Breaking Bread with Will: Angela D'Angelo Edition

Breaking Bread with Will 5th Edition

Name                 Angela D’Angelo

Title                    Managing Director Conventional Owned Assets

Company            Greystar (Newport Beach, Ca)

Angela,

First off before we go any further with my silly interview questions – Let me take a moment to say a huge congratulations for a well-deserved promotion to “Managing Director” with Greystar earlier this year.  I remembered when I heard the news, I smiled from ear to ear and I wasn’t even the one getting promoted.  I know there were plenty of others that felt the same hearing the news and that are proud to be under your guidance and leadership.   Thank you so much!  I am truly honored to do what I do and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my amazing team!

Lets jump right in now.

What was your first job you had as a youth?   Ok, I am going to date myself.  First job was at MacFrugals, later known as Big Lots.  I started stocking shelves and became a cashier. 

What/Who led you or got you into this industry/how many years ago was that? My mom and dad were both in the industry.   I started leasing apartments about 25 years ago.

Do you remember the first place you worked in this industry? (Company, building, site)? Do any of those coworkers from your first site still work in the industry today, any on your current team? I do remember the first company and the first property.  I worked with Insignia and the property was called Sands Pointe in Phoenix.  Funny story – the first manager I ever worked for was Brandon Rich.  He and I now both work for Greystar.  That was a fun reunion!

Coffee, Tea or are you a water person? I won’t judge, I promise. Coffee, 1 cup in the morning. Water all; day long.  Then wine at dinner.

In your current role – what areas to you oversee? I oversee all the conventional owned assets in the west, both investments and new developments.  CA, AZ, WA, OR, NV

This is a tricky one and makes me hungry, Cane’s, Chika-Fil-A or In-N-Out Burger and what are you ordering? If none of the above, what is your go to cheat day? I am not a fast food girl, but I would pick In-N-Out if I had to choose.

If you had to pick 3 people in the industry (or outside of it), who would you say has a big part of molding you, cheerleader, inspiration, mentor? If you need to name more than 3, I’m not going to get in your way.  This is tough because I have had so many people along the way that have influenced me.  The first person I looked up to in this business was Jodi Bart of MEB Management.  She really showed me the basics and taught me how to lead at a such young age. Most recently, someone who I have tremendous respect for, who was not only a mentor but has become a friend is Deanna OBrien.  From her, I was reminded how to lead with genuine kindness.  She used to always say “People will never forget how you made them feel.”  Deanna is the best!  And, last but not least, my husband.  Not only is he my biggest cheerleader but he has taught me to love better than anyone I’ve ever known. 

My Follow up question to that being in the role you are in “Managing Director” – what would you want your leadership under you (Director or Regional) to hopefully say if I was asking them about you – What do you hope or have hoped to pass onto them that they will carry to their Regionals, Managers or onsite teams? I would hope they would say I am firm but fair, supportive, kind, and really stress the importance of work life harmony.  We are all better team members when we have our own non-work time, whatever that looks like for each individual.  We all work hard, and work will always be here.

What is a saying or quote that you say to yourself or to others most often? Has it stuck with you over the years or new? I feel like for me I’m always telling others to “be kind, just to be kind” or “Don’t burn a bridge”. One I use a lot is “Say yes often”.  If you are being invited to do new things at work, say “yes”.  If you need to set a boundary say “yes, and” or yes, but”.  Most of the time, there is a way to make something happen. 

What program or Vendor App has made your job better/easier in the last year or so? My on-site teams love Snappt.  They say it has helped them quite a bit with qualifying new applicants. 

Favorite Birthday Meal/plate and why? This is a tough one – I would say I love a good steak and great glass of full bodied, red wine. 

If you were to be in a completely different industry tomorrow – where would I be running into you at? Honestly, I don’t think I would change industries.  I truly love what I do.  Everyday is different, I am constantly learning, and I get to be around the best people. 

What time on average do you start opening your laptop/cell phone for work emails? Do you have any rules set in place that you follow with work/life balance? I get up most days at 5:30 to go to the gym and I check my phone first.  Once I see there are no fire drills, I go to the gym, get my youngest to school, and start work.  Typically, around 7:30-8:00

In your eyes – what makes the difference between a good boss and a bad boss? Without saying a name, do you remember a bad boss you had? What made them bad or not beneficial to growth. Same question for good, what sets them apart for you? There are no bad bosses that come to mind right off.  I would say trust and autonomy are most important to me.  As long as my boss is good with that, we will be just fine.  There is something to be learned from every boss I’ve ever had. 

I’ve learned to not focus on the word “weakness”, but what do you feel personally you have most improved on recently or in the last few years – personal or work?  I have learned to let things go and recover faster.  That applies to both work and my relationships.  Let things go that really aren’t important.  Living with a 13 year Marine who did 2 combat tours, I’ve learned if it’s not life or death, it’s probably not that important. 

What do you feel is your strongest strength?  I am not a fan of talking about myself, so this whole thing is tough, but this is probably the toughest.  I guess right now I would say it is my ability to push through problems and find a solution that works for all.  That isn’t always easy, and I feel like I do it pretty well with all the different personalities I get to work with. 

What keeps you motivated in life? My family.  I take parenting seriously and I know that everything I do is a lesson for my children.  I strive to be a good example but also recognize, even when I make mistakes those are lessons for them also. 

What was your escape/last vacation or your next one coming up?  Last one was a 7 day cruise to celebrate my son, and best friend’s daughter’s graduation.  Next one – husband and I are going to Italy to celebrate 10 years married!

Are you involved with any industry-related groups? If so, would you recommend the association and why for someone thinking about joining? Pre-Covid I was involved in the CAA.  Post- Covid, I am pretty bad about going to industry functions.  I always love when I go, but I have 4 teenagers who keep me very busy!

I have loved watching your growth and advancement in our Industry since I first met you at Greystar, what are you most proud of in your career so far?  I would say something I have really enjoyed is helping build the structure around how we, at Greystar, manage the operations of our owned assets.  When I started with Greystar 10 years ago, owned assets, as a separate operation, was just a thought.  Now it is a big part of Greystar and we have a great culture within the excellent culture that is Greystar!

Where will you be in five years? Hopefully still at Greystar, cheering on my teenagers as they have all become adults!

Lets take it another level…Is there something you want to accomplish or be remembered by when the times comes and when you say good bye to this beautiful industry we call home? I would want to be remembered as supportive of my team, and a solid operator who thinks like an owner and gets things done.

Are you a cat or dog person, what are the breed and names of your pets?   Cats, all day! I have 2 – Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders (yes, we are Detroit Lions fans, even before they were good)

What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn (in or out of industry)? What is stopping you from learning it? I always wanted to learn to play the piano, lack of time to really dedicate to it is what has stopped me.  I don’t do things half-way, if I can’t jump in with both feet – I’ll wait until I can. 

Where is the most beautiful place you have ever seen in person? What is a place you want to see that you have been dreaming about? Some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen was in Bali.  Rafting there was beautiful.  I have always wanted to go to Italy.  I am excited to go next month.

This is to help other vendors that might not work with Owned Assets today – what would you say is the best way to get in front of/shine/ or be recognized as a possible future vendor in any category? I would say, build relationships.  Many of the vendor partners I have worked with, I’ve known for a very long time.  I truly believe Vendors are our partners and that partnership is not to be taken lightly, over a few dollars or one mistake.  Be patient.  We are all so busy and at times if we don’t respond it isn’t to be rude, sometimes we truly are just busy.  Know that I will always be honest with my vendor partners, and I hope to have that same honesty in return. 

I’m a people watcher, I appreciate watching people from across the room or even at their table, how they interact and engage but even more importantly how people look at them when they are talking or when they enter a room.  I would say from observing you lead and grow, I have loved watching the attention and well deserved respect in your teams eyes as they listen to what you have to say and the guidance you give.  I know you know, you are very lucky to have the many leaders from your directors to your onsite teams, but they are also lucky to have you!