Meet Property Manager: Donna Wheeler of Cushman & Wakefield

We’re excited to shine the spotlight on one of the great people we work with at DPM Care in the Nashville area! While commercial carpet cleaning is our expertise, we really care deeply about our clients. We love what we do because we get to work alongside some great people.

Facility and property managers work so hard each and every day to ensure the job gets done and we know it’s not easy. We think all facility and property managers deserve to be celebrated!

We’re excited to continue our Meet the Manager series with Donna Wheeler. Donna is the Senior Property Manager for Cushman & Wakefield in Nashville, TN.

Keep reading to hear more about Donna and her experience as a property manager.

Meet Nashville Property Manager Donna Wheeler of Cushman & Wakefield

What is your role as Senior Property Manager?

I manage the day to day operations for a six-building portfolio in the Cool Springs area. Our office provides on-site services to these multi-tenant buildings. My responsibilities include overseeing the on-site administrative and maintenance staff; contracting for all services for buildings and tenants; and, financial planning/reporting to the landlord.

How did you get involved with facility management?

Before becoming involved in facility management, I worked in the corporate office for a large retailer. After 13 years, I left my job without having a new position in place. That was a bit unsettling; yet, I was excited about looking for a new challenge. Within a few weeks, that opportunity came. Accepting a position as Property Administrator with KOLL Management Services in 1996, I began my new career path. My first assignment as Property Manager followed in 1998.

How big is your facility?

226,830 square feet

What is the biggest challenge you face in your current role?

Juggling the two “faces” of the job is most challenging. On the one hand, we have a fiduciary responsibility to the landlord; yet, that sometimes creates an issue when tenants’ requests are outside of the norm. Maintaining great relationships with tenants and the landlord is not always an easy task.

What is your best piece of advice to others in your role?

Take each day in stride. Some days are overwhelming, but know that tomorrow is another day. Every day presents different opportunities. Seize them with a positive attitude and determination.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

The opportunity to establish great partnerships with vendors, clients, and tenants is by far the best part of my job. Working toward common goals that benefit the facility and those that spend much of their day here provides a sense of accomplishment.

What’s unique about your role with Cushman & Wakefield?

As an on-site manager, my exposure to physical interactions is greater than someone that works from a remote location. That can, at times, be challenging when dealing with a situation in which someone is very upset and is standing or sitting in front of you. Composure is of the utmost importance in the resolution.

Describe what a day in your role looks like.

The work day generally begins via email, text, or phone before even arriving at work. A typical day includes checking the status of work orders or preventative maintenance items; answering many, many emails; walking or talking with service contractors about specific areas of concern; taking calls from contractors seeking to do business; insuring that all company and landlord deadlines are met, and “putting out fires” as they may arise.

How does having a clean building help your business?

There is no doubt that the cleanliness of a building is of utmost importance to our industry. Often times, even a slight misstep in the cleaning routine will be viewed as something much greater by a tenant. Clean buildings lead to satisfied tenants, which in turn, leads to long-term tenancy.

How does preventative maintenance create value for you, or your business?

Through use of a work order system, we are able to assign preventative maintenance tasks and generate schedules for such. In doing so, equipment runs longer and the expense of repairs is significantly reduced. Each of these create value by way of reducing overall operating costs – benefiting both tenants and landlords.

How has DPM Care’s service impacted your business?

DPM’s unique approach and patented equipment is like no other. Their ability to restore the look of all flooring surfaces is remarkable. Just as important is their quick response in times when immediate attention is required. DPM manages to re-work their schedules to meet your needs. Many of our tenants also participate in a maintenance program with DPM and are amazed at the results achieved.