CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH JUDY WILLIAMS AND BETH MIXON

“My career at Royal American began in 1998 when I joined First Service Corporation (FSC) as a Payroll Administrator. By 2000, I transitioned to Royal American Management, taking on the role of Administrative Assistant. Demonstrating a commitment to growth and a robust work ethic, I advanced to Regional Manager in 2011, and just two years later, I was promoted to Regional Vice President. Most recently, I have embraced the challenge of serving as Senior VP of Support Services, marking a significant evolution in my career with the company.

One of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of leading is the Regional Manager Training program. This program is designed to equip our Regional Managers with a comprehensive understanding of RA’s policies and procedures. It involves collaboration with department heads to provide a high-level overview of responsibilities, promoting a culture of continuous learning and development within our organization. The success of this program underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where employees are encouraged to grow and excel.

For young women embarking on their careers in this industry, my advice is to seek out mentors who can offer guidance, support, and wisdom. It’s essential to remain humble and authentic in your professional journey. Embracing kindness and maintaining a true sense of self are foundational principles that can guide you through challenges and opportunities alike. These values not only contribute to personal growth but also to the cultivation of meaningful professional relationships.”

“My journey with Royal American began in 1994 in the Payroll department of First Service Corporation. By 1997, I had reached out to Kerri Toth about a Regional Manager position in the Conventional Division at Royal American Management, sparking her interest and leading to her joining the company.

Upon her arrival, she offered me the role of her Administrative Assistant, a position I enthusiastically accepted. At that time, we managed 10 Conventional communities, with more under construction, navigating through mountains of paperwork and copious faxing due to all invoices being handled via written purchase orders.

As time progressed, I transitioned into the role of Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Frank Johnston, the former President. This period marked my involvement with the Take Over team, where I traveled to new properties, setting them up and training managers on RAM’s office procedures. This experience deepened my understanding of Royal American’s foundation and prepared me for my next role as an Assistant Regional, a position I eagerly accepted.  In 2012, my journey took a significant turn when I was promoted to Regional Manager, overseeing properties from Apalachicola, FL, to Waveland, MS. Managing 19 properties at one point, including two lease-ups, I thrived on the challenges it presented. The most rewarding aspect of being a Regional Manager was conducting property inspections, which offered deep insights into operational needs, allowed for direct interaction with staff, and the opportunity to meet many interesting residents.

After nine rewarding years as Regional Manager, I stepped into the role of Director of Affordable Compliance Administration, overseeing Special Claims and Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans (AFHMP) for the company. This role has brought my career full circle, immersing me once again in extensive paperwork and following up on property inspections. Reflecting on my 29 and a half years with Royal American, I am grateful for the friendships, memories, and the opportunity to work alongside such incredible people.

My journey has been significantly enriched by Kerri’s decision to join the company.  Throughout my tenure, I’ve taken pride in my contributions to achieving high REAC scores and successfully capturing Special Claims for our properties, recognizing that these accomplishments are the result of a collaborative team effort.  In this industry, success demands internal drive, hard work, a positive attitude, and resilience. A valuable piece of advice I received from Mr. Chapman was the importance of being more than just a “Yes” person, emphasizing the significance of voicing one’s opinions while also being prepared to accept outcomes gracefully. Success in this field is a team effort, supported by the resources and tools provided by Royal American, paving the way for individual achievements and career advancement.”