Liberty Military Housing (Liberty) is proud to announce that two of its team members were honored at this year’s 2025 Multi-Housing News (MHN) Excellence Awards, a program recognizing the most outstanding achievements in the property management industry. Liberty leaders Gary Dikes and Katie Dirkx were both honored with Gold recognition in two of the ceremony’s most competitive categories: Facilities & Maintenance Manager of the Year and Property Manager of the Year, respectively.
At Liberty’s Ocotillo Heights community, Gary Dikes has established himself as a trusted leader known for technical expertise and a proactive approach to resident satisfaction. In the past year, Gary has delivered exceptional results, including maintaining a 7-day average home turnover time and earning a perfect 100% pass rate on move-in inspections conducted by Marine Corps housing officials. His integrity and resident-first mindset secured him an impressive 4.87/5 resident satisfaction score.
Katie Dirkx oversees 912 homes across seven distinct neighborhoods and leads a team of 20 employees in her role as District Manager at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Her performance in 2024 exemplified leadership excellence, particularly within the unique context of military housing. From navigating high-volume turnover during peak PCS (Permanent Change of Station) season to balancing the diverse needs of military families, Katie demonstrated exceptional operational skills.
“Gary and Katie represent the very best of Liberty,” says Gail Miller, Chief Operating Officer, Liberty Military Housing. “Their ability to deliver operational excellence while maintaining deep empathy for our military families directly reflects our mission, and we are incredibly proud to see their hard work recognized by the broader multifamily industry.”
Katie and Gary were formally recognized at the MHN Excellence Awards celebration, which took place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in New York City.