THE STONERIVER SCOOP
A moment of pride for StoneRiver — and for every member of our team
Benny LaRussa Jr. Inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame
We’re excited to share a remarkable achievement within our StoneRiver family: Founder and CEO Benny LaRussa Jr. has been inducted into the 2025 Alabama Business Hall of Fame, one of the state’s most prestigious honors recognizing exceptional leadership, vision, and contributions to economic growth.
While this is an extraordinary milestone for Benny, he is the first to emphasize that this recognition is also a reflection of the people who make StoneRiver what it is today — our team.
From on-site operations and development to investment management and corporate support, every department plays a role in strengthening our communities, elevating our properties, and delivering excellence throughout the Southeast. Benny’s induction stands as a testament to the collective work, character, and commitment of each of you.
Throughout StoneRiver’s history, Benny has championed three guiding principles — values that continue to shape our culture and our success:
- Delivering high-quality multifamily communities
- Building stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods
- Creating long-term value through thoughtful, disciplined growth
These aren’t just business goals — they are the foundation of a company built on purpose, integrity, and people. Benny often says that great companies are built by great teams, and this honor affirms that belief. Every achievement StoneRiver earns is shared across the dedicated individuals who bring our mission to life daily.
Thank you for the pride you bring to your work, the care you show to our residents and partners, and the commitment you invest in our future. Moments like these remind us that we are part of something meaningful — a company growing not just in size, but in impact.
Together, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing the remarkable work that defines StoneRiver.
Congratulations to Donald Gambril — BBJ’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40 Honoree!
We are proud to share that Donald Gambril, Vice President of Investments at StoneRiver Company, has been named one of the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40 honorees.
This recognition celebrates professionals across Birmingham who have made a meaningful impact in their industries before the age of 40. Donald’s leadership, integrity, and strategic vision have been instrumental to StoneRiver’s success — from driving over $130 million in acquisitions to mentoring the next generation of investment professionals.
Please join us in congratulating Donald on this well-deserved honor! His achievement reflects the values we strive for every day at StoneRiver — excellence, collaboration, and community impact.
Employee News
New Hires and Promotions
New Hires:
Let’s give a warm and enthusiastic welcome to our amazing new hires! 🎉 We can’t wait to see the incredible contributions they’ll make!
- Carmen Garcia: Leasing Consultant, 198 Milltown
HR Corner
Revised 2026 Annual Open Enrollment
StoneRiver Company and StoneRiver Property Management are hosting your annual Open Enrollment from 12/1-12/5/25. Open Enrollment is an annual event that allows you to make changes to existing health, dental, vision, and/or flexible spending account benefits or elect new benefits for the first time.
If this is your first time enrolling, you can register by accessing this Registration link. During the registration process, you may be required to enter personal identifying data as well as the following company identifier: SteCapMan2023
If you are already registered, start making changes to your insurance elections today through this Login link.
Even if you do not have any election changes to your health, dental, vision, and/or flexible spending account, it is a good time to review all the generous benefits we receive. Plus, you might want to double-check your personal information and beneficiaries for your company-provided life insurance policy.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Jennifer Fields (jfields@stonerivercompany.com) or Amy Lazenby (alazenby@stonerivercompany.com) if you have questions.
This Month’s Celebrations
Annual Toy Drive
Dr. Seuss said it best: “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” Even though we can all agree the holiday season is about more than material things, bringing a little magic into a child’s life is a wonderful way to celebrate.
We have challenged each community to host a holiday toy drive from November 24 through December 8 for an organization in their area, helping make a difference in a child’s life this holiday season.
Holiday Traditions
Where did they begin?
There’s a reason the holiday season is considered the most wonderful time of the year: It’s one of the few occasions when we press pause on the hustle and bustle of the always-on world we live in, gather with friends and family, and take part in time-honored traditions.
It’s the heart-warming Holiday traditions that we cherish and repeat year after year that make the festive period so special, but did you know that putting up your Christmas tree, giving and receiving holiday cards, your most traditional holiday décor ideas – along with our other favorite customs stem back many years…
Christmas Trees – Decorated trees date back to the Middle Ages in Germany, with German and other European settlers popularizing them in America by the early 19th century. A New York woodsman named Mark Carr is credited with opening the first U.S. Christmas tree lot in 1851.
Gingerbread Houses – Although Queen Elizabeth I gets credit for early gingerbread cookie decorating, once again, it’s the Germans who lay claim to starting the gingerbread house tradition. And when the German Brothers Grimm wrote “Hansel and Gretel,” a new holiday tradition was born. Today, edible decorations are available in a slew of pre-packed kits.
Cookies and Milk for Santa – While leaving treats for Santa and his reindeer dates back to ancient Norse mythology, Americans began to sweeten the tradition during the Great Depression in the 1930s as a sign of gratitude during a time of struggle.
Christmas Cards – The first official Christmas card debuted in 1843 in England with the simple message, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” The idea of a mailed winter holiday greeting gradually caught on in both Britain and the U.S., with the Kansas City-based Hall Brothers (now Hallmark) creating a folded card sold with an envelope in 1915. Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, more than 1.6 billion holiday cards are sold annually.
The best Christmas traditions are the personal ones that are meaningful to you and your family, whether as simple as a nostalgic drive around your local neighborhood to view the houses all decked out in twinkle lights or as simple as counting down the days with Advent calendars. Whatever your traditions, they can never fail to bring charm to the holidays.
5-4-3-2-1...Happy New Year!
It’s almost time to celebrate the coming of a new year and new beginnings. From bumping New Year’s Eve songs to ring in 2026 to watching the famous ball drop, many of the activities we do right before the clock strikes midnight each year are longstanding traditions. New Year’s superstition and folklore have come from around the world and spanned decades. That’s right, there’s more meaning behind a kiss timed to midnight than you might guess (choose your partner wisely), and blowing horns and setting off fireworks is actually for more than just a cute social media photo.Â
But even if you’re feeling auspicious, no matter what you do on New Year’s Eve, know that lots of cultures agree that how you spend New Year’s Day will set the precedent for how your year will go. Here’s to 2026!Â
Get a Midnight Kiss – It may seem like kissing someone at midnight is a way to show your excitement for the new year. But actually, it’s thought that if you kiss someone you love at midnight, those sentiments will last for the next 12 months.Â
Don’t Clean the House – I can really get behind this superstition. If you’re concerned about “sweeping” or “washing” away any luck coming your way, don’t do any cleaning—including dishes and laundry.Â
Fill Up on Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas – If you want to stick with Southern tradition, eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day will supposedly bring good luck and prosperity, respectively, in the months ahead. Whip up our Braised Greens and Black-Eyed Peas Salad and see what happens!Â
Make Some Noise – You may love buying noisemakers and fireworks to set off at midnight, but did you know the tradition originated in a superstition that making loud noise at midnight would scare away evil spirits and omens?
Property Operational Tips
Preventative Maintenance
Typically, December is a slower month in the office and with work orders. Therefore, it is an opportune time to complete any overlooked preventative maintenance tasks from the year. Take some time to clean the breezeways and common areas before the holidays to give your residents and their guests a clean and presentable community and home.
As a reminder from the October Newsletter, it’s important to winterize any vacant apartments and check and maintain fire safety equipment. If you have any unoccupied units, it’s essential to winterize them to prevent damage and minimize energy costs. To start, drain the water lines to prevent freezing and bursting pipes. Set the thermostat to an appropriate temperature to maintain a controlled environment and prevent extreme temperature fluctuations. Additionally, ensure the insulation is sufficient to keep the apartment protected during colder months. The proper functioning of fire safety equipment is vital for the protection of residents and the property. This is a great time to check fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire alarms, and emergency exits. Check fire extinguishers for expiration dates and proper pressure levels. Test smoke alarms and fire alarms to ensure they are in working order. Ensure that emergency exits are clear and accessible. Consider professional servicing to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Birthdays
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to all of the December birthdays:
- 12/10 – Mike Ogles, SRC
- 12/10 – Aubrey Adamek, Terraces
- 12/14 – Carmen Garcia, 198 Milltown
- 12/16 – Jennifer Fields, SRC
- 12/25 – Sam Ess, SRC
- 12/29 – Kelsi Foster, SRPM
- 12/31 – Kristy Medley, SRC
Anniversaries
- 1 Year – Caroline Donovan, SRC
- 3 Year – Lexus Bowman, Inverness
- 5 Year – Amy Lazenby, SRC
Have an Idea?
Would you like to share your stories, ideas, or comments to feature in our upcoming publications? Kindly send your request and a member of the newsletter committee will get in touch if chosen.


