2013 Board of Directors
Eddie Johnson, President
Phone: 214-389-3922
Email: ejohnson@watsontaylor.com
Eddie is Regional Manager for Watson & Taylor Management, Inc. Mr. Johnson joined the company in 2007 with 15 years of multi facility management. Mr. Johnson is responsible for the supervision and operations of 24 self storage property locations throughout the South and Southeast. He served on the NCSSA Board from 2009-2010, as President in 2010. He has also made presentations "Marketing on a Shoestring Budget: for self storage throughout North Carolina, along with seminars on North Carolina Lien Laws.
Melissa Roberts, Vice President
Phone: 423-949-7867
Email: melissa2911@gmail.com
Melissa has worked with the self-storage business as the Facilities Director for two facilities in Dunlap , Tennessee since June 2008. In April of 2009 she successfully completed the Self Storage Association Manager Certification Program through the SSA Online University and now holds the designation of Certified Self-Storage Manager.
She has volunteered on the TNSSA Board of Directors in various roles since 2009. She now serves as the 2013 Vice President. Melissa brings with her, experience in database and project management, web design and advertising. She is dedicated to working alongside the other board members to ensure the continued success of this association. She is willing to offer her time and efforts as needed to TNSSA to make sure that its members can continue to reap the benefits of the hard work and dedication of the previous board members and volunteers.
Melissa, along with her husband and son, have lived in Dunlap for 6 years and are very active with non-profit and community organizations in their area. She serves on various boards and committees and maintains an active relationship with the local Chamber of Commerce and small businesses throughout their town.
Anne Williams, Secretary
Phone: 901-620-3622
Email: awilliams@marcusmillichap.com
Anne has served the self-storage industry for eleven years and is frequently called upon to offer advice relevant to management, operations, market conditions, capital markets and economic trends affecting the self storage industry. Anne currently is a Real Estate Broker with Marcus & Millichap’s National Self Storage Group where she exclusively facilitates the acquisition and disposition of self-storage assets.
Prior to joining Marcus & Millichap in 2006, she was employed by Extra Space Storage/Storage USA (ESS) for six years where she directed the sales and operations of fifteen self-storage facilities with annualized gross potential income of over $9 million. Prior to her career at ESS, Anne sold residential real estate for six years in the Memphis, TN marketplace.
In 2007, she co-founded the Tennessee Self Storage Association where she has since served as Treasurer, Membership Chair, Vice-President and President. Also she is a member of the National Self Storage Association and the Alabama Self Storage Association. Anne Graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics & Finance.
When Anne's not working, she enjoys boating on the Tennessee River, running, biking and volunteering her time through the Junior League of Memphis and the Memphis Sail & Power Squadron.
Chris Novarese, Treasurer
Phone: 901-922-6044
Email: cnovarese@cubesmart.com
Chris was a founding board member of the tnssa in 2007 and has been in the self-storage industry since 1997 in a variety of operational rolls for the top reits in the industry. He was a District Manager with Storage USA from 1997 to 2002, Senior District Manager with Public Storage from 2003 to 2005, a divisional trainer with U-Store-It which operates 24 locations in the state of Tennessee and 495 nationwide where he would oversee the training and development of 235 locations and 12 district managers nationwide. He is now working a Cube Smart. Chris has experience in strategic planning, financial management, public speaking, organizational development and events planning.
Robert Craig, Assistant Treasurer
Phone: 615-299-751
Email: rcraig@aplustorage.com
Robert has BS Degree in Business Administration from SMU with a major concentration in Real Estate. He joined A+ Storage, Nashville, in October of 2007 where he is currently Senior Vice President of Operations. Robert was awarded 2009 ISS Humanitarian Service Award recipient his volunteer work with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – Nashville Affiliate and recipeint of the 2009 Best Storage Facility Award ( 911 Division St. ) by The Tennessean.
Robert feels that the Tennessee Self Storage Association is an integral part of the continued success at A+ Storage. The quarterly meetings have provided a venue to network with one another, and to stay current with the changes within the industry. He has found the programs provided at TNSSA meetings to be most informative and helpful for growing his business. He would like to contribute to seeing that the Association continues to move in this direction. In addition he looks forward to facilitating its growth of new members and their participation.
Joshua Lynn, Director & Website Committee Chair
Phone: 615-851-2500
Email: RG@StorPlaceSelfStorage.com
Josh has been employed with Freeman Management Group since 2003 and has been the Property Manager at four facility locations, currently in Madison, Tennessee. Josh not only manages this location but also has the responsibility to train MIT's to prepare them to become Property Managers at a StorPlace facility. He has been the recipient of awards for the highest occupancy for all the StorPlace facilities and Employee of the Month and is consistently recognized for scores in the high 90's on all of his core audits.
Josh and his wife Amber have three children and not only work in the Nashville area but are active members of the community. Josh was instrumental in the opening of the First Baptist Church in Santa Fe, Tennessee, where he is the Assistant Music Director for his church.
Dee Sharp, Director & Website Committee member
Phone: 865-560-8736
Email: dees@wkia.us
As a founding officer Dee has served as Secretary, Vice President and President positions for TNSSA as well as being a very vocal association spokesperson. She will continue to serve on the Board during 2013 on the Website Committee. As the Director of Self Storage & Investment Properties Programs for William Knight Insurance Inc., she is dedicated to providing insurance products that meet and/or exceed the self-storage industry standards and expectations. Her knowledge and expertise also includes a variety of commercial and personal insurance products.
A Tennessee native, Dee began her insurance career in 1990 and through hard work and perseverance established herself as one of the most dedicated and successful professionals in the insurance industry working throughout the South East. Dee’s area of specialty/expertise is in her knowledge of insurance products which are offered to accommodate the commercial insurance needs of building contractors, as well as insurance on commercial/residential investment properties. She is a former board member of the Loudon County Chamber of Commerce and has held a board position with The Insurors of Tennessee – Knoxville Chapter since 2006. Through that organization she has been instrumental in raising funds for different charities in the area.
Jennifer Howell, Director & Communications Committee Chair
Phone: 901-488-3407
Email: jennifer.howell@absolutemgmt.com
Prior to joining Absolute Storage Management in 2006, Jennifer spent several years in the apartment industry as a property manager where she had complete oversight of the day-to-day operations of the properties. Upon entering the self storage field at the entry level assistant manager position in 2006, Jennifer recognized the opportunities and decided to make this her career. ASM recognized Jennifer's worth as an employee and created positions for her advancement. Her current role with ASM is as a Regional Manager which began in early 2010. Jennifer is currently serving on the Mid-South Paralyzed Veterans Board of Fund Raising. Jennifer is a proud mother of three and is currently pursuing her degree in property management from Ashworth College.
Sherry Cole, Director & Legislative Committee Chair
Phone: 805-444-4267
Email: cole.s@vcnet.com
Sherry is an owner of Storage Plus, a family-owned-and-operated Class-A facility serving Murfreesboro and Smyrna. Elected to the TNSSA Board of Directors in November 2009, Sherry immediately agreed to chair the newly-formed Legislative Committee. Her goal is to have administrator 30-year-old TN lien law modernized in 2011.
Her private sector background included being a legal administrator and a personal injury para-legal. In the public sector, Sherry was an adminstrator for a public school district, with duties including legislative analysis, legal compliance, and local, state, and federal complaints. She was also the district's liaison to state and federal legislative bodies as well as the business community and general public. Sherry has a Master's in Public Administration for California State University, Northridge and has served in leadership positions on numerous boards and committees.
Betty McRee, Director & Membership Committee
Phone: 423-261-2910
Email: cokercreekstorage@yahoo.com
Betty and her husband moved to the state of Tennessee in 1998. The live in involved very small community of Coker Creek. In 2005 they began construction of their self-storage facility which is the only facility within 25 miles. In 2008, when the economy changed, Betty became more invloved with her business where she is there for the people in anticipation of the economy to rebound.
Betty is actively serving on the Board of Directors of Coker Creek Heritage Group as President. As a volunteer in a historical community where the Welcome Center and Community Post office are focal points, she is dedicated to the growth and success of her community. Betty is involved in Tennessee Tourism and gives 100% to all commitments that she makes and appreciates the opportunity to serve TNSSA with the same dedication.
David Woodard, Director
Phone: 615-451-0991
Email: dnwoodard@maplestreetproperties.com
A Tennessee native, David grew up in Gallatin, Tn., where he worked for Eaton Corp. as a Tool & Die Inspector, and later as the Maintenance and Tooling Manager for GAPCO, a window manufacturing facility in
Gallatin. After GAPCO closed operations in 1999, the building was converted to an Office, Retail, and Warehouse facility with David overseeing the construction and leasing. Secure Self Storage was built as part of that mixed use conversion of the property. David’s wife Sue is the Office Manager for the Storage Office. David was a member of the group that met and founded the TNSSA in Aug. 2007 and has remained on the Board of Directors since that time. He served as Secretary for 2009. David and Sue have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. David is a member and Deacon of Victory Missionary Baptist Church and also serves as treasurer. While being an active member of civic organizations in the community, he has served in past and present officer positions.
Beverly Delong, Director
Phone: 615-692-2638
Email: bev.delong@gmail.com
Beverly is the Director of Sum Effect Investments and SCM Management Company, a real estate investment group specializing in commercial real estate investments & operations. She has served as a board member of Real Estate Investors of Nashville since 2011 as chair of the membership committee, runs the Real Estate Investors Meetup group, serves on the Missions board at Christ Church Nashville, and is active in various community projects. Bev holds a Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in business management & accounting and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. In addition, she has earned various real estate certifications including the Self Storage Association's Certified Self-Storage Manager (CSSM) designation. She previously worked 30+ years at the University of Central career as an Associate Controller in Finance & Accounting.
Michael Abell,
Director Phone: 901-218-3356
Email: mabell@thestoragepros.com
Michael Abell is the Tennessee/Mississippi District Manager for Storage Pros Management LLC, overseeing 12 Storage Pros properties in the states of Tennessee and Mississippi. Michael began his carreer in storage in 2004, increasing his levels of responsibility along the way. He has worked with several national and regional self storage companies. He has also worked with TNSSA, serving as a board member in '09. Michael joined Storage Pros Management in August 2011.
Todd Levy, Supporting/Nonvoting Board Member
Phone: 770-624-1824
Email: tlevy@storsmartinsurance.com
Todd has served the self-storage industry for fifteen years and his expertise in the industry ranges from new business development, renovation, construction cost, and strategic marketing to self-storage operations. Todd is currently a Sales Director for StorSmart Insurance where he consistently helps storage owners maximize and stabilize facility revenues while at the same time reducing their risk with tenant insurance. He currently serves on the Board of the Tennessee Self Storage Association where he has held past positions as Event Planning Director, Vice President and President. Todd is also a Board Member of the Alabama Self Storage Association and was involved with co-founding the Latin America Self Storage Association. He served as Treasurer and was responsible for reviving “LASSA” by creating their by-laws, website, and structuring their Board of Directors.
Prior to joining StorSmart in 2011, Todd was a Partner with Storage Structures, Inc. and wore the hats of Sales Manager and Marketing Director while conducting business in the United States and Latin America. Prior to Storage Structures, he was a Regional Sales Director with Janus International covering the Southeast Region of the United States.
As a “Road Warrior”, Todd thoroughly enjoys the many new acquaintances and new business relationships he makes during his travels around the country. When he finds time away from his work atmosphere, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his lovely family. Todd’s other interest and enjoyments consist of swimming, weight lifting, fitness training, golf and fresh water fishing.
