In 1953, Norman Bernstein set out to create a real estate management company rooted in integrity and guided by a deep respect for people—residents, partners, and employees alike. Seventy-three years later, that vision still defines us. Our core values—teamwork, service excellence, outstanding results, continuous improvement, and doing what’s right—aren’t just words. They shape how we work, lead, and celebrate one another.

The Norman Bernstein Employee of the Year Award of Excellence is one of the most meaningful honors we bestow at our annual Holiday Awards Event.

This past year, we were thrilled to celebrate Senior Property Manager Len Johnson as the recipient of the 2025 Norman Bernstein Award of Excellence.

Len’s journey with BMC began in March 2015 as a Leasing Consultant. Through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Len steadily advanced through the company, and now oversees five assets totaling 382 units.

Over the past decade, Len has earned a reputation as one of BMC’s most dependable and respected leaders. His professionalism, integrity, and ability to lead with calm confidence are second to none. Whether he’s mentoring colleagues, overseeing property operations, or helping implement new system updates, Len consistently goes above and beyond. His thoughtful leadership ensures smooth operations, strong teams, and satisfied residents—every single day.

Len’s secret? Empowering others. He leads by example, supports his team wholeheartedly, and always gives credit where it’s due. Even amid challenges, his steady demeanor and proactive mindset inspire confidence and collaboration.

Len’s hard work exemplifies everything the Norman Bernstein Award of Excellence stands for and honors the enduring legacy of our founder, who believed that putting people first is always the right choice.

Congratulations to Len Johnson, our 2025 Norman Bernstein Award of Excellence recipient, and thank you to all the BMC team members whose daily commitment, integrity, and teamwork make this company thrive.

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Bernstein Management Corporation (BMC) is pleased to announce that Kew Gardens Apartments in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington D.C. has been named the company’s 2025 Residential Building of the Year. This annual award recognizes exemplary operational performance, resident satisfaction, and commitment to excellence in property management across BMC’s multifamily portfolio.

Throughout 2025, the Kew Gardens team demonstrated exceptional dedication to quality and efficiency. The property maintained an impressive 95% average occupancy rate while completing several major enhancements, including a comprehensive courtyard renovation managed in-house. These improvements reflect BMC’s ongoing investment in creating comfortable, well-maintained residential environments for its residents.

In addition to operational achievements, Kew Gardens received outstanding resident feedback, earning a 4.6 Google rating and an average Satisfacts score of 4.49—a testament to the team’s continued focus on providing excellent service and an exceptional living experience.

BMC congratulates the entire Kew Gardens team for their hard work and dedication, and extends appreciation to the residents who contribute to the community’s ongoing success.

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• Beniam Hailemariam, Maintenance Technician, Highview and Castle Manor, Service Technician of the Year – Vintage Property
• Bernard Adade, Senior Leasing Associate, Valo, First Place – Leasing Professional, Washington DC
• Miguel Sorto, Assistant Service Manager, The Melwood, Assistant Service Manager of the Year – Multiple Properties
• Roberto Garcia, Maintenance Supervisor, The Argonne, Special Recognition – Service Manager of the Year (0-3 Employees), Vintage Property
• Stephen Lewis, Leasing Associate, Idaho Terrace, Second Place – Leasing Professional, Washington DC
• The Marketing Team – Emily Mooney, Geneva Flemons and Chelsea Johnson – was recognized with the Marketing and Advertising Excellence Award for their Influencer Campaign – Stabilized Community (Valo) led by Geneva Flemons, Portfolio Marketing Manager.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and nominees for their remarkable accomplishments. Your recognition by PMA truly reflects the high standards of striving for outstanding results and providing uncommon customer service that define our organization.

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Congratulations to:

• Charity Hooper, Senior Property Manager
• Kyle Russell, Senior Property Manager
• Len Johnson, Senior Property Manager
• Leslie Plascencia, Property Manager
• Waqar Qureshi, Property Manager

The PMA Leadership Development Program is a rigorous, six-month cohort-based initiative that empowers participants to build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills.  Through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, participants explore topics such as engagement and motivation, feedback, conflict management, strategic thinking, and leadership presence. The program also includes one-on-one coaching and accountability partnerships, ensuring each leader receives personalized support and guidance as they grow.

By completing this program, Waqar, Charity, Leslie, Len and Kyle have demonstrated their commitment to personal and professional growth, setting a powerful example for BMC team members and the broader property management community.

As Bernstein Management Corporation continues to champion a “People First” philosophy, we are excited to see how these leaders will apply their new insights and skills to elevate our organization and better serve our residents and communities.

Congratulations once again to Waqar Qureshi, Charity Hooper, Leslie Plascencia, Len Johnson and Kyle Russell on this significant milestone!

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As a result of our participation in the career fair, we are thrilled to announce that BMC has successfully hired three interns for the Summer of 2025. Two of these interns will be participating in a 10-week program based out of Lex and Leo at Waterfront Station Apartments located in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood of DC.

We are also excited to welcome back a returning intern, who be based out of our 2100 Connecticut Avenue location, further expanding his knowledge and skills in the field.

The Virginia Tech Property Management Career Fair not only allowed BMC to recruit promising interns but also provided an opportunity to interview May graduating seniors for full-time employment positions. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to nurturing talent and building a strong team of property management professionals.

The career fair, hosted by the Blackwood Department of Real Estate and Property Management Program at Virginia Tech, proved to be an invaluable platform for industry professionals to network with students. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a well-organized event and look forward to the contributions our new interns will make to the BMC team this summer.

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The Residences at Rio is located at 9890 Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD just across from Rio Gaithersburg shopping mall. The property demonstrated remarkable financial success in 2024, averaging a high occupancy of 97.1%, exceeding Total Revenue targets year-to-date through October and achieving 6% revenue growth compared to 2023. The Rio team expertly managed expenses, coming in just under budget for Total Operating Expenses through October and reducing overall expenses by over 2% compared to 2023. As a result of their hard work, net operating income (NOI) increased by more than 17% over 2023.  

Additionally, the Residences at Rio team showcased their ability to adapt and excel in a competitive market by: 

• Aligning leasing strategies with current market trends 
• Enhancing resident experience through thoughtful community events 
• Delivering exceptional customer service, creating memorable "wow" moments 
• Cultivating numerous 5-star reviews 
• Achieving significant rent growth 
• Reducing move-outs by an impressive 56% compared to budget 

The team demonstrated positivity and creative problem-solving with residents, exemplifying BMC's people-first commitment. Their dedication went above and beyond as team members frequently stepped in – even on weekends – to create a seamless and frustration-free experience for all. 

Congratulations to the Residences at Rio team for their outstanding performance and dedication to excellence in 2024! 

To learn more, visit www.residencesatrio.com  

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The Property Management Association (PMA) has appointed Autumn Robinson, Bernstein Management Corporation (BMC) Regional Property Manager, to its Board of Directors. With a one-year term ahead, Autumn brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this leadership role.

Autumn's journey with PMA began in 2011 when she first attended the PMEXPO. However, it was in 2019 that she became actively involved, quickly ascending to the vice-chair position of the membership committee and then to the chair position in 2020.

As a Director, Autumn will play a crucial role in upholding PMA's mission values and statements throughout committee meetings and events. Her responsibilities will include supporting the Board in establishing or modifying operating rules, setting annual dues and fees, preparing budgets and overseeing the creation or dissolution of committees.

The selection process for this esteemed position required Autumn to submit a statement of interest, highlighting her skill set, current role at BMC, previous property management experience and her vision for contributing to PMA's mission.

Reflecting on her involvement with PMA, Autumn notes the significant benefits to her career. "My involvement in PMA has expanded my network with other property management individuals and reputable vendors," she says. Autumn also credits PMA for pushing her out of her comfort zone, helping her embrace networking opportunities she might have previously avoided.

With her appointment, Autumn will join a distinguished group of professionals on the PMA Board of Directors, including President Lew Shapiro, Managing Member of Shapiro & Company and President-Elect Tony Perichino, VP of Questar Properties, among others.

Autumn's addition to the board underscores PMA's commitment to fostering leadership and providing valuable resources to its members in the property management industry.

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Consideration for the awards program included company nomination, mystery shops and unannounced onsite evaluations. Congratulations to our 2024 award winners – your recognition is well deserved!

Bernard Adade, Leasing Associate
Leasing Professional of the Year – DC

Mostafa Taleb, Maintenance Technician
Service Technician of the Year – Vintage Property

Other nominated BMC team members included: Alhaji Jalloh – Maintenance Technician, Khalilah Mighty, Senior Leasing Associate, Tiara Johnson – Senior Leasing Associate and Yesenia Hill – Property Manager. BMC’s properties nominated for PMA’s PACE award were President Madison, The Belvedere, The Shay and Valo. Congratulations and thank you to all nominees for your hard work and participation!

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Washington D.C., May 16, 2024 – A joint venture partnership between an investment affiliate of Bernstein Management Corporation (BMC) and Tryline Capital (Tryline), has completed the acquisition of The Argonne, a 276-unit multifamily community located at 1629 Columbia Rd NW, in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington D.C.

Built in 1923, The Argonne consists of studio, one- and two- and three-bedroom apartments featuring old world features like hard wood floors and six panel doors complemented by renovated kitchens with stainless steel appliances and a community pool. The building provides easy access to the shops, restaurants and entertainment options in the vibrant neighborhood of Adams Morgan. The property is close to the Columbia Heights Metro.

According to Bernstein Management Corporation Senior Vice President of Investments, Terra Weirich, “The Argonne stands out among rent-controlled buildings in DC for its high visibility at the intersection of 16th & Columbia Rds. NW, large unit sizes, high quality finishes and extensive amenities.  We are pleased to make it the 25th rent-controlled building in our portfolio and to be kicking off a new relationship with Tryline Capital.”

The Argonne represents BMC’s first multifamily acquisition of 2024, following the purchase of The Shay and Valo in 2023.

For leasing information, visit The Argonne.

For information about Bernstein Management Corporation, visit bmcproperties.com.

About Bernstein Management Corporation

Bernstein Management Corporation (BMC) has been a regional leader in real estate management for 70 years. BMC’s investment affiliate is a fully discretionary, private real estate fund with assets valued at over $2.0 billion, low leverage and significant capacity to make additional investments. Focusing exclusively on the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the portfolio currently includes 80+ properties representing over 5,500 residential units and 3.3 million square feet of commercial space including office, retail and industrial assets. BMC’s team of over 230 industry experts manage the portfolio with a hands-on, vertically integrated approach. For more information, visit bmcproperties.com.

About Tryline Capital

Tryline Capital (Tryline) is a real estate investment firm based in New York and DC that invests in multifamily and residential mixed-use properties in the Mid-Atlantic region. Launched in 2020, Tryline currently has a portfolio of seven properties comprising nearly 1,100 apartment units with another 200 units under development. Tryline typically invests in joint venture and Co-GP structures with best-in-class local operating partners. The firm’s family office mindset gives it a long-term perspective and approach that helps to create differentiated investment opportunities.

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The Property Management Association (PMA) held its Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, November 29 to honor outstanding individuals, companies and communities in our industry.
Consideration for the awards program included company nomination, mystery shops and unannounced onsite evaluations. This year, BMC team members received wide recognition across all award categories.
Congratulations to our award winners, listed below!

Belvedere Team
PACE Award – Market Rate, DC

• Cynthia Artis, Leasing Associate
• Honore Ename, Maintenance Supervisor
• Flor Umanzor, Assistant Property Manager
• Nancy Umanzor-Perla, Property Manager

Alexis De Franco, Design Project Manager
Marketing and Advertising Excellence Honorable Mention Award for:

• Model Apartment, Paramount

Lauren Francis, Senior Leasing Associate
Leasing Professional of the Year – DC

Peter Larson, Senior Vice President of Residential Property Management
Capital Achievement Award

Marketing Team

• Chelsea Johnson, Property Marketing Manager
• Alexa Kehl, Digital Marketing Strategist
• Emily Mooney, Director of Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Advertising Excellence Awards for:

• Video – “Celebrating our Story”
• Promotional Item – New Resident Move-In Gift Box

Honorable Mention for:

• Community Event – Earth Week eCycling Drive

Ivan Zapata, Maintenance Supervisor
Service Manager of the Year

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