UGOC Spotlight: Joanne DiMarco Celebrates 5 Years

Today United Group has the pleasure of celebrating our Vice President of Lifestyle and Commercial Leasing, Joanne DiMarco! Joanne has spent five years with United Group helping the company grow and evolve to new heights.

Joanne started at United Group on November 19th, 2018, as the Director of Sales and Leasing and was recently promoted to her current role where she oversees the renowned SUN program, the Live. Learn. Relax. Program, and is currently in the process of developing a lifestyle program for multi-family housing. 

With five years of dedicated service under her belt, Joanne continues to grow and flourish within the company and United Group is delighted to celebrate her. 

Below you can read more of Joanne's story via a Q&A.

Congratulations, Joanne!

1.)   Take us back to day one! What was it like? What do you remember about your first day?

 My first day was the Monday of Thanksgiving week. I filled out some paperwork and then went back home to mystery shop 7 of our communities before anyone knew who I was! I have a distinctive voice so this was the only opportunity I had to learn about our communities under the radar! 

2.)   Walk us through a typical workday!

 A typical workday for me is anything but typical. I travel a lot, so some days I wake up and have to remind myself what city I’m in! When I am not on the road, my days are usually filled with lots of meetings, emails and phone calls. When I am on the roads it’s whatever the property needs: such as presenting Lunch and Learns, helping with large events, on the job training with team members. I’ve also been known to put together centerpieces and even sing a little karaoke. Anything to help our site teams or bring joy to our residents!

3.)   What is your favorite memory (so far) from your time at UGOC?

My favorite memory, so far, is the day I fully felt what it meant to be part of the UGOC family. My granddaughter Marina was born just a little past midnight on December 26, 2020. She arrived into the world 16 weeks early and weighed 14 oz. The prognosis was not good. I called our CHRO, Joan Cavanaugh, a few days later to let HR know what was going on. Joan asked what the company could do. I said at that time my daughter and son-in-law could not even hold Marina. All they could do was sit and read to her. A few days later a box arrived that contained 20-25 children’s books. I still tear up when I think about it. Those books have gotten plenty of use. Marina will be 3 years old next month. She is amazing, she’s very bossy and she loves books!!!

4.)   What advice would you give yourself reflecting on the last 5 years?

My advice to myself would be, never be afraid to take on new challenges. From change, comes growth.

5.)   How has your role changed over the years? (If at all).

I started as the Director of Sales and Leasing. My role kept gradually changing. 3 job descriptions and 4 reporting relationship changes later, I was recently promoted to Vice President of Lifestyle and Commercial Leasing! I could not be more excited for this new opportunity to continue to grow my career with UGOC and to simultaneously help take UGOC to the next level.