REEP's People-First Approach Earns National Top Employer Award

SAN ANTONIO, TX – April 07, 2026 – The National Apartment Association (NAA) has officially recognized San Antonio-based real estate firm REEP as a 2026 NAA Top Employer, a prestigious award that celebrates organizations within the rental housing industry for creating exceptional work environments. The award highlights companies that excel in fostering collaboration, innovation, and a culture of dedicated hard work, with winners chosen directly by the voices of their own employees.

This recognition places REEP among an elite group of management and supplier companies lauded for their commitment to human capital. NAA President and CEO Bob Pinnegar commended the firm's achievement, stating, "Congratulations to REEP for demonstrating what it means to have a workforce that focuses on continuous learning. Their employees made it clear that REEP understands that investing in its workforce is crucial toward its success."

For REEP, a vertically integrated firm managing every stage of the multifamily real estate lifecycle, the award serves as a public validation of a long-held internal philosophy. "Being recognized as a finalist for the National Apartment Association Top Employer award is a true testament to the incredible culture we have built at REEP," said Jacob Garza, Co-founder. "Our team is the absolute foundation of our success, and we are incredibly proud of the environment they create every day."

More Than an Award: A Culture Built on Employee Satisfaction

The NAA Top Employers award is distinguished by its rigorous, employee-driven methodology. Unlike awards based on nominations or panel judgments, winners are determined through anonymous employee satisfaction surveys. These surveys utilize a proprietary weighted formula based on Net Promoter Scores (NPS), ensuring that the results reflect genuine sentiment about workplace culture, leadership, and engagement. All participating companies receive their survey results, providing a valuable tool for continuous improvement.

REEP's win is particularly notable as it competes within the highly competitive small-to-medium business category. External data strongly corroborates the survey's findings. Employee reviews on platforms like Indeed show a "High" work wellbeing score of 89 and a 96% Work Happiness Score, with testimonials frequently praising the company's supportive leadership and opportunities for professional growth. This external validation underscores that the award is not an anomaly but a reflection of a consistently positive workplace.

This sentiment is echoed by the company's leadership. "Our in-house operations thrive entirely because of the passion and dedication of our site teams and corporate staff," stated Debbie Wiatrek, Senior Vice-President of REEP Residential. "This recognition belongs to every single team member who works to elevate the resident experience and drive our community success." This employee-centric focus is further evidenced by impressive retention, with key team members at REEP Residential boasting an average tenure of 10 years—a significant indicator of stability and satisfaction in a dynamic industry.

The Ripple Effect: How a Valued Workforce Benefits Residents and Investors

A positive internal culture has a tangible impact that extends far beyond office walls, creating a ripple effect that benefits every stakeholder. REEP's vertically integrated structure, which includes REEP Equity for investment, REEP Residential for property management, and REEP Development for new projects, is powered by its people. An engaged and long-tenured workforce is better equipped to execute the company's value-add strategy, which involves acquiring underperforming properties and transforming them into thriving communities.

For the more than 13,000 residents across REEP's properties, a satisfied workforce translates into superior service. Motivated on-site teams are more likely to provide proactive maintenance, responsive communication, and a well-maintained living environment. This commitment to enhancing the resident experience is a core component of REEP Residential's mission.

This operational excellence, fueled by a stable and dedicated team, also drives significant value for investors. A company that retains talent is a company that retains institutional knowledge and operational consistency. This stability is crucial for successfully managing a portfolio valued at over $600 million and executing complex renovation and repositioning projects. The firm's track record speaks for itself: with a cumulative $770 million in multifamily assets managed across Texas, REEP Equity has delivered an average investor return of a 2.04X Equity Multiple and a 23% Internal Rate of Return (IRR), demonstrating that prioritizing people is a profitable business strategy.

Setting an Industry Benchmark in a Competitive Market

REEP's achievement is set against the backdrop of the fiercely competitive Texas multifamily market. The firm’s ability to foster a top-tier workplace culture while navigating rapid expansion is a noteworthy accomplishment. For two consecutive years, REEP has been named one of the Top 5 Fastest Growing Businesses by the San Antonio Business Journal, proving that rapid growth and a strong, positive culture can go hand-in-hand.

The NAA Top Employer award places REEP in the company of other industry leaders known for their commitment to employee well-being, such as Van Metre Companies, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., and Olympus Property. Furthermore, this is not a one-time recognition; REEP Residential was also a finalist for the same award in 2024, signaling a consistent and sustained dedication to its workforce.

As the rental housing industry continues to evolve, employee satisfaction has shifted from a peripheral concern to a central key performance indicator. It signals organizational health, operational stability, and a capacity for long-term, sustainable growth. By earning this national recognition, REEP not only celebrates its internal success but also sets a benchmark for what it means to be a leading employer in modern real estate. As the market demands more from property owners and managers, the blueprint for success demonstrated by REEP—placing its people at the very core of its strategy—offers a compelling model for the entire industry to watch.