Team Member of the Quarter: Donna Dovel

Mark Dana Senior Manager puts her heart into her work.

Solving problems and balancing books is her specialty.

April 25, 2018 . . .Grottoes, VA.   If Donna Dovel isn’t busy flipping houses or sewing a new fashion creation, you will find her hard at work at the Grottoes Manor apartments leading the charge for new and improved housing for all 12 Mark Dana properties.

“I love my job,” Dovel said. “There is so much diversity and something new every day. It keeps me motivated and on my toes.”

Dovel is the senior manager and book keeper of Mark Dana Management, and has nearly 25 years of experience in federal low income housing. She is a licensed realtor in the state of Virginia and a member of the National Association of Realtors.

“I have a unique love of numbers,” Dovel said. “My passion is budgets, banking and balancing statements. It’s my favorite way to solve problems.”

Dovel is also certified in Fair Housing, STAR, Credit Compliance, HCCP, Green Property Management and is a VHDA Homeownership Specialist.

“I feel better when I’m busy,” Dovel said. “It feels good to get things done, and get them done right.”

When not at work, Dovel has spent her time recently remodeling two homes with her daughter and son-in-law. She plans on selling the houses.

“I like taking things people don’t consider valuable and making them desirable again,” she said. “It gives new life to things.”

The last year has been a struggle for Dovel. She lost her husband, Alvin, after 47 years of marriage and 50 years of being together.

“It’s been a hard year,” she said. “My friends, family and coworkers have really helped me through it.”

Dovel doesn’t have any specific plans for change to her Mark Dana vision, other than keep working and solving problems.

“It’s hard to change what you love,” she said. “Like I said, I love my job and I am going to keep at it.”