Q&A with Division Vice President Myles Sigman

Myles Sigman is a Division Vice President of Operations for Extra Space Storage, leading field operations across New England. In this role, which he steps into in January 2026, Sigman will oversee District Managers and store teams throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Sigman joined Extra Space Storage in 2017 as a Senior District Manager in the Southern Massachusetts market. A lifelong New Englander and University of Massachusetts graduate, he brought extensive leadership experience from the retail industry, including roles with Gap Outlet, Pier 1 Imports, and Party City. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, attending Boston sporting events, and finding the best new pizza spots with his wife, Nicole, and their three teenagers.

We recently asked Sigman to share more about his career journey and approach to leadership.

What is the best advice you've received in your career?

The "best" advice is hard to narrow down, because I've been fortunate to receive guidance from many great leaders throughout my career. But there are two pieces of advice that have stayed with me and that I know can help others as well.

The first is to be your authentic self. When you stop trying to be what you think others expect and instead show up as who you truly are, you free up the mental space to focus on what actually matters. You can invest more in others, support their success, and look for new and better ways to drive results—because you're no longer focused on managing a version of yourself.

The second piece of advice that came from a mentor years ago was don't overthink it. Our business isn't complicated. It's about renting space and helping your team succeed. If you live the Extra Space values every day and look for opportunities to win together, you will.

How do you balance work and personal life?

Over my eight years at Extra Space, I've had the opportunity to work under two different Division Vice Presidents, and both have exemplified the importance of balance. Because of their leadership, I've come to understand how essential balance is—not just for our well-being, but for our performance.

Balance often sounds like two things being equal, and in many ways it is. Working hard allows us to enjoy life outside of work, and enjoying life replenishes the energy and focus we need to work hard. For a long time, when I heard the phrase "quality of life," I assumed it was strictly about peace in our personal world. Now I understand it's about both sides—our work and our life—supporting each other.

Life with three kids, my wife Nicole, and our dog is always busy. I stay active in the community, there's always a banquet or sporting event on the calendar, and I make time for friends. My weekends are full, but I'm grateful for it. I'm fortunate to have a life that allows me to be present at home and fully engaged at work—and I now see how the balance between the two makes me better in both places.

How has Extra Space helped in your professional development?

Like many of my peers—and many people throughout Extra Space—I held a variety of jobs early in my life. I waited tables on Cape Cod, baked donuts, and even sold sneakers at Foot Locker. My first step into management came right after college, when I became an Assistant Manager at the Gap Outlet in Wrentham, MA. It was there that I realized I had a natural ability to work with people, and over the next three years I grew into the Store Manager role.

From there, I moved on to become a District Manager with Pier 1 Imports and later joined Party City to continue developing as a multi-unit leader. I enjoyed the work, but it wasn't until I joined Extra Space that I found the guidance and support I truly needed to reach the next level.

The leaders I've had the privilege to work under—Matt Walker, Bob Parisi, and Alex Engel—have all played a key role in shaping my growth. They taught me how to identify great people, invest in them, and help them succeed. That skill set has become the most significant area of my development over the last three years, and it's something I'm eager to continue building on in my new role.

What is a memorable moment or achievement in your career?

Believe it or not, the most rewarding moments of my career this year were being offered the position of Divisional Vice President and graduating from Extra Space's Executive Development Program. Being offered the Divisional Vice President role affirmed that the people I have known, respected, and worked for over the past eight years believe in my ability to succeed in this position. It gives me the opportunity to work alongside great leaders and to have an even greater impact on the stores and people I support.

Participating in the Executive Development Program also allowed me to connect with so many incredible individuals throughout our organization. As I say to every candidate I interview, "I love what I do," and I truly mean it. I love this work because of the people I get to work with and the belief I have in our organization.

What advice would you give to future leaders?

The best advice I can give to others—and especially to future leaders—is to know yourself. When you understand the tasks and activities that drain you, as well as the ones that energize and motivate you, you become far more effective, balanced, and productive in every situation.

Recognizing the moments that will challenge you is powerful. It allows you to prepare, ask for support when needed, and set yourself up to stay steady when things get tough. On the other hand, when you're heading into activities that naturally excite and inspire you, you can lean in fully and maximize that momentum.

For me, for example, meetings or time spent with my boss genuinely recharge my battery. High-level discussion, idea-sharing, and strategic thinking send me back to my day-to-day work with renewed energy and a refreshed sense of purpose.

If you aren't sure yet what drains you and what fuels you, take the time to reflect. Identifying both the "good" and the "tough" will help you intentionally create more space for the things that lift you up—and give you the resilience to handle the tasks that demand more from you.

This article is part of an ongoing series of interviews with Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) leaders. Interested in a career with Extra Space? Visit our careers page to learn more about our culture and job openings.