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.
Terry Parker
Vice President
Terry became the Vice President of Velair in 2019. She came to Velair with decades of experience in management, ranging from the front lines to the board room. She has overseen significant growth of Velair. She led Velair through the pandemic housing restrictions with creativity and a clear objective to protect Velair Associates and Residents. Under her leadership Velair has maintained below industry average for staff turnover, increased associate satisfaction and has been named Best Property Management Company Minneapolis for 2 years running.
Terry holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology and over 13 certifications in the housing field including Registered Housing Manager, Certified Housing Manager, Certified Manager of Maintenance, Certified Occupancy Specialist (site based), Certified Occupancy Specialist (tenant based), Rural Development Compliance Specialist, Site-based Budgeting Specialist, Section 8 Management Assessment Program, Blended Occupancy Specialist, Crime Free Multihousing, Crime Free Senior Housing, and Crime Free Drug Recognition Program. Terry is passionate about leading and is a LEAD leadership graduate and a Center for Leadership- Kansas alumni as well as having served as a coach for members.
Terry finds that the best way to relax with her family is on the water with the perfect playlist she curated with new releases and old favorites.
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 was most recently employed 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.
Krista Dinsmore
Regional Property Manager-Rochester
Krista brings over 10 years of Property Management experience to her role as Regional Property Manager of the Velair Rochester, Minnesota Portfolio. In this time, she has served in many roles including caretaker, assistant property manager, property manager, and Regional Property Manager. Krista joined the Velair Property Management team in March of 2020 and brought experience in Market Rate, Section 8, and Rural Development housing. Krista holds her Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) designation.
She is proud of the Rochester team and their hard work that has lead the region to have high occupancy and leasing percentages that exceed industry average AND Velair’s excellence goals. She is looking forward to the opening of the region’s newest property, Northern Heights, in summer of 2023.
Krista also serves as the Secretary for Partners for Housing, a local non-profit that helps to end homelessness in the Mankato, Minnesota. She is passionate about finding housing for all and believes that comfortable and safe housing is the foundation to a successful life.
Krista loves creating cookies and memories with her family, including her dogs, whenever she can.
Kerrie Barnes
Regional Property Manager- North Metro
Kerrie has been passionate about the housing industry since 2007. With her attention to detail and focus on the housing industry she worked her way from a Caretaker to her Regional Manager Position. Kerrie joined Velair Property Management in 2014 as a Property Manager and has been a Mentor, Area Manager, and Senior Property Manager for Velair throughout the years. Kerrie has successfully launched new acquisitions for Velair and worked closely with new developments. Kerrie holds her Certificate of Residential Management (CRM) and Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) designations, boilers license, and an NAR Degree from Century College.
Kerrie is most proud of the team that she has built in the North Metro Region and loves seeing her staff grow! She is looking forward to Velair Property Management’s first market rate community, Concorde Flats, opening in Burnsville in summer of 2023. Kerrie is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service as well as outstanding homes for families.
When Kerrie isn’t working with site staff, she enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible summer or winter!
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.
Dan Westendorf
Manager of Environmental Services
Latoya Higgins
Roving Property Manager
More information coming soon!
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.
Tyler DeWitz
Human Resources Generalist
Tyler initially came to Velair in 2019 as a Leasing Specialist. Tyler also has been a Velair property manager and Senior property manager, where he was awarded Velair’s 2021 Property Management Associate of the Year and was Velair’s first Roving Property Manager all before combining his background in human resources with his passion for Velair’s growth and success. By focusing on human resources Tyler has been able to help Velair’s growth through updating Velair’s presence to better attract talent—including recruiting talent from outside of Minnesota! Tyler is part of the MHA Career Task Force collaborating with other HR professionals in housing.
Tyler continues to connect his knowledge of property management to enhance candidate interviews, employee on-boarding, updating the employee handbook, and expanding employee recognition. He is developing new materials, process, standards and deliverable surrounding recruiting and retention.
Tyler graduated from North Dakota State University with his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management with a focus in Human Resources, Business Administration and a concentration in Managerial Psychology and he holds a certification as a Tax Credit Specialist. Tyler is proud to serve Velair alike and looks forward to Velair’s continued growth and development.
Outside of Velair, Tyler likes attending concerts, visiting friends and family, planning his next adventure and always looking for joy.
Stacy Menke
Compliance Manager
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.
Leah Carlson
Senior Compliance Coordinator
More information coming soon!
Courtney Carlson
Customer Relationship Manager
More information coming soon!
Hannah Parker
Customer Relationship Manager
Hannah joined Velair in the fall of 2022 with the goal of expanding the delightful customer service experience Velair is known for, by bringing her creative person-centered philosophy to every future resident, current resident and staff member she works alongside. Currently, she is working to expand Velair Property Management’s brand through visual print materials and social media storytelling.
Hannah believes that home is the foundation for so many great stories and strives every day to connect Velair’s future residents with their next home. She brings to Velair experience in supporting affordable housing operations for nearly a decade and nearly twice that in customer service years. Hannah holds bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Sioux Falls and Sioux Falls Seminary.
When Hannah is not creating connections between people and homes, she likes to create memories with her family and their 3 cats—Hairy, Gregor and Jules; as well as their rambunctious Chihuahua puppy—Dr. Bernard McGillicuddy.
