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FirstService Residential California Community Managers Win Two Industry CACM Vision Awards
Posted on Thursday June 07, 2012FirstService Residential California staff members Natalie Valdez-Smith and Francesca Lasorsa were presented with Vision Awards by the California Association of Community Managers (CACM) for excellence in their field.
Natalie Valdez-Smith, CCAM, General Manager for Oceanview Village Homeowners Association, received the "Rookie of the Year" award for demonstrating strategic thinking, execution and determination to help her community realize nearly $150,000 in savings during her first year in the field of community management.
Francesca Lasorsa, CCAM, noticed that a community was paying water bills at the “excessive use rate” every month. After extensive research she successfully negotiated with the water company to refund the association $44,000. Francesca was hired as Senior Community Manager for Merit’s Inland Empire Office.
"Congratulations to Bonnie, Natalie and Francesca on this incredible accomplishment," stated Bob Cardoza, FirstService Residential California President. "Vision Awards represent the highest honor in the community association industry and we are proud to be recognized by the California Association of Community Managers." -
FirstService Residential California Named One of the Best Places to Work in Orange County
Posted on Thursday June 06, 2013FirstService Residential California was recognized for the fourth year in a row by the Orange County Business Journal as one of the 2012 "Best Companies to Work" in Orange County, CA. The annual list is designed to identify, recognize and honor the top places of employment throughout Orange County.
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Star Awards
Posted on Thursday November 13, 2014FirstService Residential attracts some of the best talent in the industry. This talent is recognized and rewarded in a variety of ways, including the Star Awards, our version of the People’s Choice Awards. Each year, letters are sent to FirstService Residential board members asking for nominations of community managers who have exemplified professionalism, creativity and customer service. This year seven community property managers were chosen for the exemplary “star performer” award out of many nominations by the communities we serve. And the winners are:
San Diego
Alma Galindo
Community Manager
Alma manages seven homeowner associations throughout San Diego that consist of over 1,000 units and single family homes. With almost two years with FirstService Residential, she has already made a strong impression.
Five board members from three associations nominated Alma. What do they say makes her a star performer? She solves problems creatively, finding solutions that are right for each community. She gets big projects done with board members saying, “We couldn’t have pulled it off without her.” Others board members’ remark, “She’s a master at human relationships, has a great sense of humor, and the results speak for themselves.”
San Francisco
Annett Wagner
General Manager, High Rise Commercial
Commercial properties are Annett’s "cup of tea." She took over managing medical buildings that had been mismanaged for years and needed a lot of attention. In addition, one of the medical complexes started a major remodeling project which she oversees.
Board members describe Annett as exceptional, stellar manager, an amazing problem-solver - a jewel with knowledge, integrity, intelligence and “uncommon” common sense. She took over a disastrous mess with the community which had no reserves, and oversaw a major renovation involving bank loans. She got us the best vendors and now our community is well managed with an efficient system in place.
Orange County
Holly Chadd
Community Manager
Holly is a portfolio manager for six associations within Orange County which consist of condos, single family homes and live/work dwellings. She has worked with FirstService Residential for more than three years and has already received a promotion to Senior Community Manager. It’s no surprise she was a Star Award winner.
Holly received five nominations from the different three boards. Board members describe her as amazing, smart, straight-forward, and great problem-solver with a sense of compassion who is sufficiently cautious not to expose the community to liability. The result: “Our neighborhood now looks beautiful. A wonderful place to live. She has benefited the community greatly through her experience and counsel to the board.”
Santa Clarita
Kevin Cooper
Community Manager, Shadow Ridge at Oak Park
Kevin has made his way up the ladder at FirstService Residential over the past five years having originally started as a janitor at the Madison at Town Center in Santa Clarita. He is now Community Manager of Shadow Ridge at Oak Park, comprised of 440 units (288 condominiums and 152 Townhomes).
During a heavy rainstorm, five of the townhomes became flooded. At the time, Kevin was new to this association. He took charge, personally cleaning out surface drains so plumbers could concentrate on more complex problems elsewhere. He prevented three townhomes from interior damage. The board appreciates Kevin’s ability to recognize that each situation requires a unique solution, as well as his persistence and ability to prioritize. He has impressed both the company and the board in his evolving career.
Inland Empire
Kevin Themm
General Manager, The Oasis
The Oasis is a very “active” adult community with 1,158 homes with more than 70 clubs and groups which take advantage of many on-site amenities.
Kevin’s board went through an emotionally charged recall election. Kevin navigated this minefield masterfully – remaining professional and neutral throughout – ensuring that the recall advocates received the information they were entitled to while protecting the board against false accusations. One board member wrote, “As a new board member I relied on his advice and recommendations to make informed and sometimes difficult decisions.” Through Kevin’s efforts the reelection was resolved and defeated successfully. One board member said, “I believe Kevin is one of the greatest assets we have as a community.” Kevin has been with FirstService Residential for six years and now adds the Star Awards to his list of accomplishments.
Los Angeles
Laura Tencati
District Manager
Laura manages three homeowner associations with a combined total of 560 units in Los Angeles and supervises nine associates. She has managed the Breakwater Village since 2012 and Villas Del Rey since 2011, both with boards with whom she has greatly impressed.
One board member writes, “We would be lost without her. Everything is so much better as a result of her efforts. We’ve had fewer legal problems and fewer complaints from the residents.” Another board member wrote, “Laura’s knowledge, patience, objectivity and follow through has allowed our board to focus its efforts on completing significant long-term maintenance projects, in spite of several very unfriendly homeowners.”
Bay Area
Brandon Kanner
Community Manager
One of Brandon’s board presidents set the stage by saying that in his five years on the board he’d worked with three different management companies and seven managers before coming to FirstService Residential and Brandon. Brandon is the first manager to bring expertise which stabilized the community. The board tasked Brandon with enforcing the CC&Rs, policies and rules. He implemented a weekly plan that resulted in immediate improvement followed. Brandon is skilled in conveying messages to homeowners; even when he can’t give them the answer they want, they leave satisfied with a clear understanding. The board values Brandon’s integrity and strong work ethic.
The mission of FirstService Residential, and every associate – from our executive team to our support staff members, is to deliver service excellence every day.
We are proud of the reputation we have earned throughout California for really listening to our homeowners, board members and residents, considering their needs and creating effective and responsive solutions to fulfill them.
And we are proud that the Orange County Business Journal named Merit one of the 2012 "Best Companies to Work For” in Orange County, CA, an achievement we have earned three years in a row. Satisfied associates deliver exceptional service, and ours are truly the reason for to our success – and the key for helping us meet your needs and exceed your expectations at every opportunity.