AANC 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
The Apartment Association of North Carolina is proud to induct two individuals this year into the AANC Hall of Fame, Betsy Kirkpatrick-Cunningham and Fred Kicsak. Both of these individuals have made outstanding contributions to the multifamily housing industry in North Carolina.
Betsy Kirkpatrick-Cunningham is one of the most recognizable, trusted, and sought-after professionals in multifamily today. What makes Betsy extraordinary is not how brightly she shines, but how intentionally she shines that light on others. In a world full of multifamily stars, she is never satisfied holding the room alone. Instead, she pulls others in by encouraging new voices, opening doors, and creating opportunities for people to step forward.
Betsy brings more than 15 years of multifamily experience, beginning onsite as a property manager and evolving into roles that include regional trainer, managing director, and today, Vice President of Strategic Engagement at BGSF. Across every role, her passion for developing people and strengthening the future of this industry has been a constant.
Over the years, Betsy has served at every level of the multifamily industry—local, state, and national—earning countless honors along the way. She has received multiple Volunteer and Supplier of the Year awards and has held leadership roles with GCAA, AANC, USAA, RHAPAC, and the National Apartment Association, including chairing NAA’s NextGen program. This list alone doesn't begin to capture the committees, task forces, speaking engagements, hosting roles, and mentoring moments that define her legacy.
One of Betsy’s most lasting impacts is her work with NextGen—transforming it from a low-engagement group into one of the most dynamic and sought-after leadership pipelines in multifamily. Through programs like 20 on the Rise, she has mentored more than a hundred emerging leaders, proving that leadership isn’t about age or title—it’s about potential and encouragement.
Betsy's advocacy work has been just as powerful. She has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for industry causes, trained advocates at every level, and helped lead initiatives that combine purpose with action—always with energy, creativity, and heart. And through it all, she has balanced these commitments with the role she values most: being a mom.
Betsy Kirkpatrick-Cunningham is a connector. She connects us to each other, to opportunity, and to the purpose behind the work we do. She represents the very best of our industry, and her influence will continue to shape it for generations to come.
Fred Kicsak's contributions to AANC and to the multifamily industry are rooted in service, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. With more than 25 years of multifamily experience and deep operational knowledge as Vice President of Maintenance and Service at Blue Ridge Companies, Fred brings a practical, solutions-driven perspective that has fundamentally strengthened AANC’s advocacy efforts.
Fred has been a transformative force in regulatory reform and housing affordability. He attends every Building Code Council meeting, testifies when needed, and has earned the rare distinction of an open invitation to participate in meetings of the North Carolina Fire Code Revision Committee, an acknowledgment of both his credibility and the trust he’s built with regulators. His voice ensures that real-world operational realities are represented in every major policy discussion.
One of Fred’s most significant contributions followed the 2023 SouthPark fire in Charlotte, when sweeping fire code changes were being considered—changes that could have rendered future multifamily development financially unviable. Fred helped redirect those conversations toward balanced, safety-focused solutions. He co-authored a new statewide Fire Prevention Plan template, working for over a year alongside state fire officials to create consistency, clarity, and predictability across North Carolina. This work prevented potentially billions of dollars in added costs and preserved the future of multifamily development across the state.
Fred also played a critical role in the passage of House Bill 768, now North Carolina law. This legislation reformed Emergency Responder Radio Coverage requirements. Through persistence, collaboration, and deep technical knowledge, Fred helped shape legislation that will save the industry billions of dollars while maintaining safety and accountability.
As Chair of AANC’s Regulatory Subcommittee, Fred brings steady leadership, credibility, and an unmatched willingness to dig into the hard work. He doesn’t seek recognition. In fact, Fred has been clear that he views all of this not as personal achievement, but as service to an industry he cares deeply about and to the people who depend on it.
Two decades of dedicated participation in NAA and AANC Lobby Days, coupled with a willingness to engage in in-district meetings, reflect the depth of Fred's commitment and the strength of his voice for our industry. His influence spans operations, advocacy, education, and crisis preparedness. Fred's work has elevated AANC’s standing with policymakers and strengthened the multifamily industry statewide, often in ways most people will never fully see, but all will benefit from.