Our History

The Apartment Association was born in Aug 1967 out of the collective interests of a small but visionary group of multi-housing owners and managers. During the past 50-plus years, AATC has grown to include over 1,700 members providing management and related services supporting residents living in over 230,000 apartment homes spread throughout our 9-county region in north-central Texas. We have become known throughout the state and across the nation as an industry leader providing exceptional professional education curricula, effective advocacy initiatives, concise communications mediums, and unique business networking opportunities designed to support and encourage our members. Our vision for the future is quite simple — inspire the marketplace we represent.

Exceptional Leadership

Aug 1967 footnotes the association’s first collaboration with recorded minutes reflecting charter members in attendance including Del Barron, Bob Woody, Buster Kirkpatrick, Wes Alston, Bub Fleet, Gene Mitchell, Opal Perry, and Warren McKeever. The first official association business meeting was held at the Green Oaks Inn in Jan 1968 when Bub Fleet was elected AATCs first president. In addition, John Maddux was elected vice-president; Buster Kirkpatrick, second vice-president; Bob Woody, treasurer; and Mrs. Steve Hankins were appointed our first secretary AATCs office has been located in five locations, including our current location in Hurst since 2022. Apartment Highlights and Sidelight was the association’s initial membership newsletter, a 1-page commentary first published in Mar 1968. Apartment Management Newline became the association’s primary communications tool in Aug 1978 – renamed Dimensions Magazine beginning in Jul 1995. And, in 2018 we shifted our member focus to a completely digital communications tool – Dimensions Online. 

In the years that followed, a prestigious group of DFW multi-housing leaders has served as the association’s chief elected officer with a few ascending to leadership roles with our state and national affiliations. In addition to the property owner and management leaders, the association depends on its supplier partners for a broad range of leadership investments with the special interests of nearly 400 supplier partners led by our PSC advisory board. Finally, our chief executive officer and staff complete our wonderful leadership team. These professional association leaders provide the daily oversite required for AATC to nurture and inspire our members.

Chief Elected Officers - AATC Presidents

Product and Service Council - Advisory Board Chairs

AATCs Texas Apartment Association Presidents

Traci Hall, 2018-2019 Mike Clark, 2014-2015 Ron Shelton, 1999-2000 Jim Norman, 1979-1980 Arles Mason, 1975-1976 John Maddux, 1972-1973

AATCs National Apartment Association Chairmen of the Board

Ron Shelton, 2009 Tom Day, 2005 Roland Freeman, 1984

AATCs Chief Executive Officers

Kevin Pellegrino, 2022 - 
John Mitchell, 1992 - 2021
June Bass, 1979-1991
Linda Pellett, 1979
Leslie Bears, 1978-1979
Mrs. Steve Hankins, 1967-1977