Posts by Sarah Chezbro

Not every career starts with a clear plan—and that’s exactly what makes Dani Brown’s story so powerful. In this episode of Unlocking Doors, Dani shares how her journey into the apartment industry didn’t follow a traditional path. After graduating college, she began in customer service for a cellular company. When layoffs shifted her career, she…

If you’ve never considered a career in the apartment industry, you’re not alone. Most people don’t grow up saying they want to work in multifamily housing. But for many, it turns out to be a path filled with growth, stability, and real opportunity.  In this episode of Unlocking Doors, we share the story of Coby Racine—someone…

Unlocking Doors is a podcast that shares real stories from people who have built successful careers in the apartment industry—often in ways they never expected. Each episode highlights how opportunity, hard work, and a willingness to learn can open doors to long-term, rewarding careers.  In this episode, we hear from Danny Perea, Chief Operating Officer at…

If you’ve ever worked in retail or customer service and wondered, “Is there more than this?”—this story is for you.  In this episode of Unlocking Doors, we meet Makenna Caffey, a community manager in the apartment industry who began her career as a cashier at Buc-ee’s while attending college.  She didn’t grow up dreaming of managing…

Not everyone plans to build a career in the rental housing industry. For Derek DeVries, the journey started in a classroom.  After graduating from Northern Illinois University, Derek moved to Texas and spent 15 years as an educator and coach, teaching world history and leading athletic programs. He loved mentoring students and building teams, but…

Unlocking Doors is a podcast that shares real stories from people who have built successful careers in the apartment industry—often in ways they never expected. Each episode highlights how different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets can lead to meaningful opportunities and long-term careers.  In this episode, we hear from Mike Rust, Vice President and partner at…

The Texas rental housing industry is filled with opportunity—but for many people, those opportunities are hidden in plain sight. That’s where Unlocking Doors comes in. This new podcast from the Texas Apartment Association Education Foundation (TAAEF) highlights the people, stories, and career journeys that define the multifamily industry across Texas, showing just how many paths lead to…