In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Carl Swafford, Chief Operating Officer at Apartment Dynamics, for a deep and energizing conversation about leadership, resilience, and the human side of property management. Listen in to hear Carl:

• Share his remarkable 30-year journey from Navy and Marine Corps veteran to groundskeeper, technician, manager, regional, and ultimately COO—and how mastering each role, investing in people, and staying relentlessly curious shaped his path to leading 6,700 units across 52 communities
• Break down his leadership philosophy of mastering your current role, always learning what’s next, and building teams of “solutionists” who confidently step into challenges with clarity and purpose
• Reflect on spirituality, meditation, and the belief that we are “spirits working with spirits”—and how mindfulness, empathy, energetic awareness, and intentional human connection fuel better interactions, stronger teams, and more purposeful careers in multifamily