Q1 2026 HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS

 

 

In The News: We Made The List at Columbus Business First!

Homestead Companies has once again been recognized by Columbus Business First as the 11th Largest Residential Property Management Company in Central Ohio.  

We’re also proud to share that we’ve moved up the list, now ranking as the 22nd Largest Commercial Property Management Company in Central Ohio! 

Thank you to our incredible team and partners who continue to support our growth. We’re excited to keep building momentum and making an even greater impact throughout the region.  

 

 

Women in Construction

As we reflect on the first quarter of the year, we’re proud to recognize Women in Construction Week, celebrated in March, and the incredible women who help drive our success every day. During that week, we highlighted the talented leaders at Homestead whose expertise, dedication, and leadership help move our projects forward from planning to completion. 

Among those we celebrated were Kayla England, Senior Accountant; Karin Moore, Preconstruction Manager; Anne Smith, Controller; and Tamara Keller, Superintendent. From financial oversight and early project planning to guiding work through the final stages of construction, each plays an important role in bringing our communities to life.  

From the office to the field, these women help shape the future of construction through their skill, leadership, and passion for the work they do. We’re grateful for the impact they make every day and proud to recognize their contributions! 

 

 

Carriage Park is Now Leasing!

We’re excited to announce that leasing has officially launched at Carriage Park, and our marketing and advertising campaigns are now live! This milestone marks the next step in bringing our upscale, thoughtfully designed community to life. With modern amenities, spacious floor plans, and a tranquil location near Carriage Hill MetroPark, Carriage Park Apartments offers residents a place to call home while enjoying all the conveniences they need. Through our campaigns and VIP tours, we’re giving prospective residents a first look at the tailored lifestyle Carriage Park has to offer.  

Click here to visit our website and explore our interactive floor plan tours!

 

 

Celebrating Rae McKenney's Retirement 

After almost 19 years at Homestead Companies, Rae is heading into a well-earned retirement. 

Members of the Homestead team gathered to celebrate her with catered food, cake, and heartfelt appreciation for the many contributions she’s made over the years – most notably during her time as Community Manager at Olde Towne Apartments. 

As one of the original team members, Rae often reflected on the pride she felt watching the company grow and the lasting connections built along the way. Her belief in the value of hard work and dedication has left a meaningful mark on both the team and the community. 

Rae, congratulations on your retirement. Your impact will be felt for years to come! 

 

 

The Blueprint: Insights on Construction

Find the latest updates for each of our current projects from John Brinich, President of Homestead Construction, below!

Kingsley Park – Canal Winchester, Ohio

Kingsley Park has now been officially turned over to Operations. Homestead Construction is scheduled to conduct the final walkthrough next week to ensure everything meets requirements. Following that, they will wrap up the remaining minor landscaping work, which is anticipated to be completed in April, putting the finishing touches on the site. 

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livekingsleypark

 

Carriage Park – Huber Heights, Ohio

We are excited to announce that the Clubhouse is on track to open in just a couple weeks. After receiving TCO (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy), installation of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) has begun, turning the Clubhouse design vision into reality. The first building is slated to welcome its very first tenants on May 25th, marking the next exciting milestone in the community’s development. 

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livecarriagepark

 

The Retreat at Marysville – Marysville, Ohio

The Retreat at Marysville is officially open and now welcoming residents. Homestead Construction is putting the finishing touches on the pool, with plans to have it fully operational and ready for enjoyment by late April.  

 

Britton Park – Hilliard, Ohio

After a long, cold winter, construction is finally gaining momentum. Framing on the Clubhouse is underway and is expected to be under roof within the next two weeks. Site work is nearly complete, with 90% finished, and the first building slab is scheduled to be poured in just two weeks, with the remaining slabs to follow. 

 

 

Q1 Impact Award Winner: Tamara Keller

Please join us in congratulating Tamara Keller, Superintendent for Homestead Construction, for winning our company-wide Quarter 1 Impact Award!⁠ 

The Impact Award is a new, enhanced way to honor the incredible work happening across our teams. As we evolve and build onto the legacy of the Champ Chain, the heart behind the recognition remains the same: celebrating team members who go above and beyond their daily responsibilities to create an exceptional resident experience and strengthen our culture. The Impact Award recognizes those who make a meaningful difference in our communities by living our values and inspiring those around them. 

These are the individuals who truly make an impact by choosing to: Say It, Support It, Grow It, Own It, and Do the Right Thing.

Tamara is someone who embodies these values – Take a look at what her co-workers had to say about her: ⁠ 

  • Tamara has been responsible for punchout and turnover of units at Kingsley. She has done an excellent job and has been turning over great looking units. Tamara takes pride in her work and goes above and beyond to give the leasing team good units. She is a team player and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment, Tamara! Your continuous hard work, dedication, and commitment to the company does not go unnoticed, and we are lucky to have you as a member of our team! 

 

 

Employee Spotlight: Tammy Lusk 

Job Title: Assistant Manager 

Community: University Village 

How long have you been with the company? June 2nd will be my 29th anniversary working at UV! 

What were you doing before Homestead? I was the Property Accountant at a large apartment community in Memphis, TN before moving to Ohio. I was with this company for 5 years. 

What do you enjoy most about your role? Every day brings a new challenge, which I truly enjoy. I love meeting new people, helping residents, and I even appreciate the paperwork. I'm also fortunate to work with a great team! 

What's your favorite or proudest Homestead memory? When the Resident Life Center was built and our offices moved into it 10 years ago, it marked an exciting time that completely transformed the quality of our workday. In addition, I was honored to be the Champ Chain Winner in 2020 and to receive the Best Delinquency Management award in 2022. 

What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received? When dealing with an upset resident who is taking their frustration out on you, don't take it personally. Stay calm and do your best to help them resolve their concerns. I love the saying, teamwork makes the dream work! 

What’s something people at work might not know about you? Many years ago, I was a hairstylist and also owned a fast food restaurant in a mall. 

Where are you originally from? Wichita, KS 

What is your dream vacation? A trip to Greece is on my bucket list that I'm looking forward to in the future! 

What’s a favorite family tradition? Family working together to prepare a meal, enjoying quality time with everyone and playing with my grandsons, these are the moments I cherish most. 

What is one thing you can't live without? Coffee! 

 

 

Moving on Up!

Wow – What a quarter! We're pleased to announce the following well-deserved promotions. Your commitment to excellence and consistent achievements have set a strong example for others. We're excited to see your continued success in your new role – congrats!

Todd Westover Homestead Construction – Promoted to Project Manager 

Tyler Barton Homestead Construction – Promoted to Senior Project Manager 

Jason Schultz Homestead Construction – Promoted to Superintendent 

Chad Plowman Homestead Construction – Promoted to General Superintendent 

Aaron Stormes Lusso – Promoted to Community Manager 

Marissa Boon Homestead Village Fort Wayne – Promoted to Community Manager 

Jennifer Spaulding Olde Towne – Promoted to Community Manager 

 

 

Notable Anniversaries

January

Tanya Brand Homestead Village Blaclick – 15 Years 

Jason George Hollands Home Office – 9 Years 

Qiletha Caston Home Office – 8 Years 

Doug Falor Home Office – 6 Years 

Todd Jessup University Village – 5 Years 

Larry King River Park – 3 Years 

Jackie Radi Orchard Grove – 3 Years  

February

Greg Burchwell Homestead Village Grove City – 18 Years 

Jason Ellis University Village – 1 Year 

Shane Sallee University Village – 1 Year  

March

Jim Vest Village West – 8 Years 

Jennifer Spaulding Olde Towne – 6 Years 

Lorrie Bitner Home Office – 5 Years 

Savannah Matthews University Village – 4 Years 

Mindy Henson Home Office – 4 Years 

Tyler Barton Home Office – 3 Years 

Anisah Cousins Georgetown – 1 Year 

Amy Gottschalk University Village – 1 Year 

Matthew Loeser University Village – 1 Year 

Stacy Mansfield Hayden Park – 1 Year 

Aaron Stormes Lusso – 1 Year 

Olivia Arthur Lusso – 1 Year 

Samantha Williamson Signature – 1 Year  

 

 

We’re Hiring!

Dear Homesteader,  

As a valued team member, we believe you have a network of talented professionals who could make great additions to our organization. That's why we're excited to announce our employee referral program, which rewards you for referring top talent to our company. 

For every candidate you refer who is hired and successfully completes their 90-day probationary period, you will receive a referral bonus of $250. Not only will you be rewarded for helping us find great people, but you'll also be helping to grow our company and expand our network of talented professionals. 

To refer a candidate, direct them to our job postings on our website and ensure they include your name in their application. If the candidate is hired and completes their probationary period, we'll make sure to send your reward to you promptly. 

Please remember that we're looking for talented professionals who fit our company culture and values well. We're interested in individuals who are passionate about what they do, take the initiative, and are committed to continuous learning and growth. 

Thank you for your commitment to our company and for helping us build a talented and engaged team. We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your referrals. 

 
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2025: A Year of Celebration