Field Notes: A Glimpse into Industrial Property Management with Zach Gengler

At BKM, our property managers are the driving force behind the service we deliver and the spaces we operate. In our latest interview series, we’re sitting down with property managers across our portfolio to get a closer look at the people behind the properties—what drives them, what challenges they face, and what they love most about their work.

To kick off the series, we spoke with Zach Gengler, who takes the helm at BKM’s office in Portland, Oregon. With a passion for real estate and a natural talent for relationship-building, Zach shares insights from the field, expanding upon his essential role at BKM.

Zach Gengler

📍 Portland, OR

2 Team Members

7 parks | 120 tenants | 1.5M SF under management

With BKM since February 2024

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

Z: I’ve always wanted to work in commercial real estate. In high school, my brother and I did landscaping and maintenance work around town, and I remember thinking, "I want to be the landlord, not the guy doing the yardwork.” That mindset stuck with me, and once I graduated college, I landed in property management—and I’ve loved it ever since. It’s opened doors to other areas like construction, acquisitions, and asset management, all of which I have enjoyed learning the ins and outs of.

Why do you think BKM stands out in the property management space? Does BKM empower you to “act like an owner”?

Z: Our product quality is top of mind. When you drive by a BKM property, it stands out—it looks new, polished, and professional, which is not typical of the majority of industrial buildings. We also invest in capital improvements up front and prioritize customer service throughout the entire ownership period, which makes a huge difference in maintaining a professional image while maximizing property occupancy.

BKM absolutely empowers its teams to act like an owner. My team works directly with our asset management team, which means fewer delays and more flexibility. That direct access allows us to move quickly on capital improvements, leasing timelines, and so much more. Our vertically integrated platform is a huge advantage in such an operationally intensive sector, streamlining many of our processes and allowing us more time to focus on building customer relationships.

Do you have any memorable stories from the job?

Z: Absolutely. One of our properties in Tigard, Oregon includes a natural reserve—and it turns out a family of beavers moved in. They built a dam that got so large it eventually caused flooding, and we got to work with a “beaver deceiver” to manage the water flow while preserving their habitat. It was an interesting exercise to hone my creative problem-solving skills, and I also got to learn a lot about beavers during that time!

In another instance, a $500 water heater burst overnight, flooding 50,000 square feet and all five tenant spaces at the property. The repairs took over six weeks and cost $250,000. It was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change—and how important it is to be ready to jump into action when emergencies arise. While the job is unpredictable at times, it is just one of the trials of being a property manager.

How do you build meaningful relationships with tenants and in what way can they use you as a resource?

Z: Listening is key. A lot of our tenants have spent their entire living building and running their businesses, but facilities management might not be their strength. We try to be a resource, offer support, and make a positive impact wherever we can in order to make that part of entrepreneurship less strenuous on our customers.

Lease questions are also very common—the documents are long and written by attorneys so they are often hard to understand. I always seek to help clarify things and walk tenants through responsibilities and financials to make that process easier. We also often share vendor connections for HVAC, build-outs, repairs—whatever they need to stay focused on their business.

What are some of the challenges you face, and how do you handle them? How do you stay available to tenants without being on call 24/7?

Z: The unpredictability. Emergencies seem to happen at multiple sites all at once, or not at all. It’s a sprint when that happens, but when things are quiet, they’re really quiet. The challenge is staying proactive and responsive without burning out, while also learning to manage the times when you may have some extra wiggle room.

We get most communication through email and phone, but when I’m on-site, I try to step into a few spaces and check in to deliver a more personal touch. Emergencies will always happen, but keeping consistent, steady communication goes a long way to help mitigate situations more effectively.

What industry trends are you seeing that impact your role and what kind of innovation would you like to see in the future?

Z: Economic cycles always impact leasing—tenants relocating or rethinking their footprint. But I’m most excited about the tech side. Portals for work orders, payments, and communication are becoming the norm, and they make everyone’s lives easier.

Something that would be exciting to see evolve further in the future is more integrated technology. Software that streamlines vendor scheduling, reporting, and communication can free up so much time for PMs. Tools like Yardi and Facility Manager are already helping immensely, but I think we’ll keep evolving in that direction which will only further streamline time consuming processes and procedures.

Do you have a favorite property type?

Z: Industrial, hands down! I started in Class A office and did some retail, but I love the pace and structure of industrial. The construction process is different, and the tenants are often more familiar with their responsibilities. I plan to stay in this space long term.

How do you handle tough conversations with tenants?

Z: Face-to-face is always the best approach. I always bring the lease, communicate clearly, and focus on a mutually beneficial outcome. It’s not always easy, but if you show you’re coming from a place of understanding, people appreciate that. Conversations may not always go how you want them to, but as long as you handle the situation with a level head and clearly present the facts, you can at least rest easy knowing you did the right thing.

You can learn more about BKM Management Company at www.bkmmgmt.com.