AOMA – The Apartment Owners and Managers Association was founded in 1975, reaching 50 Owner/Manager member, representing 38,000 units, and 28 Associate members in their first year. During the first Board Meeting on June 26, 1975 “Mr. Blonder stressed the need to be on the offensive, to take the negatives in our industry and turn them into positives, the need for better resident relations, and the need for professionalism in everything we do.”

“It was consensus that the Association should provide two good first class leasing/management seminars and two maintenance-type seminars each year and legislative action would be the top priority” – From 6/26/75 Minutes

Alongside AOMA’s legislative efforts around landlord/tenant legislation, the Association worked with legal counsel to develop a state-of-the-art lease that aligned with state law to make available to member companies. Now known as the GAA Lease, access to the Association’s leasing and forms program remains a valuable benefit of AAA membership.

Hear from some of our early members, Jerry Warshaw, Rob Johnston, Jerry Wilkinson, Marty Flournoy, and more about how it all began.

AOMA leadership partnered with the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution to purchase full page advertisements in each Sunday newspaper edition and to make ad space available for member property advertisements. This program would grow to be a successful partnership and revenue generator for the organization throughout the 1980s and 90s.

Under AOMA President Jerry Warshaw’s leadership, the association agreed to affiliate with the National Apartment Association in 1983. AOMA members began traveling to Washington DC for NAA conferences and quickly became an influential voice for the industry at the National level.

AOMA President Vic Maslia established the first ever Sports Gala to raise funds for the industry PAC. Now known as the AAA Golf Classic, this beloved annual event remains the largest PAC fundraiser for the Association.

Under AOMA President Rob Johnston’s leadership, the Association held its first Food-A-Thon food drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Association members contributed over 40,000 pounds of food amounting to the ACFB’s largest ever single contribution. To date, the Food-A-Thon tradition has contributed more than 146 Million meals to the Food Bank.

In 1989 AOMA leadership voted to rebrand the Association to the Atlanta Apartment Association and separately established the Georgia Apartment Association (GAA) for state-wide legislative activities.

Hear about AAA’s partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Throughout our 30+ year partnership with ACFB, AAA has donated more than 130 Million meals to Georgia families in need.

1994 AAA Board President Julian Lecraw lead the effort to move the AAA offices to its current location at 8601 Dunwoody Place. The new office was equipped with the latest technology for staff members and a sophisticated education facility for maintenance and management training classes.

AAA’s first female Board President, Anna Swann, lead the Association through major technological advancements to enhance the member experience. The Leases and Forms program was moved from paper to digital software stored on CDs, the Association purchased new association management software, and the first AAA website was launched!

Under the leadership of 2002 AAA Board Chair, Jerry Wilkinson, the Association held the first Apartment Market Workshop, now known as the Apartment Market Outlook. The event provided valuable market data and projections amid economic downturn. The market outlook, now held twice annually is one of the Association’s most valued educational events, drawing attendees from across Atlanta’s real estate industry.

In 2004, a coalition of AAA leaders filed a lawsuit against City of Roswell regarding an illegal interior inspection ordinance. Represented by Association general counsel, Ken McCullough, AAA won the lawsuit and a compromise third party inspection program was established that continues to serve as a model for cities across the region.

The Georgia Apartment Industry Education Foundation establishes degree programs at UGA and Georgia Tech focused for residential apartment property management and development. The first classes were held in the Fall 2007 semester, and within two years over 600 students had enrolled in apartment industry courses. These programs continue to thrive and attract new talent to the industry every year.

When the Great Recession hit the apartment industry in 2008, association members rallied together to keep each other moving forward. AAA leadership established the “Georgia Housing Stimulus Plan” developed to assist members facing hardship during the recession.

To address fundraising challenges during the recession, the Education foundation held the first Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds for the foundation. The event was held in honor of Peggy Waskom and still bears her name today as the Association’s largest annual fundraiser for the foundation.

Under the leadership of 2016 Board Chair, Jamie Teabo, AAA leaders proudly stepped up to donate funds for the permanent statue of Martin Luther King Jr on the Georgia State Capitol grounds.

AAA remodeled and expanded their offices, creating a new state of the art Professional Development Center to house training and education classes. The Georgia Apartment Industry Education Foundation was brought in house and Rebranded to the Georgia Apartment Association Foundation.

Under the leadership of 2020 Board Chair, Bobby West, AAA navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. AAA leaders adapted to meet virtually to discuss new challenges and develop guidance and new industry best practices for members on issues like re-opening common spaces, navigating court closures and eviction moratoria, liability protections, and resident communications and support.

As the federal government released over $500 Million in rental assistance for Georgia in response to the pandemic, AAA leaders partnered with state local rental assistance organizations to provide industry feedback for process improvements to get funds to the properties and residents that needed it most.

Under leadership of AAA’s first black female Board Chair, Melissa White, AAA membership exceeds 500,000 units for first time following the 2024 membership campaign.