SMI Celebrates 50 Years of Opening Doors in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

SMI Property Management, a trusted leader in full-service property management, proudly marks its 50th anniversary in 2026. Headquartered in Keizer, Oregon, and serving communities throughout the Willamette Valley, SMI has spent five decades helping property owners maximize their investments while providing exceptional homes and experiences for residents.

In more recent years, SMI Property Management and SMI Real Estate have formed a dynamic and synergistic powerhouse. SMI Property Management expertly manages multifamily properties and cares for their residents, while SMI Real Estate drives exceptional property sales and investment opportunities – creating a full-spectrum real estate integration that delivers maximum value for all partners.

Under the visionary leadership and energy of Gabe Johansen, Owner and Principal Broker of SMI Property Management and partner company, SMI Real Estate, both companies thrive. At the helm of SMI Property Management, Donna Jaeger, CEO, brings extensive experience and operational precision to keep the entire team firing on all cylinders. Heading SMI Real Estate is Lisa Anderson, Principal Broker of Commercial Brokers, who manages the brokerage’s operations, contracts, and compliance, and oversees commercial brokers and their transactions; and Andy King, Principal Broker of Residential Brokers, who manages the company’s residential brokers and their transactions, and directs recruitment. 

“Our tagline, ‘Opening Doors’, has never been more true!” exclaimed Gabe Johansen, Owner of SMI Property Management and SMI Real Estate. “For 50 incredible years, we’ve been unlocking possibilities—new homes for residents, stronger returns for investment property owners, and thriving business relationships that make the Willamette Valley shine. It’s truly amazing to hit this milestone, and we’re grateful for every friend, client, resident, business partner, and team member who’s helped SMI.”

Founded in Salem in 1976, SMI Property Management is now located in Keizer, the company has grown from a lean family-run business into a trusted name synonymous with integrity, expertise, and reliability in the industry of investment properties. From Salem to Albany, Corvallis to McMinnville, Lebanon to Dallas, and beyond, SMI delivers top-tier, full-service property management for multifamily properties from large apartment communities to quaint small-plexes. SMI Property Management employs approximately 100 people, handling everything from successful tenant placement, proactive maintenance, detailed owner reporting, and full compliance with Oregon’s ever-evolving landlord-tenant laws.

SMI Real Estate boasts exceptional growth in the past 10 years from 5 brokers to more than 40 brokers – representing commercial, multifamily, and residential. Initially focused on commercial properties, the brokerage expanded into multifamily and continues to thrive in this space. Gabe is considered an authority on real estate brokerage, apartment investments, creative financing structures, syndications and repositioning underperforming multifamily assets.

As SMI blows out 50 candles, the celebration is just beginning. With Gabe Johansen’s entrepreneurial spirit and steady leadership, the company is poised for an even brighter future – continuing to build relationships, exceed expectations, and grow property ownership in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Which door may we open for you?