From coordinating repairs to organizing neighborhood events, Ed Gomez keeps communities running smoothly across La Porte County. As a property manager for 1st American Management Company, Gomez oversees residential properties governed by homeowners associations and community associations. Every day, he works to maintain not just properties and their values but the quality of life for the people who call those communities home.
Gomez joined the 1st American Management team about three years ago, bringing with him a decade of experience in retail management and experience as a contractor for the government. Gomez was attracted to 1st American thanks to the opportunities to develop more personal connections with his clients.
1st American Management Company serves nearly 200 associations representing more than 15,000 residents and features a hugely diverse array of communities. The associations Gomez manages in La Porte County are no different. From the beautiful lakeside community of Beachwalk to the rural retreat of Tryon Farm. These unique communities put an array of responsibilities on his plate, such as keeping hiking trails clear, stocking ponds, and handling emergencies such as burst pipes or large animal sightings.
“I see my job as very people-oriented,” he said. “You have to be personable. You’re going to be dealing with people all day long, and not everyone is going to be at their happiest when you see them. I just put my game face on when I head out for the day and do what I can to ensure that everyone ends the day happy.”
Gomez loves that his work gives him a chance to form long-term relationships with residents.
Ed appreciates the change from the retail world he had previously experienced. “Working in this field is so much more consistent,” he said. “You get to work with the same people and really get to know them since you’re around their homes. I’ve met so many nice, friendly people this way. There are great people out here who just want to help make their communities better.”
In his free time, Gomez sometimes volunteers to help out around the neighborhoods he manages. When residents at Beachwalk organized an Earth Day cleanup, he joined in to help beautify the community.
“These folks have really embraced me to the point that I feel like I’m a part of the community,” he said. “It’s a much more enjoyable experience for me than when I worked in retail.”
One of Gomez’s favorite parts of the job is the scenic environment of La Porte County. Since it is situated right on Lake Michigan and features many smaller lakes within its borders, it creates a lot of unique experiences.
“All you see out here is this beautiful lake life going on,” he said. "It’s amazing and I love being around it. There are things like boat shows that other property managers don’t really get involved with because they aren’t right on the lake like I am here.”
Gomez is looking forward to strengthening his relationships with La Porte County’s community associations, and continuing to help neighborhoods thrive.
To learn more about 1st American Management Company, visit 1stpropertymanagers.com.
