Anthony J. Barker, Sr.

 

Mr. Barker, a Michigan real estate broker, has been active in the property management industry for more than 25 years.   His experience includes management of all types of  housing including affordable, student and market rate apartments.   This experience includes for-profit and non-profit management and encompasses extensive work with boards of directors and private owners.

 

Most recently Mr. Barker worked for 10 years at Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, a Michigan non-profit, where he started as Director of Construction and a Regional Property Manager.  He went on to become Regional Vice President, Vice President of Facilities Advancement (Real Estate Development) and most recently was promoted to Senior Vice President of Facilities Advancement.  While at Presbyterian Villages Mr. Barker worked in areas of property management, as a trouble shooter on difficult properties and was the chief person for new multifamily development.

 

Mr. Barker’s property management experience started at Kent State University where he worked in student housing for three years before coming to Michigan to work for the University of Michigan.  He later worked for more than 10 years at Wayne State University and he also worked for Lansing Management in the late 1990’s.

 

Mr. Barker is a Certified Property Manager (CPM)^, and a Real Property Administrator (RPA).  He is an active member of Institute of Real Estate Management ( IREM), serving on committees with IREM National and Michigan Chapter Number 5, where he served as president in 2000 and 2001.  Mr. Barker is active with the National Apartment Association ( NAA) and is a faculty member of their Education Institute and serves as treasurer for the Detroit Metropolitan Apartment Association (DMAA).  He is also on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Housing Council (MHC).

 

Mr. Barker was elected four times to the Ann Arbor Board of Education and served three years as President. He was the recipient of the 2006 Most Able Award, by Operation Able Detroit.  The Detroit City Council honored him with the Spirit of Detroit Award in 2005.  

 

Mr. Barker holds a Bachelor and Master of Education from Kent State University where he served as a faculty member.

 

The Associated Management Company

The Associated Management Company, a licensed Real Estate Broker, is a Michigan Corporation providing property management and marketing services for properties affiliated with Dennis J. Varian and his partners.  In addition, The Associated Management Company does a limited amount of fee management for others.  Mr. Varian is the sole owner of Associated.   Associated is also the developer of many of these properties and continues to develop new rental congregate properties for senior citizens as well as affordable rental housing for families.

Associated and its affiliated companies presently manage approximately 2,900 apartments units in Michigan.  The company, through an affiliate, has been managing apartment communities since 1973.  It commenced managing MSHDA financed communities with Westgate Tower in 1974.

The property management operations are under the direct supervision of the President, Dennis J. Varian.   

A property executive and his or her team oversee the operation of a group of similar properties under the direction of the President.  On-site management personnel report to the respective property executive.  Each property executive is assigned one or more assistant property executives and management assistants.

Associated and its affiliates employ approximately 150 multifamily specialists including seven property executives: Catherine M. Murphy, Executive Vice President, has been with the group for more than 30 years and has served as a leasing agent, community manager and property executive.  Clio Addington Hanks, Senior Vice President and Associate Broker, has been with the group for more than 24 years and has served as a leasing agent, assistant manager, marketing coordinator, equal opportunity officer and property executive.  Kathleen A. Grabowski, Senior Vice President, has been with the group for 20 years and has served as a leasing agent, community manager, management assistant and property executive.  Heidi L. Hunsicker, Vice President, started her career here in 1986 and has served as leasing agent, marketing coordinator, administrator and property executive.   Cheryl Waddle, Mary Durham Hayes, Rita Stephens, Jennifer Harley, Jane Reynolds and Claudia Anderson serve as property executives with numerous years of property management experience.

The Associated Management Company specializes in development and management of affordable rental housing and retirement communities throughout the state of Michigan.  The Associated Management Company also provides market rate rental housing.  The company is committed to providing attractive and comfortable housing at an affordable level.  This is achieved by utilizing mortgage financing under various Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) programs, as well as conventionally financed communities designed to take advantage of the Federal Low Income Tax Credit Program.  The Associated Management Company also manages developments with Section 8 and Section 236 rent supplements from HUD and with financing from MSHDA.

The group carries out an intensive training program for staff at all levels.  Participation in the programs of the Institute of Real Estate Management, National Apartment Association and other professional associations is encouraged.  Both central office and site personnel regularly attend training seminars conducted by outside professionals covering HUD, LIHTC, and MSHDA occupancy requirements, equal opportunity, management, marketing, leasing and maintenance techniques among others.

Associated Management and its affiliates are recognized as having special expertise in the management of Retirement Communities which offer optional congregate services, including dining.  Currently, Associated manages eight Retirement Communities with a total of 1,052 apartments.  Overall, Associated has been involved in the development of eleven Retirement Communities in Michigan, having 1,475 apartments.  It is also recognized for its management of other specialized developments including those having LIHTC, HODAG, Section 8, Section 236 and other HUD assistance.

An Equal Opportunity Officer assists in compliance with all equal opportunity statutes, procedures and company goals.  In 1999 the company was one of the four recipients, and the first company, to receive the Fair Housing Leadership Award presented by the Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit.

The Great Lakes Capital Fund recognized The Associated Management Company with the 2003 Peterson Award as For-Profit Developer of the year.  In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 our retirement communities, Rosehaven Manor, Grandhaven Manor, Swanhaven Manor, Oakhaven Manor and Grandhaven Manor respectively, received the GLAStar award for Best Overall Senior STAR Community awarded by the Property Management Association of Michigan.  In 2008 Reuben Daniels was awarded the GLAStar Award for Best Overall Star Community under 100 units.  The Michigan Housing Trust Fund recognized Dennis Varian with the Affordable Housing Warrior award in 2001.   The Detroit Metropolitan Apartment Association (DMAA) honored The Associated Management Company with the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 PRISM Award for Trailblazer in Education.  Westhaven Manor was honored by the DMAA and PMAM in 2006 as Property of the Year.  Porthaven Manor was honored by the DMAA in 2007 as Property of the Year and Oakhaven Manor was honored by the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association as the 2007 Best Overall Star Community.   

The Associated Management Company is a member of the Property Apartment Association of Michigan of which Ms. Hanks is President, the Midwest Affordable Housing Management Association, the National Affordable Housing Association, Property Management Association of West Michigan, Property Management Association of Mid-Michigan, Washtenaw Area Apartment Association, Northern Michigan Property Management Association of which Ms. Harley is President, Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Metropolitan Apartment Association of which Ms. Hanks is President, and the Michigan Housing Council of which Mr. Varian is Past Chairperson and Past President.