Norfolk, VA – January 15, 2026– Lawson is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Bernier as Vice President of Lawson Realty Corp. and Director of Property Operations. In this role, Bernier will oversee and support Lawson’s extensive multifamily portfolio, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) affordable housing communities and market-rate properties throughout Virginia.
Bernier brings more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience in multifamily management, with deep expertise in affordable housing operations, compliance, and portfolio performance. She will play a key role in driving operational excellence, supporting on-site teams, and ensuring strong financial and compliance outcomes across Lawson’s growing portfolio.
Most recently, Bernier served as Vice President of RealPage Compliance Services, where she was responsible for compliance oversight of approximately 300,000 affordable housing units and more than $12 million in annual revenue. In that role, she developed a strong track record of improving revenue opportunities, increasing productivity, and delivering scalable operational solutions.
Bernier holds a Master of Business Administration in Real Estate from the Longwood School of Business and Economics. She also maintains multiple industry certifications, including Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Blended Occupancy Specialist (BOS), Assistant Housing Manager (AHM), and Certified Property Manager (CPM).
“Sarah’s depth of experience in affordable housing and multifamily operations makes her an exceptional addition to our executive team,” said Julie Richardson, Lawson Chief Operating Officer. “Her leadership, industry knowledge, and results-driven approach will be instrumental as Lawson continues to expand and strengthen its property operations platform.”
About Lawson: At Lawson, we understand that what we do – and how we do it – affects the everyday lives of people we care about. We focus on positively impacting people, from team members and residents to investors and business partners. We manage and own approximately 5,000 apartment units and continue to grow with nearly 1,200 units under construction or in development. Our business model provides vertical integration of development, construction, property management and asset management services, which enables our team of experts to add value at every stage for our partners. When you act with integrity, focus on quality and work to find creative solutions, great things are possible. It’s how we’ve done business at Lawson for more than 50 years. For more information, please visit www.lawsoncompanies.com.