About Us

Who we are

Velair is a service company and our mission is “delighting residents and communities by providing exceptional homes and service.” The measurement of our success is not only financial. It is also measured in the longevity of our employees, the welcome of the communities in which we work, and in the customers that come to Velair to find their home.

The way that we serve together, grow together, and succeed together is called the Velair Way. The Velair Way is as much as system of people as it is a system of processes. Everything that we do, and how we do it, mirrors our character as a company.

Debra Godtland

Director of Property Management

Debra has been with Velair Property Management since 2016. In 2020 she was promoted to Director of Property Management. She brings a strong background in both market rate and affordable housing. This includes a 17-year career working as Director of Property Management and subsequently Senior Vice President of a portfolio of 8,000 units that included a 1,303-unit complex serving as the largest Project Based Section 8 complex in HUD Region Five. Debra holds a degree in Real Estate/Property Management and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker who before coming to Velair Property Management worked as the Primary Broker and Vice President of Property Management for a portfolio of affordable, market rate and commercial properties located throughout Minnesota. Debra is a Certified Occupancy Specialist in both Section 8 and Section 42 housing and is also a Certified Property Manager Candidate through the Institute of Real Estate Management. In addition, she has held the designation of RAM Dean through the National Association of Home Builders. As an active member of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, she has served on the Board of Directors (2014-2016) was named Outstanding Board Member – 2015, past Committee Chair of the Professional Education Committee and serves on the Career Networking Task Force. She has served on the Real Estate Advisory Group for UW – Stout and on the Business Management Advisory Committee for Dakota County Technical College, where she was an Adjunct Instructor in the Property Management program for three years. Debra is passionate about affordable housing and proud of her life-long career in the property management industry.

Dan Westendorf

Operations Manager

Dan joined Velair in 2017 as a property manager, transitioning to Regional Manager in 2019 and to Manager of Environmental Services in 2020. Dan oversees all aspects of maintenance operations for the Velair portfolio and works closely with asset management, adjustors, inspectors and contractors for the needs of the property including capital expenditures. Dan brings decades of experience in the housing industry to his role.

Dan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University and has earned the Certified Residential Manager, Housing Credit Certified Professional and Certified Maintenance Manager Designations.

Dan facilitates a collaborative working environment with his proven leadership, teamwork, innovation and creative processes and was named the 2022 and 2023 Velair Corporate Associate of the Year.

Heather Barness

Regional Property Manager - Rochester

Heather Barness (“bar-ness”) started with Velair Property Management in March 2016 as an Area Manager. She supported the Iowa properties while completing the lease-up for 1^st Avenue Flats in April 2017. Heather is proud to have held the roles of Property Manager, Senior Property Manager, Mentor, Lead Roving Property Manager and is very excited to now be the North Metro Regional Property Manager with Velair.

Heather attended Iowa State University where she got her degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Women’s Studies. She holds her Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) designation. For 10 years, she has worked in student, senior, luxury market-rate, and Section 42 Tax Credit housing programs. Heather graduated from the Rochester Chamber Leadership Greater Rochester program. She currently serves on the Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and Executive Committee and Rochester Multi-Housing Association (MHA) management committee.

In her free time, she spends time with family and friends going to concerts, exploring the outdoors through the eyes of her children, and enjoying the seasons as much as possible. Heather looks forward to continuing to help Velair grow in the best way possible and supporting her team along the way.

Rachel Rebnord

Regional Property Manager - South Metro

Rachel came to Velair Property Management through our internship program in the summer of 2019. She soon transitioned into a Property Manager at two of our sites in the metro area; then became Velair Property Management’s Roving Property Manager and now is the Regional Property Manager for our Southern Metro Region. Rachel graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a bachelor’s degree in Property Management. She also has CPM & ARM Certifications. Day to day you can find Rachel at any one of our Velair sites helping both staff and residents to ensure our apartment communities are the best they can be. Rachel is looking forward to growing in the housing industry and delighting people along the way.

Stacy Menke

Senior Compliance Manager

Stacy has been the Compliance Manager for Velair since 2018 and has over 15 years of compliance experience. Stacy specializes in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, but has experience in Project Based Section 8, Rural Development, HOME, Bonds, and other local PHA programs. Stacy has her designation in Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), TaCCs through Quadel Consulting, and Housing Compliance Manager of HOME Funds (HCM-HF). She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in General Business with emphasis in Property Management. Stacy loves helping people find low income housing and providing a safe place to live.

Stacy was named 2022 Velair Corporate Associate of the Year.

Jacob Terpstra

Senior Compliance Coordinator

Jacob became a full time compliance technician in the fall of 2018, but worked for Velair as an intern for several previous years; in 2023 he became a Senior Compliance Coordinator. Jacob works closely with the property managers to maintain compliance of Velair’s portfolio. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Classical Humanities from UW-Madison and was recipient of the Blugold Fellowship from UW Eau Claire. Jacob is the EIV coordinator Velair Property Management and has been TaCCs certified by Quadel. He specializes in Low Income Housing Tax Credits and has experience in HOME, Section 811, and LTH programs. Jacob is eager to provide affordable housing for households as housing is the foundation for success.

Nikki Hauck

Director Human Resources

As Director Human Resources, Nikki is responsible for all Human Resources functions related to Velair Property Management. Nikki ensures continued relationships and confidence with local universities, insurance brokers and benefits providers.

Nikki credits her experience of 15+ years in Human Resources for building the skills of the associates, the vision of Velair and leadership driven associates to provide a meaningful impact upon Velair.

In addition to overseeing the day-to-day Human Resources issues, Nikki promotes mentoring, learning and personal development at all levels of the organization. In 2020, Nikki studied for and passed the Professional Human Resources (PHR) exam. She is currently studying for the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) exam as well.

Nikki’s goal at Velair is to work with management to provide an excellent place to work.

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