Tribute Companies Inc. has announced a new executive hire in the firm’s property management division, according to a news release.

Maria Pietroforte has joined Tribute Properties as president of property management, and will oversee the operations of more than 6,000 residential apartments across North Carolina and South Carolina, officials said in the release.

She will also be involved with the development of new apartment communities.

Pietroforte is a Certified Property Manager and member of the Institute of Real Estate Management and the National Apartment Association.

She has 25 years of strategic leadership experience in property operations, sales and marketing, branding and development, according to the release.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at Arizona State University. While attending college, she became involved in apartment management.

Pietroforte has previously been president of Move.com.

Officials said she is a “focused and energetic leader who generates buy-in to establish goals and operating practices to exceed the expectations of internal and external customers.”