• Rose Blankers

• President & CEO, Thrive Communities

In her role as President and CEO, Rose Blankers is also Thrive’s Chief of Culture, People and Vision. These three pillars are the foundation of Thrive, and Rose ensures that these elements are balanced and integrated with their counterparts so the company is operating at its highest potential. Rose embodies the qualities of a servant leader – setting the company’s vision and goals, but then working hard to make sure they are both reflective of what Thrive’s dedicated associates want to see in a company, as well as delivering above-market results to clients.

Rose developed her leadership over the last two decades during which time she worked her way up within the property management industry, holding roles in accounting, finance and operations. Her ability to connect with clients and staff alike, while demonstrating her financial acumen, has been key to Thrive’s growth; under Rose’s leadership, the firm has grown rapidly and sustainably to where it is today.

Rose graduated with her bachelor’s in finance and MBA from Seattle University and was named a 2023 PSBJ 40 Under 40 Honoree.

• Gary Bender

• President, Thrive Developments

The successful redevelopment of any apartment community begins with a great vision to position the asset as a unique offering in the marketplace, while optimizing a client’s investment objectives. With a keen ability to see the possibility in every community, Gary oversees project renovations and our capital projects team.

With a degree in construction management and over 17 years of multi-family experience, Gary ensures renovation projects are delivered on time, on budget and with the unique approach that makes our communities truly thrive. Gary has overseen multiple award-winning renovations including Washington Multifamily Housing Association’s “Renovated Community of the Year” and more.

• Kari Anderson

• Founder, Vice President

Kari has the unique ability to attract, inspire and retain the best and brightest people in the multifamily industry. Her genuine passion for mentoring and assisting her team members to grow in their roles can be seen in Thrive’s on-site team’s performance.

Kari began her property management career in 1986 with Trammell Crow Residential Services (TCRS) where she was responsible for training and property marketing for all assets in Washington and Oregon. In 1994, she joined Equity Residential where she oversaw 15,000 apartments in the PNW as Area Vice President. In this capacity, Kari supervised over 300 employees, including five Regional Managers. In 2006, Kari joined Investco Management Services (IMS) where she was responsible for the development and implementation of marketing and management plans, including the annual budget process for the apartment portfolio.

Kari is the founding President of the Washington Chapter of the National Apartment Association and is currently a member on the Board. Kari is also a licensed Washington State Real Estate Broker.

• Dave Kirzinger

• Chairman

Dave Kirzinger has enjoyed a distinguished career in real estate, having held senior positions in acquisitions, development and property management. Dave’s focus over 33 years has been multi-family rental on the west coast of the United States.

Dave began his career with Trammell Crow Residential in 1989, after graduating from Stanford University with his MBA. When AvalonBay entered the Seattle market in 1997, they brought Dave on board to open their regional office. When Dave left AvalonBay six years later, he was overseeing Seattle and Southern California and a portfolio of approximately 8,000 apartments.

After his tenure with AvalonBay, Dave became the Seattle operating partner with MOSAIC Homes, a private Canadian multi family home builder. Dave and his MOSAIC partners co-founded RISE Properties Trust in 2012 and became partners with Thrive Communities the same year. Today RISE has ownership in approximately $2.5 billion worth of apartments in Seattle and Portland, all of which are expertly managed by Thrive, as part of their approximately 17,000-unit management portfolio.

• April Syria

• Chief Operating Officer

With more than more than 25 years’ experience in the multifamily industry, April oversees Thrive’s robust apartment portfolio and leads the firm’s regional management team and “Thriving” on-site associates. Her innovative and inclusive leadership style underlies her ability to execute the firm’s growth strategy, forging strong relationships with clients while creating a culture of internal opportunity for staff committed to success.

April’s tireless pursuit of excellence has strengthened Thrive’s portfolio performance metrics and her energetic approach to building and mentoring teams has proven to be an invaluable asset to Thrive’s company culture. April currently serves as a board member for the Washington Multifamily Housing Association, the state chapter of the National Apartment Association.

• Paul Edgeman

• Chief Marketing Officer

As Chief Marketing Officer at Thrive Communities, Paul oversees the brand experience, property marketing, technology, IT operations, and client services, driving innovation and delivering value across the company’s diverse portfolio. His leadership ensures that Thrive remains at the forefront of creating exceptional living experiences while leveraging cutting-edge technology and data-driven strategies.

Prior to joining Thrive, Paul served as Vice President of Operations for Gold’s Gym Northwest, where he managed overall operations for multiple locations, with a focus on customer engagement, operational excellence, and organizational growth.

Paul is an active member of the Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA) and serves as a board member for the AIM Conference, reflecting his dedication to advancing the multifamily housing industry. A Seattle native, Paul is passionate about minimizing the environmental impact of multifamily housing and giving back to the communities Thrive serves, fostering innovation and connection in the Pacific Northwest.

• Ruchelle Erwin

• Vice President, Property Management

Ruchelle is an industry leader who brings to Thrive over 22 years of experience in property management. Her background ranges from pre-development and lease-ups to stabilized, redevelopments, acquisitions and dispositions in both urban and suburban settings. Prior to coming to Thrive, Ruchelle spent a large part of her career working with a leading S&P 500 REIT firm, leading the Seattle region year over year in revenue excellence, stemming from innovative technology and market strategies.

Ruchelle understands the multifaceted complexity of running a community from the ground up. Her career began as a part-time leasing consultant where she fell in love with all things property management, specifically the people. She embodies a culture of care and brings positive energy and leadership to every interaction, from her on-site teams to her clients. She has also received the award for Community Manager of the Year, and most recently Portfolio Supervisor of the Year, through the Washington Multifamily Housing Association.

• Todd Hildebrand

• Senior Regional Director

Todd Hildebrand brings over 15 years of multifamily experience to the company. Prior to Thrive, Todd worked for the third largest military housing provider in the nation for over nine years on multiple public, private venture housing projects. His multifaceted professional background includes management roles in maintenance, operations and project management.

Todd enjoys expanding his industry knowledge and building lasting relationships within his team and community. He holds both a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) and Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) industry accreditations and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Central Washington University. In his free time, Todd enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, cooking, boating and traveling.

• Don Jacobsen

• Regional Maintenance Director

Don supports Thrive’s client base by leading maintenance teams through supervision, vision and strategic direction. Under his guidance, Thrive’s maintenance teams ensure the physical condition of each asset is safe, attractive and properly maintained.

With over 30 years of apartment industry experience, Don is an expert in capital planning and execution, expense control, environmental oversight, associate safety, OSHA, ADA and construction management. His passion for training and building teams helps Thrive attract and retain top talent.

Don is a Certified Pool Operator, an Instructor for the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, a Certified Universal Technician and also a Proctor with the ESCO Institute.

• Mackenzie Jistel

• Director of Human Resources

Mackenzie joined Thrive in 2018 and leads the Human Resources team. She supported Thrive in bringing the HR Department in-house in 2019 and has continued to serve as a trusted resource for Thrivers, streamline processes, and foster an environment where associates feel seen. Whether its payroll, benefits, employee relations, or employee housing, Mackenzie and her team are dedicated to making the Thrive experience positive and impactful.

Mackenzie holds a B.S.B.A. in Business Administration, HR Management and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Central Michigan University, as well as a certificate as a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional.

• Nick Beller

• Senior Director of Operations

Nick Beller leads Thrive’s Operations Department, bringing an expansive background in accounting and IT operations to the team. His passion for analysis and process improvement allow Thrive to be a forward thinker in the ever-changing landscape of PNW multi-family property management.

Nick leverages his accounting experience to maximize the financial impact his business systems team bring to Thrive’s bottom line. Nick holds a BA in Accounting from Gonzaga University.