Meet Our Team

John Wessinger- Founder

(1937-2010) John Wessinger was born and raised in Ann Arbor. He completed his studies in Business Administration at Eastern Michigan University. While still an undergraduate student, John and several close friends started a painting company called ‘Modern Painters.’ This venture resulted in a lifetime fascination and commitment to giving new life to older properties. He purchased his first rental house in 1968, and Wessinger Properties was born and would later become his full time vocation. In the early 1970’s, John joined the faculty at the University of Michigan Dearborn Campus as the Chairman of the Business Internship Program where he placed many students in authentic business opportunities throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area. John was an early member of the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association, where he was a staunch advocate for quality student housing. He was a businessman who believed in supporting local companies and encouraged many to build their own businesses under his tutelage. His family is proud to carry on his legacy of Wessinger Properties.

Lelahni Wessinger

Lelahni has a BA in Journalism and an MA in Telecommunication Arts from the University of Michigan. She became active in the formation of the Tenants’ Union in the late 60s, as a tenant, and has served as President of the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association, as a landlord. Her interests in the improvement of rental housing were reflected in the many city boards and task forces she has sat on over four decades. She married John Wessinger in 1976 and they made a great team in real estate, eventually acquiring and managing almost two dozen properties around the UofM campus. Now retired from the day to day operations of Wessinger Properties, she remains involved as an owner and can still be spotted riding her electric bicycle around campus, checking on the properties and planning the next project.

Nick Else

Nick was born in Ann Arbor in 1970 and came into John Wessinger’s family in 1976 when John married his mother Lelahni. By that time, Wessinger Properties had already become a successful property management business and was a daily part of Nick’s life from that point forward. Assisting his father with maintenance, cleaning, and lawncare throughout his childhood and teen years, Nick took a break from Ann Arbor and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hope College. After graduating, he moved back to Ann Arbor and officially began working for Wessinger Properties. Nick took over full management of the business in 2010 upon John’s death. Since then, Wessinger Properties has added 3 more rental properties to it’s portfolio. He takes great pride in the properties and strives to continue to provide quality student housing and service at reasonable prices.

Jordan Else

Originally introduced to Nick by a mutual friend, Nick and Jordan met in 2012 while she was pursuing her Masters in Nursing at the University of Michigan and working as a hospice nurse. Today, she manages office operations, leasing, communication, and assists with design of remodeling projects. An active Renters’ rights advocate, she serves on the Ann Arbor Renters Commission and works closely with student groups and other community members to improve the leasing process and rental housing in Ann Arbor. She is also the Co-chair of the Ann Arbor PTO Council and a proud member of Ann Arbor Parents Intent on Racial Equity. When she isn’t busy in those roles or being a mom, she volunteers her time with local literacy organizations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Maintenance Staff

Currently, we have 2 full time maintenance persons and hire additional seasonal help as needed. You will also often see Nick Else around the properties doing maintenance work.

Pat (left) joined us in the fall of 2023. He is responsible for daily maintenance, property turnovers, lawn care, snow shoveling/plowing, remodeling work and assisting on leasing as needed. He also can be used for on-call maintenance coverage when Nick is not available. He has extensive work experience in construction and property maintenance in the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area.

Thomas (right) is our newest hire and joined us in the summer of 2024. He is responsible for daily maintenance, property turnovers, lawn care, snow shoveling/plowing, remodeling work and assisting on leasing as needed. He also can be used for on-call maintenance coverage when Nick is not available. He has extensive work experience in construction and property maintenance in the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area.

Ezra Dreffs joined our team as a seasonal employee in the spring of 2021. He has prior experience in maintenance and landscaping. Currently Ezra is a temp/seasonal employee and is sometimes covering as our on call maintenance.

Dustin Lang (not pictured) has worked with us since 2010 and has a wide range of skills. After almost 10 years of full time work, he started his own independent custom tile installation business, LBI Trowelworks. He currently works with us as an independent contractor as needed for custom tile installations.

Brittany Samples joined us in 2021 as a part time office assistant. She currently handles most of the day to day accounting as well as some resident communication, filing, records keeping and other office duties for Wessinger Properties. Her background is in Human Resources.