Field Notes: A Glimpse into Industrial Property Management with Lindsay Garner

At BKM, our property managers are at the heart of everything we do—from the service we provide to the communities we support. In this ongoing interview series, we’re shining a light on the dedicated individuals who keep our properties running smoothly. In this edition, we spoke with Lindsay, one of our exceptional Property Managers in Las Vegas, about her path into property management, the insights she’s gained along the way, and what drives her every day.

Lindsay Garner

📍 Las Vegas, Nevada

7 team members

10 parks | 270 tenants | 1.1M SF

With BKM since April 2023

How did you end up working for BKM?

L: I actually started working with BKM as a third-party manager through a local company back in 2013. BKM was looking for external management at the time, and after my company presented, we were awarded the contract. That’s when I first got to work with Koren—who’s still with the company today. Our first project together was Wind River. I was involved from start to finish, including the design work, and it gave me a great sense of what the 'BKM experience' was all about.

Later, we acquired the Cheyenne property, which I also led and oversaw the full repainting and repositioning process. Eventually, BKM brought those assets in-house, and I helped manage that transition as well—from third-party oversight to internal operations. After some time, I stepped away from the industry for a bit; I had been in a more senior director-level role and needed a pause.

Later, when I saw that BKM was hiring, something just clicked. I remembered Brian, Brett, Koren—people I had worked with nearly a decade before—and the company’s mission still really resonated with me. I applied, got hired, and have since been able to grow within the organization in just a few short years.

It’s one of those full-circle moments that you don’t come across often. When I first joined, BKM was a tiny team—maybe six people. Now, seeing how much the company has grown while staying true to its core values has been incredibly rewarding.

What made you want to become a property manager in the first place?

L: I fell into property management unintentionally. I was in school to become a teacher and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I reached out to a friend of mine who owned a local real estate firm and town and offered to shadow him for free just to learn more about what he did day-to-day. I tried residential real estate for a bit, which I enjoyed. but when the market took a downturn, I transitioned to a small commercial firm as a property assistant. Since then, it really has never been the same. I love it and will never see myself doing another job.

Why do you think BKM stands out in the property management space?

L: BKM takes pride in its branding—from paint colors to the way we present vacant rollovers. Even my friends and family can spot our buildings when they drive by. This same concept applies to our brokers, who recognize our product and trust what we offer, making deals more efficient and eliminating any surprises.

Do you have any notable stories during your time with BKM?

L: When I first joined, it was through a portfolio acquisition—and, unexpectedly, that acquisition included a set of forklifts. Someone joked that I could now add 'forklift broker' to my resume, and in a way, they weren’t wrong. I temporarily managed the equipment, coordinated vendor outreach, gathered bids, and ultimately negotiated and sold all the forklifts in a short time. It was something I had never done before, but it turned out to be a fun and unique challenge.

What is your favorite part about the job?

L: What I love most about this job is getting to interact with our tenants—everyone has their own unique story. Over the years, I’ve worked with tiny e-commerce businesses that started in a garage and signed their very first lease—and now they’ve grown into major successes. I’ve also supported large industrial tenants with operations across the country. It’s especially rewarding to see those small teams—maybe just two employees when they move in—grow into thriving businesses with 10, 20, even 30 or more employees. You never really know what a tenant is working on when they first arrive, whether it’s tech-related, an innovative invention, or day-to-day industrial operations. That variety—and the chance to watch them grow—is what keeps this job so exciting.

How do you build meaningful connections with your customers?

L: one thing I think we’re really lucky to have at BKM is a strong focus on tenant experience—it’s truly one of our top priorities. We host biannual tenant events where we bring food and treats on-site, giving us the opportunity to connect with our customers in a casual, meaningful way. These events are something we plan and budget for intentionally, and they’ve evolved into something our tenants genuinely look forward to. Beyond that, I make it a point to regularly stop in and chat. Most of the tenants recognize my car in the parking lot—when they see me pull up, they wave, and I roll my window down to say hi. It’s those little touchpoints that build strong relationships and show our tenants we’re here for them.

What makes it even more special is how unique this approach is in the industrial space. I’ve worked with clients who wanted to do similar things, but it often depends on the product type. In Las Vegas, industrial tenants usually don’t get those kinds of experiences—that’s something you’d expect from a high-end office campus. So the fact that we bring taco trucks, donut days, and other fun moments to our parks says a lot about how much BKM values every tenant, no matter their size.

How can customers use you as a resource?

L: I think our tenants can really benefit from the technology BKM offers. We’re constantly evolving our tools and resources to make their experience smoother and more efficient. Through our tenant portal, they can easily reach out to a maintenance technician, contact a vendor, or get in touch with our team directly. They can also download their lease, view their charges, and manage their account all in one place. It’s all designed to make their day-to-day operations a little easier—and that’s a win for everyone.

What are some of the challenges you face, and how do you overcome them?

L: Property management is a challenging career because you’re constantly balancing the needs of two sides—you’re trying to keep both the client and the tenant happy, often at the same time. In many ways, you’re the middleman, working to ensure that everyone’s goals are met. What I’ve found works best is taking the time to educate both parties. I try to explain the reasoning behind my decisions so they understand it’s not just reactive—it’s thoughtful and strategic. When people can see the 'why' behind what I’m doing, they’re more receptive, and it helps build stronger, more collaborative relationships. That transparency has made a big difference in how I connect with both clients and tenants.

How does BKM support its PMs in delivering exceptional service?

L: At BKM, we’re always evolving—finding ways to streamline processes and make property management more efficient for both our clients and tenants. What really stands out, though, is the company’s commitment to employee empowerment. There’s a strong investment in tools and resources that make our jobs easier, but just as important is the focus on employee engagement and work-life balance. I’ve never worked anywhere that puts so much emphasis on preventing burnout. Leadership is constantly asking, 'What can we do to support you?' and 'How can we make your job easier?' That forward-thinking mindset—planning for growth before it happens rather than reacting after the fact—positions us to serve everyone better. It’s also one of the reasons we really value having Brian Malliet at the helm. He brings a thoughtful, tailored approach to growth that helps us avoid the usual growing pains and stay ahead of the curve.

What trends are you noticing in the industry, and how is it affecting your role?

L: Right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty around the economy, and many tenants are understandably hesitant about growth and expansion. They’re just nervous in general. That’s where we come in—not just as property managers, but as resources and sounding boards. We share market updates and insights from platforms like CoStar and LoopNet, and we talk through the trends they’re seeing. What helps even more is that we’re not a massive, faceless corporation—we operate more like a close-knit team with a family-owned mentality. Tenants know they’re speaking to real people who care and are willing to listen. That personal connection allows us to offer the kind of support that helps ease their concerns and guide their decision-making in a more grounded way.

What is some innovation you would like to see in your field in the near future?

L: I’m genuinely excited about the evolution of AI in property management. We’ve already started incorporating it into some of our tools—like Facility Manager—and the potential is huge. I imagine a future where AI can mirror my thought process and assist with everything from note-taking and photo organization to anticipating how I’d handle complex tasks. That kind of support would free me up to focus on larger-scale priorities and make me even more effective in my role.