Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this sponsored episode, we sit down with Ken McDonald, CEO of Leonardo247, as he shares how property operators can leverage AI and their unique operational playbook to drive NOI growth. In this episode, he reveals proven strategies to turn operational data into AI-powered optimizations that improve efficiency, strengthen resident retention and boost profitability.

Visit Leonardo247.com

Please note that as is the case for all NAA Apartmentcast episodes, nothing contained within this podcast should be treated as legal advice. The information presented is for educational purposes only.

There are more than 40 million apartments in the United States, of which half are owned and operated by small portfolios, otherwise known as independent rental owners (IRO).

On this episode of the NAA Apartmentcast, we're joined by Demetrio Jimenez, President and Owner of Tropicana Properties in El Paso, Texas, and 2026 Chair of the NAA Affordable Housing Committee; and Megan Orser, CEO and Business Strategist for Smart Apartment Solutions and Smart Moves in Howell, Michigan, as well as the 2024 Chair of NAA’s Independent Rental Owners Committee, to dive deep into the real stories behind the rental housing market and discussing something that affects millions of Americans: Affordable housing.

But we’re not just talking policy or theory. We’re talking to the people who are in the trenches: IROs, rental owners, small-scale investors and property managers who are shaping the future of housing, one unit at a time. Is affordability a moral obligation, a market failure, or a business opportunity? Listen to find out.

For more information and resources for IROs, including the NAA Click & Lease small owner package, visit https://naahq.org/

Please note that as is the case for all NAA Apartmentcast episodes, nothing contained within this podcast should be treated as legal advice. The information presented is for educational purposes only.

Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this episode, we are joined by Kelli Lea, Senior Regional Property Manager for Greystar and 2025-2026 President of the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) Board of Directors, to provide an update on all the exciting things happening at National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI), including the latest on the growth of its credentialing programs, new skills based professional development and what’s on tap for 2026.

Learn more about NAAEI credentials, as well as online training and continuing education credits, courses and resources available through the Visto, NAAEI’s online learning platform. And don't miss the new Career Map Tool from NAAEI.

Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this episode, we sit down with NAA’s Director of Federal Legislative Affairs Maria Spencer, who, now that the government has reopened, is here to walk us through the Congressional FY26 appropriations process and the prospective impacts on the rental housing industry, especially as it relates to balancing the priorities of creating new supply while preserving the present affordable housing stock.

For those of you out there who are interested in learning more about housing policy, including insight into Congressional reconciliation and appropriation, NAA has a wealth of resources, including a policy issues library, the Apartment Advocate and Apartment Advocate Pro newsletters, and much more, all on NAA’s website.

Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this episode, we sit down with NAA’s Director of Conference Education Programming Clark Ebbert, as well as Peter Lynch, Chief People Officer at Cardinal Group Companies and Emcee of NAA’s Cultivate event, Feb. 17-18, 2026 in Nashville.

They’re joining today to talk about this unique, intimate and highly strategic event, where the education offerings are designed by rental housing leaders and are acutely focused on current issues and how to solve them, with the vibrant location serving as the perfect backdrop to grow your network with the next generation of senior leaders.

Learn more and register for Cultivate!

Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this episode, we sit down with NAA’s AVP of Housing Policy & Regulatory Affairs Nicole Upano to talk public policy, advocacy, government shutdowns and some inside baseball on what's happening in Washington.

Visit naahq.org/advocacy for links to the policy issues library, industry priorities, Apartment Advocate newsletter, registration for the monthly Advocacy and Legal Webinar, legislative and regulatory trackers, grassroots action center and much more. If you’d like to get in touch to assist on some of the topics mentioned, please email communications@naahq.org with the subject line “advocacy involvement.”

Visit NAA’s website for industry resources and live shutdown updates.

Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this episode, we sit down with NAA’s VP of Research George Ratiu to talk the economics of residential real estate, as well as review all of the insightful research NAA has recently released.

Visit the research section on NAA’s website to explore all of NAA’s research offerings, including Income/Expense IQ data, industry trends, housing policy research, the apartment market pulse, dollar of rent and much more, including Behind the High Cost of Rent, Regulations and Rents and Navigating Challenges in the Apartment Industry.

Welcome to NAA's Apartmentcast, the official podcast of the National Apartment Association. On this sponsored episode, we sit down with two leaders, Chris Ulep, Vice President at Yardi Breeze, and David Franklin, Industry Principal of AI at Yardi, to explore how artificial intelligence is not just for the big players. They share how Yardi is making AI tools more accessible, affordable and user-friendly for small and mid-sized property management companies. From simplifying workflows to predictive analytics to improved resident communications, this episode demystifies how AI can empower teams of any size.