The forerunner to EpiCity, D. L. Stokes & Company, was founded in 1935 by the grandparents of the current ownership. They formed the company with a strong foundation – a foundation of values – knowledge, industry and honor. Today, eighty years later, that foundation is still rock solid and the principals continue to build upon it.
Four generations have now worked for EpiCity. DL and Florence would be so proud! Today the company is directed by their grandchildren, Tom Stokes, Jr. and Jim LaVallee. Tom’s and Jim’s fathers are also still involved as directors of family investment enterprise. Tom Sr. is a former member of the Appraisal Institute and Ted LaVallee, as a mortgage banker. Tom Sr.’s younger son Stan Stokes, is also a director of the investment company along with Ted’s oldest child, Lynne LaVallee. In addition, Kori Stokes, married to the fourth generation, is EpiCity’s Portfolio Property Manager.
“Family” has an expanded definition for the Stokes and LaVallees. Sandy Haithcock, long-time property manager at several of the company’s apartment and housing communities, was with the company for nearly 40 years. Like Sandy, others at EpiCity have a long proven track record. Velinda Bowman is Director for Accounting and Human Resources and has been with the company for 20 years, and her husband, Dwayne Bowman, Director of Field Service and Operations, will celebrate his 25 service anniversary this fall!
The full-service commercial real estate company continues to be re-energized as it reconstitutes itself in the face of an ever-changing market. The company’s prime objective continues to be meeting the needs of its clientele. Since 1935, EpiCity has been serving its partners in the Southeast real estate market. All of its clients are considered “partners” because the relationships are about more than physical assets. The company offers one-on-one service, local market expertise and a focus on profitable, long-term management.
Its current portfolio numbers 28 assets including both commercial and residential properties, covering a risk range from core to opportunistic. With a focus on asset appreciation with some current income, EpiCity strives to obtain the highest value and best use for each property and partner.
In addition to commercial property management, its brokerage division specializes in commercial investment sales, office and industrial leasing and tenant representation. The company delivers an array of industry insights, operational and financial expertise, plus a holistic marketing strategy to fully execute on its partners’ real estate objectives. Sister company, Epic Development, delivers the highest quality construction in new home construction and renovation, with a focus on design. And similar to the apartment communities built by their grandparents, they are building homes in the newly gentrified Old Fourth Ward, coming full circle to what DL had envisioned so many years ago.
Without a doubt, EpiCity is doing work today that reflects what DL and Florence Stokes started out to do – to care for the land so that it would, generations down the road, take care of the people. As a company, this generation is able to find opportunities and to take calculated risks, balancing risk and safety.
Come join us! Call us to find out how you might be able to partner with us in real estate throughout Atlanta.