Michael S Garrette
Chicago
Summary
Leasing Manager with Greystar Management Services, specializing in lease negotiation and market analysis. Achieved significant improvements in occupancy rates and client satisfaction through targeted sales strategies. Proficient in property management software and dedicated to building strong client relationships in competitive markets.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Leasing Manager
Greystar Management Services, LLC
Chicago
05.2017 - 12.2025
- Executed all sales and leasing activities, including conducting community tours and showing apartments.
- Processed applications, performed credit scoring, and prepared lease and move-in packages.
- Ensured seamless resident move-in and lease signing by maintaining high standards.
- Inspected apartments before resident move-ins to confirm readiness for occupancy.
- Monitored market trends and competitor activities to enhance occupancy and sales performance.
- Utilized OneSite property management software to track availability and manage resident data.
- Conducted follow-ups with prospects and new residents to assess satisfaction levels.
- Addressed resident and client concerns promptly, taking quick action to resolve issues.
Resident Services Manager
Greystar Management Services, LLC
Chicago
03.2016 - 05.2017
- Coordinated with property staff in the planning and implementation of resident activities.
- Handled resident issues, including neighbor disputes, maintenance repairs and resident requests.
- Scheduled private lounge reservations.
- Processed work orders for maintenance department.
- Inspected building and grounds to ensure safety and cleanliness, and alerted maintenance to items that need to be repaired.
- A leading, fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment, management development, and management of rental housing Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States managing more than 500,000 units.
Site Supervisor
Guardian Security Services
Chicago
01.2015 - 03.2016
- Supervised Guardian staff at 188-unit luxury residential high-rise in River North, Chicago.
- Managed lobby and front desk operations to ensure efficient service.
- Greeted residents and visitors upon entry and exit of building.
- Announced guests and deliveries for residents via telephone interactions.
- Received and secured packages from FedEx, UPS, USPS, documenting them for resident access.
- Enforced building access control policies for residents, visitors, vendors, and contractors.
- Reported maintenance issues to property management through email and electronic reporting software.
- Monitored security cameras and conducted random patrols to ensure resident safety.
Safety Technician Supervisor, Environmental Health and Safety
Esterline Defense Technologies
Coachella
12.2009 - 08.2012
- Managed team of EMT certified safety technicians focused on supporting management's efforts to ensure compliance to company safety policies and federal and state laws (OSHA 29CFR 1910) through the observation of all plant activities including the safe operation of the Mortar, Tank, and R & D programs.
- Identified hazards and interacted with various facility stakeholders to determine proper corrective action.
- Conducted inspections of PPE, fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers, and other inspections.
- Performed preventative activities such as pre start-up safety reviews, and tooling qualification of new processes and equipment. Worked with management and human resources in management of workers' compensation claims.
- Facilitated accident and incident investigations to determine cause and recommend improvements.
- Emergency response for medical, rescues, fires, spills or other incidents.
- Scheduled and conducted safety orientations and training for employees, visitors, vendors, and guests. Facilitated by-weekly facility wide safety meetings and annual employee safety training as was required by environmental safety and Health director.
- Planned monthly training exercises for ERT (emergency response team) which included fire extinguisher, first responder, HAZWOPER, and first aid CPR AED training.
- Developed and manufactured the largest line of combustible ordinance products, infrared decoy flares, radar countermeasure chaff, anti-ship missile countermeasures, torpedo decoy systems, and a variety of other pyrotechnic devices for its role in contributing to the preparedness of the United States, United Kingdom and allied armed forces.
Security Officer
Guardsmark
Palm Desert
09.2008 - 12.2009
- Performed overall security management activities for clients, which included screening visitors, employees and contractors for access to the facility and monitoring physical premises for suspicious activities.
- Monitored some aspects of production process; alarms, leaks and spills and temperature controls.
- Provided security services such as uniformed officers, investigations, consulting and background screening for the Coachella Valley area.
Business Development Manager
East Meets West Catering Services
Palm Springs
01.2008 - 08.2008
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to grow catering business from two, to ten, events a month within, a six-month period.
- Managed the overall planning and execution of catering services for a large strategic account.
- Oversaw accounts payable/receivable and record keeping functions for both the catering and bistro businesses.
- A startup food service and catering company that provided clients with convenient catering services for all occasions.
Real Estate Sales Associate/Investor
Signature Properties & R.E.
Chicago
04.2002 - 12.2007
- Handled the sales of residential properties in the Chicago area.
- Analyzed and researched housing market trends and created marketing plans to maximize results averaging seven sales per year of more than $ 2 million.
- Identified opportunities for personal investment and bought, renovated and sold more than four properties per year.
- Real estate sales brokerage that served the Chicagoland area.
Operations, Load out Manager
Kemps/Marigold Foods
Chicago
06.2000 - 03.2002
- Supervised 10 loading employees for the process of loading products for delivery to customer locations daily.
- Monitored inventory control system for all incoming and outgoing product to ensure proper rotation and reduction in waste.
- Developed customer equipment program loan and service program that reduced the amount of lost equipment in the field, increased the amount of reusable equipment, and lowered the overall cost of new equipment replacement for the company by 37 percent.
- Manufactured milk, ice cream and related products under a variety of strong brands including Kemps, Becker's, Hood, Hagen, Green's and Arrowhead.
Operations, Safety Manager
Kemps/Marigold Foods
Chicago
02.1998 - 03.2002
- Supervised building maintenance and sanitation employees for distribution center and grounds.
- Acted as vehicle fleet manager for compliance to all state and federal commercial operating laws. Worked closely with the fleet leasing company and onsite garage staff to ensure proper rotation for required maintenance and repairs.
- Responsible for the solicitation of bids for all building projects and repairs.
- Developed and launched an Environmental Health and Safety program which included an employment safety board, that dramatically reduced number of vehicle accidents and work injuries by 70 percent.
- Created an emergency action plan that included procedures for fire and natural disaster evacuations.
- Conducted safety orientations and annual training for all employees.
- Responsible for reporting and investigating all workman's compensation and vehicle accidents and maintaining files.
- Manufactured milk, ice cream and related products under a variety of strong brands including Kemps, Becker's, Hood, Hagen, Green's and Arrowhead.
Security Manager
Kemps/Marigold Foods
Chicago
02.1997 - 03.2002
- Created loss prevention program that reduced the amount of internal and external theft by 90 percent.
- Oversaw operation of driver hand held route accounting (POS) system. Worked closely with IT consultant and was responsible for reducing the number of in-the-field driver complaints and related accounting issues that also contributed to product losses by 43 percent.
- Project leader for the planning and design of new load out facility. Worked with Architects, engineers, equipment companies, city officials and company management team to create ideal workable plan.
- Manufactured milk, ice cream and related products under a variety of strong brands including Kemps, Becker's, Hood, Hagen, Green's and Arrowhead.
Education
Health Planning and Administration -
University of Illinois
Urbana, IL05.1996
Skills
- Lease negotiation
- Property management software
- Market analysis
- Sales strategy
- Application processing
- Client relationship management
Timeline
Leasing Manager
Greystar Management Services, LLC
05.2017 - 12.2025
Resident Services Manager
Greystar Management Services, LLC
03.2016 - 05.2017
Site Supervisor
Guardian Security Services
01.2015 - 03.2016
Safety Technician Supervisor, Environmental Health and Safety
Esterline Defense Technologies
12.2009 - 08.2012
Security Officer
Guardsmark
09.2008 - 12.2009
Business Development Manager
East Meets West Catering Services
01.2008 - 08.2008
Real Estate Sales Associate/Investor
Signature Properties & R.E.
04.2002 - 12.2007
Operations, Load out Manager
Kemps/Marigold Foods
06.2000 - 03.2002
Operations, Safety Manager
Kemps/Marigold Foods
02.1998 - 03.2002
Security Manager
Kemps/Marigold Foods
02.1997 - 03.2002
Health Planning and Administration -
University of Illinois