Meet the Team That Makes It Possible
Behind every Places-managed property is a team of passionate professionals who believe in our mission of creating genuine communities.
Our Property Management Team Our specialized team brings decades of combined experience in:
Community development
Financial management
Maintenance operations
Resident services
Marketing and leasing
Unlike large corporate teams where staff are spread across hundreds of properties, our teams maintain focused portfolios that allow them to truly know each community they serve.
Our Team
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Darsey Nicklasson
Founder and President
As President and Founder of DHN Planning and Development, Darsey Nicklasson drives the strategic vision and execution of the company’s real estate portfolio. With more than two decades of experience in real estate, Darsey has transformed DHN into a regional development firm that creates long-term value for investors, associates, and communities. Her journey into property management was pivotal, as she chose to personally manage her properties rather than rely on third-party managers—a decision that not only proved successful but also laid the foundation for DHN’s values. This hands-on approach has made her a better leader and has shaped the company’s growth into what it is today.
A visionary and collaborative leader, Darsey is deeply invested in the communities she serves and strives to address both housing and cultural needs holistically. She believes in designing and building spaces that foster life, vitality, and community, creating environments where people can connect and thrive. Darsey’s impact is seen in key projects like Blue Dot Place, the first residential development in downtown Colorado Springs since the 1960s, and Casa Mundi, a 27-unit multifamily property. She is currently leading the development of Mosaica and Kaleidos, two attainable housing projects in Southeast Colorado Springs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Darsey is dedicated to shaping the future of the region through her involvement in numerous boards and committees. Outside of work, she enjoys family activities with her husband, Rob, and their three children—staying busy with soccer, track, climbing, and mountain biking.
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Erica Sanchez
Erica Sanchez is Vice President at Places Management, where she oversees the operational and strategic performance of the company’s multifamily housing portfolio. A forward-thinking leader, Erica blends two decades of experience in operations, compliance, resident engagement, and policy reform.
At Places, she continues to assist in leading the development of a centralized resident experience (The Places Way) strategy, rolled out portfolio-wide SOPs and policy infrastructure, and launched a compliance-driven training platform through Grace Hill, ensuring consistency, legal alignment, and exceptional service across all sites. Her work has positioned Places Management as a leader in both performance and accountability.
Erica was elected as an Owner Director to the Apartment Association of Metro Denver (2025-2026) and currently serves as Chair of the AAMD Public Relations Committee. She remains actively involved in industry education, regularly teaching CAM and CAPS certification courses. She also sits on two National Apartment Association (NAA) Committees: RPM Careers and Operations, where she contributes to workforce development and national policy guidance.
Prior to Places, Erica held key roles with Cardinal Group, Centerspace, Mission Rock Residential, and Riverstone Residential. During her tenure at Riverstone, she co-founded the Bakken Apartment Association and served in executive roles with both the North Dakota Apartment Association and the Williston Chamber Policy Committee, spearheading growth in underserved markets.
Erica’s advocacy is deeply rooted in action, she regularly testifies on housing legislation in Colorado and engages in federal lobbying to protect and advance the multifamily industry. Her leadership is grounded in one clear goal: to elevate operations while creating better housing outcomes for residents and communities alike.
Erica enjoys quality time with her daughter family and friends, hitting the golf course, and dedicating countless hours to the gym, where she competes as a bodybuilding athlete.
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Amanda Ware
Business Administrator/Investor Relations
Amanda Ware is a key member of the Places Management team, bringing extensive expertise in operations, insurance, and account management. With a background in hospitality and the nonprofit sector, she excels at fostering strong relationships and ensuring seamless business operations. Her strategic mindset and attention to detail drive efficiency, mitigate risk, and contribute to a well-structured, investment-ready environment that supports long-term growth.
A graduate of Biola University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Amanda combines her passion for community engagement with a results-driven approach. She thrives on optimizing processes behind the scenes, ensuring every aspect aligns with the company’s vision. Outside of work, she enjoys embracing Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes and cherishing life’s "mile-high" moments with her six amazing kids and one adorable grandchild.
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Clayton Dorny
Director of Leasing
Clayton, Director of Leasing, delivers the metrics property owners care about most—higher occupancy rates, reduced turnover, and stronger rental income. His strategic approach to leasing operations directly impacts your NOI by accelerating lease-ups, minimizing vacancy periods, and attracting quality residents who pay on time and respect your property.
With his Brigham Young University education and extensive background in customer service and sales, Clayton excels at identifying the perfect tenant-property fit, resulting in longer-term leases and fewer costly turnovers. His business management experience translates to efficient systems that streamline the application process, reduce administrative costs, and ensure thorough screening.
Property owners particularly value Clayton's talent for resident retention—his personable nature and strong communication skills create the positive community atmosphere that keeps good tenants renewing year after year. As your trusted leasing director, he consistently balances maximizing rental rates with maintaining healthy occupancy levels, providing the stable cash flow and predictable performance that investment properties require.
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Michele Rupkalvis
Marketing Specialist
Michele transforms your property's marketing from a cost center to a value driver, delivering the measurable results property owners demand—higher qualified lead generation, reduced vacancy rates, and enhanced property reputation that supports premium rental rates. Since becoming Marketing Specialist in fall 2024, she has implemented data-driven strategies that directly impact your bottom line.
Property owners particularly value Michele's comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional advertising. Her communications expertise optimizes every touchpoint in the resident journey—from powerful first impressions that attract quality tenants to engagement strategies that boost resident retention and minimize costly turnover. Having worked across multiple departments since August 2023, she understands exactly how marketing directly impacts occupancy rates and rental income.
With her bachelor's degree in Communications, Michele develops targeted campaigns that reach your ideal residents while maintaining optimal cost-per-acquisition metrics. Her digital marketing savvy ensures your property maintains strong visibility in competitive markets, while her event coordination skills create the community atmosphere that keeps good tenants renewing. For property owners focused on maximizing returns, Michele delivers the marketing efficiency and effectiveness that translate directly to stronger NOI and asset performance.
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Katy Cobb
Resident Specialist
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Rick Garcia
Facilities Specialist
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Ilse Alvarado
Housekeeper/Porter
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Angela Garcia
Description goes hereStaff Accountant
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Miguel Contrerras
Director of Resident Care
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Tanner Johnson
Facilities Specialist