SAM Team Member Spotlight: Gina Hackett
Director of Key Accounts of Storage Asset Management
Gina Hackett
Q: Can you introduce yourself and provide some background on your role within the company? What are your primary responsibilities and areas of expertise?
A: I started with SAM as a District Manager, and after about a year became a Regional Director for the Midwest. Currently, I am a Director of Key Accounts.
I work directly for the Valley Storage portfolio and help them drive business by working closely with the regional team and the district managers. My role is highly dependent on building relationships with our internal SAM team and the owners of Valley Storage. Valley Storage is our second-largest owner. They require added support in operations, Capex improvements, and development. Since this is a new role, there has been a bit of a learning curve, but with the help and support of SAM, it has gone well.
Q: How did you come to be part of the team at SAM? What attracted you to this role and our company?
A: I spent most of my life in the food service industry and really wanted a change, mostly to learn new things. I put my resume out there and was head-hunted by one of the REITs. I thought the interview with them was sterile and disingenuous. The great piece was when I started doing my homework on the storage industry and found SAM. I was lucky to get an interview with Senior VP of Field Operations Lynn Sykes, and the rest is history. I was drawn to the culture and how much I enjoyed talking with Lynn and Alyssa.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at SAM? Is there a specific aspect of your job or the company culture that you find particularly rewarding?
A: I love being a part of the growth and changes. It is so incredibly fascinating to me how much SAM has grown since I started. My favorite part of the company is the people. I have met some incredible people, and they have shared their talents and expertise in the business with me. I am so appreciative of the support I have received from the people of SAM.
Q: Has a memorable life lesson or advice shaped your outlook or approach to life and work?
I worked at Starbucks for about 16 years prior to coming to SAM. I had an opportunity to train and get to know Eric Wyatt, who gave me some great advice that I believe brought me to my current role today. Long story short, when I was offered a district manager position with Starbucks, it was not for the company-operated stores but with the licensed concept location ( Targets and Turnpike locations). Eric told me not to wait for what may come but to take anything that will help me grow, never move laterally, and continue to drive myself forward. I learned a lot from my role at Starbucks, including how to manage large remodels and how to influence people.
Q: Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy pursuing in your free time?
A: When I am not working, I love to be outside. Hiking, swimming, and traveling are some of my favorites. I also like to journal and junk journal to track my life and the good times with family and friends. I am married to Mark, and we have four kids and two incredible grandchildren.
Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself?
A: I love to cook all kinds of food, but I make the world’s best Jell-O pretzel dessert.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself?
A: I really enjoy spending time with my family and extended family. I have two cats and would have more if my husband was on board. We have one dog and would have more, again, if my husband was on board. In the past year and a half, I started a lot of new things for myself. I read way more, work out, walk regularly, journal, and enjoy doing different crafts. I’m in my self-discovery era.
Q: What is your go-to Sunday cleaning/organizing song?
I recently started playing a lot of Taylor Swift during cleaning and organizing. I am definitely in my discovery era.