Maurice Pogoda featured in Modern Storage Media Magazine Article - Employment Evolution
The Industry’s Shift Away From Residential Management
By Sascha Zuger, May 2025In the early days of self-storage, many companies opted to hire husband and wife teams who not only shared the caretaking responsibilities of managing a storage facility but enjoyed the added bonus of living on site. Is this reality a thing of the past? Is this even viable, much less desirable? Seasoned pros say times have changed for the better.
What (Or Who) Didn’t Work
“That caretaker duo scenario is kind of in the dustbin of history,” says Maurice Pogoda, president and founder of Pogoda Companies. “It’s still out there, particularly in some rural areas, but it hasn’t really been the preferred mode of operation easily for 20 years now. The industry has evolved. The problem was you always had one that was stronger than the other, whether it was the husband or the wife.”
The sad reality is that the odds of finding two equally talented individuals within a couple is very unlikely. A facility would often knowingly hire a less qualified individual solely because they were married to someone who was qualified.
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(Farmington Hills, MI) – Pogoda Companies is excited to announce the addition of Andrew Collier as Vice President of Acquisitions. In this role, Andrew will lead the company’s efforts in identifying and executing strategic investment opportunities, both on- and off-market, to support Pogoda’s continued growth. |
Posted by Brad Hadfield
Self-storage remains in the crosshairs of some city officials. Due to concerns over aesthetics, oversupply, a lack of job creation, or all of the above, they’re restricting self-storage facilities to industrial zones, or instituting moratoriums or outright bans on new development. Once moratoriums or bans are instituted in one city, others seem to take notice, and the dominoes begin to fall.
Over the last six years, there have been self-storage moratoriums or bans in cities across at least 15 states (some have since lifted, while most remain in place). In 2020, Radius+ highlighted a number of them, in cities as large as Birmingham, Alabama to smaller towns like Coon Rapids (MN), Milford (CT), Nampa (ID), and Vancouver (WA). Other cities didn’t outright ban self-storage, but they did put in place ‘stipulations.’ For example, in Denver, self-storage is restricted within a quarter-mile of any light-rail train station and in Sacramento, they’re outlawed in the area of Stockton Boulevard and Broadway to make the space “more walkable.”
Self Storage Association of Michigan Hall-of-Famer Maurice Pogoda, president and chairman of Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Pogoda Companies, can only just shake his head at these types of statements. “I try to take off that hat of self-interest to see things from these city and council members’ perspectives,” says Pogoda. “Try as I might, I just don’t get it. I mean, 35 years ago, sure. Self-storage was mostly rows of garage doors and not particularly attractive, but we’re so beyond that now. Today’s self-storage facilities can go up against some of the most beautifully designed buildings in any industry.”
Pogoda also thinks, in this particular case, that Delta Township is trying to liken itself to the more picturesque small town Michigan cities of Petoskey, Birmingham, and Rochester, which are lined with boutique shops and cozy cafés. These delusions of grandeur are causing them to lift their nose at the idea of self-storage. “No offense to Delta Township, but that’s just not going to happen. Those other cities originated naturally, organically, and then they grew,” says Pogoda. “Since then, they’ve been good shepherds of those areas and making them even better. But areas like Delta Township should be welcoming self-storage. Our product today is nicer than most anything else they have. This could also be why other cities are implementing moratoriums or bans. They see themselves as something they’re not.”
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Pogoda Awarded Two Management Contracts
Farmington Hills, Michigan Monday, June 3, 2024Michigan-based Pogoda Companies, a leading provider of self-storage management services, is pleased to announce two new management contracts in Detroit, Michigan and Dayton, Ohio.
National Storage-New Center has 19,200 square feet of climate-controlled space in 189 units with room to expand. This Detroit location is nestled within the bottom two floors of the historic Albert Kahn building and was the former home of Saks Fifth Avenue. National Storage-Woodman in Dayton, Ohio has 68,200 square feet in 677 units and is a mixture of drive-up spaces, climate-controlled units, and RV/Boat storage. It is expected that 15,000 square feet of drive-up storage will be added by late Fall. Both locations have 24-hour digital surveillance and will offer a full line of boxes and packing supplies. Pogoda now has 72 self-storage properties in its portfolio. Both of these new management accounts will be rebranded under Pogoda’s National Storage flag and added to the www.storenational.com website.
Adam Pogoda weighs in on the State of Self-Storage Technology in an SSA Magazine Article
If you have ever wondered what our very own Adam Pogoda, President of Pogoda Companies, thinks about the current state of self-storage technology, now is your chance to find out. In an article he wrote for the July issue of SSA Magazine, Adam Pogoda shares his insights on the ever-evolving landscape of self-storage technology.SSA Magazine - July Pogoda Exerpt
Credit SSA Magazine, July 2023 issuePogoda Companies helps Transform Iconic Albert Kahn Building by Adding Self Storage
The Albert Kahn Building opened in 1931. Long past its glory days, it sat underused for many years. Today, it is has been repurposed for apartments in the upstairs floors and self storage in the former Saks Fifth Avenue space, which occupied the ground floor from 1940 to 1980.
Adam Pogoda, President of Pogoda Companies, was instrumental in assisting the owners with the planning and development of the self-storage space. Pogoda Companies will manage the storage portion of the building upon its completion later this year.
Read More about this exciting announcement in this article presented by Crain's Detroit
Some of the commercial space in the historic Albert Kahn Building in Detroit's New Center area is being turned into a somewhat unique use. About 25,000 to 30,000 square feet of the building's first floor and basement levels are being converted into approximately 250 self-storage units, attempting to capitalize on a shortage of such space in and around downtown Detroit. Matthew Sosin, one of the building's owners along with Adam Lutz, said as they tried to determine what types of commercial use fit that space, self-storage was a no-brainer. "You'd like to think it would be office (use) or something like that, but I think storage works really well there. The community needs it and wants it," Sosin said. The units, which are going to be managed by Farmington Hills-based self-storage firm Pogoda Cos., will primarily by 10-by-10 or 10-by-5 feet, Sosin said. About 15,000 square feet of rentable commercial space remains on the first floor, Sosin said. Conversations about using part of the space as self-storage started perhaps two years ago, said Adam Pogoda, president of Pogoda Cos. About 25,000 to 30,000 square feet of the Albert Kahn Building's first floor and basement levels are being converted into approximately 250 self-storage units, attempting to capitalize on a shortage of such space in and around downtown Detroit. "They were like, 'Hey, do you think this will work,' and I walked the space with them and I was super excited about it because it's not conventional," Pogoda said, noting that there isn't much self-storage space in and around downtown. There's one self-storage building downtown across from 36th District Court, and U-Haul has a property south of the Fisher Building, Pogoda said. "I think there's a ton of demand for it," Pogoda said. "It's tough to do because the rents wouldn't justify building ground-up and it's not the highest and best use in a lot of other spaces. So this felt like a really exciting opportunity to kind of sneak some storage in ... We've got captive tenants in the apartments, there's not a whole lot of product in this area and a lot of people with small apartments, which is what storage is made for, to be kind of that extra closet." Sosin, president of Farmington Hills-based developer Northern Equities Group, and Lutz, president and CEO of Birmingham-based Lutz Real Estate Investments, bought the Albert Kahn Building for $9.5 million in 2018 and began redeveloping it into more than 200 apartments. The project, which clocked in at about $70 million, wrapped up about two years ago. Sosin said the apartments are 86 percent leasedHistoric New Center building adding self-storage units
Pogoda Adds 2 New Management Contracts
Michigan-based Pogoda Companies, a leading provider of self-storage management services, is pleased to announce two new management contracts in Trotwood, Ohio and Battle Creek, Michigan. Trotwood has 57,000 square feet in 427 units and the Battle Creek property has 68,000 square feet in 401 units, with an additional 15,000 square feet expected to be added by late fall. Both are strategically located within Pogoda’s existing portfolio and will benefit from Pogoda’s institutional management practices.
With over 35 years of experience, Pogoda Companies has built a distinguished reputation for excellence, innovation, and outstanding customer service in the self-storage industry. Offering a diverse range of services including property management, acquisition syndications and construction management/consulting, Pogoda is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of its clients and investors. These recent acquisitions reinforce Pogoda Companies' ongoing commitment to expanding its Midwest presence and providing exceptional self-storage management services.
About Pogoda Companies:
Founded in 1987, Pogoda Companies is a Michigan-based company that provides property management services and construction consulting services to the self-storage industry. The company currently has 66 locations and over 4.2 million square feet of self-storage space across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The acquisition of these new management contracts is part of Pogoda Companies' ongoing aggressive growth strategy, which includes expanding its portfolio of managed and owned properties. For more information, visit www.pogodaco.com or contact Adam Pogoda at Apogoda@pogodaco.com or 248-877-3912.
Adam Pogoda, President of Pogoda Companies, gives his expert insights in how to revitalize older facilities and go head-to-head with modern, Class-A establishments. To discover the potential for your self-storage facility to reach new levels of success, please read more in the article from Mini Storage Messenger, April 2023 Edition below:
Courtesy of Mini Storage Messenger
Pogoda Companies Adds 5 New Management Contracts in Michigan
Michigan based Pogoda Companies, a leading provider of self-storage management services, has been awarded five new management contracts. The properties are all located in Michigan in the cities of Brighton, Hartland, Howell (2 locations) and Oceola. All will be rebranded under Pogoda’s National Storage flag and are expected to benefit from Pogoda’s institutional management practices.
Pogoda Companies has established a renowned reputation for excellence, innovation, and exceptional customer service in the self-storage industry, backed by over 35 years of experience. Pogoda offers a diverse range of services including property management, construction consulting and management.
"We are thrilled to announce that these five storage facilities will be coming under Pogoda's management and the National Storage flag," said Adam Pogoda, President of Pogoda Companies. "In addition to expanding our reach in southeastern & central Michigan and solidifying our position as the largest storage operator in the state, we are also excited to make improvements to the properties, enhancing the storage experience for our customers and increasing the value of our clients' investments.”
About Pogoda Companies:
Founded in 1987, Pogoda Companies is a Michigan-based company that provides property management services and construction consulting services to the self-storage industry. The company currently has 66 locations and over 4.2 million square feet of self-storage space across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The acquisition of these new management contracts is part of Pogoda Companies' ongoing aggressive growth strategy, which includes expanding its portfolio of managed and owned properties. For more information, visit www.pogodaco.com or contact Adam Pogoda at Apogoda@pogodaco.com or 248-877-3912.
Pogoda Expands Self-Storage Management to Carmel, IN
Farmington Hills, Michigan - February 10, 2023 - Pogoda Companies, one of the largest self-storage owner/operators in the country, announces a new management account in Carmel, Indiana. With this new management account, Pogoda Companies adds its 58th self-storage property to its portfolio and its third property in Indiana.
The well-located Carmel Self Storage property, which boasts 95% occupancy, offers 20,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage and 50,000 square feet of drive-up access to 492 units. Pogoda Companies plans to bring its institutional management practices to boost income through rent increases and higher tenant insurance penetration.
Pogoda Companies, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, is actively seeking opportunities to manage or acquire more self-storage properties throughout the Midwest. The company operates under the trademarked name National Storage and has over 3.75 million square feet of self-storage space in 58 storage centers across Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. As a consistently top-ranked self-storage operator, Pogoda Companies is committed to providing best-in-class management services to its properties.
For more information, please visit www.pogodaco.com.
Continuing its aggressive Midwest expansion, Pogoda Companies recently purchased an off-market self-storage property located in New Albany, Indiana – a submarket of Louisville, Kentucky. Formerly Ameri-Guard Storage Center, this class “A” facility boasts 95,000 square feet which includes a substantial expansion completed in 2022.
Pogoda plans to bring the facility up to its institutional standards through minor capital improvements along with its best-in-class management. It will be rebranded under the National Storage flag and added to Pogoda’s Storenational.com website.
Pogoda Companies (www.pogodaco.com) is one of the largest self-storage owner/operators in the country, consistently ranking among the top 25. It has almost 4.0 million square feet of self-storage space in 58 storage centers in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. It is aggressively looking to buy more self- storage properties throughout the Midwest.
Façade Rendering
Pogoda Companies’ latest self-storage center will bring state-of-the-art technology to Charlevoix in over 46,000 rentable square feet. Formerly a K-Mart, National Storage - Charlevoix will employ the newest digital technology to not only provide tenants with contact-less rentals but will also utilizing the Noke Smart Entry system which will allow tenants to use their smartphones to enter the building and lock & unlock their units. Phase I will open in mid-July and drive-up units, covered and uncovered RV and Boat parking will be added in the fall.
Pogoda Companies purchased the property earlier this year with the goal of getting it open in time for the summer season. “We are so excited to bring this advanced climate-controlled storage facility to Charlevoix and the surrounding communities. The new smart entry technology is a game changer that allows our tenants to conveniently access their space through their smartphones and compliments our goal of letting them control their rental experience.” said Adam Pogoda, President of Pogoda Companies.
National Storage Centers - Charlevoix
Pogoda Companies will officially open the doors of this new, one-of-a-kind, self storage center under its trademarked “National Storage" brand, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 11:30 AM. Located at 6600 M-66 in Charlevoix, the center will welcome guests to celebrate its grand opening with food and tours of the facility.
“No one usually wakes up and decides they want to be a difficult employee and do a terrible job,”
In Q4’s Issue of Self Storage Now they tackle the tough and all too familiar problem of “Dealing with Difficult Employees”. Our very own Beau Angello, SVP of Pogoda Companies weighs in on this controversial and difficult topic.
The article discusses the challenges of dealing with difficult employees, who are defined as those who "fail to conduct himself or herself in a responsible and/or professional manner in the workplace." It suggests that there are different reasons employees may be viewed as difficult and offers advice on how to handle them. For instance, it suggests that managers should first determine the type of difficult employee they are dealing with and then take an internal look at their processes to identify any issues that may have led to the employee's behavior. The article also discusses the importance of providing employees with adequate training and support, and offers suggestions for addressing skill gaps, will gaps, and engagement gaps in employees.
Read more here!
Pogoda Companies Adds 6 Properties
Pogoda Companies closed out 2021 with the acquisition of 6 self-storage properties; a 5 property portfolio in Indiana and Kentucky and an additional property in Michigan. These purchases add 359,918 square feet and 2,819 units to Pogoda’s growing portfolio.
Pogoda Companies is looking to break out of its Michigan and Ohio base – and it’s hired Beau Agnello to help, operationally and strategically, achieve its expansion goals.
The Farmington Hills, MI-based Pogoda recently announced that Agnello will serve as its new senior vice president of operations, overseeing its 58 owned and managed facilities in Michigan and Ohio. Agnello previously was a division vice president responsible for Extra Space’s Texas and Oklahoma region.
Agnello will also be “instrumental in formulating strategic plans for the company’s continued expansion, maximizing the investment value of all managed/owned facilities,” the 100-employee company has announced.
Last month, we welcomed our son into the world and my life shifted profoundly. Parenting has been a (sleep-deprived) blast, but it has forced me to consider the world I’m creating for my son. After taking him to visit his first storage facility, I started to think about what legacy means in this business. As a second-generation self storage owner/operator, I’ve been privileged to inherit a philosophy about the industry that has governed our company for the last 35 years and enabled its success. Now, as a father myself, it’s my job to ensure that the philosophy, like the business, can continue to benefit the next generation.
Michael Berger didn't get the amount he wanted for his self-storage portfolio when it sold last month.
The Southfield-based real estate investor got much more.
The $170 million sales of his 28 U-Store Management Co. properties to Colorado-based SpareBox Storage is proof positive that the self-storage industry, several decades ago just a blip on the commercial real estate radar and now a nearly $40 billion industry, has rebounded from the uncertain early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pogoda Companies is pleased to announce the addition of five more properties to its growing self-storage portfolio. Three were in the Grand Rapids, Michigan MSA and two were in the Detroit, Michigan MSA. Each has been rebranded under Pogoda’s trademarked name: National Storage Centers.
Here is Adam Pogoda's article, previously published on List Self Storage.
If you talk to anyone in the storage industry, they will tell you that they have never seen a market as hot as this one. Existing facilities are full, rents are rising, cap rates are at historic lows, and every supplier is so inundated with orders that they cannot keep up. The word ‘unprecedented’ has been used an unprecedented number of times in the last 16 months, but there is no better word to describe the self-storage market – what is happening right now is unprecedented.
This article was published by Monty Spencer on Apr 29, 2021, on the Inside Self Storage Website and featured Pogoda's own Adam Pogoda.
Hollywood often portrays Detroit as a desolate wasteland, but it’s quite full of life as a self-storage market. Read why owners and investors are encouraged by the dynamics driving the industry in the Motor City.
In many movies, the once-mighty Motor City is portrayed in almost post-apocalyptic terms—a desolate, dilapidated city gutted by the long, painful decline of the U.S. auto industry. It isn’t a flattering image. In contrast, local self-storage professionals see a hard-scrabble city in the early stages of a comeback, surrounded by affluent suburbs in a state steadily diversifying its economy. From that vantage point, Greater Detroit looks much more promising.
Here is a copy of the article Michael Pogoda published at Inside Self Storage.
The process of buying self-storage assets has changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn to navigate the various obstacles and get deals done from the vice president of Pogoda Cos., which managed to increase its portfolio by 11 facilities from March to October.
The coronavirus pandemic has created a ripple effect across the business world. Self-storage hasn’t been as negatively impacted as other real estate classes, but the landscape in which assets are bought and sold has indeed changed.
Here at Pogoda Cos., we’ve thus far effectively navigated the shifting conditions. In fact, we took advantage of opportunities to increase our owned and managed portfolio by 11 facilities from March to October. Following is our advice on how to get self-storage deals done in this unprecedented environment.
Jack Day of Pogoda Companies in Michigan taps into the power of positivity in his professional, personal life. When a tenant enters his office, Day said he does everything he can to make them feel relaxed and home.
"I want them to feel like their moving process is going to be the best, smoothest moving process ever.
When asked how he could achieve something so many of his predecessors failed to do, Day again circled back to the power of a kind word, a big smile, and treating others as he'd like to be treated.
Read the Self Storage Association’s (#SSA) article about our Jack Day on p. 18: https://www.ssamagazine.org/Magazine/Issue/ArticleId/143/May-2021
The year is 1984. Macintosh aired its iconic “1984” ad, “Purple Rain” is a splash at the box office, and a new mini-storage facility in Pontiac, Mich., is built. Like many first-generation facilities, it fits the standards of the day.
Fast forward to 2019: The facility, which is still in the same family as when it was built, is also much the same as it was in 1984, with few updates and neglected capital improvements.
Pogoda Companies, who owns more self-storage facilities in Michigan than any other company, took notice. “We saw a real opportunity to renovate a dilapidated, largely vacant facility into a like-new property in order to lease up and provide the best service to our tenants,” says Adam Pogoda, developer of the project and director of acquisitions for Pogoda Companies.
Since 1987 Maurice Pogoda created an amazing family business and now after having successful careers the boys are coming home. The following article focuses on Adam Pogoda, who spent a successful 10 years in high pressure Real Estate roles in both San Fransisco and New York.
Adam conintues to build upon his father's work with an agressive growth strategy that is beginning to show an exponential growth for the business.
In March, I signed a contract to buy a self storage portfolio right before the pandemic hit its stride. Luckily, we were able to negotiate an extension of our diligence period, but immediately upon signing I thought to myself, are my assumptions from January still valid? How much will rents drop? Will we be able to rent any units in a pandemic? Will any of the lenders I spoke with still be at their terms? Lastly, will my investors have an appetite for a new deal?
April and May were dicey months, but fortunately self storage in this market took off after Memorial Day and the numbers were so rosy that the debt and equity raises were a (relative) breeze. That being said, I pared back the rent growth numbers, lowered the mark to market rents, removed ancillary income and pushed out my stabilization from year three to year four. The deal penciled to slightly lower returns than originally underwritten, but I slept better at night knowing that the risk adjusted return felt stronger and was likely to outperform.
Read the full article here on listselfstorage.com
Fall 2020 kicks off with the acquisition of six new properties by Pogoda Companies. These recent additions increase Pogoda’s portfolio by 2,114 units and 240,757 sq. ft. Pogoda now has 51 locations with over 3.5 million sq. ft. in the Michigan and Ohio markets.
Raising rents. Just those two words can strike fear into many managers. However, experts in the industry say raising rents is not only a necessary, but it should be done on a regular and consistent basis. Not only that, managers should never be timid or ashamed of raising rents.
Our own John George, SVP of Operations is a top expert consulted on this important process. Read the full article here at ministoragemessenger.com
Pogoda Companies, who has over 3.5 million square feet of self storage space under Ownership and Management in 51 locations, recently hired Jihad “Jay” Catrib as Payroll and Training Coordinator. Jay will play a key role in creating and implementing training programs for Pogoda’s growing self storage portfolio.
Jay has over ten years of experience in retail training and operations as well as a BBA Degree from the University of Michigan. He has a proven track record of hiring, training, and mentoring employees to build cohesive teams.
It has been a remarkably busy Summer 2020. Pogoda Management Co. is pleased to announce the addition of five more properties totaling over 308,000 square feet to its growing management portfolio with 6 more properties in the pipeline.
The Pogoda Group is pleased to announce the brokerage sale of two self storage properties; Gold Coast Storage in Ludington, Michigan and Southside Storage in Wyoming, Michigan.
Pogoda Companies is pleased to announce the addition of three more properties to its growing management portfolio. National Storage Centers - Royal Oak, A Plus Self Storage - Flint, and A Plus Self Storage - Swartz Creek have joined the family of trademarked locations managed by Pogoda Management Co.
Pogoda Management Co., Michigan’s largest self storage operator, has launched its 100% online rental experience on www.selfstoragespecialists.com. Potential tenants are now guided through the entire rental process: From selecting the location, size, and features of their unit to completing their reservation and signing the lease online. This completely contactless rental option gives tenants a quick, easy way to rent their space, providing a safe alternative to coming into the office.
Backed by his 10+ years of real estate experience in both identifying and sourcing acquisitions, Pogoda Companies’ Director of Acquisitions, Adam Pogoda, is aggressively leading the charge in purchasing both existing and conversion self-storage sites throughout the Midwest. To read his insights on how buyers and sellers can best bring a transaction to a successful close, please click on the following link: https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/news/7927-top-ten-things-self-storage-brokers-want-buyers-know/
Pogoda Companies’ Director of Acquisitions, Adam Pogoda, speaks with SpareFoot about his strategy to expand the company’s portfolio beyond the Midwest. To read more about his plans for growth,
please click on the following link https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/news/7767-pogoda-cos-looks-beyond-midwest-ramps-self-storage-acquisitions/
Pogoda Companies’ Director of Acquisitions, Adam Pogoda, explains how he continues to find opportunities for long-term growth and development in the self-storage industry in the article “Reflections on Buying and Developing at the End of the Cycle.” To read his article in its entirety, please click on the following link https://radiusplus.com/post/reflections-on-buying-and-developing-at-the-end-of-the-cycle