Innovation!

"We can believe that we know where the world should go. But unless we're in touch with our customers, our model of the world can diverge from reality. There is no substitute for innovation, of course, but innovation is no substitute for being in touch, either." Steve Ballmer

The Core Value we will focus on in the third quarter is the Core Value of Innovation in which we talk about anticipating and embracing change, being creative with new ideas and best practices, being willing to embrace change and overcoming obstacles to achieve our goals. I think the quote above on innovation by Steve Ballmer has some great advice for us to follow. While we have tried to be innovative with our project designs, social media efforts and application of best practices for property management and maintenance, it is so very important that we stay in touch with our customers' needs and desires and that we listen to what they are saying to us, as this feedback can be invaluable to us as we continue to be a leader in building quality apartment homes with outstanding service for our residents.

If we can continue to be innovatively minded while being sensitive to feedback from our customers, we should be able to use this powerful combination to maintain an edge on our competition! Let's use the third quarter to focus on and listen to what our customers have to say about their experience in a J.C. Hart community!

John Hart

Best Practices - Excellence Committee Update

Thank you to everyone who volunteered for the Excellence Committee. We had many great candidates who offered to be a part of this committee for one year, however the Executive Committee had the difficult task of choosing only one person per job category.

We are happy to announce the following people will be the committee members for 2010:
Ed Keown …………………….… Maintenance Supervisor
JaMarcus Fanning …………… Assistant Manager
Vicki Russell Webber ……….. Community Manager
Lauren Higgins ………………... Leasing Specialist
Tony Templin ………………….. Maintenance Technician
Johnny Hart ….………………… Construction
Rich Hamilton …………………. Staff Accountant
Kristen Hyden ………………… Director of Best Practices

Meetings will be held quarterly at the corporate office for approximately 3 hours, and lunch will be provided. Each member will be contacted with the date of the first meeting, which will be in January 2010. Members serve for one year and other Associates will have the opportunity to participate in following years.

We look forward to hearing all of your great ideas for continuing our success and improving J.C. Hart!