About Us
Meet the Team
Haviland Storage Services was founded in 2009 by Sue Haviland. Haviland Storage Services specializes in auditing, manager training, market studies and operational reviews. Sue and her team have a combined experience of more than 40 years within the self-storage industry. Inside Self Storage has awarded Haviland Storage Services Best of Business Awards for Best Operational Consultant and Best Manager Training.
Our Team
With decades of self storage experience, our team is here to help.
Sue Haviland, Owner and Lead Consultant
Sue founded Haviland Storage Services in 2009. Prior to forging her own path, Sue was the Vice President of Operations for Price Self-Storage, as well as Extra Space Self Storage. Sue has more than 30 years of experience in Self Storage and continually gives back to the community. She has served on the California State Board of Directors, The SSA Education Committee for 9 years, taught the SSA Manager Certification Courses, and currently serves on the Charity Storage Board of Directors. Besides storage, Sue's other favorite pastimes are tennis and going to see live music.
David Lesh, Regional Manager
David, a San Diego native, brings over 20 years of expertise in the self-storage industry to his role as Regional Manager at Haviland Storage Services. Raised by a close-knit family that instilled in him the values of kindness and non-judgment, David has built a career rooted in strong customer service, team building, and operational excellence. David began his career as a storage consultant at Morena Self Storage in 2005, eventually managing multiple facilities before joining Rockvill RV & Self Storage, where he oversaw rapid growth and expansion. His journey continued with leadership roles at Staxup Storage and Prime Storage, where he managed over 200 locations. Now back with Haviland Storage Services, David oversees the day-to-day operations of eight locations and five remotely managed properties, specializing in revenue management, vendor relations, and acquisitions. Outside of work, David has a sharp, sarcastic sense of humor and enjoys game nights with family and friends. A fan of Disneyland trips, Broadway shows, classical music performances, and horror movies, David also loves cooking and pairing meals with wine. He shares his life with his beloved Beagle, Penny, and his husband, Larry.
Kylie Smith
Haviland Storage Services is thrilled to welcome Kylie Haviland-Smith to the team. Kylie brings a diverse and impressive background, making her a perfect fit for the family business. She holds two bachelor's degrees and has a remarkable history as a Division I tennis player at Butler University. Her career path led her to become an ICU nurse, where she worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic—a testament to her dedication and resilience. Kylie is now channeling her talents into specializing in Marketing, Social Media Management, and Human Resources for Haviland Storage Services. Her creative approach, coupled with a strong work ethic, makes her an invaluable asset to the team. As a recent new mom, Kylie deeply values the importance of family, and she’s excited to contribute to the family business that has been a part of her life since childhood. Growing up with her parents "talking shop" around the dinner table, Kylie is no stranger to the storage industry. Kylie's hardworking and driven nature, paired with her creativity and sense of humor, ensures that she not only meets challenges head-on but also brings a fresh perspective and a bit of fun to the team. Her journey has shaped her into a well-rounded professional, and Haviland Storage Services is excited for the innovation and energy she will bring to the company.
Kraig Haviland, Storage Consultant
For the past 15 years, Kraig served as the Director of Operations and then later as the Director of Property Management for San Diego Self Storage. He oversaw all aspects of operations for a portfolio of 18 properties in the San Diego Area. Kraig helped lead the Company through the Great Recession, expansion, COVID and, most recently, the storage boom. San Diego Self Storage has been voted San Diego’s “Best Storage Company” by the readers of the SD Union-Tribune for eight consecutive years.
