Fathers, Sons, and the Business of Legacy: A Father’s Day Story with Andrew and Cameron Barkis

Some legacies are built with spreadsheets and strategies. Others, with sweat, shared values, and Sunday dinners. For Andrew and Cameron Barkis, the legacy of Hometown Property Management is a little of all of it. 

What began as a career pivot for Andrew in the late 1980s has now grown into a thriving company managing over 1,000 properties across the region. But more than that, it has become a generational endeavor—one rooted in grit, growth, and the evolving relationship between a father and his son. 

A Business with Deep Roots 

After starting in Seattle property management in 1989, Andrew Barkis found himself on the fast track—moving from site work to corporate leadership, and eventually, back to the west side of the state where his young family could be closer to their roots. What started as a small side division of Century 21 evolved into an independent company, and in 2004, Andrew bought the business outright. 

Twenty years later, Hometown Property Management stands as a cornerstone of property management in Thurston County. With a team of dedicated employees, an in-house maintenance division, and deep community ties, the business is more than just a company—it’s a reflection of Andrew’s values: service, integrity, and commitment. 

The Next Chapter: Enter Cameron 

Cameron Barkis didn’t walk into the corner office. Like many kids growing up around a family business, he spent his younger years painting fences and helping with maintenance—never quite knowing if the business was in his path. 

Years later, after pursuing other opportunities, Cameron found himself reevaluating his trajectory. A new entry-level position opened within Hometown, and Andrew, careful to avoid pressure, simply said: “If you want to apply, go for it.” Cameron did. And from that moment, something clicked. 

He dove into the evaluation team, learned the systems, and soon began improving them. “I saw the emphasis and need to do a good evaluation,” says Cameron. “I dove headfirst into that and kind of transformed the division to where it is now.”  

That initiative caught attention. Within six months, Cameron wasn’t just learning—he was leading. He trained new team members, oversaw operations, and eventually stepped into a general management role. 

Not Just a Title—A Transition 

For Andrew, watching Cameron grow into the role hasn’t just been a professional milestone—it’s been a personal one. “I think it’s a noble goal to be able to have that legacy, but also about opportunity, you create the framework and the foundation.” he says. “But it’s even more powerful to know he’s shaping it into something new—something that’s his.” 

The father-son dynamic hasn’t always been seamless. Both Andrew and Cameron acknowledge that before working together, they had to rebuild their relationship. “We had to work on our family dynamic before the business could even be an option,” Cameron says. “It took time, communication, and trust.” 

That investment has paid off. Today, they balance family and business with a sense of mutual respect—and humor. “We both have strong personalities,” Andrew says with a smile. “The strong personality and learning those dynamics will be beneficial as we move forward… I want this to continue in a vision I have, but I also must know it’s not my vision moving forward, it’s his. This is the new face of Hometown and I want the community to know that.” 

A Company Evolving with Its People 

One of the most remarkable parts of this story is the evolution of the business itself. Under Cameron’s influence, Hometown has implemented new technologies, shifted to a team-based management model, and embraced more adaptive, customer-first practices. And with Andrew Barkis being busier than ever in his legislative role as Representative of the 2nd District, there is a level of confidence knowing that his son has everything under control. 

It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about relevance. Cameron’s vision ensures Hometown stays ahead of industry trends while never losing sight of the community values that built it. 

“We’ve always said our word is our bond,” Andrew explains. “But Cameron has brought a fresh perspective on how we deliver that—how we communicate, how we serve, how we grow.” 

And the community has noticed. Generational clients—tenants who become homeowners, who then become property owners themselves—return to Hometown because of the care they experienced firsthand. That kind of long-standing trust is rare. It’s also intentional. 

 Building the Future, Together 

As they look ahead, Andrew and Cameron are having new conversations—not about job titles, but about stewardship. About what it means to hand off something you’ve built from the ground up. About how to let go, while lifting someone else up. 

For Andrew, Father’s Day now holds a deeper meaning. “I start each day with gratitude,” he says. “I am so grateful to be sitting here right now next to him. It’s cool to be acknowledged as a father, and look at all the things we’ve done, but now it does have a little different meaning. This year has had some grounding moments and opportunities, and reflection of where am I at and how much longer do I want to do this. This is my business, this is my retirement and my future that I’ve created, so it’s incredibly important that this transition works. I built it to do that, but it’s also so exciting because I know the life I’ve worked to achieve, and to see that same opportunity for Cameron is cool and it will be really cool to step back and then see it go forward.” 

And for Cameron, the journey forward is personal. “I’ve never been afraid of hard work in my life,” says Cameron. “Seeing what [my dad] did early on and living in the same household… it has translated into all of what I have done. Work ethic has already been in my vocabulary, and I chose to apply that to the job aspect, but it also became more than that. It’s my family’s company, and I have loyalty to that, and I want to protect that as well.”     

As Hometown Property Management enters this next era, it does so with a powerful reminder: the strongest legacies aren’t just passed down—they’re built together, one conversation, one challenge, and one act of trust at a time. 

Interested in learning more about Hometown Property Management? Visit them here.