• 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

• Senior Vice President of Marketing

Paul has established himself as a leader in the multifamily marketing and technology sector through his innovative approaches. His commitment to enhancing Thrive’s marketing operations has contributed significantly to the company’s growth and the stimulation of new ideas. Beyond he and his team’s continuous efforts in marketing, he has also launched the ‘Strive to Thrive Volunteer Committee’ and pioneered the ‘One Review, One Tree’ program, demonstrating Thrive’s dedication to building a strong online reputation while embracing sustainability. Additionally, Paul has worked to form and grow a dedicated creative team within Thrive to directly serve the needs of our diverse client base.

• Brittany Flajole

• Senior Vice President of People

With a background in organizational development consulting, leadership coaching and facilitation, Brittany was uniquely suited to build Thrive’s training and human resources teams from the ground up. Her leadership of our people teams has had a direct impact on Thrive being recognized as a WA Best Workplace year after year. She believes that when our associates are cared for, they thrive – and as a result, so do our communities.

Over the years, Brittany has demonstrated her leadership in the multi-family housing industry by becoming an NAAEI instructor as well as holding her credential as a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resource Management.

Brittany holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Business from Western Washington University and a M.A. in Organizational Development from Antioch University Seattle.

• Torri Magee

• Vice President, Property Management & Client Services

Torri brings more than 17 years of industry knowledge to her role as Vice President, Property Management & Client Services. With both CAM and CAPS credentials, her strong operations background gives her a well-rounded, strategic mindset that helps her understand and execute ownership goals.

Torri derives great satisfaction from doing right by the client. She tailors her strategy and approach to address each client’s needs rather than taking a one size fits all approach. In addition to taking care of her clients, Torri has a strong focus and care for Thrive’s people. She has a passion for mentoring Thrivers, and is known for her consistent positive outlook, work ethic and dedication to her team.

• Nicholas Crum

• Vice President, Property Management

Nicholas Crum is an industry expert with 15 years of multi-family experience encompassing five US markets; A, B and C-class assets; stabilized, full renovation and repositioning; both owner and fee management; as well as conventional, market-rate and affordable housing.

An expert in mixed-use asset management, Nick is solutions-driven, and his well-rounded background allows him to employ a creative mindset and outside-of-the box thinking. During his tenure with Thrive, Nicholas has been nominated for Regional Portfolio Manager of the year by WMFHA at their annual industry awards ceremony (the Emerald Awards) and has also received the annual Thrive Value Award. Nicholas holds a CAPS credential and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend.

• Brian Simington

• VP of Construction and Maintenance

Brian is a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in construction and maintenance and supports both the construction and maintenance teams. He has successfully led the renovation and maintenance of over 4,000 single-family homes across Washington state. His diverse background spans multi-family construction, single-family maintenance and construction, historic renovation, and asset preservation. Known for his exceptional negotiation skills, Brian is dedicated to ensuring that clients receive the best value when repairing and maintaining their communities. Throughout his career, he has overseen projects totaling over $500 million of maintenance and construction projects, demonstrating his ability to tackle and resolve a wide range of challenges.

• 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.

• Louie Keller

• Director of Accounting

Louie joined Thrive in 2018 and brings over 10 years of experience in accounting to his role as Director of Accounting where he oversees all the property accounting financials at Thrive Communities. His expertise lies in financial process improvements, developing and implementing robust policies and procedures and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Louie holds a CPA certification and earned his B.S. in Accounting and Business Management from Purdue University.

• Kari Padilla

• Director of Learning & Development

Kari leads a team of exceptional and dedicated Regional Trainers to onboard and develop Thrive’s team members. From their first orientation session to more advanced courses, Kari focuses on developing potential into industry-leading performance. With 25 years of experience in the multifamily industry, including on-site and regional support roles, she excels at building relationships with Thrivers at all levels of the organization.

A lifelong learner, Kari is passionate about the neuroscience of learning and creating engaging educational experiences. She channels this energy and expertise into creating and improving training programs that allow Thrive’s associates to grow individually and within their respective teams, just as the company itself grows.

Kari holds a B.S. in Communications and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design from George Mason University. She brings invaluable experience to Team Thrive with prior experience at Archstone-Smith, Air Communities, and Weidner, and is a member of the NAAEI Certified Faculty.

• Jason Moore

• Director of Revenue & Asset Management

Originally from the East Coast, Jason has over 20+ years of industry experience spanning both coasts of the United States. In 2013, he relocated to Pacific Northwest and has made Seattle his home ever since.

In 2019 Jason joined Thrive as Regional Manager, primarily servicing the CBD and Capitol Hill Market. During his time with Thrive so far, he has had experience with the East Side from Kirkland to Renton — however, his focus remains on Seattle with a passion for the challenging legislative and legal landscape the market provides.

Throughout his tenure with Thrive, Jason has served as a core member of Thrive’s EPRAP/COVID Response Team that developed strategy, shaped policy and procedures during the time of COVID-19 up to and through today. He is also an active leader in Thrive’s GROW and Regional Manager Development programs, working to develop our next team of Regional Leaders.

As Director of Revenue and Asset Management, Jason will ensure that all of Thrive’s communities are equitability positioned in their market and submarket, for optimal financial performance based on current market conditions.

• Nick Beller

• Director of Systems

Nick Beller leads Thrive’s Systems 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.

• Jordan Restad

• Director of Marketing

Jordan leads Thrive Communities’ Marketing Team, driving the design and execution of innovative and impactful branding strategies for the company’s diverse portfolio. With a strong background in graphic design and marketing, Jordan is passionate about creating authentic and resonant solutions that connect with both clients and the community.

With over ten years of experience in the design industry, Jordan has honed a keen eye for aesthetics, branding and communication across various media and platforms. Specializing in experiential graphics, Jordan excels at crafting immersive experiences that translate from screen to community.

Jordan holds a B.A. in Architecture with a minor in Visual Arts from Clemson University and brings invaluable experience to Team Thrive, having worked with numerous clients in diverse industries across the nation.

• Bill Cook

• Director of Affordable Housing

Bill Cook has been in the property management industry since 1999. He has spent significant time working in the both the private and public sectors in the industry. He has extensive experience with both conventional and affordable housing, including LIHTC and HUD Subsidized housing. Starting on site as a Community Manager and working for a large REIT, he quickly advanced to regional management positions working for large management companies as well as regional development and management companies in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to joining Thrive Communities in 2023 as the Director of Affordable Housing, he spent almost 17 years as the Director of Property Management at the King County Housing Authority running an operation responsible for 90 properties with a total unit count of 3,900 units. The Property Management Department had a staff of almost 200 individuals at all levels of management and operations. During the course of his career, he has served on multiple industry association boards, including serving as President of the Washington Multi Family Housing Association (WMFHA) and as a board member at-large with the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

• Ruchelle Erwin

• Senior Regional Director

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

• Regional Director

Todd Hildebrand has been with Thrive for three years and 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.

• Andi Hill

• Regional Director

Andi Hill joined Thrive in 2018 and brings more than 15 years of experience to her role as Regional Director where she leads a team of 170+ associates across 40 communities valued at more than $1.8B. Andi partners with her staff and clients to oversee business, renovation and operational plans to optimize performance of stabilized and lease-up apartment assets in Washington state. Andi is uniquely suited for this role after previously holding roles as the Director of Business Development and as a Regional Manager for Thrive Communities (2018 – 2022) and most recently in Asset Management for ownership group RISE Properties Trust (2022 – 2023) where she oversaw all of RISE’s wholly owned assets in the greater Seattle Metro area and all assets joint ventured with Tokyu. Prior to joining Thrive, Andi managed business development initiatives for an international design firm and oversaw economic development and urban place-making initiatives in both Washington, DC and Seattle, WA from 2007 – 2018.

Andi holds a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) industry accreditation, and earned a M.Sc. in Social Policy from the London School of Economics (2007) and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oregon (2005), where she graduated summa cum laude. Throughout her career, Andi has been an active volunteer for various Seattle and Washington, D.C. organizations.

• Stephanie Riley

• Regional Director

With over two decades deeply immersed in the real estate market of Portland, previously serving as an Asset Manager to a local developer as well as Director of Property Management roles across multiple states, Stephanie Riley is thrilled to embark on her new role as Regional Director in our growing Oregon and SW Washington regions! She eagerly anticipates merging strategic thinking with hands-on implementation to contribute to the growth of the Portland market and is excited about the opportunity not only to strengthen Thrive’s presence but also to nurture the internal team, fostering a culture of growth and excellence.

• 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.