AAMD Announces In Honor Of Maintenance Mania Founder: The “Schell Cup”

At the 2025 Maintenance Maina on April 9, Executive Vice President Mark Williams announced a new annual award. The “Schell Cup” was named in honor of Ed Schell, long time Committee Chair and visionary of the Maintenance Mania program.

“We are so honored to celebrate this truly remarkable moment—one that commemorates 25 years of excellence, dedication, and celebration within the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. Today, we pay tribute not only to an incredible milestone, but to the very heartbeat of our industry: YOU the maintenance professionals who keep our communities thriving.”

When the event was first imagined a quarter of a century ago, it was born out of the passion and commitment of a dedicated group of volunteers. Their vision? To create a unique space that uplifts, educates, and honors the skilled professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes. But among the original visionaries - stood one individual, ONE MAN with a spark—someone with a creative vision to bring that dream to life in a way that was fun, meaningful, and enduring.

That individual is a man whose name has become synonymous with this event—a man whose impact has shaped not only our local community, but inspired a national movement. That man was Ed Schell, who chaired what began as the Maintenance Olympics—now known far and wide as Maintenance Mania—for over 20 years.

25 years ago, Ed led the charge on the very first event, which welcomed just 50 attendees. Today, thanks to his vision and leadership, over 2,000 people attended the event on April 9- celebrating a tradition that continues to grow stronger every year.

But Ed didn’t stop there. With creativity and drive, he helped craft the blueprint that the National Apartment Association would adopt, bringing Maintenance Mania to more than 70 affiliate organizations across the country. His influence has touched thousands, elevating the profession and giving maintenance teams a spotlight they so richly deserve.

In recognition of Ed’s legacy—his unwavering passion, innovation, and service—AAMD is proud to unveil a special honor. From this moment forward, the top race car winner will receive a newly created award: The Schell Cup. This award will carry Ed’s name into the future, a lasting symbol of the standard he set and the joy he brought to this event. And in addition to naming this prestigious award in his honor, AAMD was thrilled to present a commemorative Schell Cup to Ed himself, as a token of our deepest gratitude and admiration.

Ed, thank you for everything you’ve built, everything you’ve inspired, and everything you’ve made possible. This moment—and this legacy—belongs to you.