Episode Summary:

In this episode of Guilty by Association, Eddie Key sits down with Peter Greaves, Founder and CEO of EJF Real Estate Services, to explore how one of the most respected names in community management is scaling operations, transforming culture, and leading the charge into the AI-driven future of the industry.

From humble beginnings answering phones during college to building a multi-market, culture-first company, Peter shares the story behind EJF’s growth, leadership philosophy, and intentional approach to acquisitions. He offers an unfiltered look at how to scale with purpose, preserve values through expansion, and equip teams with the right tech to elevate both client service and operational efficiency.

They also dive into EJF’s early adoption of HOAi, the impact of AI on accounts payable and service response times, and why Peter believes the next five years will bring the most dramatic shift the industry has seen in decades.

What You’ll Learn:

• How EJF scaled from a family-run rental division into a regional powerhouse
• The role of leadership development and cultural alignment in successful acquisitions
• Why intentional growth matters more than fast growth
• How Vantaca and HOAi are transforming operations—from AP to real-time customer support
• What the future of the property manager role looks like in an AI-enabled world
• Peter’s blueprint for breaking through the growth ceiling without burning out