Meet the Owners

Jennifer Hyder is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Highlands Property Management. A licensed Tennessee real estate professional and lifelong resident of the Appalachian Highlands, Jennifer brings more than two decades of real estate ownership, property management, and business experience to the company.

Jennifer leads Highlands' day-to-day operations, overseeing residential and commercial property management, leasing, tenant relations, owner communications, vendor coordination, and property performance throughout Northeast Tennessee. Her hands-on approach and commitment to exceptional service help ensure that both property owners and tenants receive responsive, professional support.

Before transitioning full-time into real estate, Jennifer built a successful career in education and leadership. Her educational background and experience in communication, organization, and problem-solving continue to shape her management style and commitment to client service.

Together with her husband, Chris, Jennifer has spent more than 20 years acquiring, managing, renovating, and operating commercial and residential investment properties. This firsthand ownership experience allows her to approach every property with an owner's perspective and a focus on long-term value.

Jennifer is actively involved in the local community and has served in leadership roles with several nonprofit and civic organizations throughout the region. She is passionate about helping property owners protect and enhance the value of their investments while creating quality spaces for businesses, residents, and the communities they serve throughout the Appalachian Highlands.

Chris Hyder, CPA, is Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor of Highlands Property Management and Chief Financial Officer of Summers-Taylor, Inc. A lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities region and graduate of East Tennessee State University, Chris brings more than 20 years of commercial real estate ownership and management experience and more than two decades of executive leadership experience to the company.

At Summers-Taylor, Inc., Chris oversees finance, accounting, banking relationships, risk management, contracts, acquisitions, human resources, and legal matters. His professional expertise helps provide Highlands with strong financial oversight, strategic planning, and a disciplined approach to property management.

Together with his wife and business partner, Jennifer, Chris has owned, renovated, and managed commercial and residential properties throughout Northeast Tennessee for more than two decades. Their portfolio includes office, retail, mixed-use, and residential properties comprising more than 250,000 square feet of real estate under ownership and management.

Chris's focus at Highlands is helping property owners protect and enhance the value of their investments through sound financial management, operational efficiency, and long-term planning. He and Jennifer are proud to work alongside their son, Patrick, as they continue to grow a family-owned company dedicated to helping property owners maximize the value and performance of their real estate investments throughout the Appalachian Highlands.

Patrick Hyder brings a blend of property management, operations, and building systems experience to Highlands Property Management. He studied Construction Science and Management at the University of Tennessee and spent several years working in the HVAC industry throughout both the Atlanta and Tri-Cities markets, developing valuable expertise in building systems, maintenance operations, and project coordination.

As Property Operations Coordinator, Patrick supports the day-to-day management of Highlands' residential and commercial properties. His responsibilities include tenant relations, property inspections, maintenance coordination, vendor management, leasing support, and oversight of property improvement projects. His hands-on approach helps ensure properties operate efficiently while providing responsive service to both owners and tenants.

A lifelong resident of the Appalachian Highlands, Patrick is committed to building strong relationships and helping property owners protect and enhance the value of their real estate investments throughout Northeast Tennessee.