Leadership

As president of FirstService Development Advisors, Gene Leon oversees the company’s developer advisory and consulting services across the U.S. and Canada. This rapidly expanding division assists land developers, high-rise developers, landowners, HOA and community builders, and institutional real estate investment firms in planning and delivering exceptional residential communities.

Before joining FirstService, Gene accumulated over two decades of senior leadership experience in new business development and consulting at global property management companies, including ISS, Sodexo, and Aramark, as well as leading hospitality organizations like ClubCorp and KemperSports. Throughout his career, he has partnered with major developers on innovative projects, helping turn their visions into reality.

Gene holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Irvine, and has completed executive education programs at Yale School of Management. He and his wife have two sons, and in his free time, he enjoys cycling and hiking.

Kellie Sambrano is a highly respected Senior Vice President at FirstService Development Advisors, a division of FirstService Residential, where she leads the forward planning and budget consulting team for new developments nationwide. With over 20 years of experience in community management operations, Kellie is renowned for her expertise in collaborating with national and local builders, developers, and association boards.

Throughout her career, Kellie has successfully managed a wide range of projects, specializing in large-scale master-planned communities, active adult communities, mixed-use developments, and urban redevelopments. Her deep expertise spans governance modeling, financial tools, budget preparation, and amenity and staff planning, making her a trusted advisor to both developers and community associations.
Kellie holds a professional certification from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and actively contributes as Chair of the Publications Committee. She is also an engaged member of the Northern California and Orange County BIA DRE Committees and a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Kellie earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and is committed to driving excellence and innovation in every project she leads.

Outside of work, Kellie enjoys traveling with her family, hiking, and exploring new cuisines, always eager to experience different cultures and flavors.
 

Brian leads Developer Services, overseeing dedicated support teams responsible for all developer-related matters, including annexation of new communities, escrow functions, assessment billing, and bond exoneration.  With a strong operational background, he aligns the company’s vision with customer-focused infrastructure ensuring a successful transition for developer partners, association boards, and community management.
 
Before joining FirstService, Brian built a successful DRE escrow company, bringing extensive expertise in Title and Escrow, regulatory compliance, legal agreements, and market expansion initiatives.  Brian works directly with developers and builders through the forward planning, budget preparation, and submittal process, positioning communities for success with FirstService Development Advisors. 
 

Nick serves as the Director of Forward Planning and DRE at FirstService Development Advisors (FSDA), where he oversees the growth of FSDA’s service offerings in California and works closely with leadership on business development, marketing strategies, and client relationship management. 
 
With a diverse background in the HOA industry, Nick has held roles such as Training and Development Manager, General Manager and Regional Director. In 2021, he was the winner of the Manager of the Year Award from CAI – Northern California Chapter, and he has received multiple Service Excellence Awards for his exceptional service and client retention.
 
A native Californian, Nick has lived throughout the state and is a proud graduate of San Diego State University. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring new areas with his dog, studying languages and practicing meditation.
 

As former Executive Vice President of Community Development for 30 years, Paul was responsible for designing and implementing all Ranch Mission Viejo community development. He oversaw all aspects of urban design, development, construction, builder land sales, and administration, as well as the development and operation of the Community Master Maintenance Corporation and Community Services Organization.

He has also spent over 20 years in the business of creating and managing Homeowner Associations. Most notable are SAMLARC in Rancho Santa Margarita, LARMAC/LARCS in Ladera Ranch, and most recently, RanchoMMC and RanchLife in Rancho Mission Viejo.

Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies/Engineering from California State University at Northridge and a Master’s in Business Administration at California State College, San Bernardino. He is a past president of the Orange County Building Industry Association and has served on the executive board of the Building Industry Association/Southern California.

In 2013, the 55+ Housing Council of BIA in Southern California named him “Person of the Year.” In 2017, the California Home Building Foundation honored him as a Hall of Fame honoree.