The amazing people behind Extra Space Storage are the reason why we’re a leader in the self storage industry. Without their hard work and dedication, we wouldn’t be where we are today as a company. That’s why we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the team members who’ve been with us for 25+ years. From their humble beginnings to their roles as company leaders today, these exemplary employees have embraced our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Teamwork, and Passion.
Michael Nordyke, Store Manager
Michael Nordyke has been with Extra Space Storage for more than 25 years. He started his self storage career in the early 1990s working for Stor-It Self Storage before moving over to Storage USA. When Extra Space Storage acquired Storage USA in 2005, Nordyke officially joined the team as a result of the deal. “A lot of the upper management from Storage USA stayed on. That made me feel good about Extra Space Storage and gave me a lot of confidence in the company,” he said.
Nordyke currently works as an on-site storage facility manager in Roseville, CA, and he enjoys every part of the work he gets do each day. “I feel like I have ownership of the property, even though I don’t own it,” he explained. Nordyke has loved watching the Extra Space Storage team grow over the years. He recalls seeing some of his favorite District Managers become District Vice Presidents. Even Samrat Sondhi, current COO at Extra Space Storage, once worked with Nordyke when he was a property accountant.
Of course, Nordyke has seen his fair share of challenges throughout his time managing his store, but that’s never kept him down. From dealing with the 1994 Northridge Earthquake that struck the Los Angeles metro to assuaging fears in the aftermath of 9/11, Nordyke has always been a pillar of strength for his team and his customers.
Being with Extra Space Storage for 25+ years and keeping up with all of the changes that have come as the company has grown have made Nordyke feel incredibly accomplished. But it’s not just the adapting and learning that gives him this feeling—he still gets excited about having customers tell him they’ve had a great experience when renting storage at his site.
“In 25 years, Michael has seen our value of innovation bring changes around and around and always takes on each opportunity to change with grace,” said Jenny Grasse, District Team Lead. “Over the years, Michael has maintained a high level of performance, showing the team what excellence and passion look like, and he has been recognized multiple times for exceeding goals at his store. His work and his relationships with the team, as well as with customers, are always handled with the highest level of integrity. It’s thanks to employees like Michael that we’re a top-rated employer by companies like Glassdoor.”
Owin Ochieng, District Team Lead
Owin Ochieng has been with Extra Space Storage for 25 years now, and he says it’s meant so much to him to just be part of the team. From getting his start in a part-time position in Silver Spring, MD, and being promoted to Assistant Store Manager to working as a Store Manager at one of the Washington, DC flagship sites and eventually becoming a District Team Lead in Bethesda, MD, Ochieng has had an incredible journey with Extra Space Storage. “This is where I have grown. It’s all I’ve known. It’s more than a job—it’s a family,” he explained.
Ochieng joined Extra Space Storage because he wanted an opportunity to grow with a company that would be a leader in the self storage industry. “Nothing is boring when working at Extra Space Storage,” he said. “Every day is a different adventure/experience/excitement because we help customers transition during an important time in their lives—whether that’s a new addition to their family or buying/selling a home.”
When asked what he feels has made his time with Extra Space Storage special, Ochieng says having the chance to coach and develop other Extra Space Storage team members has been one of his favorite career highlights. Watching those around him progress and move forward in their careers makes him feel accomplished, as does being part of a team that’s always looking for ways to improve or get better. “I use that same mentality at home in my personal life, and I teach it to my children,” he added.
For Ochieng, the cherry on top of his many great years with the company was when he was honored with the CEO Team of Excellence award and had the chance to visit the company’s corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, for the award celebration with his wife. The CEO Team of Excellence award is given each year to incredible employees who embrace Extra Space Storage core values and go above and beyond in their work—and it’s an accolade Ochieng will never forget.
“We’re excited to celebrate Owin’s anniversary with Extra Space Storage because he exemplifies our culture and lives our values each and every day,” said Michael Pontillo, Division Vice President.
District Manager Ciro Vigilante added “Owin embodies teamwork by being willing to help and support anyone who reaches out. He strives for excellence every day by driving results through his team as it relates to our goals and revenue performance. He is truly passionate about his store, Extra Space Storage family, and customers. He understands the true meaning of integrity and doing the right thing all the time. He embraces change and tries to be innovative as he coaches and supports our team.”