success, ensuring we continue investing in future leaders for years to come. Thank you, Brenda Carpenter, for your leadership in setting up the Education Foundation for success.
Our community service efforts were another highlight of the year. From hands-on volunteerism to meaningful fundraising, FWAA showed up for the communities we serve. One of the most impactful moments was the continued support of our Military Veterans initiatives, including contributions focused on PTSD awareness and support. These efforts remind us that our work goes far beyond our properties. It’s about people, purpose, and service.
We also brought back something incredibly special this year, Dimensions Magazine. Seeing it return to print and watching members quite literally leave their mark in its pages was a reminder of the pride, history, and personality that make FWAA so unique. It was fun, meaningful, and a true celebration of our community.
In a year when things were tight, FWAA leadership showed up in a big way. We achieved 100 percent Board participation in PAC, met and exceeded our PAC fair share at both the state and national levels, and continued to advocate fiercely for our industry. That level of commitment speaks volumes about the leaders who serve this association.
None of this would be possible without our incredible FWAA staff. Thank you to Perry Pillow, our new and well deserved CEO, for stepping into leadership with vision, energy, and heart. To the entire staff, Donna, Gregory Ann, Ed, Coni, and Mindy, thank you for your professionalism, resilience, and countless hours behind the scenes that make everything we do look effortless. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.
A big thank you to my J Street Property Services family. As I stepped into this journey as your President, I also joined the JSPS team as we began growing an incredible company built on strong core values. Thank you to Kate, Shea, Tommy, Clint, and the entire JSPS family for your patience, encouragement, and support throughout this year.
FWAA is the strongest I have ever seen it. The engagement is real, the passion is contagious, and quite honestly, this has been the most fun I’ve ever seen this association have while doing meaningful, impactful work.
And while I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished this year, just wait. The momentum is real, exciting changes are ahead, and yes, rumor has it the Casino Party is BACK.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President. The leadership is strong, the future is bright, and FWAA’s best chapters are still ahead.
With gratitude and pride,
Sarah Turner
Immediate Past President
Fort Worth Apartment Association