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MEET THE TEAM

Accolade Property Management Group consists of a management and marketing team that encompasses an entire support system.

We understand that each property has goals that are unique, and we manage to achieve milestones that are important to the individual property while consistently monitoring the property's management and team approach to improve Net Operating Income. This is why we believe it is no coincidence that our properties perform better than others.

"Teamwork Makes the Dream Work"

Team Collage

Our Story

Coming from a development background, as our portfolio of properties grew, so did our need to hire a management company. And so, the search was on! Throughout this process, we hired three different property management companies and each one disappointed us, failed us and even stole from us. Completely frustrated, we finally decided “enough is enough” and began managing our own properties.

Inadvertently, we created a management company that we were really proud of. Our partners noticed how well the assets were managed and we began receiving awards and recognition (a.k.a. “accolades”) for our hard work. In speaking with colleagues and other investors, we found that finding a great management company was very challenging. We believed that we could serve outside investors and property owners well. Afterall, we understood first hand the pain points of being a landlord...and we certainly knew what we didn’t want to be as a management company! With this in mind, Accolade was born!

As we grew, we knew that we needed team members that had first hand knowledge of the “joys” and “sorrows” of owning real estate. To this day, most of our team members either personally own or come from a family that owns real estate investments. We recognize that each day a property sits vacant equates to “real money lost”. We also know that properties must be maintained to provide lasting value to the property owner and also attract quality tenants.

It’s been an amazing journey so far! What started as a multi-family management company, quickly became a company that provided single family management. We now also have a commercial division that manages office and retail properties and a homeowners association division that specializes in community management. We've grown quite a bit, but we haven't lost what made us special in the first place. We care. We are honest. We do the right thing, even when no one is watching. We are courageous enough to deliver bad news when need be, and to own up to our mistakes as we learn along the way.

"Better Together"

Affectionately Known as 'the "A" Team...

We recognize that we are truly Better Together! We all have unique perspectives and strengths that we bring to the table. Through constant collaboration, conversation and "painting the picture" together, we bring unparalleled value that keeps us moving forward. We need you and you need us!

Better Together
Everyone Must Win

"Everyone Must Win"

We Believe that No One Has to Lose!

We recognize that in order to serve people well, all parties must "win". It's a synergistic circle! When a property owner and the management team partner together to provide the tenants with a safe and quality home all parties are able to "win" and achieve something great together!

"Excellence"

It's Not Just a Word, But a Way of Life.

Status quo won't take you to great places! It's the small, day to day acts that if done well take you to great places.

“Quality is not an act, it’s a habit” - Aristotle

Excellence
Do what is right

"Do What is Right...

..Not What is Easy”

We have hard conversations. We share our truths. We communicate expectations and we own up to mistakes that we learn from along the way. There are early mornings and late nights. We climb on roofs, crawl under houses and pound For Rent and For Sale Signs in the ground. We aren’t afraid of getting our hands dirty!

Team Background
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Sarah was raised in the Yakima Valley. After graduating from Seattle Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing, she began her real estate career on the westside of the mountains. Always considering Yakima home, once she and her husband Jim began having children they knew they needed to move back to raise their kids in the same community where they grew up.

Coming from a development family, she recognized first hand the need for professional property management services. Thus, began her passion to create that which they could not find. In 2011 Accolade Property Management Group opened in downtown Ellensburg, growing both a real estate sales brokerage and property management division.

Sarah is currently the President of the Washington State National Association of Rental Property Managers (NARPM). She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Rental Housing Association of Washington, was the President of the King County National Association of Rental Property Managers (NARPM) and served on NARPM’s National Strategic Planning Committee.

Sarah holds both her Residential Management Professional designation through National Association of Residential Property Managers and her Certified Apartment Manager designation through the National Apartment Association.

Ann grew up in Seattle and moved to the Kittitas Valley in 2000 to attend Central Washington University. In 2005 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Since arriving in Ellensburg she never left, making this community her home with no intention of being anywhere other than here. In 2007 she married her husband and moved onto their 8 acre piece of paradise in this valley and spend their free time with their daughter and animals. Ann loves to share her passion for the valley with others.

Ann started her Real Estate career in 2006 and entered the Property Management Industry in 2009. She joined Accolade Properties in 2010.

As the Ellensburg Branch Manager, Ann is the main contact for our Ellensburg clients. She strives to maintain harmony, improve productivity and provide professional service for those we serve.

Ann is also our lead Commercial Broker and is working towards her CCIM designation and is an active member of CBA. If you are looking for a place to locate your business in Ellensburg, check in with Ann. She stays abreast of the Ellensburg Commercial market and happenings and manages several commercial buildings in the Kittitas Valley.

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Rachel is the backbone of Accolade Property Management Group and is responsible for producing all of the financial reports for the company.

Rachel was raised in Chewelah, Wa and moved to Ellensburg after high school and attended Central Washington University. She received her Bachelors Degree in Recreation and Tourism in 2003. She has a background in customer service and completed the Disney World College Program and worked as a 4 Star Hotel Manager before joining the Accolade team as an on-site property manager. She quickly demonstrated a strong work ethic and a knack with numbers and was moved into the Accounting Department eventually becoming our Controller.

When she is not at the office, Rachel loves spending time with her husband and two children. She loves to travel and has a passion for community service. Currently she gives back to her community serving as the Treasurer of the Naches Valley PTSA.

Rachel's work team praises her for her attention to detail, undeniable zest for life, and wickedly fast wit. We are grateful for Rachel’s pride in making sure everything is “perfect” and her ability to make us laugh. We believe that once you have the privilege of working with Rachel, you will appreciate her communication and detailed reporting.

Nicole moved to Ellensburg in 2006 to attend Central Washington University and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Biology Minor. When she is away from the office she enjoys spending time on her farm with her critters. In the winter you can find her feeding her passion for skiing with as much time on the slopes as she can find.

Nicole’s role as a Property Manager is focused on tenant relations and operational organization.

Nicole is responsible for the majority of rental showings, applications and reservations. Throughout a tenant’s residency, Nicole is the point person for any roommate transitions, lease modifications and lease renewals.

Nicole also is the facilitator in organizing and implementing our office operations and ideas. She really helps us to make our dreams a reality by creating clear and effective processes.

In addition to being a Property Manager, she is also a Licensed Real Estate Broker representing both buyers and sellers!

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Liz is responsible for the maintenance and project management side of our company.

Liz was raised in Naches, WA and received her Bachelors of Science Degree from Central Washington University in 2007 with an emphasis in Communications. Liz has a very strong work history, and before joining Accolade worked in the nonprofit sector. Upon joining our team she quickly demonstrated her strong organizational abilities and excellent communication skills.

When she is not at the office, Liz loves spending time with her husband, family and friends. She enjoys traveling and has a passion for community service. She gives back to her church and community by volunteering as an Awana leader and serves on other various Children and Youth Programs in the Yakima area.

Liz's work team praises her for her strong work ethic, her organizational skills, her fabulous sense of humor, and her constant professionalism. We are grateful for Liz's caring heart and her ability to make us laugh. We believe that once you have the privilege of working with Liz, you will appreciate both her communication and customer service.

After spending six years at home raising her children, Kaity joined the Accolade team and the community association industry in 2016. Little did she know she would fall in love with this career, her clients and the communities she serves becoming our Senior Association Manager in 2018. In January of 2018 she also became licensed with the state of Washington as a Real Estate Broker and joined our Catalyss Sales Team in May of 2018.

Kaity and her husband Ben have three children. Ryker, Ashlynn and recently welcomed their newest addition, Emmalyn to join their crew in October of 2018. Kaity and Ben live just outside of Yakima in Moxee, WA "the hop capital of the world" as fourth generation owners of a local Hop farm.

Her commitment to her communities, the real estate industry, her passion for our beautiful valley, and her positive energy make her a great asset to our team.

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Kelsey has called the Yakima Valley home her entire life. With a passion for the Real Estate industry, she became a licensed Real Estate Broker in 2007. In an effort to expand her knowledge in Real Estate she joined Accolade Property Management in 2015 as the Property Coordinator, overseeing maintenance scheduling and vendor relations. In 2017 Kelsey joined Catalyss Homes as the Site Manager and Sales Lead. With her experience in both construction and real estate, Kelsey provides a multifaceted value to her clients throughout the entire construction process. She truly enjoys making Catalyss Homes' clients dream become reality.

Kelsey and her husband Josh have two boys, Landin and Logan. Currently they live in the town of Naches WA and love nothing more than watching their boys participate in sports, watching professional sports games as a family, the outdoors, and volunteering in their community.

Jennifer is responsible for Accounts Payable and Receivables. Jennifer was raised in Maple Valley, WA and received her AA Degree from Highline Community College in 1997. Jennifer has a history in Office Management, Customer Service Management, Real Estate, and is also a small business owner. Upon joining our team she quickly became a valued member and demonstrated her strong attention to details and helpfulness.

Jennifer is responsible for Accounts Payable and Receivables and Association Bookkeeping. When she is not at the office, Jennifer loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys being in the outdoors and loves to tend to her garden and home. She gives back to her community by volunteering at her daughter’s school and serving on the PTSA Board. Jennifer’s work team praises her for her positive attitude and her strong organizational skills. We are grateful for Jennifer’s knowledge, go getter attitude, caring heart, and her sense of humor. We believe that once you have the privilege of working with Jennifer, you will appreciate her sunny personality and eagerness to always help.

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Christie is our administrative super hero. She is responsible for processing the majority of new rental reservations, screening applications, roommate transitions and any other paperwork that needs to be done on the back end. She began working for Accolade shortly after moving to WA in 2009 and managed our multifamily properties. After moving to Oklahoma to help her husband through pilot training she rejoined our team in 2019. When not in the office, Christie is either working on her BFA in Photography, volunteering, exploring new places with her Belgian Malinois, Enzo or supporting her husband who serves in the United States Air Force as a CV-22 Osprey pilot.

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