Beyond the Work: Tales in Multifamily Maintenance

What does it take to transform a career from politics to property management leadership? In this episode, Freddie Zelaya shares his incredible journey from working in government in Honduras to becoming the Vice President of Facilities and Maintenance at Horning. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and the power of building strong relationships. Freddie opens up about the importance of pr...

When disaster strikes, how prepared are property managers to handle the unexpected? In this episode, Chris Caramanica sits down with Andy Goldberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-goldberg-0312847/ of Restore Core https://restorecore.com/ to explore the challenges and strategies in the multifamily disaster restoration industry. From water damage to mold growth, they unpack the crucial steps that...

From groundskeeper to Regional Maintenance Director, Josh Hayes https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-hayes-camt-l-caps-naaei-faculty-member-a041a2188/ has carved out an inspiring career path in the maintenance industry. In this episode, he shares how his journey unfolded, the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership, and the unexpected passion he discovered for training. Josh reveals the challenges...

The world of multifamily maintenance is evolving, and the way we train and develop talent is more critical than ever. In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica sits down with Lori Agudo, Director of Training and Talent Development at Royal American Management, to explore why maintenance professionals need more than just technical know-how to thrive. Lori shares her unconventional journe...

What makes or breaks a resident’s experience in multifamily housing? It’s often the one factor that gets overlooked—maintenance. In this episode, host Chris Caramanica sits down with Katie Ritter https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-ritter-a376b128/ and Jake Hughes https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-hughes-98194026/ from Widewail https://www.widewail.com/ to explore how maintenance plays a pivotal role...

What does it truly mean to build an inclusive and thriving workforce in multifamily maintenance? In this episode of Beyond the Work, host Chris Caramanica sits down with Ishea Shepherd https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishea-shepherd-naaei-faculty-cam-625820123/ to discuss the importance of valuing service teams, the impact of generational differences in trades, and how diversity, equity, and inclusion...

Success in multifamily maintenance isn’t just about technical skills—it’s about relationships. In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica sits down with Kevin Hankins, Vice President of Maintenance at Penrose, to discuss how networking, vendor relationships, and mentorship shape careers in the industry. Kevin shares his unexpected entry into multifamily maintenance and the lessons he’s l...

What does it take to grow from a hands-on maintenance technician to a leader overseeing multiple properties? In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica speaks with Baris Sevinc https://www.linkedin.com/in/barissevinc/ about his unexpected journey in the industry, the skills that helped him advance, and why curiosity is the key trait for success in maintenance. Baris shares how he transit...

Hiring the right people isn’t just about filling a position—it’s about building a strong, engaged, and adaptable team. In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica sits down with Kelly Brown https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-brown-0b424516/ of BGSF https://www.linkedin.com/company/work4bgsf/ to break down the complexities of talent acquisition in the multifamily industry. Kelly shares her...

What shapes a great leader? In this unique episode of Beyond the Work, host Chris Caramanica takes on a dual role—as both guest and storyteller. Joining Andrea Herbert https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-herbert-bkl/ and Rachel Gass https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelgass/ on their Culture Chat podcast, Chris reflects on his transformative journey from a reserved high schooler to a dynamic leader i...

What does work-life balance really mean, especially for maintenance professionals in an ever-demanding industry? In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica is joined by Paul Rhodes to unpack this multifaceted topic. They explore balance, not as a rigid formula, but as a series of intentional choices. Paul shares his experiences with travel, family, and the power of disconnecting to truly...

How is technology reshaping multifamily maintenance? In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica chats with Eric Martinez, Director of Maintenance Operations and Asset Preservation at Afton Properties, to uncover the transformative power of PropTech in maintenance management. With 27 years of experience and oversight of 23 properties across three states, Eric shares an insider’s perspecti...

What happens when leasing professionals and maintenance teams don’t see eye to eye? In this episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica speaks with Ronald Harrington, a multifamily leasing expert, about the often-overlooked divide between these two essential teams. Ronald sheds light on how misaligned priorities can impact curb appeal, unit readiness, and ultimately, the resident experience. Thro...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving career in multifamily maintenance? In this episode of *Beyond the Work*, host Chris Caramanica sits down with Keith Turner, a veteran in the apartment industry with nearly three decades of experience. From humble beginnings as a groundsman to leading as a regional facilities manager, Keith’s journey is packed with lessons in perseverance, le...

Join host Chris Caramanica and special guest Angie Drysdale in this engaging episode of Beyond the Work: Tales in Multifamily Maintenance. They explore the challenges, innovations, and surprising discoveries in multifamily property management. From navigating vintage properties with aging infrastructure to addressing new construction defects, they dive into the intricacies of maintaining propertie...

Empowering Maintenance Teams with Mental Health Training: A New Approach in Multifamily Housing Mental health training in multifamily housing? It’s time to put compassion at the forefront. Join us as we talk about changing the game for front-line maintenance and property management teams in support of resident well-being. In this powerful episode of Beyond the Work, Chris Caramanica and guest Kend...

Honoring Veterans: Stories of Service and Support in Multifamily Housing On this Veterans Day episode, Chris Caramanica shares personal reflections and the impactful work being done to support our veterans and military families in multifamily housing. In this special Veterans Day episode of Beyond the Work: Tales in Multifamily Maintenance, Chris Caramanica reflects on the invaluable service of ve...

Building Stronger Maintenance Teams: Leadership, Innovation & Retention Tips with Doug Geiken | Beyond the Work How can you truly build a reliable, motivated, and innovative maintenance team? Doug Geiken shares powerful insights on team-building, leadership, and the key role maintenance plays in multifamily success. In this insightful episode of Beyond the Work, host Chris Caramanica sits down...

Celebrating Multifamily Maintenance: Resilience, Training, and the Road to Growth Welcome back to Beyond the Work, Tales in Multifamily Maintenance hosted by Chris Caramanica. In this episode the spotlight is on the backbone of multifamily — our maintenance professionals. Chris is joined by Mark Sharp, Vice President of Facilities for NOAA Property Management and host of the Multifamily Mixtape po...

Building Strong Multifamily Maintenance Teams Through Consistency Is "back to basics" just a tired cliche? Or is it the foundation of every high-performing multifamily team? Let’s dig in! In this episode of Beyond the Work: Tales in Multifamily Maintenance, Chris Caramanica tackles the debate around the phrase "back to basics" and its relevance in today's multifamily industry. Chris shares his per...

PropTech and Training Shape the Future of Multifamily Maintenance | Leadership Insights Ever wonder how top leaders in the multifamily space keep their teams running like a well-oiled machine, even with thousands of units? I'm your host, Chris Caramanica and my guest for this episode is Kamil Konopka, Senior Regional Maintenance Director with Liberty Military Housing. Join us as we uncover the sec...

Is AI the ultimate solution for maintenance in multifamily, or just another tool in the toolbox? In this episode, we’re exploring the rapidly evolving role of AI and technology in multifamily maintenance. Our host, Jennifer Carter, sits with Chris Caramanica of Wynn Residential and Paul Rhodes of Brookfield Multifamily Properties. They tackle the big question: Is AI just a tool, or can it be a tru...

Ever wonder how your darkest moments can redefine your leadership journey? Welcome to "Beyond the Work, Tales of Multifamily Maintenance." In this heartfelt episode, recorded on the cusp of summer turning into fall, I share a deeply personal story that shaped my career and outlook on life. From the early mornings spent on property grounds to navigating a life-changing cancer diagnosis, t...

Fire, Flood, and Blood: Essential Tales from Multifamily Maintenance Ever been on call during a fire alarm at your property? Chris has some stories that’ll make you think twice about your next emergency call. Let’s dig in to the heart-pounding reality of multifamily maintenance. Welcome to Beyond the Work: Tales in Multifamily Maintenance with host Chris Caramanica, where we break down the moments...

First-Day Jitters: From School to Workplace – How to Nail Onboarding in Multifamily Maintenance Remember your first day at school? Now translate that to your first day at a new job. Let’s explore how leaders in multifamily maintenance can help new hires overcome first-day jitters and set them up for success! In this episode of Beyond the Work, Tales in Multifamily Maintenance, host Chris Caramanic...