BAAA Celebrates Black History Month: Terry Treadwell

BAAA celebrates Black History Month and the incredible leaders in our industry every day. We asked Terry Treadwell, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Pothole Repair.com, about his experience in the multifamily industry. Thank you Terry for all that you do and for sharing your experience with us! We are so grateful for your involvement in BAAA.

1. Tell us who you are, how long you've been in the industry. 

I am a son to a mother who, having little, worked hard and ultimately sat with President George H.W. Bush, briefing him at Camp David as US Marine Corps Representative. My father grew up sharecropping cotton and became a United States Army Lieutenant Colonel. I am an army veteran, husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and grandfather. I am a person who has unwavering dedication and passion for community service and business development. This passion began at an early age growing up in church and being taught by my family to serve others who are in need. My journey in the Property Management Industry began in 2010 when I accepted a position with PotholeRepair.com to start up a new business to fill a vital need for which the industry had no good solution other than self-performing temporary patching or spending their capital expense budget to do large repaving projects. 

2. Who would you consider your mentor?

I could not point to one person as a mentor. There is a long list of combined family members, friends, and leaders that will always influence my movements both personally and professionally. My Great Grandmother Matilda, Grandmother Leithia, Mother Rita and 4 Aunts, Frances, Mary, Doris and Cindy whom I lovingly refer to as my 7 angels have set the foundation for me with the gifts of knowing God, family and love for others. My father Colonel Treadwell showed me what it is to be a man who stands by his actions and words. Friends and leaders have influenced and taught me many personal lessons and business acumen. 

3. What is one piece of advice you would give someone new to the industry? 

Be yourself, don't try too hard to impress or fit in. I find if you are genuine and true to your ethics then people are naturally drawn to you. Don't look to be liked by others, first like yourself and let others see who you are ethically, then their respect for you will be organic.  

4. How has being a black man shaped your experience in multifamily? 

This is a hard question to answer since I have only known what it is to be a man who is black in all my experiences. I think being a black man who grew up in the military, moving from base to base preempted a life for me to be versatile and open to accepting differences in the thoughts and processes of others. As far as shaping my experience in the multifamily industry, I did not come into this industry thinking what this industry has for me as a black man? Instead, I focused on how I could help improve the communities being served by the industry as I incorporated my personal ethics and background. I will say that as Vice President of PotholeRepair.com, a minority and female-owned company, the opportunity for young minorities to see someone like them in a position to lead a company to national growth from a startup has been the best experience as a black man in the multifamily industry. 

5. In your opinion, what is one way we could make the industry more equitable?

Continue to hire, train, and promote minorities giving them opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and financially. Continue to get to know and understand people who are not the same as you. Accept everyone for who they are and be willing to learn from and work with everyone.

Bonus question, just for fun!

6. What is your must-have item for your hurricane party?

My 2 best hurricane buddies... Don Julio 1942 and Clase Azul.