John Edwards

Cottonwood Capital

By Leah Etling on Apr 19, 2012 in People

When John Edwards and his wife, Darcy, moved to Salt Lake City, they only expected to stay for a year.  That was more than 20 years ago.

Today, John oversees the installation and support of Yardi Property Management software for all of the properties of Cottonwood Capital, a Utah-based real estate and investment company.

John’s journey to his current position in technology management was an unexpected one as well. When he and Darcy moved to Utah so she could pursue her nursing career, John took what he expected to be a temporary job as a bookkeeper/accountant for a Salt Lake City apartment complex.

“The plan was to stay for just a year. 15 years later, I was still there,” he told us in a recent interview. The management company of the complex was Nevins Adams Lewbel Schell (NALS), and John ended up trying a variety of on-site jobs, including leasing agent and property manager, before falling into an unexpected role as a training expert on Yardi’s computer programs. His natural affinity for computers and learning new things made him a perfect fit, and he even overcame a fear of public speaking as a result. John received his CAM Certification (Certified Apartment Manager) from the National Apartment Association in 1997.

Five years ago, he accepted a position at Cottonwood Capital, where he oversees all of the company’s Yardi needs. More than 100 property managers will attend a company retreat later this month, where John will revisit that previous role he enjoyed, training on-site personnel. Cottonwood’s management portfolio now includes 110 residential properties, a more than 10-fold increase from five years ago.

“I just love learning new things, working with the managers and helping the managers succeed,” he said. Many of Cottonwood’s management-level staff have worked their way up from first-rung property management jobs, a quality that helps the company grow smart. Properties are located around the U.S.

At home, John and Darcy’s family is now grown, so they get to enjoy time with their six grandchildren, three of whom live in Salt Lake City. The family is into sports and all of the Edwards kids played ice hockey while growing up. Daughter Stephanie, now serving in the Peace Corps in South Africa, is a past member of the USA Women’s National hockey team and she is a Level 4 coach.

The Edwards’ enjoy traveling in their small camper and have plans for a special family vacation this summer, when all six of their grandchildren will join them at Disneyland in California.  John enjoys woodworking and spending time with his grandkids every week. This spring, he and his son Joseph will jointly coach his six-year-old grandson’s t-ball team. Sounds like that short term stay in Salt Lake City has turned into a wonderful life!

Learn more about John:

What is your favorite type of music?

Oldies: 60s 70s and 80s.

What is your favorite book of all time and (optional: why)?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, I read it in High School and had to read it again twice over the years. It is the only book I have read more than once. 

If you have an hour of free time to spare, what do you do with it?

Woodworking.

What kinds of food do you like?

Unfortunately, a big juicy hamburger.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled?

Lake Powell, it is beautiful and full of history.

What do you like best about your job?

Working with my co-workers and helping them learn.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or historical, who would it be?

Abraham Lincoln. He started bringing America together and the end of slavery.

What are the words you live by?

“If someone asks if you know how to do something, tell them yes and get busy learning how to do it.” (This is a quote from someone, but I do not remember who.)

What do you want to be when you grow up?  

A youth coach and help kids have fun and maybe learn about sports along the way. 

If you could own one piece of famous art, sculpture, memorabilia or historic artifact, what would the item be?

An original Picasso.

What are some things on your bucket list?

Visit all 50 states.

Jump out of an airplane.

What was your last Do It Yourself project?

I make wood pens on a wood lathe.

What athlete or sports figure do you most admire?

Wayne Gretzky.  He stayed at the apartments I worked at for the 2002 Olympics and was easy to talk to.  My son is a huge hockey fan and called me from Marine Boot Camp and Mr. Gretzky talked to him for a bit. My son said he recognized his voice right away and knew who it was.  I also talked to his dad and it was like two fathers talking about their sons playing hockey in the back yard. 

What online sites do you visit?

Yahoo.com to get my news fix.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

I would like the ability to convince people to be nice to each other.

What’s something about you that few people know?

I played Dungeons and Dragons when I was young.