TAMI FRANKLIN, CPM - PRESIDENT

Ms. Franklin is a 22-year veteran of multi-family property management, overseeing 4,200-units throughout Texas, Colorado and Utah. Prior to joining Sequoia Real Estate Holdings, LP, she held a variety of positions in the multifamily property management field, working her way up through the ranks on-site to become District Manager and ultimately Regional Manager. Her on-site experience includes renovations, turnaround situations, lease-up of newly constructed properties, bond financed, and tax credit properties. This variety of property types has given her a depth and versatility that is unique among apartment property management professionals. She has held positions with companies such as Oxford, Capital Concepts, BNC Real Estate, and Emerald Property Mgmt. 

Ms. Franklin currently serves as Vice President for Sequoia Real Estate Holdings, L.P. and President for Sequoia Real Estate Management, L.P. 

Ms. Franklin brings extensive knowledge of computer hardware and software, having over 15 years experience with management software, she is accustomed to troubleshooting problems with both on-site and corporate computers. 

Ms. Franklin has taken numerous courses sponsored by the National Apartment Association and IREM, achieving the designations of Certified Property Manager (CPM) with IREM and Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) with the National Apartment Association, and has a Texas Real Estate License.

ELIZABETH FRANCISCO - REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Elizabeth Francisco began her property management career in 1994 as a leasing associate. Her proficiency in multi-family properties led her to Sequoia Real Estate Management where she currently works as Regional Director of all on-site management. She is responsible for the comprehensive operations of all Sequoia properties, including development, innovative target marketing, creative personnel management, revenue growth and expense control. In addition, Elizabeth is an integral part of the Sequoia Due Diligence team, working closely with investors and brokers at the onset of each new TIC offering.

Elizabeth has opened 7 new construction properties where she punched units and managed complete stabilization on behalf of the owners. Her strong management skills enabled her to reach the Economic Occupancy goals for each community within 12 months of opening. Most recently she opened Courtney Manor apartments (Plano, TX) in January 2005 and obtained a 98% occupancy rate in just under 9 months. Her team continued to exceed their NOI goals for a subsequent 11 months.

During her career, Elizabeth has managed over 3,500 total units. She has held management responsibilities and training positions with various high-profile, multifamily companies including REIT’s, LP’s and private owners. Not surprising, Elizabeth has received top achievement awards from her last four employers.

Elizabeth offers creative thinking and an out-of-the-box approach to business. Her unique perspective and in-the-trenches-experience lends itself to a natural leadership style; one that confidently represents what to expect and how to accomplish it, simply because she’s been there herself. She is the consummate cheerleader, delegator and professional with whom customers and fellow employees enjoy associating.

Elizabeth is grounded with a strong sense of dedication to each of her fellow associates’ success, evident from the low turnover rate among her respective, property team members. Amongst the Sequoia family, she is affectionately referred to as our own, “Energizer Bunny.” She just keeps going.

CHERI TRUJILLO - REGIONAL MARKETING & TRAINING DIRECTOR

Cheri Trujillo has been in the multi-family real estate industry for 15 years and is recognized as a National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP).

Starting as an entry-level leasing agent for apartment living, Cheri quickly learned how significant her affinity for customer service really was. Her reputation for tough love and fair-minded treatment blossomed as one who could handle “difficult” residents and turn around problem-properties. Her natural gifts led to a string of leasing successes and her skills unpretentiously led into District management. It is no surprise that Cheri fits comfortably into her current position as a Regional Marketing and Training Director for Sequoia Real Estate Management.

Cheri has worked in numerous states learning how to exploit just the right strengths in each of her apartment communities. It is not uncommon for her to raise rents and still maintain positive occupancies. In some properties, she has increased revenues as much as 120% with her comprehensive marketing strategies. One of Cheri’s more successful techniques was to create a shift in a property’s target market in order to substantiate an increase in market rents. In one case, she increased prospective resident traffic to at least 26 potential leases per week, resulting in a leasing capacity of 14 apartments in a single day.

Before working with Sequoia, the Apartment Investment Management Company (AIMCo) commissioned Cheri to travel across the country consulting on over 400,000 apartment units. From the Gulf in Galveston, Texas to the desert in North Phoenix, Arizona, Cheri specialized in cleaning up mismanaged communities that were having trouble with lower-income residents. She became personally vested as a legal authority, researched in local regulations and cognizant of management rights versus resident abuses. Her commitment of better living led to 82 evictions in a four month time period while simultaneously increasing occupancy rates and net operating income.

Mrs. Trujillo currently develops Sequoia Real Estate Management’s leasing materials and pre-trains on-site management staff. Her mantra is to always keep the Sequoia team on the same message, making customer service her number one priority. Cheri’s influence continues to improve the bottom line by improving leasing techniques and keeping systems personal. Her management style and teaching methods are professional yet folksy, thoughtful and always timely. A common response from anyone who works with Cheri is that they feel like they’ve always known her; that she draws out the very best of what they have to offer.