A Quarter Century of Leadership- Celebrating Scott Altman

Scott Altman with his 25 year milestone board, signed by colleagues across the Donaldson family.

Some milestones speak for themselves: 25 years, 300 months, 9,131 days. Numbers alone, however, cannot capture what Scott Altman has meant to Donaldson. His leadership, loyalty, and quiet, steady force have shaped the company into what it is today.

Last month, Donaldson paused to honor the man at the center of it all. Colleagues gathered from across the company to celebrate Scott's extraordinary journey, one that began with enormous promise and has only deepened with every passing year.

A luncheon was held at the corporate office on a beautiful Spring afternoon, and Scott's wife, Nerissa, joined colleagues and team members as everyone gathered to enjoy appetizers, drinks, and quality time together. Throughout the afternoon, people reminisced, shared stories, and reflected on Scott's many contributions to the company. It was a time filled with appreciation, laughter, and meaningful conversation, creating an atmosphere that felt both personal and fitting for such an important milestone. Scott was also presented with a gift of appreciation and took a few moments to share words of gratitude with the team.

The Donaldson team gathered on the rooftop terrace to celebrate Scott's milestone. The celebration featured a spread fit for a 25 year milestone.

A Journey Built from the Ground Up

Scott's path to becoming Donaldson's President is a story of organic, earned growth and hard work. His career arc reflects not just ambition, but genuine mastery of the property management industry. He came to Donaldson with a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, and early experience as a Commercial Property Manager and Assistant Property Manager at Park Center Management in Alexandria, Virginia.

The chapter that would define his career, however, began through an extraordinary act of generosity, one that speaks volumes about both the man who made it and the one who received it.

"Scott is the keystone that Donaldson was built around."

Carl Einsel, Donaldson CEO

When Walt Donaldson was first building the company, operating out of his basement with the help of industry veteran Mike Erkiletian, Mike identified something exceptional in a young property manager working for him. He didn't have the bandwidth to fully develop Scott's talent, so he brought Scott to Walt's attention, and asked Walt to take Scott under his wing.

Walt did exactly that. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Rising Through Every Role

Scott didn't simply climb the corporate ladder at Donaldson. He helped build it. Over the past 25 years, Scott has served in virtually every senior leadership capacity the organization has to offer: Regional Property Manager, Director of Property Management, Director of Acquisitions and Construction Management, Senior Vice President and Director of Property and Construction Management, Senior Vice President of Asset Management, and Executive Vice President, before ultimately stepping into his current role as President.

In each position, Scott has done more than perform. He has transformed. He has developed and implemented new policies and procedures, introduced innovative systems and processes, and consistently elevated Donaldson's management capabilities at both the corporate and property levels. To date, he has managed more than 30,000 apartment units and over 700,000 square feet of Class A office space and has directed more than $350 million in renovation work across properties owned and managed by Donaldson.

Leading with Purpose

As President, Scott directs Donaldson's day to day operations, leading both the Property Management and Operations divisions while overseeing all property, asset, and financial management services provided to clients. He also oversees the company's construction management business and serves as an integral member of the TDG Capital Partners acquisition team, directing all due diligence efforts on behalf of Donaldson, its affiliates, and its clients.

His credentials reflect the depth of his expertise. Scott holds both the Certified Property Manager (CPM®) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM®) designations and is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) and the Property Management Association of Greater Washington (PMA®), professional affiliations that signal a commitment to excellence not just within Donaldson, but across the industry.

Scott connects with colleagues during the celebration, a hallmark of his leadership style.

Living Our Value of Unity

Carl Einsel shared that when Donaldson established its core values, the team unanimously chose Scott to represent Unity. Carl explained that wasn't a token gesture, but a recognition of how Scott actually leads.

Scott's leadership style is defined by teamwork and cross collaboration. He doesn't operate in silos; he builds bridges. And over more than a decade working side by side with Carl Einsel, that partnership has served as a model for what Donaldson's culture aspires to be.

"Scott's knowledge of property and construction management is simply unparalleled in our industry. Scott and I have been each other's right hands for over a decade."

Carl Einsel, CEO

"Scott's leadership has made a lasting impact across Donaldson. He brings people together, solves problems, and keeps our teams focused on what matters most.

Misti Mitchell, SVP of Property Management

The moment Scott first sees the oversized anniversary board filled with messages from the people he's led and inspired.

In Scott's Own Words

"Celebrating 25 years with The Donaldson Group brings back a lot of great memories and a lot of appreciation. Some of my fondest memories are from working, and fishing and hunting, with Walt Donaldson, who taught me just about everything I know about property management. I was lucky to learn from one of the best.

Over the past 25 years, property management has changed tremendously. The business is more sophisticated, more regulated, and more demanding than ever, but the fundamentals have not changed: take care of residents, support your teams, make sound decisions, and earn the trust of your clients.

What I am most proud of is being part of a company that has grown and evolved while staying grounded in our Values. Donaldson has always been about people, relationships, hard work, and doing the right thing. I am proud of the communities we have served, the teams we have built, and the work we continue to do every day.

As I look ahead, I feel very positive about where Donaldson is headed. We have a strong foundation, a talented team, and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed in a changing industry. The work is not always easy, but that is also what makes it meaningful. I am grateful for the last 25 years and excited for the future of Donaldson, our people, and the multifamily industry."

Scott Altman, President

Here's to the Next Chapter

Twenty five years ago, a young property manager with extraordinary potential joined a company still finding its footing. Today, that company is a respected leader in the DC/MD/VA multifamily market, and Scott Altman is its President. That is not a coincidence.

Donaldson is proud to celebrate Scott's 25 years of hard work, vision, and unwavering dedication. His impact on this organization on its people, its properties, and its future is immeasurable.

Thank you, Scott. Here's to the next chapter.