The Stories Behind Extra Space Storage's Relationship-First Culture

Extra Space Storage is built on a people-first philosophy that prioritizes relationships above all else—and there's proof of that in more ways than one. In this article, leaders share what our company culture means to them, and their examples illustrate just how deeply this relationship-driven approach runs throughout the organization. They also offer valuable insights into how to build a company culture that genuinely supports employees while attracting and retaining top talent. Read what they had to say!

Bill Mottram: Humanity Over Transaction

When Bill Mottram, Vice President of Operations Support, was first offered a District Manager role at Extra Space Storage, the decision wasn't about the job—it was about family.

At the time, Bill's father was sick in Las Vegas. Though Extra Space Storage offered a promising opportunity, his employer at the time countered with an immediate relocation to Las Vegas. Being close to his family mattered most, so Bill made the difficult decision to withdraw from the offer he had already accepted at Extra Space. He expected to burn a bridge. Instead, he found compassion.

Bill recalls,

"I called the Division Vice President and said, 'I hope I don't regret this—but I need to go back on the offer.' I told him the truth that my father is sick. And he said, 'Hey, we understand family here at this company. Let's keep in touch.'"

Two years later, Extra Space Storage followed through, staying in touch and even keeping notes from Bill's original interview. When another opportunity opened in Las Vegas, the company reached out again, and Bill joined the team in 2018.

For Bill, that experience set the tone for a culture that puts people before transactions. Eight years later, and it's still one of the reasons he continues to build his career at Extra Space.

Whitney Harper: Relationships Over Deals

Extra Space Storage's relationship-first culture is just as evident in Whitney Harper's story.

As Whitney puts it,

"I personally think the secret sauce is relationships. We are a relationship-first culture. Ken Woolley [our founder] was always focused on the relationship over the business deal—it's more important to have a good relationship with the people you're doing business with than to get the best possible deal where everyone feels a little shortchanged."

As Senior Vice President of People, Whitney helped lead the people strategy during Extra Space Storage's acquisition of Life Storage in 2023—a nearly $15 billion transaction that increased the company's headcount by roughly 50%. But the same week the acquisition was announced, Whitney received difficult health news.

Rather than asking her to push through one of the biggest transitions in the company's history, leadership encouraged Whitney to step away from work and focus on her health and her family. The message was clear—people come first.

For Whitney, that experience reinforced what she'd long believed about Extra Space Storage's culture. It's easy to talk about putting people first. But Extra Space follows through on those values when they matter most.

Chandra Maddukuri: Talent Density & Collective Intelligence

Part of what makes a great workplace culture is having smart, talented people on board—and plenty of them. Chandra Maddukuri, Senior Vice President of Data Science & Revenue Management, has seen firsthand how Extra Space Storage's high-performing, collaborative culture attracts exceptional talent.

Chandra describes it this way,

"Nice, smart people want to work with nice, smart people—that's what keeps me here."

When you're surrounded by talented colleagues, expectations are high—but so are the opportunities to learn, grow, and do your best work. It's a culture that continues to attract people who value excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Jason Robinson: Daily Experience Over Compensation

Jason Robinson, Vice President of Bridge Loans, has often heard the conventional career advice to change roles every few years. But for him, staying at a good, values-aligned company and working through both the challenges and successes has proven more rewarding than chasing frequent moves or incremental pay increases.

Jason has said there's no amount of money you could pay him to stay at a workplace where he's unhappy—emphasizing that being part of a supportive environment where he feels valued matters most.

Jason shares,

"For me, one of the things that's been more important is the culture and the people. Look for a place where you are valued, where your input matters, and where you're working with people you really like to work with. In the end, that's the part that sticks with you."

Mentorship and leadership culture also play a central role in Jason's experience. Jeff Norman, Extra Space Storage CFO, who originally referred Jason to the company, has remained a trusted mentor throughout their 20-year professional relationship, which has been shaped by ongoing collaboration and teamwork.

Zach Dickens: Value Alignment & Integrity

One of the reasons people choose Extra Space Storage is that the company consistently lives its values. For nearly 25 years, Zach Dickens has experienced a culture that empowers employees and puts those values into practice.

When asked about his favorite aspects of working at Extra Space Storage, Zach responded,

"I don't have to check my personal values at the door. Integrity, a positive attitude, working well with other people—when those are at the forefront of a company's values and you personally feel that way, you stick around a lot longer."

Over his tenure, Zach has never felt the need to set aside his values or integrity to do his job well. Instead, he's experienced a workplace that reinforces these qualities every day.

For him, that alignment between personal principles and company culture is a key reason he's stayed with Extra Space Storage for decades—and a strong example of how values-driven workplaces retain talent for the long haul.

Interested in joining the team at Extra Space Storage? Learn more about current job opportunities and start your application today. And find more insights about our leadership and culture by listening to the Inside Extra Space podcast!