AANC President's Letter | March 2026
Dear AANC Members,
This year marks a special milestone for the Apartment Association of North Carolina as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary. For four decades, AANC has brought rental housing professionals together across our state to learn, lead, and advocate for our industry.
We kicked off this anniversary year with a strong Board of Directors meeting in Fayetteville on January 21st — a great reminder of how engaged and invested our leadership truly is.
I’m also thrilled to welcome our newly appointed board members who have joined us in advancing AANC’s mission. Their diverse backgrounds and depth of experience strengthen our leadership and position us well for the year ahead:
- WAA Representative: April Girard, Drucker + Falk
- GCAA Representative: Mary Beth Woodard, Highmark Residential
- State Suppliers Council Chair: Bill Clements, Redi Carpet
I am incredibly grateful for our new board members and the continued dedication and support of returning board members, committee leaders, members, volunteers, and our exceptional staff. Thank you for the time, leadership, and heart you invest in AANC.
One of AANC’s biggest highlights this year (and a personal favorite of mine), is the 2026 AANC CONNECTed Conference in Raleigh. CONNECTed continues to be the premier event for education, advocacy, and networking in our industry. And this year, we’re adding something exciting and new.
On Wednesday, May 13, AANC will host our inaugural Rental Housing Developer Day. This targeted experience is built specifically for developers, project managers, and development leaders. Focused sessions will bring together code officials and utility partners for real conversations about the issues shaping rental housing in North Carolina. Registration is available for the Developer Day as a standalone event or as an add-on to the full CONNECTed Conference. Space is limited, so I encourage you to take a look at the schedule and register today.
I look forward to celebrating 40 years of AANC with you — and to seeing you in Raleigh this May!
Gratefully,
Karen Perkins
Willow Bridge Property Company
AANC President