When a severe ice storm knocked out power across Middle Tennessee in February, Radnor Tower Maintenance Supervisor Stephen Leas didn’t hesitate. Waking up on a Sunday morning to a freezing house, Stephen quickly ensured his own family was safe before dedicating the next three days to protecting the residents of his 190-unit property. His selfless, heroic actions during the crisis earned him the well-deserved title of LHP Capital’s Positive Resident Experience Leader of the Year.
With most of the residents being elderly, the stakes were incredibly high. Stephen’s first priority was the emergency generator. Thanks to his proactive preparation earlier in the year—when he pre-loaded the tank with 150 gallons of fuel—the generator fired up successfully, keeping elevators, emergency lighting, the main office, and the 16th-floor community room running.
As the building’s apartment homes lost all heat and electricity, the 16th floor became a vital sanctuary. Stephen and Radnor staff members did all they could to assist the residents while they monitored municipal repair efforts.
“I wanted to keep the residents safe, but we were at the mercy of the weather,” says Stephen.
By Tuesday, day three of the blackout, Stephen began to worry that the backup generator—which had run continuously for 48 hours—would run out of fuel. Anticipating the worst, Stephen and his team scrambled across nearby properties to gather extra fuel cans and more fuel just in case.
Fortunately, the extra fuel wasn’t needed. Main power was finally restored Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m., bringing immense relief to everyone. True to his dedicated nature, Stephen stayed focused on Radnor Tower even though his own home remained without power for an entire week, forcing him and his wife to stay in a hotel.
Reflecting on the ordeal and his approach to customer service, Stephen shared his personal philosophy: “I’m here to fix a problem, not make one.”
Congratulations, Stephen, and thank you for defining the very best of LHP Capital!
Providing a positive experience for every resident is our top priority! PRE Leaders receive a $100 gift card and our thanks for being stewards of our company’s excellent customer service.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized as a PRE Leader? All employees are eligible for the PRE Leader award, and all are welcome to nominate another employee for the award. To nominate someone for the award, send an e-mail to TheScruff@LHP.net.
