🎙 The Future of Property Management Is More Human Than You Think | Feat Jeff Duerstock & Brian Stone

How Great Operators Turn Utility Management into a Competitive Advantage with Jeff Duerstock, President of Anchor Utility Solutions, & Brian Stone, Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Utility Solutions _____________________________ In this episode, Chris Moreno sits down with Jeff Duerstock, President of Anchor Utility Solutions, and Brian Stone, CEO of Anchor Utility Solutions, to discuss why utility management has become one of the biggest opportunities for multifamily operators to improve operations, increase NOI, and create a better resident experience. They explore how the industry is balancing AI with human expertise, why transparency and trust matter more than ever, and how operators can use technology, data, and proactive service to remove friction for both residents and property teams. They break down: 1. Why utility management is now a strategic advantage for multifamily owners 2. Balancing AI with experienced people instead of replacing them 3. Improving resident satisfaction through frictionless utility experiences 4. How better utility data leads to higher NOI and lower operating expenses 5. The growing importance of fee transparency and evolving regulations 6. Smart home technology and its impact on utility savings 7. Why conferences and in-person relationships remain essential 8. Leadership lessons on consistency, partnership, and long-term trust If you care about building stronger multifamily operations, improving resident experiences, lowering operating costs, or staying ahead of industry changes, this conversation provides practical insights you can apply immediately. _____________________________ Connect with Chris Moreno LinkedIn:   / chrismoreno   Instagram:   / chrismorenoatl   Twitter: https://x.com/morenochris Facebook:   / chrismoreno13   Website: https://goinfiniteniches.com/ Connect with Jeff Duerstock Website: https://anchorutility.com/ LinkedIn:   / jeff-duerstock-tx   Connect with Brian Stone Website: https://anchorutility.com/ LinkedIn:   / brian-stone-3aa9811a   _____________________________ Referenced in this episode Anchor Utility Solutions Company: https://www.anchorutilities.com National Apartment Association (NAA) Company: https://naahq.org Utility Management & Conservation Association (UMCA) Company: https://www.umcaonline.org _____________________________ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction from NAA Apartmentalize 2026 00:01 – Why in-person relationships still matter in business 01:23 – Balancing AI with the human touch 02:13 – Creating a better resident and customer experience 03:03 – Removing friction for residents and operators 03:40 – Using utility data to reduce operating expenses 04:13 – Why utility management directly impacts NOI 05:15 – Jeff's journey into the utility industry 06:18 – Building a leadership team with industry experience 07:19 – Innovation versus consistency in multifamily 08:39 – Mentorship and relationships that shaped Jeff's career 09:46 – The future of utility data and proactive insights 10:20 – Smart home technology and energy efficiency 11:30 – Fee transparency and changing regulations 12:56 – Navigating state-by-state utility legislation 14:25 – Why conferences are becoming even more valuable 15:40 – Leadership lessons on consistency and advocacy 16:26 – Building partnerships that last 16:53 – Closing thoughts _____________________________ Key Ideas 1. Technology should remove friction—not create more complexity. 2. AI delivers the most value when paired with experienced people. 3. Utility management is one of the largest opportunities to improve property NOI. 4. Better resident experiences begin with transparent communication and reliable service. 5. Smart home technology can significantly reduce utility costs while improving convenience. 6. Data is only valuable when it leads to proactive action. 7. Strong partnerships outperform transactional vendor relationships. 8. Industry advocacy helps create better regulations for both operators and residents. 9. Consistency builds trust with customers, employees, and partners. 10. In-person relationships remain one of the strongest competitive advantages in business. _____________________________ Keywords multifamily podcast, apartment industry podcast, Chris Moreno podcast, Anchor Utility Solutions, Jeff Duerstock, Brian Stone, utility management, multifamily utilities, apartment utility billing _____________________________ Mentions Elijah Carter Mentioned as a customer/partner whose portfolio benefited from improved utility recovery and higher NOI through Anchor's services. Steve Hallsey Chris cites him as an example of a respected multifamily leader who embraces new technologies and is willing to be an early adopter. Maria Banks Mentioned alongside other respected multifamily executives as someone who supports innovation and evaluates emerging technology.