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.