Westminster Management honors its STARs

Real Estate Weekly, July 24, 2002

"It's great to be appreciated!" That was the overwhelming comment among employees of Westminster Management who were honored with STAR Awards at the company's First Annual Awards Banquet, held this spring in Atlantic City. The event recognized the achievements of 90 property management employees during the New Jersey Apartment Association's 13th Annual Multi-Family Housing Conference and Exhibition.

The acronym STAR stands for Special Talents and Achievement Recognition, according to Donna Keegan, director of training and coordinator of the new employee program, which honors property management staff members, including leasing, office and maintenance personnel, who demonstrate exceptional service, outstanding accomplishments or extraordinary efforts in job responsibilities. Nominations were made by Stewart Epstein, chief operating officer of Kushner Companies, and the property management staff. Winners received personalized plaques, trophies and lapel pins bearing the STAR logo. In his remarks to more than 150 staff members who attended the inaugural event, Epstein noted: "I am especially proud to work for a company that invests so significantly in its employees. The fact that these winners were selected by their colleagues makes the award even more meaningful."

As an affiliate of Kushner Companies of Florham Park, N.J., a rapidly growing diversified real estate services organization, Westminster manages 24,000 apartment units throughout the East Coast ranging from traditional garden apartment communities to luxury waterfront townhouses and urban high-rises. The division employs an active, hands-on management style, ensuring that property operations remain on track and responsive to residents' needs.

"Every time someone walks into one of our properties or calls for service on his/her Westminster-managed apartment, we have the opportunity to show concern for customer service and quality management," noted Epstein. "We are in a unique position to make a difference in someone's life and lifestyle -- a responsibility we take seriously."

A new, uniform look for Westminster managers and office personnel was introduced as well. A fashion show featuring employee models premiered the coordinated clothing line from New York-based consumer apparel manufacturer Hartmarx. "As part of our company's image campaign, we are providing this professional-looking wardrobe to on-site staff at all of our communities," Keegan noted.

The Hartmarx line, which was well received by those present at the banquet, features attractive coordinates, suits, dresses and slacks in comfortable, black and houndstooth check-patterned fabrics. Employees will receive an annual clothing allowance, as well as a catalog of wardrobe choices, and they may supplement the clothing with similar items from their personal wardrobe.