Our Story

Putting Community First – An Association Management Philosophy.

Community Association Management is a people business. Yet, for decades, managers have focused their day-to-day efforts on technical activity such as rule enforcement, facilities maintenance, and dues collection. This emphasis, though functional, puts the proverbial cart before the horse. It does not address many of the human needs within communities. Managers need to rethink their jobs, switching the emphasis to service and community building. Why this need for redirection? Because the association management industry, like society, is changing rapidly. Managers must grow with society – even lead the change. Increasingly, managers’ jobs are expanding beyond the traditional roles of a neighborhood police officer, tax collector, or handyman. The notion of service, in and of itself, has become more important. Some of these societal changes stem from legal issues. The concept of reasonableness is replacing strict letter-of-the-law covenants enforcement. The historical measuring sticks of association management success – delinquency rates, the number of work orders processed, the number of outstanding rules violations, performance against the budget – can no longer be the sole indicator of management effectiveness. In truth, these measures track only a fraction of overall performance. The management team and board of directors could achieve perfection in these areas and still have a problem community. How is such a contradiction possible? Because an association’s core purpose is not about buildings, rules, or money. It is a corporation that helps people. Putting people first – building a community for them to prosper in – is the essence of association management. Managers must be the lead architects of this community construction. We are more than maintenance supervisors, rule enforcers, dues collectors, and meeting planners. We are leaders and teachers as well.

Sovereign & Jacobs: A Legacy of Excellence

The great Vince Lombardi once said, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence.” This is especially true with the life of our founder, Philip H. Jacobs, and the basis upon which he built this company. Our story began in 1992 when Phil & his wife Mary Way Jacobs founded Jacobs, Jacobs & Associates, after Phil had served in the U.S. Navy for twenty-eight years in various leadership positions, including commander of Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Phil and the Jacobs team quickly formed a reputation for excellence and personalized service to the associations they manage and the owners they serve. As JJA grew over the years, Phil became known in the industry for his intense understanding of community association management and real estate law. Phil became a recognized leader with the highest designation in the association management industry as a Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) and was designated as a faculty member for the Community Association Institute teaching advanced management techniques throughout the United States. Phil was certified by Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) to facilitate seminars for the Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes targeting Condominium and Cooperative homeowners in Florida. He was also a State designated education provider for the C.A.M. Pre-Licensure requirements. While expanding their business in the central Florida area, Phil & Mary met Ellen G. Lumpkin, a Partner of Melrose-Sovereign Companies, a leading dual-service Property Management Company operating throughout the state. Ellen is also a management leader known for her integrity and solid knowledge of community association management. As their relationship grew over the years, the trio realized their philosophies and desire for excellence through expertise, service and community building were exactly aligned, and a decision was made to merge their companies in early 2012. It became an immediate success and was often described by Mary and Ellen to be, “the perfect partnership.” On October 2nd, 2012, Phil passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, which was a huge loss for his family and the community. Most of those who attended his funeral he served over the years in community association management, an enormous tribute to the respect people have had for him as an industry leader. Mary, Ellen and the Sovereign-Jacobs team, however, continue to carry the torch Phil lit for the company and pay him tribute by our commitment to excellence, providing the same “hands on” personal service to those we serve. We have a proven proficiency in and are dedicated to delivering quality professional community management services with over sixty years of combined experience. Sovereign & Jacobs Property Management consistently provides the highest quality of Team Management services. Our highly skilled and motivated employees are key. We continue to strengthen our organization, encouraging personal responsibility, creativity and enhanced skills–with the sole aim of meeting our client’s needs to the best of our ability. We are aware that we will only achieve our mission if we meet, and whenever possible, exceed our client’s needs and expectations in every aspect of our business. We are totally dedicated to achieving this goal. Every Association, whether small or large, will get the same attention to detail and the same high standard of quality services. We strive to meet each of our Association’s needs and expectations with the ultimate objective of improving the mutual investment each owner has in his/her unit and the association.

Meet Our Owner

Ellen Lumpkin

Founder & CEO

Ellen Lumpkin is a seasoned leader in the property management industry, renowned for her unwavering commitment to teamwork and delivering exceptional results. With over 35 years of experience, Ellen has carved a distinguished path marked by integrity, outstanding leadership, and a genuine passion for creating win-win partnerships.

Ellen's journey as an influential figure in the industry began when she ventured out on her own in 2005, founding Sovereign Residential Services LLC. Starting with just one employee and community, Ellen's dedication and commitment to excellence soon sparked remarkable growth. Through word-of-mouth referrals and a steadfast focus on client satisfaction, Sovereign Residential Services LLC steadily expanded its reach without the need for traditional advertising.

In 2012, Ellen took a bold step by acquiring Jacobs, Jacobs & Associates, effectively merging the two companies to establish Sovereign & Jacobs Property Management Companies, LLC. This strategic move allowed for an expanded portfolio and a comprehensive suite of services. Under Ellen's visionary leadership, Sovereign & Jacobs experienced exponential growth, becoming a leading force in the industry.

What sets Ellen apart is her unwavering belief in the power of teamwork. She has nurtured a culture where all employee's contributions are valued, fostering an environment where collaboration and collective success thrive. With a dedicated team of 80 professionals, Sovereign & Jacobs now manages an impressive portfolio of 148 associations, providing unparalleled property management services.

Ellen's exceptional leadership and emphasis on teamwork have garnered well-deserved recognition. The company's commitment to excellence was acknowledged when Sovereign & Jacobs was awarded the Diamond-Level Reader’s Choice Award four years in a row (2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024) for Excellence in property management. These accolades are a testament to the collaborative spirit Ellen instills within her team and the outstanding results they achieve together.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ellen actively engages with esteemed organizations such as the Community Association Institute and the St. John's County Chamber of Commerce, further enriching her industry knowledge and networks. Additionally, she wholeheartedly dedicates her time as a passionate fundraiser for St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact beyond business.

Ellen Lumpkin's journey in the property management industry has been defined by her unwavering integrity, remarkable achievements, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork. As she leads Sovereign & Jacobs to new heights, Ellen's legacy extends far beyond individual accomplishments, highlighting her commitment to nurturing a collaborative and inclusive environment that fosters exceptional service, client satisfaction, and a sense of purpose for her entire team.

Education:

Jacksonville Business College, Business Administration

Licenses:

Community Association Manager; Florida Real Estate Broker

Relevant Organizations:

Fundraiser, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS)
Broker, St. John’s County Board of Realtors
Member, Community Association Institute
Member, St. John’s County Chamber of Commerce

Cherie Nash

Cherie Nash is an accomplished and highly regarded professional known for her exceptional leadership skills and ability to foster a collaborative work environment. As the Vice President of Sovereign & Jacobs, Cherie has played a pivotal role in driving the company's success, while also prioritizing the well-being and development of her team.

With a proven track record of leading by example, Cherie has earned a reputation as a dedicated and results-oriented leader. Since joining Sovereign & Jacobs, she has been instrumental in cultivating a strong team-oriented culture, where employees are encouraged to excel and contribute to the company's growth.

Cherie's collaborative approach has not only created a supportive work environment but has also yielded significant achievements for Sovereign & Jacobs. Under her guidance, the company has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its market presence by over 40%. This success can be attributed, in large part, to Cherie's ability to effectively align team members' efforts and motivate them to exceed expectations.

Recognizing the importance of taking care of her employees, Cherie has made it a priority to provide them with the resources and support needed for professional growth. She has successfully built and nurtured high-performing teams by hiring top talent, providing comprehensive training, and implementing performance evaluation processes. Cherie's focus on team development has resulted in enhanced productivity, increased employee satisfaction, and improved customer service.

Cherie's exceptional leadership extends beyond managing day-to-day operations. Her extensive experience and deep industry knowledge have made her a trusted advisor and mentor to her colleagues. Her ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and clients has been instrumental in driving successful outcomes for Sovereign & Jacobs.

A key aspect of Cherie's leadership is her emphasis on fostering strong relationships. She has established and maintained partnerships with national builders such as KB Home, Richmond American, Pulte, D.R. Horton, and Forestar, contributing significantly to the company's growth. Cherie's ability to forge these relationships has not only brought new opportunities but has also positioned Sovereign & Jacobs as a trusted and preferred partner in the industry.

As a collaborative team member, Cherie consistently demonstrates her commitment to the success of her colleagues and the organization as a whole. She actively seeks input and encourages diverse perspectives, fostering an inclusive and innovative work environment. Cherie's ability to prioritize among competing requirements and her dedication to delivering exceptional results have been instrumental in driving Sovereign & Jacobs' continued growth and success.

Cherie Nash's exceptional leadership qualities, collaborative approach, and commitment to team development make her an invaluable asset to Sovereign & Jacobs. Her ability to inspire, motivate, and empower her team members positions the company for continued achievements and a bright future in the real estate industry.

John Glisson

John Glisson is a dedicated professional who thrives on teamwork, collaboration, and process improvement. John has a diverse background in both project management and aviation.

John is a licensed Community Association Manager (CAM). His educational journey also includes earning two associate degrees: one in Aviation Operations and another in Electronic Systems Technology. With a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to personal growth, he has always pursued opportunities to expand his skill set.

From 1999 to 2019, John served in the U.S. Air Force, where he acquired valuable experience in both project management and aviation. Throughout his military career, John realized the importance of working together as a team and leveraging collective strengths to achieve outstanding results.

In March 2019, John joined Sovereign & Jacobs as an intern, embarking on a new chapter in his professional life. As an intern, he dedicated his efforts to gaining a comprehensive understanding of community operations and honing his ability to work with and advise board members on association matters. This experience allowed him to grasp the intricacies of community dynamics and strengthen his problem-solving skills within the realm of association management.

Recognizing John's exceptional skills, determination, and passion for the company's success, Sovereign & Jacobs embraced him as an invaluable member of their team and quickly advanced him to a key position in Business Development. John was instrumental in helping the team at Sovereign & Jacobs experience substantial growth, expanding its workforce from 50 to 80 employees.

John’s accomplishments during his tenure at Sovereign & Jacobs highlight his motivation for success. He led various initiatives, including a complete redesign of the company's website, enhancing its online presence and user experience. Additionally, his expertise in SEO optimization significantly improved the company's search result rankings, amplifying its visibility within the industry. John's commitment to innovation was also demonstrated through the implementation of 'My Green Condo,' an online owner portal serving 18,000 homeowners. Furthermore, his creative approach led to the development of an impactful email marketing campaign, effectively promoting the company's rental listings as well as promoting multiple award-winning endeavors.

John's achievements are a testament to the power of teamwork, collaboration, and a shared vision. Within Sovereign & Jacobs, he continues to focus his energy on process improvement and finding ways to enhance efficiency, all while fostering a culture of collective success.

Jamie Serenati

Jamie Serenati is a seasoned professional and the Director of Association Management at Sovereign & Jacobs’ Property Management Companies, boasting over 15 years of robust experience in property management within the multi-family housing, residential, and commercial real estate sectors. Her academic background features a dual Bachelor of Arts from Flagler College and a Master of Science from the University of North Florida, providing her with a well-rounded understanding of community dynamics and the nuances of real estate management.

As a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate and a Licensed Community Association Manager recognized by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Jamie exemplifies a commitment to excellence and professionalism in her field. She has successfully spearheaded multi-million-dollar rental programs throughout Florida, showcasing her adeptness at driving growth and maximizing property value.

In her current role, Jamie prioritizes operational excellence while also emphasizing internal leadership and professional development for her team. She is passionate about creating an environment that fosters continuous learning and growth, ensuring her staff is equipped to adapt to the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

Beyond her professional contributions, Jamie is a dedicated advocate for community engagement. She has taken on leadership roles in outreach initiatives supporting local youth sports programs, the Betty Griffin House, and AMVETS. Through these endeavors, Jamie highlights her commitment to giving back and enhancing the communities in which she works.

With her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to both her profession and her community, Jamie Serenati stands out as a leader in association management, embodying the principles of collaboration, growth, and excellence.