To submit news releases, e-mail the ISS News Center at [email protected]. 

IN MEMORIAM: Cheri Roush

Cheri Roush passed away on June 22 from complications related to colon cancer. She is survived by her husband and business partner of 34 years, Sigel Roush.

Ms. Roush founded Capacity Development Corp., a provider of self-storage feasibility studies and management consulting services, in 1986. She also owned and operated several of her own projects in the Midwest and Florida, and produced the industrys first management-training videos. She was a past member of the board of directors of the Self Service Storage Association, and a frequent speaker at industry conventions.

Ms. Roush earned her bachelors and masters degrees from Northwestern University. She put herself through undergraduate school with scholarships earned as a contestant in the Illinois Junior Miss, Miss Teen USA and other pageants. She was granted a full academic scholarship for her graduate degree. Subsequently, she taught management and marketing classes to MBA candidates at Northwesterns Kellogg School of Management and the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

Ms. Roush was also a gifted skier, dancer and ice-skater. She worked professionally as a model, actor and dancer. In 1990, she produced a ground-breaking seminar and instructional video in Sun Valley, Idaho, with British Olympic and World Champion ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Always gracious, warm and unselfish, she will be missed by all who enjoyed the privilege of her acquaintance or friendship. Cheri was truly the salt of the earth. Her helping hand to people in the business will never be forgotten. She and her husband, Sigel, were very supportive in the launching of ISS, said Troy Bix, group publisher for Inside Self-Storage.

Expressions of condolence can be sent to Mr. Roush via e-mail at [email protected]. 

ISS Supports Idaho Association With Expo Giveaways

As part of its initiative to support the growth of state self-storage associations, Inside Self-Storage recently donated three free registration packages for its upcoming Las Vegas Expo to the Idaho Self Storage Association (IDSSA). Two of the packages were used as grand prizes for drawings held at IDSSA membership meetings in August. The third will be used as a membership-recruiting incentive sometime before Jan. 1. The first two winners were Alan Saunders of Stor-n-Lock in Boise and Ellen Grover of Hayden Storage in Coeur dAlene.

The Inside Self-Storage Las Vegas Expo, the industrys largest conference and tradeshow, will take place Feb. 5-8, 2008, at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and Sands Expo & Convention Center. It will feature four full days of educational seminars, vendor exhibits and networking opportunities and is sponsored by ISS magazine. Info: www.insideselfstorage.com/expo 

Industry Veterans Form Association of Michigan

Approximately 25 self-storage owners and operators have formed the Self-Storage Association of Michigan (SSAM), the first organization supporting the industry in the state. The members met in the spring to fund the start-up and nominate a board of directors. In August, the new board gathered in Okemos, Mich., for its inaugural meeting, where it established a mission statement, adopted bylaws and elected officers.

The board of directors includes Dan Morris of Fidelity Bank as president; Maurice Pogoda of Pogoda Cos. as vice president; Jon Hutto of Hutto Investments as secretary; and Mark Floria of Sperry Van Ness as treasurer. The other board members are David Leonard of Grand Central Self Storage, Kevin Cannon of Simply Self Storage and Brian Lott of Lott Insurance Agency.

The SSAM will have a working relationship with the Michigan Manufactured Housing, Recreation Vehicle and Campground Association. This 65-year-old association will share its building, administrative services and legislative expertise with the new start-up, including the guidance of its veteran Executive Director Timothy J. DeWitt.

Michigan has approximately 1,500 storage facilities, making it one of the top 10 states in terms of industry square footage. The SSAM works to improve the business climate for its members and encourage growth in all areas of the industry through legislation, education and marketing. Info: www.selfstoragemichigan.com 

Idaho Self Storage Association Elects Officers

Members of the Idaho Self Storage Association (IDSSA) gathered in August to participate in educational sessions and elect new officers and board members. Michael Bishop of StorageLand Management & Consulting Services was elected the new president, succeeding Bob Scott of Acorn Self Storage, who served the post for three years. Other officers include Richard Church of Hilltop Storage, vice president; Heather Scott of Acorn Self Storage, secretary; and Jolene Rausch of Eagle Mini Storage, treasurer. Phyllis Rankin of Baylees River Rock Storage will serve as North Idaho Director. Additional board members include Anita Jones of Budget Storage of Idaho, Bill Werhane of Easy Access Storage, John Messmer of Kuna Self Storage, and Gerald Hughes of Save-Most Self Storage. Info: www.idssa.org 

IN MEMORIAM: Franklin Hartman (Harty) Kilgore Jr.

Franklin Hartman (Harty) Kilgore Jr., one of the first builders of self-storage in Atlanta, passed away on Aug. 29. He was born in Houston, Texas, in August 1928. He attended Southern Methodist University and the University of Houston before enlisting in the Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge, Mr. Kilgore entered real estate development and began building apartments in Houstons 5th Ward.

In 1958, he visited Atlanta and became so committed to building projects there that he moved his family to the city. His business interests continued to expand geographically, with projects in Kansas City, Kan., Oklahoma City, Raleigh, N.C., and Washington, D.C.

In 1973, realizing the apartment market was saturated, Mr. Kilgore sold his company, General Apartment Co., and partnered with Elmer Hedge to form Heritage Management Co. A short time later, he became interested in a relatively new real estate conceptself-storageand developed one of the first facilities in Atlanta. He would continue building, buying and financing self-storage properties for the next 30 years.

The recession of the mid-1970s hit real estate developers in Atlanta, impacting the returns of several of Kilgores apartment projects. Recognizing the importance of his business relationships, he deeded over his ranch and other personal assets to reduce the financial losses sustained by his investors. Several hard years followed, but his loyalty was reciprocated many times over.

Harty Kilgore was one of the first people I got to know when I got into this business over 20 years ago, remembered industry veteran Jim Chiswell. He was always willing to spend time to talk and help another owner with a problem they were having at their facilities. I consider Harty to have been the model of a self-storage entrepreneur.

Mr. Kilgore is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Kathryn, a daughter, son and grandsons. Burial was at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the American Parkinsons Disease Association, Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island, NY. 10305-1423, or the Salvation Army, 1,000 Center Place, Norcross, GA 30093.

U.S. Storage Facilities Nearly Double Since 2000

New information released by the Alexandria, Virginia-based Self Storage Association indicates the number of primary self-storage facilities in the United States has nearly doubled since the year 2000. At the end of 2006, 51,500 primary self-storage facilities dotted the country, with 23,075 of those having been added over six years. This represents 81 percent growth in the number of facilities during the period. Info: www.selfstorage.org 

Buchanan Hosts 7th Annual Challenge for Children Fundraiser

On Sept. 14, Buchanan Storage Capital, a provider of financial resources to self-storage owners nationwide, hosted its seventh annual Challenge for Children fundraiser. The event, which generates money for United Ways Success By 6 (SB6) program, was held in Newport Beach, Calif., where it pit 48 real estate industry teams against each other in competitions of volleyball, basketball, a kayak/run relay, a water-bike relay and, of course, donations. SB6 is the nations largest network of early-childhood coalitions, focused on improving school readiness through community change. Info: www.buchananstoragecapital.com 

Metro Storage Relocates, Updates Corporate Website

Metro Storage relocated its corporate headquarters to a newly constructed office building in Lake Forest, Ill. The company also redesigned its corporate website. Metro operates 50 locations, totaling 3 million square feet for self-storage product throughout Florida, Georgia and Illinois. Info: http://corporate.metrostorage.com 

Trachte Building Systems Purchased by Employees

On August 29, 2007, Trachte Building Systems Inc., a manufacturer of pre-engineered metal buildings for the self-storage industry, was purchased by its employees, who formed an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). The transaction was between Trachte and the previous owners, a private equity group and the former chairman of Trachte. The employee purchase includes the companys two subsidiary businesses: Trac-Rite Door, a manufacturer of steel roll-up doors for commercial use, and Fire Facilities, a provider of steel fire training towers. The newly formed ESOP provides the 220 Trachte employees with the opportunity to manage and shape the future of the company. Info: www.trachte.com