If you know of individuals, teams or communities that deserve recognition you can submit a nomination for

them in the applicable award category. Nominations must be submitted online, and the deadline to submit

nominations is August 31, 2015.

TAA will notify individuals, teams and communities of their nomination by letter. The letter will inform the

nominees of the judging process as well as any other items they will be required to provide.

Individual nominees will be required to complete an in-person interview, and some individual nominees must

submit a written interview and will also be judged by a secret shop. Teams and communities will be judged by

on-site visits. Individuals, teams and communities will be required to create a Brag Book that they must submit

to TAA prior to their interview or onsite visit. TAA recruits non-biased judges to judge each award category.

Winners will be announced at the Zenith Awards event on November 20th.

Nominee must be a member of the Tulsa Apartment Association.

Nominee must have been in their respective position for at least six months at the time of nomination,

except for the Rookie of the Year awards.

Nominees for the Rookie of the Year awards recognize outstanding individuals who are new to the

apartment industry. Nominees will not have worked in the apartment industry prior to August 2014.

The Rookie of the Year awards are for Leasing Professionals and Service Technicians.

Winners of the 2014 Zenith Awards are not eligible to be nominated for the awards they won in 2014. Example: The winner of the Property Supervisor of the Year for 2014 is not eligible for the Property

Supervisor of the Year for 2015. The winner is still eligible for any other award for this year,

and will be eligible again for the Property Supervisor of the Year for 2016.

To be considered for the affordable award categories your apartment community must be classified as

an affordable apartment community. An affordable apartment community is defined as an apartment

community designed & built for the purpose of providing affordable housing. Affordable awards are

available for Managers, Assistant Managers and Leasing Professionals.

If a nominee changes properties before the Zenith Awards, it is the nominee’s responsibility to contact

the TAA office with the change.

Questions? Contact the Tulsa Apartment Association office at 918-747-6217 or kcooper@taaonline.org.

The Tulsa Apartment Association (TAA) Zenith Awards were created to recognize outstanding

members for their professionalism, hard work and contributions to the apartment industry.

Award winners represent the best of the best in the Tulsa area apartment industry.

We hope this is an experience that you and your nominees will treasure for a lifetime!

TAA must receive all nominations on or before August 31, 2015. Nominations must be submitted online.

If you cannot submit a nomination online contact the TAA office at 918-747-6217.

One nomination form must be completed for each individual, team, or community being nominated.

Nomination forms must be filled out completely. If there is not enough room on form provided you may

email one additional typed page to kcooper@taaonline.org.

Nomination fees as designated on each form and will be invoiced once the nomination form has been

received by TAA and must be paid in full by October 30, 2015. $25 nomination fee for Individual Awards

$50 nomination fee for Service Team and Community Awards

FREE nominations for Supplier & Carl P. Lattimore, Jr. Volunteer Awards

A minimum of 3 nominations are required for each award to be considered for the program. In the event

we do not have the minimum nominations for an award, TAA may choose to combine similar awards,

remove the award from the program, or come up with another alternative option for the award.

NEW THIS YEAR: Once nominations have been received TAA will divide awards based on the number of

units where applicable. In the past we have predetermined those unit count breaks for awards, but this

year we will determine the unit count breaks once we receive all the nominations. This means we can

create more balance in the number of nominees for each award, and possibly present more awards for

an award category. If you need clarification on this new process, please contact the TAA office.

All nominations will be judged by an unbiased panel of judges.

Nominees will be notified they have been nominated and informed of the items they are required

to submit to complete the judging process.

In-person interviews and onsite inspections will take place during October. Interview details and

inspection dates will be mailed and/or emailed to nominees.

Judging criteria is listed for each award category. These are the guidelines for judging the award. Every individual, service team and community nominee will be required to submit a Brag Book to the

TAA office and will be used during the judging process.

What is a Brag Book?

This is a book, binder or folder that contains information to help illustrate what sets the nominee apart from other

nominees, and exhibits why they should win the Zenith Award. Items can include, but are not limited to, letters

from residents, awards received, recommendation letters, and photos. There is not a minimum or maximum num-

ber of pages. Putting together a brag book will not only help our judges give a better evaluation, but communi-

ties will also have an excellent marketing tool they can show prospective residents.

Carl P. Lattimore, Jr. Volunteer of the Year and Supplier of the Year categories will be voted on by the

Supplier Council and the TAA Board of Directors.

Judging results will be kept confidential. Winners will be announced during the Zenith Awards event

on Friday, November 20th at the Cox Business Center.

Property Supervisor of the Year Regional supervisors and supervisors who are responsible for multiple properties are eligible for this award.

Judging Process: Written Interview – Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to philosophy & management ability, human & team resource

skills, time management, visionary, resident satisfaction, creativity, integrity, leadership,

professionalism, accomplishments, effective financial asset management & profitability,

industry involvement, owner-client rapport, demonstrates company mission & vision,

increased or maintained occupancy and fair housing knowledge

Multi-site Maintenance Supervisor of the Year Maintenance supervisors who are responsible for multiple properties are eligible for this award. Judging Process: Written Interview – Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service

request turn-around, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow up skills, attitude, resident

satisfaction, professionalism, knowledge of maintenance equipment, dependability,

leadership, creative budget strategy, compatibility with management goals and

management skills

Manager of the Year Conventional — Affordable

Judging Process: Written Interview – Interview – Brag Book – Secret Community Visit

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to leadership, management skills & philosophy, industry

knowledge, resident retention, budgeting & asset administration, attitude, professionalism,

solution management, creativity, profitability, demonstrates ownership qualities, human

resource guidance, knowledge of staff roles and fair housing knowledge

Assistant Manager of the Year Conventional — Affordable Judging Process: Written Interview – Interview – Brag Book – Secret Shop

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to leadership, industry knowledge, attitude, professionalism,

solution management, creativity, dependability, demonstrates ownership qualities,

human resource guidance, collection management and fair housing knowledge

Leasing Professional of the Year Conventional — Affordable — Rookie Judging Process: Written Interview – Interview – Brag Book – Secret Shop

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to sales skills, closing ratio, marketing proficiency, follow up

skills, attitude, appearance, creativity, professionalism, people skills, fair housing

knowledge, enthusiasm, solution management, dependability, team player, phone skills

and conversion ratios

Behind the Scenes Professional (IT, Resources, Accounting, & Administrative) Individuals who are IT, Human Resources, Accounting or Administrative professionals

are eligible for this award. Judging Process: Written Interview – Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to work ethic, time management, attitude, dependability,

people skills, professionalism, quality of work and service above & beyond

Lead Service Technician of the Year Judging Process: Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service

request turn-around, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow up skills, attitude,

resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with manager, knowledge of

maintenance equipment, dependability, customer service philosophy, and leadership

Assistant Service Technician of the Year Judging Process: Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service

request turn-around, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow up skills, attitude,

resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with manager, knowledge of

maintenance equipment, dependability and customer service philosophy

Make Ready/Painter of the Year Judging Process: Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to multi-task oriented, efficiency, time management, follow up

skills, attitude, work ethic, attendance, fair housing knowledge, resident relations,

dependability and added value contributor

Groundskeeper/Porter of the Year Judging Process: Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to multi-task oriented, efficiency, time management, follow up

skills, attitude, work ethic, attendance, fair housing knowledge, resident relations,

dependability and added value contributor

Housekeeping Professional of the Year Judging Process: Interview – Brag Book

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to housekeeping skills, knowledge of trade, average service

turn- around, follow up skills, attitude, resident relations, fair housing knowledge, quality of

work, attendance, dependability and added value contributor

Supplier Company of the Year (COMPANY NOMINATION)

Criteria: (Voted on by the TAA Board of Directors and Supplier Council) judged on, but not limited

to impact and commitment within the Apartment Association, company culture, quality

of product or service, community service, integrity, customer service, client rapport and

value-added to client

Supplier Individual of the Year (INDIVIDUAL SALESPERSON NOMINATION)

Criteria: (Voted on by the TAA Board of Directors and Supplier Council) judged on, but not limited

to sales skills, marketing proficiency, follow-up skills, attitude, professionalism, creativity,

people skills, enthusiasm, ethics, industry knowledge, product or service knowledge,

and client rapport

Carl P. Lattimore, Jr. Volunteer of the Year Criteria: (Voted on by the TAA Board of Directors and Supplier Council) judged on, but not limited

to individual’s dedication, commitment, integrity, work ethic, cooperation, enthusiasm,

professionalism, support for TAA, time volunteered for TAA, knowledge of industry, long-

term impact to TAA, how the applicant represents his/her company, how the applicant

has impacted others in the industry

25 Year Member Service Award Criteria: Any company who has been a member for 25 consecutive years, or any individual who

has worked for member companies for 25 consecutive years is eligible for this award.

Please notify the TAA office at kcooper@taaonline.org to be recognized.

Community of the Year

Built before 1980 - Built 1981 to 1995 - Built 1996 to 2009 - Built 2010 to present

Judging Process: Brag Book - Community Visit

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to signage, curb appeal, overall staff presentation,

cleanliness, parking areas, office/clubroom, amenities, model, resident activities

and involvement in surrounding community.

Affordable Community of the Year

Judging Process: Brag Book - Community Visit

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to signage, curb appeal, overall staff presentation,

cleanliness, parking areas, office/clubroom, amenities, model, resident activities

and involvement in surrounding community.

Senior Living Community of the Year

Judging Process: Brag Book - Community Visit

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to signage, curb appeal, overall staff presentation,

cleanliness, parking areas, office/clubroom, amenities, model, resident activities

and involvement in surrounding community.

Renovation of the Year

Judging Process: Required Submissions – Community Visit

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to before and after pictures, impact vs. cost, amenities,

and overall appeal of the renovation

Service Team of the Year Maintenance (service) teams are eligible for this award.

Judging Process: Brag Book - Interview - Community Visit

Judging Criteria: judged on, but not limited to maintenance skills, knowledge of trade, average service

request turn-around, people skills, fair housing knowledge, follow-up skills, attitude,

resident satisfaction, professionalism, communication with manager, knowledge of

maintenance equipment, dependability and customer service philosophy