MEET OUR IGNITeRS
Tom Bachmann | Professional Speaker
For the last 25 years, Tom has been teaching leadership, management, and corporate culture transformation skills to leaders from around the country, Europe and India. He also specializes in preparing senior leaders with their presentation skills, focusing on their leadership presence and ability to communicate powerfully and professionally. He is a former United States naval officer serving 8 years as a nuclear engineer and training professional. After the Navy, he spent 3 years in sales with a financial consulting firm, followed by another 3 years training time management and project management for a company specializing in personal productivity. Tom received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, an M.S. (equivalent) in Nuclear Engineering from the Navy’s Nuclear Power School, and his M.A. in Management from National University in San Diego. Tom also spent 9 years as an Adjunct Professor for the Rochester Institute of Technology and Nazareth College for project management for their respective College of Business master’s programs.Toni Blake | Owner, Totally Toni
Toni Blake is a popular industry keynote speaker and comedienne. Her enthusiastic presentation style is unique, with “laugh while you learn” education and comedy. After three decades of touring multifamily housing, she continues to be the premier choice. Toni Blake won top selection in the 2020 Multifamily Insiders Choice Award for her Wednesday Webinar. At the 2022 NAA in San Diego, CA, Toni was the featured comedienne to open for Jeff Foxworthy at the Top Gun Party aboard the USS Midway! In 2021 Toni began boldly touring the industry with her popular AmaZING Tour Bus, visiting 23 states in 135 days, traveling over 13,000 miles. The tour continues! Toni Blake’s research is published in many national industry publications, including Units Magazine. Her creative wisdom inspires thousands of industry professionals each year with innovative concepts in customer service, sales, and marketing. Toni’s infectious energy has built a social media following of over 36K, with .5M views of her Facebook LIVE videos, making her a sought-after guest on multifamily radio and podcasts. Toni is passionate about being an agent of positive change in our world and inspires people to be great human beings. Stay in touch with TotallyToni by following her in real-time on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.Russell Mack | Professor, TCU
Russell Mack, J.D. teaches Strategic Writing, Writing and Editing, Communication Law and PR Case Studies at Texas Christian University. Prior to teaching, Professor Mack spent more than 40 years as a PR and marketing executive. He was a legislative assistant and press secretary in the U.S. Congress, served in communication positions at two federal agencies, and was Special Assistant to President Reagan and Director of Public Affairs in the White House. He was Director of Public Affairs at American Airlines, VP of Communication at United Airlines and a senior VP at a major Dallas advertising agency. He was head of communication at Lyrick Studios and Executive VP for Communication at Mary Kay Inc. Professor Mack's expertise includes communication strategy, crisis communication, speech writing and messaging.Maria Pietroforte | Owner, Maria Pietroforte Consulting
When you grow up as a military brat with a professional dancer mom and expert marksman dad, you pick up a few things - like flexibility. Adaptability. Performance. Art. Attention to detail. Grit. These traits served Maria well as she moved throughout her childhood and into the multifamily industry. Maria got her first job as a leasing consultant in college and was immediately smitten with the business. After all, she was always drawn to people and change and challenging herself (I've looked fear right in the eyeballs a time or two!) to conquer what's next. Over time, Maria moved across the country from California to Virginia and back again, becoming a C-suite executive for great multifamily companies, marketing agencies, and dot-coms, earning a reputation as The Turnaround Queen for companies and teams. She became a consultant, leadership coach and speaker, sharing what she has learned over her 30-year career to help leaders, teams, properties, and companies thrive. Maria loves transforming work into places where people value each other, are connected to strategy, and get the job done to advance reputation and performance.Anne Sadovsky | Professional Speaker
AAGD's own celebrity, Anne has been active in many apartment associations at national and state levels for five decades and is based in Dallas. She has been honored with Legends Awards from Multifamily Pro and the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and is a former V P with Lincoln Property Company. She began her speaking and consulting career in 1981. Anne is a popular guest on radio and TV talk shows, is an editor and writer for many publications and is often quoted in articles about the development of people skills. She is a co-author of the book “Mission Possible” with Brian Tracy and Stephen Covey. She is an expert on Fair Housing and is a favorite speaker on developing people skills, the like-ability factor, sales and leasing, customer retention and service, and more. Anne’s success story has been featured in Money Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Texas Business. Mirabella Magazine named her one of the 1,000 women of the 90s.Susan Weston | Principal, The Susan Weston Company
Sue has operated The Susan Weston Company since 2010 and consults and trains in the multifamily industry. Her industry career spans over 40 years in executive capacities in Operations, Human Resources and Learning and Development at both publicly traded and private companies. She is a Subject Matter Expert for the National Apartment Association Education Institute credential programs, a member of NAAEI Senior Faculty, a subject matter expert for private industry litigation, and a licensed Texas real estate broker. From 2012-2016, Susan taught residential property management programs in the School of Business at the University of North Texas. In April of 2016 she was invited and continues to serve on the National Council for the School of Business at Valparaiso University.2026 CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Thank you to our 2026 Conference Sponsors. Without their support, none of this would be possible.
DIAMOND SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
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CONFERENCE DETAILS
SCHOLARSHIPS
Submissions are due by December 1, 2025
The AAGD Education Foundation currently offers the Donna Derden Scholarship and the Gerry Henigsman U.S. Military Scholarship.
CEC DETAILS
Continuing Education Credits (CECs) can be earned for attending the conference. A total of four (4) will be earned for the day.
CONFERENCE LOCATION
January 20, 2026
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco
Hotel & Convention Center
7600 John Q Hammonds Dr.
Frisco, TX 75034
QUESTIONS?
Please Contact the AAGD Education Team
Email: education@aagdallas.com
Call: (972) 385-9091 ext 200 or 211
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REGISTRATION POLICY
REGISTRATION POLICY: Group registration is available for a bundle of 10 attendees until January 13, 2026. Add on a table for lunch for only $200. The group registration will be considered as one invoice that will be addressed to ONLY one Property or Management Company. No invoice breakdowns or multiple billing will be allowed. An automated confirmation will be sent to the registration main contact. Please keep the confirmation for your records.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Without exception, group registration cancellations are due by December 15, 2025; individual registration cancellations are due January 6, 2026. Attendee name changes will be accepted during check-in. Please provide the attendee name who you will be replacing. All no-shows will be billed without exception. All cancellations/modifications must be received in writing by the allowed stated date and should not be considered as approved until the attendee receives an approval e-mail from the Education Department. All no-shows will be billed without exception. For member login information please e-mail education@aagdallas.com or call (972) 385-9091 ext. 200 or 211.