NAA Announces 2026 Excellence Awards Winners

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Arlington, Va. | June 17, 2026 – The National Apartment Association (NAA) today announced the winners of the 2026 NAA Excellence Awards, sponsored by AppFolio, an annual program that recognizes excellence and leadership across the rental housing industry. This year’s award recipients were formally recognized today at a ceremony during Apartmentalize, NAA’s annual conference and exposition, held in New Orleans.

“It is a great honor to congratulate the 2026 NAA Excellence Awards winners who are incredible and accomplished leaders in the rental housing industry,” said NAA President and CEO Bob Pinnegar. “Across the nation, these individuals and organizations are truly dedicated to making a meaningful impact and are extremely deserving of this recognition.”

NAA’s Excellence Awards celebrate apartment communities, industry professionals and affiliated apartment associations that make unique and lasting contributions to the industry each year. Learn more about the program.

A full list of the 2026 NAA Excellence Awards winners is included below.

Greater Iowa Apartment Association Affiliate of the Year (Mid-Size)	Greater Charlotte Apartment Association Affiliate of the Year (State/Metro)
NHH Reed New Hope Housing, Inc. Affordable Community of the Year	Windsor Leesburg Windsor Communities Major Rehab Community of the Year
One Cardinal Way Cordish Living Large Community of the Year	The Alice WinnResidential Small Community of the Year
Rambler Atlanta LV Collective Management Student Community of the Year	Cavalry Family Housing WinnResidential Military Housing Services Military Community of the Year
Graphite Oakley HILLS Properties New Construction Community of the Year	Mill Creek Residential #NAAGives
Tara Gerberich BG Staffing Supplier Sales Professional of the Year	Chadwell Supply Supplier Company of the Year
Connected Communities Maintenance Apprenticeship Program WinnResidential Anthony V. Pusateri Apartment Career Promotion Award Comprehensive Program	Matthew Smith HD Supply National Supplier Council (NSC) Achievement Award
Charissa Martinez Mountain States Properties Emerging Leader of the Year	Marci French HRG Asset Management LLC Apartment Career & Education (ACE) Industry Practitioner of the Year
Royal American Management Leading Organization in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion	Justin Jones SmartRent DEI Champion
Greystar Innovative Operator of the Year	Robert Carroll North Central Florida Apartment Association Chris Christenson Association Executive of the Year

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About NAA
The National Apartment Association (NAA) serves as the leading voice and preeminent resource through advocacy, education and collaboration on behalf of the rental housing industry. As a federation of 139 state and local affiliates, NAA encompasses over 113,000 members representing more than 13.7 million apartment homes. NAA believes that rental housing is a valuable partner in every community that emphasizes integrity, accountability, collaboration, responsibility, inclusivity and innovation. To learn more, visit  www.naahq.org. NAA thanks its Strategic Partners AppFolio, The Home Depot Pro, Lowe’s Pro Supply and Yardi.