GBAA Committees

2023 Committee Chairs

Member participation is vital to the growth of our industry. GBAA committees are the perfect venue to meet with your colleagues and help lead the organization. You can help contribute to our association's objectives as well add to your professional experience by volunteering to serve on a committee.

To apply for a committee volunteer role,
please complete the Committee Sign-up form.

Committee members are the foundation of GBAA. Committee members must pledge their time and effort to ensuring goals are achieved. As a GBAA Committee Member we ask the following:

  • Actively participate in ensuring that the goals for the committee are achieved.
  • That you work with the Committee Chair and other committee members to fulfill the responsibilities as outlined and defined.  
  • That you attend committee meetings, and communicate when you cannot (two absences with no call/email/general communication can result in being removed from the committee).
  • Include Association Executive or GBAA staff liaison in all committee communications.
  • Encourage other members to participate in GBAA social events, education classes, dinners, mixers and special legislative events.

Education Committee

Education for apartment industry professionals is one of the primary initiatives of the GBAA. This committee is responsible for planning and promoting educational seminars and workshops that are instrumental in the success of industry professionals throughout Birmingham. It is this group’s responsibility to determine all in-person education classes for the year, as well as research speakers for the annual Education Conference. The committee maintains the progress of the year's class schedule, as well as work on education initiatives from the strategic plan.
Katey Martin
Katey Martin
Director of Sales Belfor Property Restoration (205)842-0975
Education Chair
Reagan Jager
Reagan Jager
Vice President - Multifamily Specialist USI Insurance Services (205)447-4603
Education Vice Chair/ Board Liaison

Golf Committee

The Golf Classic Committee is responsible for organizing the Association's annual golf tournament, which is our largest GBAA fundraiser.
Mary Ford
Mary Ford
CAM Property Manager Turtle Lake (205)991-3719
Golf Chair/Board Liaison
Brian Tucker
Brian Tucker
CPM Nissi Management (205)777-1543
Golf Vice Chair

Governmental Affairs Committee

The Legislative Committee monitors legislative activity locally, and evaluates GBAA's position on state legislative initiatives. The Legislative Committee helps to promote the association’s legislative/government matters events. They work with association staff to raise awareness of the state and national Political Action Campaigns (PAC), and determine effective fundraising opportunities. The Legislative Committee is encouraged to work with staff on any initiatives as defined in the strategic plan.
Julie Elkins
Julie Elkins
Executive Director GBAA (205)545-7695
Governmental Affairs/Legislation Chair
Brian Cloud
Brian Cloud
Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC (205)322-6060
Governmental Affairs / Legislation Chair

Maintenance Appreciation Committee

The Maintenance Mania Committee is in charge of the maintenance mania competition that takes place annually. They sign up contestants, solicit sponsorships and coordinate the set up and break down of the event.
Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith
CAS, NALP, CAM Renovation Sales Coordinator HD Supply (205)577-3198
Maintenance Appreciation Chair
Andrea Evans
Andrea Evans
Operations Manager Professional Building Services
Maintenance Appreciation Vice Chair
Chris Talbird
Chris Talbird
Project Manager Ready Fitness
Maintenance Appreciation Board Liaison

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee, with support from GBAA staff, focuses on membership recruitment and retention strategies. This group evaluates internal and external marketing materials, reviews membership benefits, and leads any membership drives/campaigns. The Business Partner Networking Group works together to build relationships and generate leads and referrals. Both groups are ambassador advocates and work together on initiatives as outlined in the strategic plan.
Kristi Schwartz
Kristi Schwartz
CAPS, CPO Regional Director Rangewater Real Estate
Membership Committee Chair/ Board Liaison
Justin Brown
Justin Brown
Regional Manager Arlington Properties (205)907-6339
Membership Committee Vice Chair

Magic City Awards Committee

The Networking/Social Committee leads the way in the GBAA Magic City Awards. This group is responsible for planning and evaluating the awards throughout the year.
Latoya Duncan
Riverhouse (205)884-4400
MCA Vice Chair
Hope Watwood
Hope Watwood
Regional Manager Sealy Management Company
MCA Board Liaison

NEXTGEN Committee

The NextGen Committee engages future leaders of the apartment industry through peer networking, education, and association involvement. Open to all GBAA members working within the rental housing industry and are new to or would like to learn more about the multifamily industry. The NextGen Committee will also provide mentoring for new members including Coffee & Connections and Wine/Wind Down Wednesday.
Jessica Forbus
H2 Real Estate (205)977-7767
NEXTGEN Chair
Amanda Lynch
Amanda Lynch
Park 35 on Clairmont
NEXTGEN Chair
Zach Garove
Grow V Landscapes
NEXTGEN Chair
Rebecca Watson
Stoneriver Property Management (205)313-4823
NEXTGEN- Social Media Coordinator
Josette Vance
Josette Vance
Property Manager Asset Living (205)471-5315
NEXTGEN- Prize Coordinator
Chelsey McCollum
The Halston (931)922-8480
NEXTGEN-Volunteer Coordinator

Philanthropy & Volunteer Committee

This committee assists with the GBAA philanthropic efforts, which include but are not limited to:
- GBAA Gives Back Volunteer Days with local charities
- And events with community partner organizations

The Philanthropy Committee focuses on fundraising in order to help the GBAA's Charity Partners reach more people in need. It also provides hands-on experiences through volunteering time and giving assistance to those in the local community with a goal of bettering their lives. If you want a great experience networking with those in the industry who have a shared passion for helping others, then this is the committee for you!
Tori Baxley
Tori Baxley
Area Supervisor Stoneriver Property Management (205)490-4901
Philanthropy Chair
Mariah Toohey
Mariah Toohey
Assistant Community Manager Arlington Properties (205)328-9600
Philanthropy Vice Chair
Katelyn Utsey
Katelyn Utsey
CAM Vice President Residential Operations H2 Real Estate
Philanthrophy Board Liaison

Reverse Trade Show Committee

Our Reverse Trade Show is an annual networking event with a twist. The GBAA turns the tables and gives the Service Suppliers the opportunity to market their services and products directly to the management company decision makers! The Reverse Trade Show Committee is responsible for planning the entire event, recruiting management companies to participate and signing up suppliers to attend.
Laura Snyder
Assistant Manager Valora @ Homewood (205)306-8031
Reverse Trade Show Committee Chair
Danielle Davis
InterSolutions Staffing (659)202-6500
Reverse Trade Show Committee
Tareka Cameron Tomlin
Community Director Advenir at Station 121 (205)773-3100
Reverse Trade Show Committee

AAA Trade Show Committee

The GBAA Trade Show Committee is unique, as Birmingham is the location of the Alabama Apartment Association Education Conference and Expo. They will work hand in hand with other affiliates to ensure it is the most successful event not only for GBAA, but for AAA. Committee members advise and recommend improvements to the annual Education Conference and Expo held annually in September. They also aid in selecting a theme for the show, marketing to attendees, assist in booth sales, and find the best Speakers and Teachers.
Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith
CAS, NALP, CAM Renovation Sales Coordinator HD Supply (205)577-3198
Chair
Michelle Childers
Michelle Childers
Chadwell Supply (205)913-2728
Vice Chair