Vienna, VA (March 12, 2021) – Southern Management Companies (Southern) announced today that it has promoted Mel Jenkins to serve as the company’s Director of Safety, Environmental and Conservation. In this role, Mel will be responsible for managing and mitigating safety and environmental risks to residents, tenants, guests, team members and the physical assets within the Southern portfolio. He will also be responsible for collaborating with operations, development, management and leadership teams to streamline a comprehensive utility conservation program.
The past 12 months have illustrated the critical importance of health and safety, and Southern has responded by creating this new, director-level role within the organization. In his previous position as Safety and Environmental Manager, Mel was instrumental in leading Southern’s company-wide COVID-19 response deployment. This comprehensive health and safety program, called Ever Strong, guides the safe operations of all our properties, and has received accolades from health professionals in the region.
“Mel’s experience, expertise, countless certifications and passion for keeping everyone safe is truly unmatched,” shared Southern’s Vice President of Physical Asset Operations Brad Patrick. “We are extremely fortunate to have him fill this high-level leadership role. There is no one better suited to spearhead conservation efforts and meet the critical goal of sustaining the health and safety of Southern’s team members, residents, guests and tenants.”
Mel has had a remarkable 35-year career at Southern, which began when he was hired as a carpenter. He has been promoted several times since, serving as a service manager, assistant director of renovations, an instructor at Southern’s Maintenance Training Academy and a service team auditor. Mel has worked at every Southern community, participated in significant renovations and mitigated critical safety and environmental risks to ensure the safety of Southern’s buildings.