Leadership

An industry visionary and pioneer with nearly 40 years of hands-on property management experience, Gene Gomberg is the founding partner of The Continental Group, the largest residential property management company in the FirstService Residential Management portfolio.  During his career, he has developed a wide range of ground breaking concepts and products that have come to define the property management industry – and are commonly accepted as standard operating procedure today.

In his role as FirstService Residential Chairman, Gomberg is responsible for leading the organization’s acquisition process and collaborating on initiatives related to strategy, client relationships and business development. An involved and committed manager, he continuously seeks innovative ways to take both FirstService Residential and the property management industry to the next level, ensuring they deliver the highest standards for professionalism and customer service. As part of his commitment, Gomberg combines his passions for mentorship and sales by coaching and supporting his teams’ ongoing efforts to develop business and achieve corporate growth.

Gomberg strongly believes that a successful business results from mutually beneficial relationships, developed through a deep commitment and respect for every client, vendor and employee. This people-first philosophy, as well as the strong service culture he inspires and supports throughout FirstService Residential, are key to why so many employees who began with the company nearly four decades ago remain part of the FirstService Residential family today.

David Diestel is the chief executive officer of FirstService Residential. As CEO, he guides FirstService Residential’s associates to drive the overall success and growth of the company’s managed portfolio in markets throughout North America.
 
David’s mission is to build upon the culture of excellence, dedicated people, and the common goal to make a difference for those who have entrusted their communities to FirstService Residential’s care. During his two decades with the organization, David was instrumental in building the FirstService Residential brand and how we operate today including associate and client experience programs, strategic planning, and leading operations teams that deliver service excellence across the organization.
 
David, who joined FirstService Residential in 2007, previously served as the company’s Regional President, South, and as Senior Vice President of Operations. Before joining the company, he held the position of Director of Strategy and Operations at parent company FirstService Corporation in Toronto, which he joined in 2002.

David has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from McGill University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He earned his certification as a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. He lives in South Florida and enjoys spending time with family, travelling, running, and working on his padel skills.

Lupe Mujica leads People efforts at FirstService Residential, elevating workplace culture and making property management an industry of choice for hospitality-minded professionals. Under her guidance, the company has earned multiple recognitions, including Great Place to Work® certification in the U.S. and Canada for two consecutive years, as well as placements on Fortune's Best Workplaces in Real Estate and Fortune's Best Workplaces for Women lists.

As Chief People Officer, Lupe is responsible for implementing and leading the organization’s HR strategies and programs in the areas of recruitment, performance management, organizational design, and talent and leadership development.  She is co-chair of the company’s first ERG, Women’s Leadership Network.

Lupe brings over 20 years of experience from national publicly traded companies including Pacific Sunwear, Toys"R"Us, and Dayton Hudson. A Chapman University graduate and member of multiple HR professional associations, she enjoys pursuing her passions for learning, hiking, and travel in her spare time.

Mike Natale heads FirstService Residential’s financial team, driving the company’s profitability and supporting all activities related to financial performance, reporting, budgeting and risk management.  He works closely with the leadership teams of both the corporate and regional offices to set  FirstService Residential’s strategic direction, and oversees the organization’s business planning, reporting, budgeting processes, risk management and compliance.

Since assuming the responsibilities of CFO in 2009, Natale drove the creation of an improved national medical benefits program for company associates and oversaw the transformation of HR/payroll and finance systems to improve both management operations and information quality. In addition, he worked closely with parent company FirstService Corporation on the successful acquisition and onboarding of several new FirstService Residential operating companies in the U.S. and Canada in 2010 and 2011. 
 
Previously, he served as Vice President Performance and Risk Management at FirstService Corporation, where he was responsible for the organization’s risk management policies and programs. A Chartered Accountant, Natale began his career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and has held several leadership positions in the real estate industry since 1995. Before joining the FirstService organization, he was Director of Finance Operations for Jefferson Wells in Toronto, where he helped grow the Canadian business by 200% in three years and directly led several large Sarbanes-Oxley controls projects. 
 
Natale received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Accountant.  He serves as Treasurer of the Canadian Training Institute and is on the Board of Directors of a Canadian charitable organization. He has two sons who attend school in Toronto and in his spare time, enjoys playing golf, despite his self-proclaimed poor abilities.

Robert “Bob” Cardoza is the Chief Operating Officer of FirstService Residential. With nearly four decades dedicated to community association planning and management, Bob leads a team of experts focused on growth while prioritizing industry-leading customer service and staff development across the organization. This includes expanding the company’s FirstService Development Advisors group and the portfolio of solutions that set FirstService Residential apart.

Bob served in roles of increasing impact and responsibility within the organization, most recently as President of FirstService Residential's West Region, overseeing operations in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Prior to taking the West Region president role, Bob was CEO of The Merit Companies, which became a part of FirstService Residential in 2007. During his 20-year tenure at Merit, he held several senior executive positions, including Executive Vice President of Business Development and President of Merit Association Services.

Bob’s extensive experience and significant contributions over his career have helped shape FirstService Residential and the industry. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), serves on various committees and councils, and is a sought-after speaker for numerous forums.

In his personal time, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife and children, and friends and family, traveling, attending sporting events, and participating in outdoor activities.
 

Jeff Hahn is the Chief Information Officer of FirstService Residential.  As CIO, Jeff is charged with the development and execution of a strategic IT plan that enables cutting edge digital experiences of our customer, clients and employees.  He works closely with our business leadership and front-line employees to deliver key technology capabilities that delight our customers and clients.  

Prior to joining the Executive Team, Jeff spent 20 years with Aramark in the food and facilities managed services space.  Over the years, Jeff held multiple positions as a Divisional CIO across the Fortune 500 company.  Most recently, he developed and executed IT strategy as the tech leader of the $9 billion domestic business unit. 

Jeff has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology.  He currently lives in South Jersey with his wife and 2 daughters.  In his spare time, Jeff is an avid golfer and enjoys vacationing with his family to new locations.    
 

As Chief Marketing Officer, Isadora leads a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to bringing the FirstService Residential brand vision to life.  Collaborating with all areas of the business and with each region in which we operate, Isadora drives innovation and impact across all strategic and tactical marketing initiatives in North America.

Isadora joined FirstService Residential in 2022 to lead the company’s brand evolution. By bringing together associates across the organization, she unified the company around Life, Simplified®, a brand promise shaped by its people and reflected in how FirstService Residential serves boards, residents, and developers. 

Under Isadora’s leadership, marketing at FirstService evolved into an enterprise capability focused on insight, education, and advisory support. Leveraging the company’s extensive footprint across the United States and Canada, her team expanded board education and thought leadership initiatives designed to turn real-world data into actionable guidance and tools for clients. These efforts include the company’s BENCHMARK budget reports, a robust program of educational events and forums, and the launch of innovative new technology such as
HODA®, FirstService’s Homeowner Digital Assistant.

Isadora brings extensive brand and marketing leadership experience across hospitality and real estate, with prior senior roles at Sotheby’s International Realty and Wyndham Hotels, two globally recognized organizations with robust presence across the United States and Canada, aligning a unified brand message and service experiences while supporting the distinct needs of local markets.

Isadora has an MBA from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and advertising from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. She is an avid reader and traveler who enjoys experiencing new cultures, and her work is greatly influenced by curiosity and a passion for learning.

Andrew Lester serves as President of FirstService Financial. Since 1989, Andrew has held many senior leadership roles within FirstService where he focused on operational management, growth and delivering value-added services across all markets including Vice President within the FirstService Brands Division, Vice President of Community Association Management Operations for FirstService, Chief Operating Officer of Prime Management Group and as the Regional President for The Continental Group.
 
Andrew has worked closely with the executive team at FirstService Financial since its inception in 1998 and permanently joined FirstService Financial in 2009 to oversee all national banking, lending and insurance products and initiatives.
 
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Western Ontario and is a licensed 2-20 insurance agent in the state of Florida.

John Brea is President of the FirstService Residential North Region, the organization’s largest operational area covering 1.2 million square miles in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario) and the United States (Illinois, Minnesota, and New York). Spanning four-time zones, the Region is home to 39 million residents and three of North America’s five most populace urban centres in Toronto, New York City, and Chicago.
 
Brea brings over 20-years of global retail service experience and background in operations, customer service, compliance, risk management, process improvement and loss prevention. Brea believes strongly in the development of people and culture to drive an exceptional brand experience for customers.
 
Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Brea had executive roles with various companies, including Wal-Mart, where he was most recently Vice President of Operations for Atlantic Canada and instrumental in the regional launch and growth of their grocery business. Brea was previously Vice President of Loss Prevention, Risk Management and Aviation at Wal-Mart. Brea and his family are happy to return to Ontario after an extended period of living and working internationally. A Harvard Business School alumnus (2011), Brea embraces the power of self-development as a lifelong process of continuous improvement.

Michael A. Mendillo is an equity partner at FirstService Residential, the largest residential management company in North America, where he serves as President and Principal of the company's East Region. In this role, he leads client retention, leadership development, culture building, organizational growth, and strategic initiatives across a broad regional footprint.

Mendillo has played a significant role in the company's growth, including helping establish FirstService Residential's East Region through the partnership between The Wentworth Group and FirstService Residential in 1997. He brings decades of experience in residential real estate and community association management, along with first-hand insight into the trends shaping the industry.

Before joining FirstService Residential, Mendillo founded and served as CEO of Mandell Investment Inc., a real estate investment management firm serving national and regional residential developers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from William Paterson University and serves on the University's College of Business advisory board.

A recognized thought leader in the industry, Mendillo has taught community association management at Monmouth University and has spoken nationally on leadership, service, and corporate culture for organizations including Columbia University, New York University's Stern School of Business, William Paterson University, the International Builders' Show, Community Associations Institute, and the Institute of Real Estate Management.

Robert G. Smith serves as President of FirstService Residential’s South region, overseeing strategic growth and operations throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Robert’s career spans more than 20 years in various executive roles across sectors of the Southeast real estate and finance industries. Prior to joining the property management industry, Robert spent almost ten years in land acquisition and development for one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. Robert held leadership positions with residential property management firms, financial institutions and real estate developers. In these roles, he was responsible for directing all functions of statewide management operations, business development and land acquisition, management of 200 developing communities and crafting service initiatives designed to deliver exceptional results.
 
Robert joined FirstService Residential in 2017, as president of the Florida Condo-HOA Division. During his tenure, he solidified partnerships with area developers, focused on people and company culture to build high-performing property management teams, elevated the level of service delivered to our customers, and significantly grew the lifestyle segment for the organization.
 
Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah, lives in South Florida and enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and three children.

Katie Ward, Region President for West, leads a team of experts to deliver unmatched service and support to the communities and properties we serve in these high-growth markets.

Katie has had an accomplished career in residential association management, marked by decades of progressive impact and responsibility. Most recently, Katie served as President of the Texas region, where her dynamic leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in fostering the region's expansion and reinforcing a culture dedicated to service excellence and associate empowerment.

Before her role in Texas, Katie honed her expertise in California, fulfilling pivotal positions that shaped her comprehensive understanding of the industry. As the Executive Vice President of Community Management in California, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and operational excellence. Her tenure as President of FirstService Association Consulting drove proficiency in forward planning and budget consultancy, further solidifying her status as a thought leader in the field.

Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine, and is a longtime member of the Urban Land Institute. Katie serves as co-chair of our Women's Leadership Network and of our Master-Planned and Lifestyle Council. She also advises on development strategies as part of our FirstService Development Advisors group.
 

As president of FirstService Energy, the energy management and advisory affiliate of FirstService Residential, Kelly Dougherty oversees a national team of experts who help multifamily building owners and board members of condominiums and cooperatives reduce energy consumption, costs, and emissions. Kelly’s active involvement in the energy sector enables her to keep FirstService Residential’s property managers, clients and building staff informed on the latest technologies, regulatory requirements, and incentive programs that help maximize overall efficiency. Kelly’s passion for bridging the gap between capital planning strategies with decarbonization has energized her teams throughout the organization. 

As an industry thought leader, Kelly is frequently sought after and quoted by The New York Times, was named a 2020 Woman of Influence by GlobeSt. and has served as a keynote speaker for high-profile industry events hosted by Urban Green Council, REBNY, and The Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums (CNYC). She has also participated in the Building Energy Exchange’s Climate Mobilization Act Series with support from the New York Mayor’s Office of Climate & Sustainability. Kelly has participated in numerous boards and working groups in NYS including for Urban Green Council, NYSERDA, NYC DOB & Mayor’s Office, and NYS Public Service Commission. Kelly has been working with buildings on HVAC, energy efficiency, and decarbonization planning for over 18 years. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University and a Master of Science from Columbia University in Sustainability Management.  

As Senior Vice President, Performance and Risk Management, Helen Dozois is leading global strategic initiatives focused on addressing key business risks to improve the operations and profitability of the company. In this role, Helen leads the company’s Enterprise Risk Management program, helping identify and address key risk areas while facilitating that strategies align with the company’s goals and priorities. She also oversees a team specializing in risk management, internal controls, and data analytics. Together, they work closely with business leaders throughout the organization to drive process improvement. 

Since joining FirstService Residential in 2014, Helen has brought more than 25 years of experience in internal audit, finance, and real estate operations. Prior to joining the company, she held several leadership positions at Burger King Corporation, supporting development, construction, accounting, finance, and operations across the United States and Canada. She began her career in public accounting, focusing on assurance and advisory services. 

Helen is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Throughout her career, Helen has been committed to building strong partnerships, fostering a culture of accountability, and helping organizations navigate change while maintaining integrity over its internal control environment. 

Originally from New York City, Helen enjoys traveling, exploring historical sites, and experiencing different cultures. She values the perspectives gained through those experiences and the opportunity to continually learn from others. Helen also enjoys supporting youth by serving on a local School Advisory Council and as a Catechist in her community church.

As Senior Vice President, Sales, Brian Duff develops and leads all sales and go-to-market strategies and initiatives for FirstService Residential throughout North America. 

Prior to joining the company in 2013, Duff had a successful 25-year track record of sales leadership positions at Xerox Corporation in New York City and IKON Office Solutions (now Ricoh North America) in New Jersey.  Most recently, Duff was Vice President of Sales and led go-to-market effectiveness strategies for Standard Register Company, a 100-year-old industry leader in document management and communication solutions. 

Duff, who earned a Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University in Connecticut, is based at FirstService Residential’s corporate headquarters in Dania Beach, FL.  He and his wife Debbie have four sons, and in his spare time, he enjoys coaching his sons’ teams, as well as actively participating in a variety of sports.  

LaToyia Pierce Frink is currently the Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and General Counsel with FirstService Residential in Dallas, Texas. She is responsible for overseeing and developing the legal strategy for all issues affecting the company throughout the United States and Canada.
 
Prior to joining FirstService Residential, she had more than 14 years legal experience in various areas including real estate, financial services and property management.  She has handled complex and diverse litigation defending companies and professionals who are sued in courts, before regulatory bodies, and in arbitrations across the country. In addition to her litigation experience, she has experience retaining and managing outside counsel in various legal matters throughout the country.
 
She holds a J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas and a B.S. in Economics from Texas A&M University. She currently serves on the school board for Legacy the School of Sport Sciences in Houston, the advisory board for the NBA Retired Players Association North Texas Chapter and the board for the Dallas Children’s Theater.