Peter Lohmann's Podcast

In this episode of Peter Lohmann’s Podcast, I’m joined by Gail Phillips, the retiring CEO of NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers), after more than 20 years of leadership.We dig into how NARPM evolved from a few hundred members to the national force it is today - from the early “mom-and-pop” days and paper rent checks to COVID-era virtual everything.Gail shares the real story behind NARPM’s antitrust saga, how fee models and tech reshaped the industry, and what she’s learned about leadership, delegation, and culture after decades in the trenches.We also talk about why some local chapters thrive while others struggle, what the “haters” get wrong about NARPM, and her advice for the next generation of association leaders.If you’re a property management operator or NARPM member, this episode is a must-listen.(00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:07) - Gail’s background and career(00:08:17) - The early day’s of NARPM conferences and the industry as a whole(00:16:30) - The state of conferences in the early days(00:18:23) - Sponsor - PropertyManagerWebsites.com(00:20:00) - Late 2000’s concerns and focuses(00:22:02) - How NARPM has evolved(00:27:47) - Success and Failure amongst different NARPM chapters(00:29:38) - Behaviors of great NARPM leaders(00:31:56) - Sponsor - SecondNature.com(00:33:27) - The state of the industry in 2025(00:36:01) - Antitrust philosophies(00:41:15) - FTC guidance for Trade Groups(00:47:53) - Effective membership drives(00:53:41) - What the haters get right about NARPM(00:59:14) - Thoughts for the incoming NARPM CEO(01:01:05) - Gail’s futureLearn more and connect with Gail here: Gail on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailphillips/Organization Management Group - https://www.managegroup.com/NARPM - https://www.narpm.org/Learn more & connect with me here:⁠Crane⁠, the private community for property management business owners.⁠My Free PM Newsletter⁠⁠RL Property Management⁠

DD Lee, an experienced property manager and industry leader, moved from overseeing 12 rentals to growing Skyline Property Management to 500 units before selling to PURE. She discusses the emotional journey of that sale, emphasizing the importance of 'detachment.' DD highlights the challenges of HOA management versus single-family properties, and how NARPM is evolving into its '2.0' phase, focusing on strategic leadership. With practical advice for selling management companies and insights into post-sale purpose, her story provides valuable lessons for industry professionals.

PropertyManagement.com’s “Top 100” list is coming! Apply before 11/30/2025 to get verified, build credibility, and win your market: https://propertymanagement.com/verificationIn this episode of Peter Lohmann’s Podcast, I sit down with Matt Speer of PropertyManagement.com (yes, greatest domain ever) to unpack their “TrueMatch” score, or what Matt calls the “Carfax of property management.” We talk about why credibility is the new currency, how AI search like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews are changing local lead flow, and what it takes to get your company verified without paying a dime. Matt also reveals new details on their Top 100 Property Managers campaign.Here’s what we go deep on:🔎 How the TrueMatch scoring model works by looking at performance, trust, experience, and verification🤖 The AI search shift and why zero-click results are pulling away the “best property manager in [city]” leads that used to land on your site✅ How verified profiles and owner survey data can help you close faster and keep more clients🚫 Why PropertyManagement.com refuses to be a pay-to-play lead gen marketplace and what their actual monetization looks like🌍 If you’re in multiple markets, how the system creates city-specific scores instead of lumping you under one grade.Want your spot on the Top 100? Apply and get verified for free before 11/30/2025: https://propertymanagement.com/verificationProgramming note: This is a mid-season sponsored podcast special with PropertyManagement.com. I accepted support to take a deeper look at their platform, but the conversation, opinions, and questions are my own.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro01:27 – What is PropertyManagement.com?02:58 – The vision behind PropertyManagement.com04:16 – Building trust in property management08:01 – Navigating the AI search era19:26 – Matt’s journey and industry insights26:49 – Verified performance data32:11 – Monetization strategy and AI search37:35 – Top 100 property managers list40:44 – Balancing integrity and business growth44:49 – Handling large property management companies49:10 – Credibility platform: A new category51:37 – Conclusion and call to actionResources for Property Managers & Real Estate EntrepreneursCrane – Private PM Owner Community → Join a private network of property management owners and operators: https://joincrane.co/Free Weekly Newsletter → Property management insights, strategies, and industry updates direct to your inbox: https://peter.beehiiv.com/subscribeRL Property Management → Learn more about Peter’s company and services in Columbus, Ohio: https://rlpmg.com/

Amy Hanson, the National NARPM President and property management entrepreneur, shares her incredible journey from stumbling into real estate to selling her second company to Berkshire Hathaway. She discusses the challenges of buying brokerages during market crashes and starting fresh after a non-compete. Amy also dives into her strategic initiatives for NARPM 2.0, emphasizing governance reforms and leadership development. She offers invaluable lessons on documenting processes and preparing for transitions, making her insights a must-listen for anyone in property management.

In a dynamic conversation, Susan Lohmann, a nearly 50-year veteran of the horse industry, shares her insights from running equine businesses and becoming a licensed judge. She reveals what it takes to manage difficult clients, including how to legally 'evict' a horse over nonpayment. Susan discusses the challenges women face in business, the importance of work ethic, and the need for adaptability through trial and error. She also offers negotiation tips and emphasizes the joy of passing entrepreneurial lessons to the next generation.

Tollie Brown, Principal at Mainsail Partners and board member at Rentvine, dives into the intriguing world of growth equity investments. She explains why Mainsail invested $74M into Rentvine and the critical role of technical co-founders in SaaS. The conversation highlights the appeal of PropTech to investors, the importance of customer trust, and how AI and consolidation are shaping the industry. Tollie also discusses market risks, customer software-switching behavior, and Mainsail’s innovative future strategies.

Valeria Urcuyo, VP of Operations at Appliance Repair Professionals, expertly manages a nationwide business from Nicaragua, overseeing numerous subcontractors and repairs. She dives into the unique challenges of running remote operations, including technicial shortages and pricing ethics. Val shares her insights on appliance obsolescence, how to empower homeowners with informed decisions, and the importance of trust and communication within teams. Her experience offers valuable lessons on leadership and scaling operations in a competitive industry.

Joni Wolfswinkel, owner of two Real Property Management franchises and founder of True Work Logistics, shares her inspiring journey in property management. She discusses scaling her businesses from 500 to over 2,300 doors and the advantages of acquisitions over organic growth. Joni opens up about the challenges of balancing work and family life, including the reality of working with a spouse. She also emphasizes the importance of teaching the next generation about financial responsibility, making her insights both practical and motivational for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Ginny Wood, former COO at LeadSimple and a fractional COO with a knack for scaling businesses, shares her journey from programming to operational leadership. She discusses critical strategies for easing into companies mid-stream and emphasizes the need for a culture of speed. Ginny opens up about combating burnout through effective leadership, the power of sabbaticals for personal growth, and the importance of addressing property manager blind spots. Packed with insights, her story inspires property management entrepreneurs to find their ideal operational partners.

Deb Newell, an executive consultant with Real-Time Consulting Services, brings over 20 years of property management expertise. She discusses her transformative journey from managing properties to consulting, highlighting the need for foundational understanding in business. Deb shares wild consulting stories and stresses the importance of mindset and strategic management for growth. She also sheds light on navigating internal challenges, defining roles clearly, and preparing companies for sale without stumbling into common pitfalls.