Storelocal, a cooperative created by independent self-storage operators to offer member benefits with economies of scale, has named Travis Morrow as CEO, effective June 1. Morrow has more than 15 years of experience in the storage industry. Most recently, he was president of the self-storage division for Strat Property Management Inc. (SPMI) and president of National Self Storage. He’ll step down from his position at SPMI.
“On behalf of the entire team at SPMI, I would like to thank Travis for his countless contributions to our organization,” said Don Clauson, CEO of SPMI and a founding member of Storelocal. “His attention to detail and creativity, blended with his keen understanding of technology, have had a huge impact on our organization over the past two years. While we are sad to see him go, I am personally equally as excited to have him bring his skill set and expertise to the co-op. I know the sky is the limit for Storelocal with Travis at the helm.”
Morrow replaces Lance Watkins, who’ll remain on the board of directors. Watkins will turn his attention to improving and expanding the capabilities of Storelocal’s Tenant suite of products and head up new-product development.
“It is a luxury to have Travis come on board as CEO of the co-op,” Watkins said. “His experience operating storage portfolios, serving on the Self Storage Association Board of Directors, founding the SSA Young Leaders Group, and serving as chairman of the co-op, make him an invaluable addition to Storelocal’s management team.”
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead an organization that I believe in so ardently,” Morrow said. “Storelocal’s mission of helping owner-operators with everything from vendor relations to providing a suite of software solutions designed for our specific needs is a mission that I think fills a real void in our industry and helps keep independent operators just that—independent. I thank Lance, Don and the entire Storelocal board for placing their confidence in me to run the co-op. Without Lance’s years of hard work and dedication as founder and CEO of the co-op, we would not be where we are today.”
Storelocal leverages the combined strength of its membership for services such as customer acquisition, financing, marketing and technology. The co-op also owns online self-storage directories StorageFront.com and SelfStorageHounds.com. Its total membership includes more than 1,200 self-storage facilities through its owner-member companies.