Learn from those who are walking the same path as you.
Understanding what questions to ask and where to find suitable answers is a challenge in this industry – but you can now get those questions answered in one place with smconnection.
We’re the only community aside from industry conferences that connects Affordable Housing Agency directors, finance managers, HR leaders, and facilities directors with industry leaders to facilitate relevant solutions to common housing agency concerns.
HA leaders, managers, and directors can experience our unique multidisciplinary platform by connecting with – and receiving support from – knowledgeable leaders in the affordable housing and multifamily industry.
Benefits
Outside of self-organized groups, there isn’t a peer group for affordable housing and multifamily leaders to connect and learn.
Receiving personalized information at industry conferences would be ideal, but that simply isn’t the case. The problem is that leaders in the public housing authority and multifamily space need a hub – a professionally facilitated peer group where challenges and solutions are addressed and discussed.
When directors, finance managers, and facilities directors need help with the day-to-day management of housing agencies SMConnection is here to facilitate the process bringing that connection.
Improve Leadership Skills
Develop the Best Business Strategies, Plans & Procedures
Build Long Term Relationships With Value
Why Us?
SMConnection combines HA consultation & advisory services with expert industry knowledge to create the ideal knowledge base and support program for public housing authority and multifamily directors, CFOs, and facilities directors.
Established by parent company Smith Marion & Co, this bi-annual program curates a small group made up of executive directors, facilities directors, finance managers, and high-level experts specializing in multifamily and affordable housing. The objective is to better understand the issues faced behind the scenes in the housing industry, encourage discussions about solutions, and strategize areas of opportunities to develop more effective processes.
Our Process
What happens at SMConnection?
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You are placed in a peer group consisting of around 20 industry leaders.
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Topics are tailored towards the peer groups specific challenges they are facing collectively.
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Open guided conversations focused on solving your problems and providing you with solutions.
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Access to online environment to network with group throughout the year.
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Biannual day and a half, facilitated discussions with your group of peers.
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Great locations that you get a hand in selecting for biannual meetings.
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Great locations that you get a hand in selecting for biannual meetings.
Connection meetings are strategically focused on creating, improving, and enacting positive changes within organizations today.
We are not an association. We are HA facilitation experts—a specialized group focused on the affordable housing industry. Our unique combination of skills offers a blend of educational tools, resources, and self-directed facilitated conversations.
How is this different than a conference?
“Connection meetings are strategically focused on providing members with the necessary tools to create, improve, and enact positive changes in their organization today.”
A conference entails sitting in a room and listening to a large amount of general topics that may or may not be tailored to your specific situation and needs. Connection meetings are strategically focused on providing members with the necessary tools to create, improve, and enact positive changes in their organization today. Connection is interested in discussing topics regarding modern approaches to process improvement, sustainable change, elevating capacity, and leveraging talent.
“Members are stakeholders in determining the design of the agendas and topics discussed.”
Rather than a tightly packed agenda, members are stakeholders in determining the design of the agendas and topics discussed. Meeting agendas with SMConnection are designed for you, promoting flow of thought and idea exchanges.
“Time dedicated to facilitated discussion on real issues you are facing.”
The final component that sets SMConnection apart from a standard conference is the time dedicated to facilitated discussion on real issues you are facing. We can liken a general conference attendance to watching a sports event, and SMConnection to playing on an all-star team.
We are HA facilitation experts — business owners — Lean Six Sigma Green Belts, Strategy Experts, Speakers, CPAs — financial experts with years of experience. We know the strategic & financial side of the housing industry, and we can help.
Our Facilitators
Our facilitators are passionate about seeing housing agencies succeed. By providing expert facilitators to guide thought leadership discussions for the groups, SMConnection brings a fresh perspective to everyday housing agency & multifamily management.
Chad Porter, CPA, CFE
Hannah Baldwin, SHRM-CP, PAFM
Peter Wesch, EA
Cole Monroe, CPA
Shona Rodman
Joey Harding, CPA
SMConnection was founded out of the need for a community-based peer group specifically designed for housing agencies. This community connects those in the forefront of housing authority agencies with industry peers who can relate to the challenges faced in the day-to-day management of housing agencies.
The program equips executive directors, CFOs, HR leaders, and facilities directors with resources that range from developing long-lasting relationships to learning how to solve issues and create sustainable changes in your organizations to ultimately improving leadership skills in the industry. Apply to SMConnection and create solutions alongside some of the best industry leaders.
What we do?
Services
Succession Planning
Our succession planning services ensure a smooth transition and sustained success for your organization. Our expert facilitators help you identify and develop future leaders, create a robust succession strategy, and document essential processes. By developing job descriptions, defining core competencies, and identifying potential successors, we set you up for long-term stability and growth.
Lean six sigma process improvement
Our Green Belt facilitators take your team through the process of improvement using the Lean Six Sigma Method. This four-day approach is an in-depth dive into finding the issues in a process and revising them. Creating lasting, sustainable processes, with fewer mistakes.
Strategic planning facilitation
Our strategic planning services are designed to help you create a clear and achievable path to success. Our expert facilitators guide you in developing a 10-year vision, 3-year picture, and 1-year plan, along with an accountability chart, company values, and documented core processes. We also assist in defining your purpose statement and three unique strengths, ensuring you’re set up for future success and ready to achieve your goals.
Join!
If you’re referring a business or individual, please fill out the second form.
1
Complete your member application
2
Meet With Our Team To See If We Are A Fit For You
3
Attend Your First Meeting
Individuals or businesses interested in a housing authority connection group can submit an interest form below.
Download Connection Highlights
Interest Form
Community Referral Form
2024 Fall Meeting
October 16th & 17th
Cambria Hotel, Portland, ME
2025 Spring Meeting
May 7th & 8th
New York, NY
