USDA Rural Development Honors National Housing Site Manager of the Year

L to R: Debbie Jensen, Manager of Lincoln Apartments; Stephanie White, National USDA-Rural Development Housing Director

L to R: Stephanie White, National USDA-RD Housing Director; Kathy Hausmann, South Dakota USDA-Rural Development; Debbie Jensen, Manager of Lincoln Apartments; Betty Beukelman, Property Supervisor

Pierre, South Dakota – June 25, 2008   Ms. Debbie Jensen received national office recognition by Agriculture Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr, at a breakfast ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City in Alexandria, Virginia, for being selected as one of three National Multi-Family Housing Site Managers of the Year for 2008. Today, USDA Rural Development State Director Jafar Karim is recognizing Ms. Jensen at the state level, along with Rural Development staff, tenants, community members, family and friends in conjunction with Lincoln I Apartments 15-year anniversary party.

“Apartment managers play a vital role in maintaining the quality of life for the residents that reside in the apartments by providing safety and meeting their needs,” said Karim. “We are proud to recognize this well-deserving individual. Both our agency and residents recognize her talents and appreciate them very much.” Jensen is the site manager of 56 elderly units at Lincoln Apartments I & II in Pierre, South Dakota.

The three winners were selected from nominations received from several states. Selection criteria was based on tenant satisfaction with their manager, curb appeal of the apartment complex, accurate and complete record keeping, and actions of the manager that consistently go above and beyond what is required of the job.

“Debbie does an excellent job of handling the day to day business side of managing the program well,” said Mary Jo Minor, President of Mills Property Management. She continued, “Her office is neat and inviting. She is on time with reports and thorough with her certifications and verifications. She is able to explain things in understandable terms to the residents and their families. One of the most unique ways that Debbie manages this property is the way she works with the residents, keeping them involved with the community by volunteering her time and working with her tenants that are willing to do volunteer work. It’s with great pride that we have such an excellent employee!”

“It’s an honor for me to represent Mills Property Management and the State of South Dakota,” said Debbie Jensen, Elderly Site Manager of Lincoln Apartments I and II. She continued, “It’s all about helping people. My philosophy is to treat people how you would want to be treated, and that’s how I treat my tenants. We are one big family here.”

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