Evernest Receives John S. Jemison Award
Evernest Receives
John S. Jemison Award
Birmingham Venture Club honors Evernest for entrepreneurial leadership
BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Birmingham Venture Club, in partnership with the Alabama Capital Network, has named Evernest as the recipient of the John S. Jemison Award. The award was presented at the organization’s annual luncheon in Birmingham.
The John S. Jemison Award is named in honor of John Snow Jemison Jr., Birmingham’s first venture capitalist, who founded Jemison Investment Company and spent four decades helping young entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify Jemison’s commitment to entrepreneurship, mentorship, and community building in Alabama.
Whitaker, who founded Evernest in 2008, has grown the tech enabled residential property management company to more than 17,000 doors across 50-plus markets nationwide. In his acceptance speech, Whitaker focused not on the company’s growth, but on the people, pace, and persistence that made it possible.
“This award means a great deal to me because of what John Jemison represented,” Whitaker said. “He wasn’t remembered for the deals. He was remembered for being compassionate, trusted, and genuinely invested in the next generation of builders. That’s the kind of legacy worth chasing.”
Whitaker dedicated much of his speech to the late Josh Reidinger, founder of Waverly Advisors and one of Evernest’s earliest investors, who passed away in November 2024. He also honored his wife Steph and the Evernest team — including those in attendance, President Graham Robinson, VP of Operations Gray Hall, and VP of Finance Curren Melgarejo — for their role in building the company.
“I get all the credit, and these are the people who do all the work,” Whitaker said. “Find the people who are genuinely excited for you when you succeed. Keep them close.”
Evernest extends its gratitude to the Birmingham Venture Club, the Alabama Capital Network, the Jemison family, Jemison Investment Company, and the selection committee for this recognition and for their continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Birmingham and across Alabama.
About Evernest
Evernest is a tech enabled residential property management company managing approximately 17,000 single-family and multifamily doors across more than 50 markets nationwide. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Evernest is built on the belief that property management is a people business first. Learn more at evernest.co.
About the John S. Jemison Award
The John S. Jemison Award is presented by the Birmingham Venture Club to honor individuals who embody the entrepreneurial spirit and community commitment of John Snow Jemison Jr. The award celebrates his legacy of investing in people and supporting the growth of Alabama’s business community.
