For more than two decades, J+G Companies has been quietly reshaping the multifamily housing landscape—first in California, and now across the Midwest and beyond. What began as James Management Group under founder Michael James has evolved into J+G Companies, a growing family of businesses driven by a clear mission: to create vibrant communities that feel like home for residents while delivering consistent results for investors.
At the helm today are Founder and Chairman Michael James and Chief Executive Officer Dan Gable, who together bring both legacy and fresh vision to the company. Their story reflects strategic foresight and a deep commitment to people, residents, employees, and investors alike.
The story of J+G began in California under its original name, James Management Group. Michael James, who founded the business, specialized in identifying and revitalizing multifamily housing opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area down to Bakersfield. For years, the company focused on acquiring, rehabilitating, and managing properties that needed fresh investment and professional oversight.
By 2005, however, the California market had shifted. Property values were soaring, competition was fierce, and future growth looked less predictable. James saw the writing on the wall. “In 2005, we sold our California portfolio and moved the company to Indianapolis,” he recalls. “It was about identifying where stable growth was happening and positioning ourselves for the long term.”
That move was anything but random. James had spent significant time researching emerging markets across the U.S., looking for places where economic fundamentals were strong and long-term prospects were steady. Indianapolis, with its stable job market, affordability, and low levels of speculative development, stood out.
Dan Gable points out that this strategic pivot was crucial. “Michael did an incredible job of transferring the gains from California into a market that was more stable and predictable,” he explains. “That decision to move into Indianapolis and focus on value-add opportunities really set the foundation for what J+G is today.”
By 2011, the company had returned to self-managing its properties, simultaneously giving it tighter control over resident experience and investor returns. That focus on independence continues to define the firm.
What makes J+G stand out in a crowded industry is putting residents at the center of everything. While many multifamily operators are focused on squeezing maximum financial returns, J+G takes the opposite view: when residents are satisfied, investors ultimately benefit.
“Residents pay the rent, and the rent is what supports our employees and creates returns for investors,” Gable explains. “For us, it starts with residents. When you prioritize their satisfaction, the returns follow.”
It is a people-first model that has become the company’s hallmark. Employing just under 100 team members across its portfolio and corporate offices, J+G invests heavily in training, mentorship, and professional development. Employees are encouraged to see themselves as servant leaders, doing a job while genuinely caring for the communities they serve.
From the ground up, this philosophy shapes the resident experience. Maintenance teams are trained in professionalism, courtesy, and communication in addition to technical skills. “We try to make residents feel like they’re at home, not just in a rental,” James says. “They should feel wanted and indispensable to us.” This commitment is more than good service; it is a long-term strategy. By cultivating loyalty and satisfaction among residents, J+G reduces turnover, strengthens occupancy rates, and builds communities that thrive.
The company’s growth has never been about chasing volume. Instead, it is about finding properties with strong fundamentals, cash-flowing communities under 30 years old, in markets with limited new supply and steady job growth. Currently, the firm’s footprint spans Indiana, Northern Kentucky, and Ohio, with ambitions to expand further. “We have some pretty big growth goals, because we think that we do things really, really well and serve people really well,” Gable says. “We want to maximize that impact as broadly as we can.”
A major component of this expansion strategy is the company’s partnership with Sullivan Development, a firm focused on building affordable housing through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. This partnership allows J+G to diversify its portfolio beyond acquisitions, extending into ground-up development. In many cases, these affordable housing projects create additional opportunities. Leftover land parcels can be used for market-rate housing, while managing affordable properties introduces the company into new geographic areas. As James puts it: “Affordable housing gives us a presence in new states. From there, more opportunities naturally follow,” and the ripple effect is powerful. Through Sullivan Development, J+G is now poised to expand into several new states, establishing a basis for future acquisitions and a broader management presence.
As conversations about sustainability grow louder, J+G is taking a measured, practical approach. While full-scale certifications like LEED are not always financially viable, the company regularly incorporates efficiency measures into both new builds and renovations. Such initiatives include low-flow toilets, water-saving fixtures, LED lighting, and other upgrades designed to reduce utility costs for residents while supporting environmental responsibility. “It all ties back to resident satisfaction,” Gable explains. “The more efficient the property, the lower the costs and the better the experience for residents.”
As the multifamily sector has experienced turbulence in recent years, with rising interest rates, maturing loans, and uneven demand creating uncertainty, J+G is approaching the moment with patience and discipline. “You’ve caught us at the end of a really shaky multifamily market,” James shares with us. “We’re being very picky about what we purchase right now. There’s a lot of property with loans coming due, and we’re just waiting for the right opportunities.”
That deliberate approach reflects the company’s broader standards of measured, strategic growth, never chasing deals just for the sake of activity.
For investors, the approach is equally distinctive. Regular updates, investor portals, and clear reporting provide confidence and ease of use. “If you spoke with one of our investors, the first thing they’d mention is transparency,” says James. “We’ve worked hard over the last five years to continually improve communication and make the experience seamless.”
The company primarily targets high-net-worth individuals seeking alternative assets, particularly those interested in stable, income-producing multifamily real estate. For many, this combination of transparency, accountability, and reliable returns has led to repeat investments. And beyond the numbers, J+G also spends time educating its investors. “We’re always open to conversations that help people understand why multifamily can be such a strong long-term investment,” Gable explains. “For us, it’s about building trust and helping investors feel confident in the choices they make.”
At the heart of J+G’s success is its culture, and James and Gable stress that the company is a family-oriented business. Employees are viewed as partners in service, empowered through leadership training and encouraged to approach their roles as more than just jobs. “We spend a lot of time on leadership training and professional development,” Gable says. “We’re multiplying leaders throughout the organization.”
With strong roots and a growing footprint, J+G Companies is prepared for ongoing success. Expansion into new states, diversification through affordable housing partnerships, and a disciplined acquisition strategy position the company well for its next chapter. But at the end of the day, James and Gable are quick to point out that success is not just measured in numbers; it is measured in relationships with employees who feel valued, residents who feel at home, and investors who feel secure. That cycle is central to the company’s mission of building vibrant communities that stand the test of time.
As Gable puts it: “We believe that when you care for residents, employees, and investors with equal integrity, the business naturally grows. That’s been our formula, and it’s what sets us apart.”
With a track record built on trust and a vision firmly set on building vibrant, welcoming communities, J+G Companies is proving that multifamily investment can be profitable while being profoundly human.
