Milestone Anniversary; Celebrating Scott Clemo

 

At Royal American, we are fortunate to have employees with tenure extending 20 years and beyond. Their knowledge and expertise are pivotal in the success and growth of our company all the while staying tied to the deep roots it was founded on. It is our honor to interview these amazing employees and hear their stories.

 

Celebrating Your Milestones Questionnaire

What position did you start out in at Royal American?
A new position was created to Manage Chapman Associates properties and laundry operations.
Tell us a little bit about your career journey with Royal American.
RAM’s Commercial Division was created to manage all non-residential spaces and properties. Initially, it included several office buildings, hotels, restaurants/bars and family entertainment parks in Panama City. In addition to overseeing the apartment laundry operations, it also assisted RAM with managing and leasing commercial spaces at apartment buildings. I was encouraged to obtain designations and credentials that would benefit RAM. Through the years, I have become an Executive CPM (Certified Property Manager) and licensed Real Estate Broker in 14 states.
Share a favorite memory from your time with Royal American.
One of my favorite experiences at Royal American was working directly with our founder, Joe Chapman, on the development of Two Stanford Centre, which at the time, was going to be the signature office building for Peoples First Community Bank. It is now corporate headquarters for Royal American Companies. I especially enjoyed watching and assisting Joe lead a team of architects, engineers, and contractors through the development process. It was very gratifying to learn first-hand and participate in bringing his vision to reality.
Share some of your interests and hobbies outside of Royal American.
I enjoy most outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and gardening. My favorite things are always better with family and friends. Over this past year, I have embraced mountain biking which has led to making new friends and taking memorable trips to Utah, North Carolina and various places throughout Florida.
What advice would you give to someone just getting started?
Surround yourself with people that make you better. Eliminate your weaknesses and you’ll be known for your strengths. Never stop learning.

 

Scott, thank you for your 35 years of service. Here’s to many more successful years ahead! Help us congratulate Scott in the comments.

 

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Milestone Anniversary; Celebrating Beth Mixon

 

At Royal American, we are fortunate to have employees with tenure extending 20 years and beyond. Their knowledge and expertise are pivotal in the success and growth of our company all the while staying tied to the deep roots it was founded on. It is our honor to interview these amazing employees and hear their stories.

 

Celebrating Your Milestones Questionnaire

What position did you start out in at Royal American?
Payroll Technician
Tell us a little bit about your career journey with Royal American.
I am currently the Director of Affordable Compliance Administration. In my journey with Royal American, I have held the positions of Payroll Technician, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Assistant Regional Manager, and Regional Manager.
Share a favorite memory from your time with Royal American.
Looking back on my 30 years with Royal American Management, I feel fortunate to have experienced countless cherished memories and formed lasting relationships. From the early days alongside our former President, Frank Johnston, whose infectious humor and memorable dancing at meetings still hold a special place in my heart, to the unforgettable moments shared with colleagues over the years—this journey has truly been remarkable.
Some of my fondest memories involve traveling with my wonderful companions. On one trip with Judy Williams, she had me panicked as I thought I was speeding at over 100 miles per hour—until I realized she had switched the speedometer to kilometers per hour! We laughed about that for miles.
There was another memorable road trip in a 15-passenger van with a group of us, including Denise Ost. After picking her up, she insisted on driving, and grabbing breakfast at Dixie Dandy’s in Wewahitchka. With one hand on the wheel and the other on her bowl of grits, she somehow managed to drive while we all struggled with the van’s fishtailing. I was in the front seat feeling nauseous while the other passengers were turning green. We were swaying so much even poor Jean Williams couldn’t crush her candy on Candy Crush! Eventually, we convinced Denise to hand over the wheel, much to everyone’s relief I drove the rest of the trip.
One of the most unforgettable experiences of my career occurred during a long lease-up at a tax-credit property in the small town of Century, Florida. For eight months, I traveled weekly from Panama City, navigating everything from snowstorms to tornadoes along with experiencing three earthquakes. Yes, in Florida. During this time, the owner came up with a bold marketing idea: wearing a formal dress, a tiara and holding a sign that said, “Come Live Like a Queen!” My Area Manager, Susie Gibson, eager to participate, put on the outfit and stood by the highway, waving and smiling at everyone that passed by. She started moving from side to side and I thought, “She’s really getting into this marketing,” while I snapped photos. But then, she began walking briskly toward me, yelling expletives. As she got closer, I quickly realized she had been standing in an ant bed!
As I reflect on these moments, I realize how much I have grown over the past 30 years with Royal American Management, and how the friendships and camaraderie I’ve built with my colleagues have made this journey incredibly rewarding.
Share some of your interests and hobbies outside of Royal American.
In my leisure time I enjoy fishing and engaging in my creative side of arts and crafts. I’m also a sports fanatic – My favorite team is the Georgia Bulldogs. Most of all my greatest joy is spending time with family.
What advice would you give to someone just getting started?
This industry gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many people. You need to be internally driven with a willingness to work hard. One quote I live by is “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better”. Take advantage of the resources and tools that Royal American provides. This will create a pathway to your success.

 

Beth, thank you for three decades of hard work, leadership, and excellence. We’re lucky to have you as a part of our team! Here’s to many more successful years ahead.

 

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Milestone Anniversary; Celebrating Cathy Johnson

 

At Royal American, we are fortunate to have employees with tenure extending 20 years and beyond. Their knowledge and expertise are pivotal in the success and growth of our company all the while staying tied to the deep roots it was founded on. It is our honor to interview these amazing employees and hear their stories.

 

What position did you start out in at Royal American?
Community Manager

Tell us a little bit about your career journey with Royal American.
I was hired in July of 2004 as community Manager and then a short while later was made Area Manager over Brook Forest in Quitman, and Lakeside Villa in Hawkinsville. I honestly cannot remember the exact years I spent as an Area Manager, but I began serving overseas on medical mission trips using my vacation time as well as ministering on weekends at different churches. I gave up my area manager’s job to be able to have time to focus on ministry and serving overseas.

Share a favorite memory from your time with Royal American.
On February 14, 2008, at our annual meeting in Panama City, I was given a special award and acknowledgement from Frank Johnston and RAM for my serving in other countries and I am so thankful that at times RAM has also given to help sponsor my trips, as I have to raise the funds to serve on the trips. Frank allowed me to change from working Monday through Friday to working Monday through Thursday 10 hour days so I would be free to travel and preach and speak on weekends. I will be forever grateful.

Share some of your interests and hobbies outside of Royal American.
I love serving others! I have, since 2006, served all over the world doing medical camps. We go to very poor countries and give free medical, optical, dental care, medicines to those who cannot afford nor have access. I work the triage area getting patients ready for the doctors. I just got back from Chile where I served my first time for 5 days with an optical team where I fitted patients with readers. I have also served in Palestine several times doing a Vacation Bible school in Bethlehem at a Christian school. I am a minister, and I also fill in for churches without pastors, speak at Ladies retreats and meetings, whenever a door opens, I serve and speak. Since my first trip to India to serve in 2006 I have served in 29 countries, several of them two and four times each, for a total of 37 trips in 18 years. Hoping I will be able to serve for many, many more years!

What advice would you give to someone just getting started?
You can work hard and go as far as you would like in the company. I am thankful God led me to RAM as they have been a blessing to me. I love my Job, and I honestly cannot see myself retiring. I want to stay and work until I cannot.

 

Thank you, Cathy,  for your hard work and dedication to Royal American over the past 20 years. We invite you to help us celebrate her 20 years in the comments! Thank you for sharing with us, Cathy!

 

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3rd Quarter Anniversaries for 2024

 

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our employees who have stayed with us through the years. We appreciate you and all that you contribute to our family of companies.

 

5 Year Anniversary

  • Maria Tovar with Auburn Villas; Area Manager
  • Pamela Bonk with Royal American Companies; IT Office Manager
  • Eloisa Pino-King with Royal American Hospitality; HR Admin Assistant
  • Connie Geter with Reserve at Northshore; Housekeeper
  • Alberto Aguiar with The Allen Apartments; Maintenance Supervisor
  • Stephanie Vilchez with Ambar Key Homes; Community Manager
  • Warren Clark with Chapman Crossings; Maintenance Supervisor
  • Terri McKinley with Colonnade Park; Community Manager
  • Ernesto Lopez with Hunters Run; Maintenance Technician
  • Axel Birriel with Promise in Brevard; Community Manager
  • Terrence Golebiewski with Royal American Construction; Carpenter
  • Robert Kohl with Southern Coastal Container; Driver
  • Andrew Reynolds with Alachua; Maintenance Supervisor
  • Henry Goines with Royal American Management; Service Contract Administrator
  • Luis Betancourt with Village Carver Phase 1; Assistant Community Manager

10 Year Anniversary

  • Maritza Rodriguez with City Heights; Housekeeper
  • Sandra Campuzano with Lakeside Towers; Community Manager
  • Richard Walker with Royal American Hospitality; Hotel Housekeeping Supervisor
  • Carole Waters with Royal American Companies; GL Technician
  • Tammy Hill with Royal American Companies; GL Specialist
  • Anthony Stephenson with Willows 1; Maintenance Supervisor

15 Year Anniversary

  • Missy Dugas with Royal American Management; Senior Vice President of Operations
  • William Stanley with Quiet Waters; Maintenance Supervisor
  • Susan Haselden with Royal American Management; Director of Contracting

20 Year Anniversary

  • Cathy Johnson with Pineland Apartments; Community Manager

30 Year Anniversary

  • Beth Mixon with Royal American Management; Director of Affordable Compliance Administration
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MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY; CELEBRATING NIKKI LUMSDEN-WINECOFF

 

At Royal American, we are fortunate enough to have employees with tenure extending 20 years and beyond. Their knowledge and expertise are pivotal in the success and growth of our company all the while staying tied to the deep roots it was founded on. It is our honor to interview these amazing employees and hear their stories. We are excited to share with you.

 

This week’s milestone anniversary interview to share with you is with Nikki Lumsden-Winecoff; Senior Compliance Specialist.

 

What position did you start out in at Royal American?

Assistant Manager

 

Would you tell us a little bit about your career journey with Royal American?

I began in Feb. 1999 as Assistant Manager at Laurel Pointe, a Chapman new construction property in Salisbury, NC. We leased up in 30 days which was crazy for me when I knew nothing about property management or tax credit! But, I had great teachers and had to learn fast! I was then transferred to Oak Crest in Kannapolis, NC where I worked as an Assistant for 3 years. During that time, I was approached about helping out some on an as-needed basis with Compliance. That is how I found my true calling, if you will. That eventually turned into a full-time position with Compliance, and then, soon, I became Sr. Compliance. In 2005, I was approached about being a Regional Manager, so I decided to try that out for a while, which turned into 5 years! In 2010, my son was then 2 years old, I decided that I really wanted to go back to just doing Compliance full time, and thankfully everyone was able to make that happen, and here I am today.

 

Can you share a favorite memory from your time with Royal American?

I have so many favorite memories, it’s really difficult to choose one! Probably one of my favorite, and a funny story, is when Kelsey Brites and I were sent to the Virgin Islands for a week. Everyone else was having a fit to go there, but neither one of us are Beach people, so by the end of that week, we were so ready to come home!!! It was beautiful there though, and an experience I will never forget. I have had the amazing opportunity with this job to be able to travel to many places that I otherwise probably would never have been able to.

 

What are a few of your interests and hobbies outside of Royal American?

I am pretty much a home body.  I love to read. I love spending time with my husband, my 16-year-old son, and our two golden doodles. We are just starting to build our forever home, so that is my current excitement and will be my joy for a long time!

 

What advice would you give to someone just getting started?

Just remember to always be helpful and always be kind, even if you may be frustrated. Also, for someone just starting in this business, do not expect to learn everything overnight or even within the first 6 months. This is a business that is always changing, and if you are beginning in Compliance there is a huge learning curve, so be kind to yourself.

 

We are so proud of Nikki on her wonderful career with RA and invite you to help us celebrate her 25 years in the comments! Thank you for sharing with us, Nikki!

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2nd Quarter Anniversaries for 2024

 

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our employees who have stayed with us through the years. We appreciate you and all that you contribute to our family of companies.

 

5 Year Anniversary

  • Angel Jemmott with Royal American Companies; Office Assistant
  • Victor Manotas with  Gibson Plaza; Community Manager
  • Tatiana Echevarria with Modello Homes; Porter
  • Manual Torres Perez with Southern Anchor; Maintenance Technician
  • Paula Valencia with Coral Bay Cove; Community Manager
  • Jermaine Riley with Royal American Management; Regional Maintenance Specialist
  • Ashley Bejarano with Royal American Management; Resident Services Program Coordinator
  • Brandon Usry with Quiet Waters; Maintenance Technician

 

10 Year Anniversary

  • Sara Verhonich with Royal American Hospitality; Owner Services Representative
  • Rebecca Wallen with Pana Villa; Community Manager
  • Brian Grant with Royal American Hospitality; Director of Revenue Management
  • Rose Clemo with Royal American Companies; Director of Marketing
  • Yoel Alvarez Castillo with City Heights; Maintenance Supervisor
  • Joan Brown Murphy with Royal American Hospitality/ Boardwalk; Loss Prevention Supervisor

 

25 Year Anniversaries

  • Richard Granberry with Royal American Construction/ RA Sand; Foreman
  • Edwin Love with Treetop; Maintenance Technician
  • Kerri Toth with Royal American Management; President
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MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY; CELEBRATING TOMMY SASSER

At Royal American, we are fortunate enough to have employees with tenure extending 20 years and beyond. Their knowledge and expertise are pivotal in the success and growth of our company all the while staying tied to the deep roots it was founded on. It is our honor to interview these amazing employees and hear their stories. We are excited to share with you.

 

 This week’s milestone anniversary interview is with Tommy Sasser; Senior Vice President of Construction

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