Self-storage management company Storage Investment Management Inc. (SIMI) held its annual managers conference and awards recognition dinner on Sept. 19 at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway in Trumbull, Conn. The setting was central for the more than 30 self-storage facilities SIMI manages throughout New England.
The conference portion focused on roundtable presentations covering marketing, company procedures and policies, best practices, and other topics.
During the recognition dinner, SIMI recognized top-performing managers with a variety of awards including Highest Volume of Merchandise Sales, Best Budget Income Variance and Most Improved Facility. The 2013 manager of the year was Michele Johnson-Sealy, manager of Planet Self Storage in Hyde Park, Mass. The No. 1 ranked "power rating" went to Ron Tortora, manager of Storage America in Garden City Park, N.Y. SIMI also recognized eight employees for their extended length of service ranging from five to 20 years.
In addition, the company released second-quarter 2013 operating performance for its managed facilities. Collectively, the properties averaged an increase in same-store sales of 9.48 percent over the same period last year. Net operating income jumped by 13.67 percent. SIMI attributes the rise to an increase of 595 basis points in occupancy over the same period in 2012.
Headquartered in New York, SIMI is led by principals Charlie Fritts, president, and David Inman, chief operating officer, who have a combined 75 years of self-storage industry experience. The company manages facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.