Management Team

Stephen D. Margerum, ARM®, CPM®

Founder, Principal - Operations & Management

Stephen Margerum, CPM® earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from James Madison University in 2002, majoring in Marketing and Information Systems. He joined Equity Management Inc. in 2004, starting as a Leasing Consultant before advancing to Property Manager and ultimately Regional Property Manager. During his tenure, he became the Regional Manager for a Tennessee-based value-add portfolio. Upon returning to Maryland, Stephen managed a portfolio of more than 2,200 apartment units across Prince George’s County and Baltimore County.

Currently, Stephen oversees the daily operations for all properties under Cove Property Management. His responsibilities include day-to-day property management, business development, acquisitions and dispositions, and the execution of capital improvement and value-add renovation programs. Additionally, Stephen has spearheaded the development of over 50,000 square feet of residential units and commercial space in-house.

Stephen holds both the Accredited Residential Manager (ARM®) and Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designations from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), and he serves as the Executive CPM® for Cove. As a dedicated educator, he teaches financial analysis classes to property management professionals with IREM. Stephen is a Past President of the Maryland Multifamily Housing Association (MMHA) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for MMHA and remains active with IREM’s Maryland Chapter 16.

Stephen was honored with the IREM Professional Achievement Award, recognizing his continued professional development and outstanding accomplishments beyond earning his IREM credential. Additionally, he is currently pursuing a Master’s in Real Estate at Georgetown University, further enhancing his expertise in the field.

Douglas Margerum, CPM®

Founder, Principal - Business Development

Douglas Margerum, CPM® received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in 1970 with majors in Personnel Management and Economics. He also attended American University for real estate studies. Mr. Margerum received his Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management in 1972 and holds a Maryland Real Estate Brokers’ License.

Mr. Margerum worked for Community Realty Company, Inc., a local firm with over 10,000 apartment units, beginning as a Management Trainee, then as a Property Manager and eventually as Assistant Director of Property Management. He managed numerous properties throughout Washington and Baltimore, including the opening of new properties in the region. In 1977, Mr. Margerum joined DRG Financial Corporation as Second Vice President. There he specialized in FHA/HUD financing of existing apartment communities.

In 1980, Mr. Margerum formed Equity Management, Inc. As Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Margerum oversaw the growth of the firm that managed over 12,000 apartment units in nine states. In 2008, Mr. Margerum sold the third party management business of Equity Management Inc. to the senior executives; the purpose of this was to allow Mr. Margerum to acquire and develop additional multifamily equity investments.

Michelle L. Green

Chief Financial Officer

Michelle Green, with over two decades of financial experience, has been a cornerstone of Cove Property Management’s leadership since February 2016. Initially serving as Director of Finance and HR, Michelle now excels in her role as Chief Financial Officer. Her profound expertise in corporate accounting, treasury management, and financial reporting is pivotal in sculpting the company’s strategic direction alongside the CEO.

In addition to her financial responsibilities, Michelle leads the company’s human capital management and oversees the integration of technological advancements into the company’s operations. This strategic oversight ensures that both HR infrastructure and technology align with corporate goals, enhancing operational efficiencies and innovation. Her holistic approach not only optimizes processes but also cultivates a workforce capable of driving sustained growth. A respected member of the Society of Human Resource Management, Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration. Her comprehensive leadership is instrumental in positioning Cove Property Management at the forefront of the industry.

Courtney Higgins, ARM®, CPM®

Regional Portfolio Manager

Courtney Higgins has been a dynamic part of the multi-family housing industry since 1999, beginning her career as a Leasing Consultant and quickly rising to Assistant Property Manager and then Property Manager within a few years. Her career has been marked by numerous awards for community and resident satisfaction. In 2019, she joined Cove Property Management as Property Manager, taking charge of Spa Cove Apartments and later West Woods Apartments. Her leadership skills led to a promotion to Senior Property Manager in 2020, where she provided extensive support across the Washington Region.

Earning her ARM® and CPM® designations in 2021. She is currently excelling as Regional Portfolio Manager, Courtney applies her extensive experience to enhance property management operations across the region. Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her husband and four sons in various sports and finds relaxation in beach outings and gardening. Courtney is also interested in learning how to knit.

Heather Lundy, ARM®

Regional Portfolio Manager

Heather Lundy embarked on her property management career in May 1999 as a part-time Leasing Consultant, quickly ascending to Assistant Property Manager within six months and then to Property Manager a year later. Specializing in affordable housing and LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) compliance, Heather has been recognized with multiple accolades, including Property Manager of the Year awards from Equity Management and MMHA (Maryland Multi-Housing Association), and LIHTC Compliance Awards from both Equity Management and PMA (Property Management Association). Her leadership journey continued as she rose to Senior Property Manager and then Regional Manager, culminating in her current role as Regional Portfolio Manager, where she continues to drive excellence across the properties she oversees.

Beyond her professional life, Heather is actively involved in community service, participating in volunteer efforts and serving on committees for MMHA and IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management). She enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her husband, three adult daughters, and granddaughter. Heather’s creative side shines through in her love for crafts and costumes, and she is an avid puzzle enthusiast, delighting in everything from jigsaw to word and number puzzles. Additionally, Heather serves on the board of group homes for the disabled, advocating for client rights, demonstrating her dedication to making a positive impact in her community.

Carrie Shoemaker, ARM®

Regional Portfolio Manager

Carrie Shoemaker has been a dedicated professional in property management since 2015, beginning her career as a Leasing Consultant. Demonstrating a strong aptitude and commitment to her field, Carrie was promoted to Assistant Property Manager in 2018 and then to Property Manager in 2020. She joined Cove Property Management in March 2021, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to further enhance our property management operations.

Carrie received her ARM (Accredited Residential Manager) designation in November 2021 and is currently a candidate for the CPM (Certified Property Manager) certification, underscoring her ongoing commitment to professional growth and excellence in the field of property management. Outside of work, Carrie has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys working out, traveling, and exploring new restaurants. She also loves hiking and spending quality time with her family and her beloved pets, two dogs and a cat, which keep her busy and fulfilled.

Sonya Zoppo Campbell, CPM®

Executive Management Analyst

Sonya Zoppo Campbell, CPM® joined Cove Property Management as the Director of Operations in January, 2015. Sonya brings 25 years of diverse property management experience to Cove, including multi-family residential and lease up management, commercial and retail management, and condominium association management. She was the gold star winner of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) Regional Property Manager of the Year award in 2011, the gold star winner of the MMHA Property Manager of the Year award in 2001 and has received various other awards during her career. In September of 2022 Sonya transitioned to her new role of Executive Management Analyst and will continue to provide operational support to our corporate team.

Sonya is a Certified Property Manager (CPM®) through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), serves on various local IREM committees, and is a past MMHA Executive Board member and Past President for IREM Maryland Chapter 16. Sonya’s philosophy is simple; the integral parts of a successful team and profitable assets are teamwork, service and dedication to both owners and residents. Sonya loves golf and Florida, with an impressive 16 handicap.

Caitlin Shrum, ARM®

Manager of Operations & Marketing

Caitlin joined our on-site management team in St. Mary’s County, MD, in 2013 as a leasing consultant and quickly rose to Assistant Property Manager. After five successful years on-site, she joined our corporate team in 2018 to a created position as Operations Coordinator. In 2021, Caitlin was promoted to Manager of Marketing & Training and now serves as Manager of Operations & Marketing.

Caitlin oversees all company and property marketing, provides operational training and support to team members, and leads our Cove Cares philanthropic initiatives. She earned her ARM® designation in 2017, was named ARM® of the Year by the IREM Maryland Chapter in 2019, and became a global finalist for IREM’s ARM® of the Year in 2023.

As a member of the Board of Directors for the IREM Maryland Chapter, Caitlin actively participates in various industry committees, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and community engagement. Her contributions are vital to our team’s success.

Katie Horetsky, ARM®

Project Manager

Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Goucher College in 2010. She began her career in Property Management in 2010 as a Leasing Consultant and was quickly promoted to an Assistant Property Manager followed by Property Manager. She joined the Cove Property Management Team as a Property Manager at The Mount Royal and Queen Anne Belvedere Apartments in 2015 and obtained her ARM® designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management. Throughout her career Katie developed a passion for the care and improvement of the physical assets we manage, and joined our corporate team in 2019 as a Project Manager. As Project Manager she has executed numerous capital renovation projects, streamlined our contract bidding process, and identified opportunities to reduce expenses while maintaining our high standards of service. Fun fact about Katie, she started as a part time porter, cleaning commercial spaces!

Nicole Britton

Operations Analyst & Payroll Administrator

Nicole Britton began her journey in the property management industry in 2010 as an assistant to a Regional Property Manager. Her proficiency and dedication quickly led to a promotion to Executive Assistant in 2011. Nicole embarked on a consulting career in 2015, with Cove Property Management as her main client, showcasing her expertise and value to the organization. This fruitful collaboration culminated in her joining Cove full-time in 2022, where she now excels as an Operations Analyst and Payroll Administrator. Nicole’s dedication to fulfilling any need the company has, coupled with her ability to organize data and create impactful data outputs, enables company leaders to make key decisions that improve operations.

 

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Nicole is deeply involved in her community as an active volunteer at her church. She has a passion for the outdoors, enjoying hiking in the mountains and gardening. Nicole is also an avid swing dancer and cherishes spending quality time with her two children and her dog, Mungo. Her diverse interests and community involvement reflect her dynamic personality and commitment to a balanced life.

Brenda Belt

Property Accountant

Brenda has over 15 years of accounting experience. A determined self-starter and team player; she is passionate about seeing all task and projects through to ensure the client is content with the work delivered. Brenda is currently enrolled in the University of Phoenix and Maryland Real Estate classes. Outside of work Brenda enjoys traveling and the experiences vast new destinations have to offer. When she is not traveling, she remains active locally by exploring the waterways of Maryland.