Westminster Management cultivates STAR power.

Westminster Management honored its top employees at the 2004 STAR Awards Banquet held in Atlantic City during the NJAA Multi-Family Housing Conference and Exhibition. STAR is an acronym for Special Talents and Achievement Recognition, a program launched by the company four years ago. Westminster Management recognized nearly 100 individuals and 22 apartment communities as part of the program.

"We have had a remarkable year," noted Alan R. Hammer, acting chairman. "Our portfolio-wide vacancy rate is down to 1.5% in what has been a challenging period for the entire industry. This accomplishment reflects the hard work of all Westminster employees who shine brightest when we work as a team."

In total, more than 500 members of Westminster's leasing, administrative and maintenance teams were eligible for this year's awards. Individual winners received personalized star-shaped Lucite trophies, shirts and lapel pins bearing the STAR logo, as well as an opportunity to stay at Bally's Hotel and attend the NJAA Convention events. Communities being honored received personalized plaques.

Team Awards were presented to the maintenance staff of Sherwood Village in Eastampton, N.J., the team includes Ricki Shemelia, Sr., William Murphy and Robert Levesque; the leasing staff of Meadow Green Estates in Lancaster, Pa., which includes Amanda R. Shelly and Stephen Zola, Jr.; the administrative staff at Oakwood Village in Flanders, N.J., including Christine Phelan, Lori Belton and Wanda Henderson; and the leasing staff of Woodview at Marlton in Southern New Jersey, i.e. Katherine Feriozzi and Tracy Shawn.

Among new employees recongized with special awards were included Adam Grushko, who oversees 12 communities in Westminster's Northern New Jersey region; April Trammell from The Willows Barrington, N.J., for the Southern New Jersey region; and Samuel Galloway of Woodacres in Wilmington, Del., and Woodacres in Claymont, Del., for the Pennsylvania-Delaware-Maryland region.

Twelve employees were recognized with tenure awards honoring their length of service. Robert Levesque, of Sherwood Village, received the loudest applause for 25 years of service. William Murphy and Ricki Shemelia, Sr., also from Sherwood Village, were honored for 20 years of service. Joseph Jackowski, of Quail Ridge, Plainsboro, N.J.; Donald Powell of The Colonials, Cherry Hill, N.J.; and Gary Miseje of Long Brook in Matawan, N.J., marked 15 years. Powell and Miseje also received STAR Awards. Those honored for 10 years included Elizabeth Borman, of Fox Ridge, Somerdale, N.J.; Ralph C. Burnett, of Iroquois, Philadelphia, Pa.; Jennifer Camp, of Quail Ridge; Juan Gonzalez, of Elmwood Village, Elmwood Park, N.J.; Michael Tinus, of Oakwood Village; and John R. Willits II, of Lumberton Apartments.