Self-Storage Buying Group SBOA Names New President

Storage Business Owners Alliance (SBOA), a buying group for U.S.-based self-storage operators, has promoted Iris Czygan from marketing manager to president, effective Aug. 28. She’ll replace Jessica Johnson, who recently joined StorSuite as business-development manager. In addition to other duties, Czygan will coordinate and host the company’s “Self-Storage Unlocked” webinars and serve as editor of its digital publication, “Self-Storage Unlocked Magazine,” according to a press release.

Czygan has been with SBOA since 2022. She has 25 years of experience in management, sales and marketing in the higher-education, real estate and technology sectors. In her previous role, Czygan spearheaded a range of initiatives designed to promote the self-storage industry and back the SBOA's mission of supporting facility operators, such as creating a weekly newsletter that reaches nearly 20,000 readers. She’s played a pivotal role in onboarding and promoting new vendors to the company’s program, recreated and optimized the SBOA website, and raised the organization’s social media following, the release stated.

Prior to joining SBOA, Czygan held marketing roles with Acromag Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder & Co. She also founded SociZen, which offered marketing support to small businesses and nonprofits. She earned degrees in liberal arts and technical communications.

“We are thrilled to have Iris at the helm of the SBOA,” said Ian Burnstein, CEO and cofounder of the SBOA. “She has tremendous connections, marketing skills, and is completely responsive to the needs of our vendors and members. The SBOA and the self-storage industry as a whole are in great hands.”

“Ian and the SBOA team have been like family to me, and I am truly honored to step into the role of president at the Storage Business Owners Alliance,” Czygan said. “This organization has been a driving force in the self-storage industry, and I am excited to continue building on our strong foundation. I look forward to working more closely with our members, vendors and the entire self-storage community to foster innovation, create meaningful connections and support the growth and success of our industry.”

Founded in 2010 by Burnstein and David Levenfeld, SBOA negotiates exclusive offers with prominent industry service providers through economies of scale. It offers industry education and networking, plus SBOA Tenant Insurance.