TORONTO, CANADA and DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, March 25, 2013 – FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV) announced today that Chuck M. Fallon has been named chief executive officer of FirstService Residential, a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, and largest manager of residential communities in North America. Fallon succeeds Gene Gomberg, who will remain with the Company as Chairman.

“We are very excited to have Chuck join us and confident that he is the right person to lead our market-leading residential property management operations through its next phase of growth,” said D. Scott Patterson, President & COO of FirstService Corporation. “He brings an impressive track record of experience with globally recognized Fortune 500 companies in highly competitive service businesses and has a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.”

Patterson added that Fallon’s extensive background in strategy, operations and sales and marketing in large-scale organizations with well-known brands will serve him well at FirstService Residential. As CEO, he will be responsible for overall growth and guiding FirstService Residential’s 12,000 employees that serve a client portfolio of 6,500 properties and 1.4 million residential units in key markets throughout North America.

“FirstService Residential has built its success on a platform of service excellence and thoughtful, value-added client solutions that has resulted in client retention rates that are truly exceptional,” said Fallon. “I’m looking forward to joining the FSR team and continuing to improve the value of every client property and the lifestyle of each resident we serve.”

Fallon most recently served as President of Terminix International, the largest pest control company in the United States. Previously he was President, North America for Burger King Holdings, Inc. from 2006 to 2010. Prior to 2006, Fallon spent eight years in various roles at Cendant Corporation, a global travel and real estate company whose brands included Avis, Budget, Ramada, Days Inn, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker.

ABOUT FIRSTSERVICE

FirstService Corporation is a global leader in the rapidly growing real estate services sector. As one of the largest property managers in the world, FirstService manages more than 2.3 billion square feet of residential and commercial properties through its three industry-leading service platforms: Colliers International, one of the top global players in commercial real estate; FirstService Residential, the largest manager of residential communities in North America; and Property Services, a leading North American provider of essential property services delivered through company-owned operations, franchise systems and contractor networks.

FirstService generates over US$2.3 billion in annual revenues and has more than 23,000 employees worldwide. More information about FirstService is available at www.firstservice.com

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements included in this release contain words such as “could”, “expects”, “expectations”, “may”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates” and “plans” (and similar expressions) and constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities law. These statements are based on FirstService’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which FirstService and its subsidiaries operate. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are difficult to predict and may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of FirstService, or outcomes or results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions which will, among other things, impact demand for the FirstService’s services, service industry conditions and capacity and the cost of providing services; the ability of FirstService to implement its business strategy, including FirstService’s ability to acquire suitable acquisition candidates on acceptable terms and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses with its existing businesses; changes in or the failure to comply with government regulations (especially safety and environmental laws and regulations); and other factors which are described in FirstService’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian regulatory authorities. These statements, although considered reasonable by FirstService at the date of this press release, may prove to be inaccurate and consequently FirstService’s actual results could differ materially from its expectations as set out or implied in this release. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, FirstService disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Homeowners associations are taking on traditional local government responsibilities at the same time a growing number of them are being managed by national companies.

Once primarily mom-and-pop enterprises of like-minded residents, the privately operated associations are increasingly performing traditional roles of local government, such as recreation, trash pick-up, lighting and street upkeep.

“It’s the most dramatic privatization of local government services that we’ve ever seen,” said Evan McKenzie, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and author of Privatopia: Homeowner Associations and the Rise of Residential Private Government.

Transferring these responsibilities to homeowner associations places more of a financial burden on individual homeowners and drives up the overall cost of housing, McKenzie said.

The costly repairs of aging streets or retaining ponds can become too much for a small group of residents in the community, particularly as many HOAs continue to reel from the lost revenue created by foreclosures, he said.

“I just think as a short-term solution to the fiscal problems of cities, what they created potentially is a long-term problem,” McKenzie said.

“At some point, my question is this: Is not the responsibility going to come back to the municipality? They’ll have slums on their hands.”

Sentry Management, which provides association property management, condominium and home-owners management services in places including Orlando, Sarasota and Fort Myers, Fla., Phoenix, Atlanta and Indianapolis recommends — and some states now require — that associations anticipate the costs of large repairs and set aside a portion of income every year to handle such expenses, said Sentry President James Hart.

If a roadway is expected to last 15 years before requiring $150,000 in repairs, the association should set aside $10,000 per year, for example, he said.

Many municipalities, particularly in states including Arizona, Nevada and Florida, which faced rapid growth during the housing boom of the mid-2000s, now require new residential developments to be managed by some sort of homeowners association, industry watchers say.

About 20% of homes in the country are part of a community association, and that number will grow as local governments seek strategies to do more with less, said Dawn Bauman, senior vice president for government affairs for the Virginia-based Community Associations Institute.

While the Institute estimates that about 15% to 25% of communities are self-managed, volunteer homeowner association boards often hire management companies to take care of the day-to-day business of their communities, such as hiring a contractor for maintenance.

Large companies, including Associa, FirstService Residential Management and Sentry Management, are increasingly purchasing smaller local management companies.

“We take clients who are already being served well by their local representatives and allow them to experience some of the advantages of having a larger company,” Associa spokeswoman Carol Piering said.

Melissa Layton, who founded Palm Desert, Calif.-based Desert Resort Management, sold her company to Texas-based Associa in 2010 as the industry became more regulated and required more training to keep up.

When she started in the business in 1987, most management companies were run by local companies, she said. Layton, who stayed on as CEO of the company until 2012, did not feel that selling eliminated local input.

“Even though they have more corporate policies, they respect the local entity and the local culture, and they want you to continue taking care of that,” Layton said.

Larger companies can provide more training and technology and can use their size to command better pricing, said John Friedrichsen, senior vice president and CFO of FirstService Corporation, parent company of FirstService Residential Management.

Reactions to Associa’s advance into the Palm Beach community have been mixed, with some affected homeowners welcoming the upgraded technology and economies of scale, while others view the corporation — and its potential domination of the market — with suspicion.

“We don’t even know what the relationships are between Associa and these contractors,” homeowner Gaelyn Lakin said, adding that some residents are concerned Associa may benefit financially from the services provided by its recommended vendors.

Piering said Associa Advantage companies include retail giants such as Lowe’s, and Associa does not own any of the smaller vendors it negotiates deals with.

“The boards always have a choice” about which contractors they hire, FirstService’s Friedrichsen said.

Read Full Article: USA Today

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Primary Functions (90%)

• The Director of Sales will serve as the key sales and business development leader on new business and sales initiatives for the single family market.
• Strategically identify and approach prospects, both independently and by utilizing lead generation programs provided by FSRR.
• Perform all aspects of selling professionally, including prospecting, approaching, presenting, handling objections, proposal preparation, closing and follow-up.
• Provide detailed weekly summary reports forecasts, client feedback, and new opportunities, activity reporting, etc.
• Produce and deliver sales presentations to key decision-makers in targeted organizations and companies.

Additional Responsibilities (10%)

• Ensures superior quality of services is provided to all clients.
• Provides a five-star customer service at all times by attending to all calls and messages immediately.

OPERATING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent sales, communication, presentation, and relationship-development skills.
• Tenacious, organized, self-motivated, energetic, goal focused, high integrity.
• Action and results-oriented, enthusiastic.
• Resourceful, creative, decisive.
• Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently & as a member of various teams and committees with sound judgment.
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
• Positive, can-do attitude with a commitment to excellence.
• Pioneering spirit/drive.
• Ability to meet stringent deadlines.

Knowledge

• Computer proficiency to include Microsoft Office Applications, Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is preferred
• Proficiency and working knowledge of YARDI software a plus.
• Working knowledge of SharePoint a plus.

Experience/Education/Training

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in Business or related field from a 4-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Property Management experience preferred.
• 5 years of direct sales experience.
• Strategic sales techniques. Formal sales training preferred.
• Excellent presentation skills, including written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Must possess a positive presence, and influence on those around them (team mates, customers & prospects)
• Ability to interact with all staff levels inside an organization.
• Goal oriented, self-motivated, highly organized with attention to detail being a must.
• Team Player, able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – November 5, 2012 – FirstService Residential, the largest manager of residential properties in North America, announced today the immediate availability of emergency funds to aid its 200 New York City and New Jersey area properties affected by Hurricane Sandy. While much of the property damage is still being assessed, the FirstService Residential Hurricane Recovery Fund will allow its properties to begin funding immediate repairs ahead of finalizing insurance claims, which may take months to process given the volume of claims that will result from this unprecedented storm.

The fund will provide up to $10 million in short-term loans that have the potential to assist up to 200 residential properties, comprising more than 30,000 units which are home to 80,000 residents. Approximately 30 percent of FirstService Residential’s northeast portfolio was affected by the hurricane. This includes properties managed by its subsidiaries, Cooper Square Realty and Wentworth Property Management.

The immediate cash assistance will be available to bridge working capital requirements to begin immediate repairs – water extraction, mold remediation, generator rental – and permanent repairs – replacing entire electrical systems, roofs, windows, heating plants – while waiting for insurance claims to be realized.

The property destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy was devastating, and in its wake has caused considerable hardship for many FirstService Residential property residents and their families. Properties were subjected to significant damage, including submerged mechanical building systems and electrical switches; widespread flooding in basements and common areas; compromised fire safety systems; shattered windows, doors and facades; and lobbies filled with several feet of sand and debris. Dozens of properties presently remain uninhabitable.

“As a result of this unprecedented event, we saw the need to take a leadership role in offering immediate relief to our clients,” said David Kuperberg, Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Square Realty. “The safety and well-being of the families for whom we are responsible was the overwhelming factor in establishing this Recovery Fund.”

In partnership with its subsidiaries, the fund is provided independently by FirstService Residential and is available to eligible properties immediately.

“We felt that $10 million would cover the most urgent needs on an immediate basis until the insurance companies could start to respond,” said Michael Mendillo, Chief Executive Officer of Wentworth Property Management. “It’s important to us that our residents are able to resume their lives at home safely, and as quickly and completely as possible following this disaster.”

FirstService Residential is extending the Hurricane Recovery Fund directly to its residences in New York City and New Jersey. Eligible properties should contact Peter Gordon at 484-398-6021.

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential (FSR) is the largest manager of residential communities in North America, overseeing more than 5,600 properties and over 1.3 million residential units across 19 U.S. states and three provinces in Canada. Properties managed include low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and co-operatives as well as large scale master-planned and active adult communities. In addition, it manages residential rental and REO properties for institutional and private equity clients.

FSR is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV, TSX: FSV), a global leader in the rapidly growing real estate services sector, providing a variety of services in commercial real estate, residential property management and property services. As one of the largest property managers in the world, FirstService manages more than 2.3 billion square feet of residential and commercial properties through its three industry-leading service platforms: Colliers International, one of the largest global players in commercial real estate; FirstService Residential Management, the largest manager of residential communities in North America; and Property Services, one of North America’s largest providers of property-related services delivered through franchise and contractor networks.

FirstService generates over $2.3 billion in annual revenues and has more than 23,000 employees worldwide. More information about FirstService is available at www.firstservice.com.

About Cooper Square Realty and Wentworth Property Management

Cooper Square Realty and Wentworth Property Management are subsidiaries of FirstService Residential and manage more than 1,200 condominiums, cooperatives, homeowner associations and rental properties in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

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POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leasing Functions (80%)

• Assists in development and replacement of advertising
• Establishes rapport and determines needs of each prospective resident
• Presents properties in a manner consistent with the image of the property and relevant to the prospect
• Obtains an acceptable closing ratio
• Uses knowledge of property and community to overcome prospect objections
• Follows up on undecided prospects

Administrative Duties (15%)

• Prepares lease package
• Assists in collection of late rent and other monies due
• Assists in move-in and move-out procedures
• Assists with follow-up calls and on all maintenance requests
• Responsible for all lease renewals
• Assists in preparation of all legal forms

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Provides a five-star customer service at all times by attending to all calls and messages immediately

OPERATING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

Skills & Abilities

• Action and results-oriented, enthusiastic
• Resourceful, creative, decisive
• Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills required
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently & as a member of various teams and committees with sound judgment
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels
• Positive, can-do attitude with a commitment to excellence
• Ability to meet stringent deadlines

Knowledge

• Computer proficiency to include Microsoft Office Applications

Experience/Education/Training

• Associate’s degree (A.A./A.S.) in Business or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Real Estate experience a plus

Special Requirements:

Physical demands include ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; Standing, sitting, walking.  The employee is required to work at a personal computer for extended periods of time as well as talking on the phone  for extended periods of time. Ability to detect auditory and/or visual emergency alarms.  Ability to work extended/flexible hours and weekends occasionally. Driving required.  Ability to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.  Moderate travel requirement: 25%.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER: This is not an all-inclusive job description; therefore, management has the right to assign or reassign schedules, duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen.

Please email your resume to recruiter@fsresidential.com. Please specify the position in the subject line.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Property Management (50%)

• Manage a portfolio of properties and assets to include REO, scattered rental, single and multifamily properties, land and other assets
• Responsible for assessing condition of properties and recommending minor repairs
• Responsible for maintaining occupancy levels, ensuring positive tenant relations and complying with all reporting requirements
• Responsible for coordinating marketing and leasing of properties
• Responds to tenant needs promptly
• Conduct property inspections

Business Leadership (25%)

• Responsible for assisting with business growth
• Administers paperwork accurately and on time
• Responds to all problems and concerns and ensures compliance with rules and regulations

Additional Responsibilities (25%)

• Follows safety procedures and maintains a safe work environment
• Provides a five-star customer service at all times by attending to all calls and messages immediately

OPERATING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

Skills & Abilities

• Action and results-oriented, enthusiastic
• Resourceful, creative, decisive
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels
• Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills required
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently & as a member of various teams and committees with sound judgment
• Positive, can-do attitude with a commitment to excellence
• Pioneering spirit/drive

Knowledge

• Computer proficiency to include Microsoft Office Applications
• Working knowledge of property management software programs
• Knowledge of Yardi software preferred

Experience/Education/Training

• Associates degree (A.A./A.S.) in Business or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Real Estate license required
• Property management experience, specializing in construction/capital improvements required

Special Requirements:

Physical demands include ability to lift up to 50 lbs; Standing, sitting, walking and occasional climbing.  The employee is required to work at a personal computer for extended periods of time as well as talking on the phone for extended periods of time. Ability to detect auditory and/or visual emergency alarms.  Ability to work extended/flexible hours and weekends occasionally. Driving required.  Ability to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.  Moderate to high travel requirement 25-50%.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER: This is not an all-inclusive job description; therefore, management has the right to assign or reassign schedules, duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen.

Please email your resume to recruiter@fsresidential.com. Please specify the position in the subject line.

Our company, a well respected, forward thinking, growth oriented property management firm located in Orange County with several offices throughout the state, is on the hunt for an Events & Facility Coordinator. One thing for sure, you won’t be staring at the top of your desk all day long!

Merit Property Management

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

This non-exempt position will:

• Coordinate and implement customized community events to create a customized and unique community spirit
• Develop positive relationships with cities and other recreational program service providers occasionally take a drive through the community, or head to the store performing errands (is your California driver’s license current and you possess the State mandated insurance?) and, work within a cohesive team atmosphere to ensure the community vision is being supported by the highest level of service

As you can see, this isn’t your usual paper-pushing office job. It has paper, and certainly you will have to do some pushing, but it’s topped off with a variety of assignments that will keep the job interesting and rarely dull. In fact, if you are the successful candidate, and someone asks you ‘what’s your typical day like?’ you can truthfully say “My day is never predictable!”

If that sounds like music to your ears, contact us and see if this position can make your work life more interesting.

To promote and demonstrate the Merit Community vision of enhancing neighbor-to-neighbor positive interaction by building of community spirit. This position is responsible for the coordination, implementation, and oversight of creative, customized recreational programming, community events, sponsorships/partnership programs and community volunteer programs in assigned communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and implement customized community events to create a customized and unique community spirit in assigned communities
• Ensure accurate documentation for all community program plans, vendor contacts, financial, event summary reports, etc., as required in the standardized format that will direct the activities of the community addendum
• Ensure timely and accurate reports to supervisor, property managers, and the association board of directors
• Identify, ensure approval, hire, and oversee performance of all vendors for events and programs in accordance with the documented Community Programs strategic plan, including review of all vendor invoices prior to payment
• Oversight and maintenance of a vendor database and development of positive working relationships with all community event vendors
• Ensure accurate data for the community event calendar for all assigned addendums and update on a monthly basis
• Develop positive relationships with cities and other recreational program service providers in assigned communities
• Create survey tools and processes to identify local recreational programs and community events of interest to residents of assigned communities
• Create and implement customized board-approved sponsorship/partnership policy and programs
• Identify and create resources that may benefit strategic partnerships and sponsors to enhance community events and activities in assigned communities
• Monitor monthly expenditures of the community recreational programs and events in assigned communities to ensure staying within budget
• Provide guidance and support to the volunteer committee(s) related to community events, recreation programs and community outreach activities
• Manage and recognize the volunteers in assigned communities
• Provide content for website updates and monthly news magazine related to events and recreational programs in assigned communities
• Create and implement promotion strategies to ensure timely promotion of events and recreational programs
• Continual process of seamless connection between residents, board of directors and Merit
• Assist residents with the distribution of resident identification and association cards, room reservations and general questions pertaining to the Community
• Conducts daily inspections of the facility and reports any maintenance needs to the Community Manager for follow through
• General administrative functions as needed by the General Manager and Board of Directors, i.e. venue changes, posting of flyers for clubs, programs and community announcements and general notifications to membership
• Apply a pro-active approach to all areas of responsibility and strive for continued improvement and excellence throughout
• Other items that may be required as part of job description based upon Board of Directors’ requests/Merit supervisor, or as deemed appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Public charisma and ability to develop positive relationships
• Organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to multi-task
• Strong ethical practices
• Exercise budgetary knowledge and control for the purpose(s) of executing recreation programs and community events
• Demonstrate a community posture that represents Merit as a leader in our industry for the vision of collaborative partnerships within the community
• Ability to think and work independently and as part of a team
• Use of good judgment, critical thinking, and business “savvy”

EDUCATION:

• College Degree Preferred, equivalent work experiences will be considered.
• Committed to continual learning as evidenced by attendance at seminars and industry programs, either as an attendee or as a guest speaker
• Current member of California Parks & Recreation Society is a plus.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two years of public or private sector recreation community event coordination programming experience
• Demonstrated quality written skills so as to be able to publish appropriate documentation as directed
• Minimum of one-year experience working with Volunteer Boards, Committees, or Commissions
• Proven track record for successful fundraising and/or sponsorships programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Evenings and weekends will be required on occasion.
• Use of personal vehicle and travel to Regional Offices throughout State of California will be necessary. Proof of insurance required.

APPLY NOW

All of the transactions were fixed-rate 10-year mortgages for cooperatives and apartment buildings in New York City and feature rates as low as 3.03%. FFI is a preferred mortgage broker for banks and other major lending institutions to provide financing or refinancing at the most competitive interest rates and terms available.

“FFI does an outstanding job providing professional guidance to assist our cooperatives and condominiums in fulfilling their financing requirements,” says Dan Wurtzel, President of Cooper Square Realty. “We are delighted to be able to offer highly favorable financing options to the more than 500 properties in our management portfolio.”

—Read more online at CBS Money Watch

According to Forbes.com, Property Managers are tied for the #2 spot on the list of Happiest Jobs in America. Coincidentally, thanks to our continued growth and success, FSR is currently recruiting for several Property Manager positions. If you’re a quality professional seeking an outstanding career with the industry leader, check out all of our open positions (happiness included).

Visit: FSR Careers