About National Self Storage
Business History
In 1974, Robert Schoff along with eventual partners J. David Mackstaller and W. Michael Schoff opened its first self-storage facilities in Tucson, Arizona. It was quickly discovered that self-storage was a unique business. Therefore, National Self Storage Development, Inc. and National Self Storage Management, Inc. (“NSS”) were formed to further develop this business for investors. Originally, self-storage was considered by many to be an industrial or warehouse related use.
However, NSS quickly distinguished itself as one of the first companies to introduce the concept that self-storage is primarily a retail use. NSS began merchandising their self-storage concept as a product. Their "stores'' offered customers many new and innovative features and their on-site, professionally trained "NSS Storage Consultants" educated storage customers on the many benefits that these features provided. NSS's innovative management techniques have helped shape the direction of the self-storage industry and, in fact, have now become industry standards. Innovative concepts pioneered by NSS include high-tech security devices and construction techniques such as precast tilt up concrete walls with movable metal demising partitions, raised slabs with recessed door seals and integrated roof systems. Together with award-winning landscape treatments, the NSS properties provided curb appeal that was very inviting and conducive to consumers.
NSS maintained a "hands on'' approach to the actual design and architecture of their self-storage stores and the resident apartment in an effort to soften the outward appearance to the surrounding neighborhood and provide a comfortable home for their on-site managers. In response to the demise of the Savings and Loan industry, in the early 1990s, NSS Funding Corp. and NSS Mortgage Securities Corp. were formed to facilitate the refinancing of 53 self-storage properties and business parks operated by NSS at that time. The refinancing was the first of its kind in the self-storage industry and was accomplished through the issuance of $63 million of Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Bonds in a private placement to institutional investors. The bonds were placed by Oppenheimer & Co.,Inc. A significant portion of the NSS portfolio was refinanced again in 1996 through a new bond issuance to capitalize on lower interest rates.In July of 2005 NSS sold a significant portion of its facilities (70) to the REIT U-Store-It (Now CubeSmart) in a large package deal worth $218 million. NSS recently developed a prototype RV storage facility, National RV Central. The project serves the RV storage industry.
NSS was also actively involved in the development of an on-line self storage reservation and payment system National Self Storage prides itself on the following characteristics:1) Strong locations and high quality facilities. All of the properties are well constructed and meticulously maintained. The portfolio enjoys excellent geographic diversity with locations in 6 states. The "stores" are located in desirable, retail type locations with high traffic counts. 2) Attractive economies of scale.
The company has numerous stores in efficient "economic units" which allows the company to realize operating and marketing efficiencies and increased brand awareness. NSS has developed a unique trademark and customer loyalty. In addition, through sharing common expenses such as advertising and internet web sites, NSS can effectively reduce operating costs and inventories. Insurance savings are also possible. High quality management. All of the NSS stores have professionally trained staff and receive ongoing training though NSS's decentralized management. Training is held to keep their managers on "the cutting edge."Additionally, state of the art computer and security systems are standard at NSS.
National Self Storage is a proud member and founder of Storelocal and the National Self Storage Association.
Learn more about the National Self Storage Alliance
As the only not-for-profit cooperative in the self storage industry, the National Self Storage Alliance's mission is strictly the growth of the brand across the country and the creation of value for its members.
Robert H. SchoffChairman of the BoardAssociate Arizona Real Estate Broker
Robert H. Schoff has been involved in the self storage industry since 1974. His career began as the City Manager for Tucson Self Storage; an investment partnership sponsored by his brother Michael and his partner David Mackstaller for their company, the Schomac Group, Inc. By 1976, he was managing a citywide network of seven facilities, having approximately 360,000 total rentable square feet and over 4,000 storage rooms. From 1978 to 1980, he worked for Mini-Storage Insurance Corporation (Now MiniCo) of Phoenix. He coordinated sales, advertising, and accounting for that rapidly growing company and held a State of Arizona Insurance Sales license during his time there.In October 1980, Mr. Schoff was recruited by National Self Storage to become its Vice President in charge of operations. In this position, he was responsible for the operations of all National Self Storage facilities in Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Denver, El Paso, and Tucson.In 1986, Mr. Schoff was promoted to President of National Self Storage Development, Inc. to oversee acquisition and development of over 30 storage facilities in that period of strong growth.
He then spent nearly two years as an independent consultant to the self storage industry, and in February 1991, he rejoined NSS to coordinate their consulting and contract management divisions.Elected President of National Self Storage Management Inc. in 1994, Mr. Schoff was responsible for the operations of all National Self Storage facilities. He is currently the Chairman of the Board and President of NSS. In addition, Mr. Schoff is the Designated licensed State of Arizona Real Estate Broker. for the firm.Mr. Schoff has been actively involved in the national Self Storage Association (SSA) since its predecessor, The American Mini Warehouse Association, was founded in 1974. He was one of the original 52 members attending the first meeting of the association, in Denver, that now numbers over 2,500 members and 6,000 facilities throughout the world. He has served on both the SSA board of directors and Western Region Self Storage Association board of directors. Mr. Schoff began his second three-year run on the SSA Board of Directors in January 2006 and was SSA Board Chairman for 2009.Mr. Schoff has been a published author for numerous industry publications, such as the Mini Storage Messenger, the Inside Self Storage Magazine, and the Inside Self Storage Fact Book. He has participated as a speaker, member, vendor, and instructor, in numerous self storage industry conferences, trade shows and educational seminars. In addition, Mr. Schoff has served as a self storage industry expert in legal proceedings. In 2018, Bob was inducted into the Self Storage Association Hall of Fame. Robert H. Schoff graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, Tucson in 1978.
Travis M. MorrowPresidentDesignated Arizona Real Estate Broker
Travis Morrow served as a finance intern for National Self Storage from January through May 2003. During that time, he developed a prototype for a competitive analysis database used to track competition trends for all NSS markets.After a two-year activation with the Arizona Army National Guard, Mr. Morrow rejoined National Self Storage as the Consulting Division Manager. His duties included conducting feasibility and market demand studies for National Self Storage for new development and acquisitions.
In January 2006, Mr. Morrow was promoted to Vice President of the company and President in 2017. He was and still is responsible for the acquisition, development, and growth of National Self Storage into the future. Mr. Morrow also stays active within state associations, currently serving as a director on the Arizona Self Storage Association and is the former President of the Nevada Self Storage Association and the Arizona Self Storage Association. He has been serving as a Director on the National SSA Board since 2014.
In 2017, Mr. Morrow was named President-Self Storage Division of Strat Property Management, Inc. in San Diego, CA. (www.stratprop.com) This appointment brings under his supervision an additional 55 self storage locations in California and Texas in addition to the 10 National Self Storage managed facilities.Travis Morrow received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from the University of Arizona, Tucson in May 2003. Mr. Morrow is the designated real estate broker for National Self Storage Management, Inc. in Arizona.
