Know The Nominees: SSA Board Of Director Candidates

The deadline to cast your vote and help elect three new members to the Self Storage Association (SSA) Board of Directors is less than one week away. There are 13 candidates vying for one of three seats at the table, and the race looks to be a close one! 

If you haven’t yet made up your mind, maybe it’s because you don’t know what these candidates are made of! To help with your decision-making, here’s some background information on each candidate along with a link for additional information.

Want more details about the election process? Or how the slate works? MSM spoke with Joe Doherty, SSA chief legal & legislative officer, last week. You can check out that story at the link below.

Slate Vs. Selection: Navigating The SSA Ballot.

NOTE: Candidates were not contacted for this story. Each bio was compiled using information from their LinkedIn pages, company profile, or online articles. If there is an error, drop us an email and we will correct it immediately.

Meet Your Candidates

Jennifer Barroqueiro, All Purpose Storage, Keene, NH

Jennifer Barroqueiro serves as Vice President of Third-Party Management at All-Purpose Storage, where she leads the company’s efforts in operational excellence and client partnership. With more than a decade in the storage industry, she has onboarded more than 350 facilities across her roles at Storage Asset Management (SAM), White Label Storage, and now All-Purpose Storage, helping build comprehensive operational playbooks that drive performance across the portfolio.

Barroqueiro's focus on transparency, clear communication, and data-driven strategy has earned her recognition as a trusted partner to storage owners nationwide. She continues to strengthen All-Purpose Storage’s position through efficient systems, responsive leadership, and a commitment to industry best practices.
Read MSM’s “Women In Self-Storage” profile on Jennifer Barroqueiro

Nathan Bennett, UTEX Storage Partners, Dallas, TX

Nathan Bennett is Managing Principal of UTEX Storage Partners, bringing more than 14 years of experience in commercial real-estate investment and self-storage. Before co-founding UTEX, he served as Chief Investment Officer for Wasatch Storage Partners II, overseeing acquisition and capital strategies that guided the company’s expansion across multiple markets.

Bennett's prior experience includes leadership roles at Crow Holdings Capital and finance positions with Forestar Group and Lincoln Property Company. A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A. in Real Estate Finance, Bennett combines deep market knowledge with disciplined execution, helping institutional and private investors achieve long-term portfolio growth.
Read One Of Nathan's Stories On Self-Storage Investing 

Aaron Eldridge, Stor All Self Storage, Grayson, KY

Aaron Eldridge is President of Stor All Self Storage, overseeing a portfolio of facilities throughout Kentucky and Ohio. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its footprint through disciplined operations, measured growth, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Eldridge’s expertise spans facility management, development, and operational strategy.

Known for his advocacy of transparent and ethical business practices, he has also shared his insights before legislative committees on issues such as lien laws and auctions. His steady leadership and operational rigor have positioned Stor All as one of the region’s most respected independent storage operators.
Learn More About Aaron Through The SSA

Shawn Hill, The BSC Group, Chicago, IL

Shawn Hill is a founding principal of The BSC Group, established in 2009 to deliver customized debt and equity solutions for commercial real-estate investors nationwide. The firm is known for combining traditional financing expertise with strategic advisory services tailored to client needs.

Before forming BSC, Hill served as Senior Vice President at Beacon Realty Capital and held key roles at Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Agency and Wells Fargo Bank. His experience spans all major asset classes, including self-storage, multifamily, and industrial. Hill’s precision and market insight continue to guide investors in structuring capital solutions aligned with evolving market conditions.
Hear From Shawn In MSM’s 2025 Self-Storage Outlook

Jessica Johnson, The Storage Group, Altamonte Springs, FL

Jessica Johnson serves as Director of Marketing at The Storage Group, where she leads national marketing strategy, digital campaigns, and client growth initiatives for self-storage operators. With more than two decades of marketing and operational experience, she has held leadership roles with multiple franchise brands and industry organizations.

Johnson has been instrumental in advancing data-driven marketing and technology solutions across the storage sector. She also contributes her expertise through leadership roles with several state and national associations, helping operators elevate visibility and drive measurable results in competitive markets.
Read Jessica’s April 2025 MSM “Women In Self-Storage” Profile

Sarah Beth Johnson-DeFazio, Universal Storage Group, Atlanta, GA

Sarah Beth Johnson-DeFazio is Vice President of Sales and Development at Universal Storage Group, where she oversees client development, feasibility studies, and strategic growth initiatives. With over a decade in self-storage, she brings extensive experience in operations, sales, and business development.

Certified in Sales Operational Science, Johnson-DeFazio is a frequent industry speaker and author who shares practical insights at national conferences and in leading publications. Her leadership within the Georgia Self Storage Association and her results-driven approach have strengthened both her company and the broader self-storage community.
Read Sarah Beth’s November 2024 MSM “Women In Self-Storage” Profile

Brooks Lumpkin, DYO Investments, Atlanta, GA

Brooks Lumpkin is Principal of DYO Investments, an Atlanta-based real-estate firm specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of retail and self-storage properties across the Southeast. Since founding the company, he has grown its portfolio to more than $150 million in assets under management, consistently delivering strong operational performance.

A graduate of Duke University with a B.S. in Economics, Lumpkin focuses on disciplined investment, operational integrity, and long-term value creation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Self Storage Association and is a frequent contributor to industry education and mentorship initiatives.
Read More About Brooks In The Atlanta Business Chronicle

Travis Morrow, National Self Storage, Marana, AZ

Travis Morrow is President of National Self Storage, CEO of Storelocal and MSM, and a founding member of the self-storage Young Leaders Group. Since joining National early in his career, he has advanced through roles spanning finance, technology, and operations, overseeing the development of automation systems and competitive-analysis tools that have influenced industry practices.

Morrow’s leadership extends to board service, public speaking, and industry collaboration. A graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, he remains focused on empowering independent operators through innovation, data, and shared resources that strengthen the self-storage ecosystem.
Read Travis’ Cover Story In Messenger Magazine

Tracy Sells, Harbor Storage Group, Bethesda, MD

Tracy Sells is Principal at Harbor Storage Group, bringing more than 25 years of self-storage experience across development, operations, and investment. She has worked with national REITs and regional operators alike, providing expertise in acquisition due diligence, feasibility, and performance optimization.

Sells continues to advise developers and owners on strategic planning and operational best practices. Her deep background in design, construction, and business analysis offers clients a comprehensive understanding of how to maximize asset value in any market cycle.
View One Of Tracy’s Webinars Online

Peter Smyth, White Label Storage, Brooklyn, NY

Peter Smyth is Co-Founder and CEO of White Label Storage, a multi-state management company known for data-driven operations and performance-focused strategies. Drawing on his background in real estate analysis and investment, he has built White Label into one of the fastest-growing management platforms in the industry.

Before launching White Label, Smyth co-founded Local Locker Storage, transforming underused urban spaces into efficient storage assets. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a degree from Princeton University. His experience unites finance, operations, and technology to deliver optimized results for self-storage owners.
Read Peter’s Profile In MSM’s “Who’s Who In Self-Storage”

Peter Spickenagel, Citizen Storage Management, Royal Oak, MI

Peter Spickenagel is President and CEO of Citizen Storage Management, where he oversees operations for more than 95 facilities totaling over five million rentable square feet. He is a licensed real-estate broker and a recognized leader in third-party management and portfolio optimization.

Active within industry associations, Spickenagel serves as Chairman and President of the Self Storage Association of Michigan (SSAM) and regularly speaks at national conferences on marketing, operations, and technology. Under his guidance, Citizen Storage continues its strategic expansion through new acquisitions and rebranding initiatives.
Read More About Peter On MSM

Melissa Stiles, Storage Asset Management, York, PA

Melissa Stiles is Chief Marketing Officer at Storage Asset Management (SAM), where she leads branding, marketing strategy, and digital growth initiatives across the company’s portfolio. Before her current role, she served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales at SAM and previously held marketing positions in industrial and export sectors.

Stiles earned an MBA from Elizabethtown College and a bachelor’s degree in International Business, Marketing, and Spanish from Lycoming College. Recognized for her leadership and innovation, she was named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” in 2024.
Read About One Of Melissa’s Awards Online

Nick Walker, CBRE, Atlanta, GA

Nick Walker is Vice Chairman of Self Storage at CBRE, specializing in self-storage investment sales and advisory services across the United States. Over his career, he has been involved in more than $6 billion in transactions, representing clients ranging from individual owners to institutional investors and REITs.

Prior to joining CBRE, Walker was a top-performing broker with Marcus & Millichap’s National Self Storage Group. He continues to lead CBRE’s Self Storage Advisory Group in transaction volume and market research, regularly contributing data and analysis to industry publications and events.
Read More About Nick In The LA Times

Place Your Vote Today!

The deadline for SSA Direct Members to vote is next Tuesday, October 14. Make your voice heard—and let your representatives amplify it on behalf of the self-storage industry. Good luck to all the nominees!

Don’t forget to vote. Each SSA Direct Member – whether an owner/operator or vendor, receives one vote. Submit your ballot by close of business on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

SSA Direct Members: Click To Vote now!