Samrat Sondi is the new chief operating officer at Extra Space Storage, replacing Karl Haas (pictured above). Sondi has been with the self-storage REIT for nearly 10 years.
During his time with the company, Sondi has worked on improving revenue management systems and has led field operations in the Chicago, Los Angeles and New York markets.
Haas, who retired as COO in December, now is a consultant for Extra Space Storage and is expected to join the company’s board of directors.
Morningstar Properties
Matthews, NC-based self-storage operator Morningstar Properties named Wesley Carter as chief financial officer. Carter had been Morningstar’s vice president of finance since 2012.
Before joining Morningstar, Carter was CFO and COO of Budget Development in Charlotte, NC, a manager and developer of self-storage facilities.
“Wes knows our company and the storage sector well, and he delivers the added benefit of having worked extensively in specialized areas of finance that are vital to our business,” said Dave Benson, president and CEO of Morningstar Properties.
Carter replaced Phyllis McArthur, who had been CFO since 1992. McArthur now is executive vice president. She continues to sit on the investment committee of the company’s Blue Doors Storage Fund I LP.
Old Barn Self Storage
Lew and Paulette Aebersold retired as managers of Old Barn Self Storage in Grass Valley, CA. The couple had managed the facility since it opened 10 years ago. Another couple, Lloyd and Maxine Young, took over as the managers in February.
MiniCo Insurance Agency
Aran Insurance Service Group hired Rick Krouner as executive vice president of a newly formed casualty insurance division within its MiniCo Insurance Agency subsidiary. Phoenix-based MiniCo provides self-storage tenant insurance.
Matt Weidner recently rejoined Trachte Building Systems as engineering manager.
Trachte Building Systems
Two former employees have returned to Trachte Building Systems, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and builder of metal self-storage buildings.
After a four-year absence, Matt Weidner came back to Trachte as engineering manager. He leads a team that works on designing multistory storage facilities and other structures.
Jerry Neis rejoined Trachte as senior engineering technician following a two-year absence.
OpenTech Alliance
Open Tech Alliance, a Phoenix-based provider of self-storage technology, has tapped Carol Krendl, CEO of SkilCheck Services Inc., as a consultant to revamp its call center operations. OpenTech offers self-serve kiosks and call center services to the self-storage industry.
“We are excited to have Carol contributing to our education and training process. The addition will greatly improve the skill set of our storage counselors and provide our call center clients with a level of knowledge and expertise that is not currently available in the industry,” said Robert Chiti, president and CEO of OpenTech.
Krendl has 30 years of experience in the self-storage industry. She is vice president of Excellence in Management, which manages 20 self-storage facilities.
OpenTech also hired Carrie Giordano as manager of recruiting, training and retention. Giordano has extensive call center and sales experience.
American Buildings Co.
American Buildings Co., a manufacturer of metal buildings for the self-storage industry, has named Bill Prescott as sales manager for its Atlantic division. Prescott is based in Columbus, GA.
Find Local Storage
Self-storage aggregator Find Local Storage hired Brian Cohen as national sales director. Cohen works out of the aggregator’s office in Farmington Hills, MI.
