Career Spotlight: Tina Baker

Name: Tina Baker Company: Costar Group/Apartments.com Title: Sales Associate, Spartanburg/Asheville Markets Email: tbaker1@costar.com Local NC Affiliate: AAWNC

Tell us about your career:

I have been in the multi-family industry for 21 years starting out as a part-time leasing and marketing professional to becoming the manager of a new lease-up early in my career. I have worked for MAA, Lincoln Property Company (now Willow Bridge) and Pegasus Residential.

I joined Apartments.com/Costar in 2022 to pursue a full-time career in marketing and sales, which has always been a part of the on-site manager role that I loved. The ability of my current role to support the multi-family industry through on-site property visits to the dedication to the local association are my primary focus and passion.  
I have won various awards with the management companies I have worked for, with the most prestigious being two Gold Medallion Awards with Lincoln Property Company and The Flying Pig Award with Pegasus Residential. I was also a community property trainer with Lincoln Property Company.

I have served on the membership committee of the Atlanta Apartment Association, secretary of the Greater Augusta Apartment Association, and current treasurer of Apartment Association of Western North Carolina and board member of the Apartment Association of North Carolina. 

What advice do you have for someone just starting in your field:

The multifamily property management and marketing fields are rewarding and demanding. The best advice I could give someone starting in this field is to be true to yourself and to always be honest. Don't change who you are and what you believe based on someone elses demand or suggestion, but always be honest with yourself and those you work with and for.

Also, lead with servant leadership. People are the most important part of the job. If you don't like working with people, this career is not for you. 

Anything else you would like to share:

If you are not engaged with your local apartment association, I suggest that you go to a networking event or education seminar sooner than later. You will make career long and life long friendships. Together we achieve what's impossible alone.