Lead tech Carlos Aleman thought he had the fundamentals of painting down, until his first turn at The Coil in 2023 proved him wrong. He stepped back and looked at the walls, and the paint was all wrong. No matter how carefully he applied it, it didn’t match. Ten turns later, the subtle differences between flat, eggshell and semi-gloss finally stuck.
“When I started, Adam Hutchinson kept asking me if I knew the difference between paint finishes. I thought I understood, but quickly realized I had so much to learn,” said Carlos.
That early setback fueled his determination to improve, and Carlos soon became the guy you call when anything needs fixed. From repairing AC units and installing carpet to tackling plumbing and furnace issues, Carlos has proven that experience is the second best teacher, right behind Adam.
Up until one month ago, Carlos was doing grounds, turns and work orders for the property. Today, he’s taken on the role of mentor. He’s training new turn tech Michael Cruse and passing down the lessons that helped him succeed. Together, he and Michael have earned a perfect 5.0 work order survey score and boosted the The Coil’s overall customer service score to a 4.79!
Loop recently caught up with Carlos to learn more about his journey.
Tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Indiana. Before joining The Connor Group, I worked as an Assistant General Manager at Buffalo Wild Wings. I went from cooking wings to fixing things!
I’ve been married to my amazing wife Linda for three years. Together, we have three kids, my daughter Yareli, and my two sons Jonathan and Ethan. We also have a Dachshund puppy, so between all of them we definitely stay busy!
In my free time, I love playing soccer and spending as much time outdoors as possible, whether it’s camping, hiking or just enjoying nature. My favorite place to travel is anywhere in the mountains in Tennessee.
Who are your biggest resources?
I’ve had incredible mentors here. Paul Leber is my go-to trainer whenever I need help, and in the field, I lean on Adam. When I started, I barely knew how to change a light bulb. Now, I’m repairing AC units and painting like a pro, all because of the training and support I’ve received.
I’ve also learned so much at our training seminars thanks to Paul, Dave Peacock, Rob Murray and Carl Williams. Through them, I’ve realized that this isn’t just a job. This can be a career for the right person. If you’re willing to give it 110%, you’ll see long-term success.
What has been your favorite moment working at The Connor Group?
Winning the Core Value Award at the 2025 National Awards dinner was an incredible moment for me. It was really emotional. I enjoy the work I do. I truly live our values at home and at work so it feels great to be recognized for that.
My manager Megan Stewart presented the award, which made it even more meaningful. She asked me just days beforehand what award would mean the most to me, and my answer was the Core Value Award.
I take a lot of pride in my work. I don’t just put quick fixes on things and I focus on going above and beyond for our residents. That effort shows in our surveys, Google reviews and lease renewals. To have that recognized meant everything.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
There’s always something new to learn, and now I get to pass that knowledge on to other techs. I also love the challenge of fixing something rather than replacing it. But more than that, it’s about people. Building relationships with residents and helping them feel at home is a huge part of why I enjoy what I do. Especially if I get to meet their dogs! The work keeps me on my toes, and no two days are ever the same. It’s always exciting here.
For Carlos, every challenge now serves a dual purpose. They’re an opportunity to grow and to teach. And if an associate ever has a question about paint finishes, he’s got the answer.