The Champion
Story
Family Owned and Operated Since 2010
OUR MISSION
To deliver the best investment, career and living
experience ever – yes, ever.
OUR PURPOSE
Enriching Communities
Champion strives to add value to each of our apartment communities in everything we do. We add value through our astonishing customer service by providing genuine hospitality to make people feel at home.
Empowering People
We hire smart, passionate people and then teach them our industry. Ability—not experience—is what matters most. We love to celebrate success, recognize hard work, and reward the extraordinary people who propel our award-winning culture.
Enhancing Lives
Champion has been recognized as an industry leader, but nothing means more than our recognition for giving back to the community. Through our Champion Cares Foundation and our employee involvement, we are passionate about making life better for those in need.
Our Core Principles
An exceptional experience, guided by six core principles.
We pride ourselves on being adaptable to the marketplace and consistent in our delivery across all facets of our business. What guides our company to deliver an exceptional experience are six core principles that are ingrained into our company culture:
Community
Service
Value
Passion
Integrity
Teamwork
The Champion Difference
Built on Purpose. Driven by
Mission.
Evolving from a small team to a trusted name in multifamily.
Founding & Roots
Founded in 2010 by brother-and-sister duo Brian Yeager and Michelle Yeager-Thornton, The Champion Companies began in Westerville, Ohio, with a vision to redefine apartment living—offering more than just homes, but experiences built on quality, integrity, and service. From the start, they set out to create a company that gives back, using its success to strengthen the community.
Growth & Mission
What started as a single community with five team members has grown into 22 communities and more than 150 dedicated team members across Central Ohio. And while our footprint has expanded, our culture has remained true to its roots—a family atmosphere where passion, hard work, compassion and generosity guide everything we do.
Motto & Culture
At Champion, we live by our motto: ALL IN. It’s more than words—it’s who we are. Whether it’s providing outstanding service to our residents, supporting one another as teammates or making a difference in our community, we are fully committed to excellence, kindness and impact.
Key Milestones
Champion Founded in Westerville, OH
The Champion Cares Foundation is Founded
Champion Real Estate Services Rebrands to The Champion Companies
Champion Hires 100th Team Member
Completion of Largest Renovation Project (1,064 Units)
First Champion Development Completed (Sunbury, OH)
Champion Sells 5 Communities in Historic Multifamily Deal
The Champion Companies Milo-Grogran Boys and Girls Club Opens
Champion Celebrates 15 Years in Business
Champion Earns Best Places to Work 10 Consecutive Years
Awards & Recognition
Champion’s commitment to excellence.
Champion is on a relentless pursuit to redefine excellence in apartment living and to deliver the best living experience ever. Our team’s dedication to this mission has earned industry recognition, which in turn reinforces our passion for what we do.
Best Places to Work
2016-2025 (10 consecutive years)
Corporate Citizenship
2016-2025 (10 consecutive years)
ORA Power Rankings
2012-2025 (14 consecutive years)
Fast 50
2012-2019 (8 years)
Our Culture & Team
At the heart of everything we do is our people. We’ve built a team of dedicated professionals who bring energy, creativity and integrity to every project we take on. Throughout our growth and success, we have never outgrown our people-first culture and family feel.
Our commitment to our people has earned us industry recognition, but more importantly, it’s helped us build a team that truly loves what they do.
Champion has impacted me in many ways, but the most important thing it has done for me is that it has given me a job that doesn’t feel like work!
I really enjoyed the camaraderie that our team has always had. The friendship that is shared is truly a blessing.
The culture here is one of teamwork, encouragement, and care, and that’s what makes coming to work every day so fulfilling.
I have never worked for a company with management and team members that genuinely care about my well being and want me to succeed. For my first year I definitely was waiting for “the other shoe to drop,” but it never happened. It is so wonderful to be appreciated.
I have never worked for a company with management and team members that genuinely care about my well being and want me to succeed. For my first year I definitely was waiting for “the other shoe to drop,” but it never happened. It is so wonderful to be appreciated.
What stands out to me is the family-friendly culture we have here. It’s not just a workplace; it’s a community that genuinely cares about each other.
Champion Cares Foundation
The Champion Cares Foundation was founded in 2014 and supports charitable partners that provide access to life’s essentials for vulnerable and underserved populations with a focus on its three pillars of philanthropy: Human Services, Youth Development and Health & Wellness.
Human Services
Organizations providing access to life’s essentials for vulnerable and underserved populations – including food security and housing.
Youth Development
Organizations helping to prepare young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood to achieve their full potential.
Health & Wellness
Organizations that focus on health such as rehabilitative health, disease and disorder treatment, medical research, or mental health and crisis intervention.
How We Give
The Champion Cares Foundation supports our charitable partners through ongoing financial support, awareness and volunteerism.
$4.5M
Given Back to the Community
10,000+
Volunteer Hours
Making Change, Together.
We’re proud of the work we’ve done alongside our charitable partners — and we know there’s more to do. Champion Cares will continue to empower our community and strive to amplify change across Central Ohio.
Join The Champion Story
Whether as a strategic partner, team member or future resident – we welcome you to join us in our pursuit of excellence.
Contact Us
Let’s discuss how we can work together
Join Our Team
Build your career with Champion
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