Throughout 2021, we will feature one of our outstanding team members in J.H. Berry’s Employee Spotlight. Today, we learn more about J.H. Berry Property Manager Dennis Sanders.

Describe your role at J.H. Berry.
I specialize in cultivating tenant and vendor relations across J.H. Berry’s portfolio of owned and managed properties. In my day-to-day, I coordinate and oversee tenant and building construction work to ensure improvements are completed accurately and on time. I also schedule, supervise, and direct activities of maintenance staff and outside vendors to ensure timely repairs.

What is your professional background, and what were you doing before joining J.H. Berry?
Prior to joining J.H. Berry, I served as the director of construction maintenance at Education Corporation of America (ECA), where I managed the facilities team and external vendors in the areas of facilities construction, maintenance, and security for 79 locations nationwide. During my time at ECA, I implemented a maintenance program which produced $495K of savings in the first year of operation. I also managed the construction of new and relocated campuses totaling $45M annually from inception to completion on time and under budget.

What is you approach to collaborating with clients?
I always put the desires and needs of any client at the forefront of my work. Real estate is built on relationships, so I want to let clients know head on that I am operating with their best interest in mind.

How do you approach challenges that arise in your work?
When challenges or obstacles pop up, I try to lean on experience. I have been involved in property management and maintenance for almost three decades, so I have a good bit of history to back up decisions or solutions I come to. I have seen a lot in my career, and I feel like my experience has equipped me to face any type of challenge that arises.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work, and are you involved in any other organizations?
I am a member of the 12th Street Baptist Church building committee. Additionally, I volunteer with a program called Taste of Hope, whichprovides meals for Rainbow City and Gadsden area residents in need. I am also a member of the Shoal Creek Community Center building committee. In my spare time, I enjoy paddle boarding, boating, and spending time with my family and friends.

Throughout 2021, we will feature one of our outstanding team members in J.H. Berry’s Employee Spotlight. Today, we learn more about J.H. Berry Associate Appraiser Andrew Bolin.

Describe your role at J.H. Berry.
I am an associate appraiser working on a variety of property types including office, medical, industrial, retail, and acreage tracts. I’m responsible for keeping our database up to date, preparing exhibits for reports, property inspections, and analyzing data to arrive at a valuation for our clients. I’m also working to develop new business prospects for the appraisal department.

What is your professional background, and what were you doing before joining J.H. Berry?

I graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Arts in history. After teaching for a few years, I decided to transition into commercial real estate with another local appraising firm before ultimately joining the team here at J.H. Berry. I am currently taking coursework through the appraisal institute with the goal being to obtain my certified general license and ultimately my MAI designation.

 You were recently named to Leadership St. Clair. What does that entail, and what does it mean to you? I’m honored to be a part of this year’s Leadership St. Clair Class. The goal of the class is to bring together a group of 30 individuals from different backgrounds to understand the “behind the scenes” work of St. Clair County. We meet once a month to develop a network of relationships and understanding of the priorities and problems of the county’s future. By the end of the program our class will have developed a “class project” to help address a need for the county. I look forward to growing my leadership abilities through this experience and translating that skillset to my role here at J.H. Berry.

Can you describe your approach to your work?

I really like the motto of “Ask questions, listen, Apply”.  I am still working toward my certified general license, so I try to make the most of my mentors and coworkers experiences. I’m also working on developing relationships within the commercial real estate industry.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work, and are you involved in any other organizations?

I generally spend my free time with my family. My wife Amia and I welcomed our son, Watkins, into the world this past May. We typically love being at the beach or the lake and we are active members of Bethel Baptist Church.

Throughout 2021, we will feature one of our outstanding team members in J.H. Berry’s Employee Spotlight. Today, we learn more about J.H. Berry’s newest team member, Leasing and Brokerage Associate Sonny Potter.

Describe your role at J.H. Berry.

As a leasing and brokerage associate, I specialize in industrial leasing and sales and work with the brokerage team to foster new business opportunities. I place a major emphasis on customer service relationships and a heavy focus on delivering on the needs of my clients.

What is your professional background, and what were you doing before joining J.H. Berry?

Prior to joining J.H. Berry (2021), I worked in the retail industry as a general manager for a start-up. After a year, I moved into a regional manager role where I oversaw three locations with over 75 employees across the southeast. I developed a real passion for leading people and holding others to high standards and expectations. This gave me an opportunity to further my leadership qualities and guide others in their path to success.

What motivated you to join J.H. Berry?

H. Berry is a fantastic company with a great group of people, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the team. It became clearer and clearer throughout the application and interview process that this was an opportunity I could not pass up.

Describe your approach to your work?

In my previous role, I played an instrumental part in our expansion into new territories and helped new managers/employees uphold the standards of our company. This taught me how to set expectations and hold people to those expectations no matter what. The standards and expectations do not change from person to person, so being consistent is a vital part in my success. I’m constantly reminded how important it is to maintain the highest quality of work, and I’m excited to continue that legacy at J.H. Berry.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I am an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. I also love spending time with friends and family, especially outdoors. You can typically find me on the golf course, at the lake or the farm, or cheering on the Alabama football team on Saturdays during the Fall.

Each month in 2021, we will feature one of our outstanding team members in a J.H. Berry Employee Spotlight. Today, we highlight Controller April Stidham.

Describe your role at J.H. Berry.

As a controller at J.H. Berry, I lead the company’s Property Management Accounting department, overseeing all property management accounting activity: payables, receivables, financial statements, balancing and reconciling, as well as all activities related to information technology.

What is your professional background, and what were you doing before joining J.H. Berry?

Prior to joining J.H. Berry in 1997, I spent time working in property management in Gulf Shores before relocating to Birmingham. I attended the University of Alabama before going on to obtain my real estate sales license in 1990 and real estate associate broker’s license in 1992.

How has your background helped you deliver results in your current role, as well as to J.H. Berry and clients?

The experience and knowledge I accumulated over my career in property management and in the pursuit of my real estate licenses have benefited me in numerous ways. It has given me the ability to communicate with our clients easily and effectively, as well as property managers and tenants. I am also able to approach my work armed with a deep understanding of the commercial real estate industry.

What fuels your work approach?

Honesty, integrity and a deep respect for the trust our clients place in us. H. Berry is a truly collaborative workplace, so I always try to be as approachable as possible to my co-workers, and I always feel like I can engage anyone in our office with any challenges or obstacles I am facing. Teamwork is a vital piece of our operation at J.H. Berry, so I place a significant emphasis on that.

 What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love the outdoors, and I especially enjoy taking in any of Alabama’s many beautiful hiking trails. Additionally, I am a member of Hands On Birmingham, a program of United Way of Central Alabama. I also enjoy weight training and spending as much time as possible with my family.

Each month in 2021, we will feature one of our outstanding team members as a J.H. Berry Employee Spotlight. Today, we are featuring Brokerage Relations Specialist Callan Sherrod.

Describe your role at J.H. Berry.

I wear a lot of hats in my role as a brokerage relations specialist at J.H. Berry. I focus specifically on supporting and managing the office brokerage team’s principal goals and tactics as it relates to tenant and landlord representation, building sales and acquisitions and marketing. The industry and market knowledge I’ve been able to cultivate at J.H. Berry allows me to drive efficiency, as well as guide firm activities toward the vision and goals we have laid out for ourselves and our clients.

What is your professional background, and what were you doing before joining J.H. Berry?

After graduating from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, I spent time as a sales representative before joining J.H. Berry in 2015. I have been very fortunate to spend many years learning from the best at J.H. Berry and to grow my career here

What is you approach to working with CRE clients?

For me, it’s all about relationships. When you’re working with a client, you want them to know they can trust you and the team behind you. It’s easy to build those client connections when you’re coming from a place like J.H. Berry. We’ve generated a reputation for ourselves that is built on trust, communication, and quality service for every client we serve.

How do you approach challenges that arise in your work?

Any time an obstacle arises in a professional setting, you want to feel confident that you can lean on the people around you. Throughout my six years at J.H. Berry, I’ve always been able to consult with my fellow team members, brainstorm, and receive guidance on how to solve any problem we (or our clients are) facing. That collaboration and confidence is extremely valuable.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Birmingham has such a fantastic food and drink scene, and I love any opportunity to try out a new hotspot in town. Birmingham is also a community with many non-profit organizations, and I can usually always find an event for a good cause. And of course, I love watching Alabama sports. Excited to watch our men’s basketball team in March Madness!