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Leadership

Dan Wurtzel

President
Scott Lang

Executive Vice President, Finance
Tal Eyal

Executive Vice President
Benjamin C. Kirschenbaum

Vice President and General Counsel
Keith Werny

President, CityLine Property Management Division
Marc Kotler

Senior Vice President, New Development Consulting and Property Management
Christina Forbes

Senior Vice President, Property Management
John MacGowan

Senior Vice President, Multifamily Rental Division
Steven Hirsch

Executive Vice President
Oleg Troyakov Vice President, Financial Management

Oleg Troyakov

Vice President, Financial Management
Amanda Shafer

Vice President, Human Resources
Daren Crenshaw

Vice President, Residential Closings
Maria Auletta

Vice President, New Development Group, Property Management
Farik Badalov

Managing Director, CityLine Property Management Division
Steve Hyatt

Senior Vice President, CityLine Property Management Division
Tom Padilla

Senior Vice President, Property Management
Mark M. Pepe

Vice President, Property Management
Aubrey Phillibert

Managing Director Manhattan Co-Op Condominium Division
Jeff Poirot

Managing Director New Development Group
Sal Schiano

Vice President, Property Management
Randy Starr Sulzer

Vice President, CityLine Property Management Division

Dan Wurtzel

President

Dan Wurtzel is President of FirstService Residential’s New York operations, the leading residential property management company in North America. He oversees the departments and teams that collectively manage over 550 condominium, cooperative and rental properties comprising 70,000 apartments in New York City.

A 30-year industry veteran, Dan is a board member of the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RABLOR). He holds a Registered in Apartment Management (RAM) credential from the National Associated Builders and Owners (NABO) and is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York State. His numerous awards and honors include being named “RAM of the Year” by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). He also received the Emma Lazarus Award from the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York (ABO) as well as a Management Achievement Award from Habitat magazine.

Under Dan’s leadership, FirstService Residential associates are provided the tools and technology necessary to successfully navigate the complex financial, regulatory, and operational challenges they face daily. He also is responsible for ensuring that FirstService Residential delivers its promise of “service excellence” to board members, building owners and residents across the company’s New York City portfolio.

Dan served on NABO’s national Board of Governors from 2003 to 2006 and shares his expertise by speaking at industry events and conducting seminars on topics such as building finances and labor relations. For over a decade, he has been an active board member of Community Access, Inc., a non-profit organization that assists New Yorkers living with psychiatric disabilities make the transition from shelters and institutions to independent living.

Dan joined the company in 1987 as a Property Manager and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility including Vice President, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer prior to being named President in 2008. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s business school.

Scott Lang

Executive Vice President, Finance

Scott Lang is Executive Vice President of Finance for the New York region at FirstService Residential where he is responsible for driving revenue enhancement and cost control initiatives. Additionally, he is responsible for providing leadership and oversight to the Corporate Accounting group.

Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Scott was a Managing Director at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) where he advised large financial institutions on derivative and market matters. Prior to RBS, Scott had a successful career at Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. In total, Scott brings over 25 years of financial, business management, and customer service expertise to FirstService Residential.

Scott has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting/Finance/Economics from the State University of New York at Oswego, an MBA in Finance/Management of Organizations from Columbia University in New York City and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Scott is actively involved in his local community, serving as Treasurer of the Cub Scouts and of the town library.

Tal Eyal

Executive Vice President

Tal Eyal serves as Executive Vice President of FirstService Residential New York. In this role, he is responsible for the expenditures, operating efficiency and strategic capital planning for the company’s physical offices, as well as for business development.

Tal joined the company in 1990 as one of its original property managers. Having amassed extensive experience over a 25 year career in real estate, Tal was instrumental in developing FirstService Residential into the largest residential management company in New York City.

Tal also is a founder and President of FS Project Management, a subsidiary of FirstService Residential dedicated to overseeing residential and commercial construction projects. Since its founding in 2005, FS Project Management has performed hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvement projects across the tristate area.

FS Project Management’s forté is providing turnkey services for property managers and building owners who lack the knowledge and technical skills needed to successfully oversee projects. From project conception, to bidding and contract negotiations, through selecting architects, engineers, and contractors, and overseeing construction, the company also assists property owners with budgeting, financing and resident and staff communications.

Projects include commercial to luxury residential condominium conversions, cogeneration, boiler and HVAC installations and upgrades, lobby and common area restorations, large-scale window replacements, Local Law 11/waterproofing projects, individual apartment renovations, as well as landscaping and green roofs.

Tal also is a founder and President of FS Energy, a subsidiary of FirstService Residential that provides energy management and advisory services to the company’s clients in order to reduce consumption, costs and emissions while improving property values and quality of life. Since its creation in 2010, FS Energy has helped FirstService Residential clients save over $25 million in energy costs while reducing the carbon footprint of the company’s New York portfolio by more than 15 percent.

FS Energy’s energy purchasing program saves clients, on average, 13 percent on electricity and natural gas costs compared to rates charged by local utilities. With operations in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, FS Energy is among the largest aggregators of residential electric and gas in the United States.

A Registered Apartment Manager (RAM) and New York State licensed real estate broker, Tal holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from a joint New York University/New York Institute of Technology program, and earned a certificate from New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. He previously served as a captain in the Israel Defense Forces.

Benjamin C. Kirschenbaum

Vice President and General Counsel

Benjamin C. Kirschenbaum serves as Vice President and General Counsel of FirstService Residential New York. An attorney with more than 25 years of experience in law, residential management and brokerage, Kirschenbaum oversees all legal matters related to the company and its subsidiaries, which include FS Project Management and FS Energy.

Kirschenbaum supervises the Application Processing, Closing, Compliance, Leasing, Regulatory and Insurance departments and coordinates the real estate tax protest process for the company’s managed properties.

Prior to joining the company, Kirschenbaum served as Head of Management Operations and as General Counsel for both property management and residential brokerage firms. With support from The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), he was instrumental in demonstrating the flaws in the federal regulations on lead-based paint as applied to cooperatives and condominiums to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Modifications in the regulations made it possible for owners and boards to comply with the federal mandates.

Kirschenbaum is admitted to practice in both New York and Connecticut and is a licensed real estate broker in both states. He sits on the Residential Management Council of REBNY, serving as chair from 1998 – 2000 and from 2011 to 2014. He is also a member of the Cooperative and Condominium Committee of the Association of the Bar of New York City.

Kirschenbaum received an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a J.D. from Duke University Law School. An avid golfer, he is Vice President of the Westchester Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Fund and the Westchester Senior Golf Association.

Keith Werny

President, CityLine Property Management Division

Keith Werny is President of FirstService Residential New York’s CityLine Division, which comprises the company’s portfolio of conventional housing managed in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Long Island. Werny adds value by working with his team of property managers and boards to implement ways for properties to generate income and reduce expenses while increasing property values and resident satisfaction.

Werny began his career in 1997 as an Associate Property Manager and quickly moved through the ranks as a Property Manager, Vice President, Senior Vice President, and ultimately, President of the CityLine Division – which includes over 150 properties with more than 20,000 residential units and over 70 associates.

Werny’s specialty is managing or supervising management of large residential properties ranging from 300 to 1,200 units, and using his team building skills to motivate his staff and building personnel. His leadership skills have been instrumental in the successful turn-around of numerous properties – from improving staff performance, resident and board relations, to organizing multi-million dollar renovation and repair projects. Werny has also implemented and leads associate manager’s meetings, where new managers are trained in company best practices and financials.

Werny is a Registered Apartment Manager (RAM) and was named “RAM of the Year” by the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York (ABO). He is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and a past recipient of Habitat magazine’s “Management Achievement Gold Award.” He holds a degree in psychology and management from Dowling College, where he is an associate trustee. Werny enjoys golf and coaching his daughters’ basketball and soccer teams.

Marc Kotler

Senior Vice President, New Development Consulting and Property Management

Marc Kotler is Senior Vice President of the New Development Group at FirstService Residential New York, a division that specializes in developer consulting and management of new and young properties. Over the last decade, he has successfully built the division into an industry leader by providing developers with services that are essential to successfully opening new properties – either from the ground up or via conversion. His team has opened more than 40 new properties and assumed management of more than 30 young properties.

Kotler has extensive experience working with young condominiums and the challenges associated with seamlessly transitioning from sponsor to resident control. He has assembled a team that specializes in the issues related to opening and operating new luxury buildings.

Kotler’s managerial and financial acumen, superior consulting services, and systematic approach to development has enabled him to work on some of the most complex, multi-purpose, luxury development projects in Manhattan, including New York by Gehry at 8 Spruce Street, The Plaza Residences, 20 Pine The Collection, One Morton Square, Greenwich Club Residences, The Downtown Club Condominium, and One Lincoln Square.

Prior to joining Cooper Square Realty in 2003, Kotler was the Director of Management of a mid-size property management firm in Manhattan. He has spent more than two decades as a real estate professional specializing in luxury high rise property management, new development construction, project management and asset management.

Kotler is a graduate of Clark University and a Licensed Real Estate Broker. A long time Westchester County resident, he has volunteered his time as a coach for a children’s soccer league and has served as league president for the past six years. He is also passionate about skiing and golf.

Christina Forbes

Senior Vice President, Property Management

Christina Forbes is a Senior Vice President at FirstService Residential New York. With 20 years of experience in asset and property management, Forbes’s forté is evaluating properties and management operations in order to maximize their service levels while maintaining tight control of expenses and projects. She has demonstrated the highest levels of financial, organizational and administrative skills for the properties under her supervision throughout New York City.

Forbes supervises a team of portfolio property managers who specialize in the management of residential co-ops and condos throughout New York City. She provides exceptional support and supervision of management staff and has assisted her boards on a variety of matters, ranging from everyday requests to special projects.

John MacGowan

Senior Vice President, Multifamily Rental Division

John MacGowan, Senior Vice President at FirstService Residential, brings a high level of commitment and 15 plus years of real estate management experience to his current portfolio of rental properties throughout Manhattan.

MacGowan's strengths lie in budget analysis and guidance, staffing and operational procedures, as well as all start up requirements for new construction rental buildings, including general oversight and efficient transitioning from previous managing agents.

His expertise in the disciplines of property, leasing and financial management have augmented his capabilities of successfully managing capital projects, and are an asset to the company and its clients. Most importantly, MacGowan effectively demonstrates confidence, integrity and leadership while carrying out his responsibilities in this role. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Binghamton University.

Steven Hirsch

Executive Vice President

Steven Hirsch is the Executive Vice President for FirstService Residential- New York with over 30 years of experience in the property management industry. Steven is a member of the Executive Leadership Team involved in shaping and implementing policies and procedures for the company.

Steven began his real estate career in 1986 for the Lefrak Organization in Queens, before receiving an opportunity to manage a portfolio of luxury residential properties in 1988 for Douglas Elliman, and later for Goodstein Management starting in 1989. Prior to joining the company in 2011 when Goodstein Management merged operations with FirstService Residential, he served as Director of Management responsible for overseeing Goodstein's portfolio of luxury cooperative and condominium buildings in Manhattan.

During his career, Steven has managed almost every type of major capital improvement project, financial challenge, and repair and maintenance situation that a property could encounter. These include elevator modernizations and renovations, exterior facade restorations, window replacements, boiler and central air conditioning system replacements, gas conversions, lobby and hallway renovations, asbestos and lead abatement programs, as well as multi-million dollar underlying mortgage refinancing.

Steven holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a New York State Salesperson’s License. He has been a member of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Management Council since 2011.

Oleg Troyakov Vice President, Financial Management

Oleg Troyakov

Vice President, Financial Management

Oleg Troyakov, Vice President, is responsible for overseeing the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Client Payroll, and Administrative departments within the Financial Management division. He works closely with the executive management team to streamline procedures, increase overall efficiency, and create alignment between the Financial Management and Property Management divisions. Oleg also oversees strategic planning and operations for the department and is a integral part of our company’s future growth.

Oleg joined FirstService Residential in 2010 as a Financial Analyst. He quickly moved up the ranks, receiving promotions to Senior Financial Analyst, Financial Manager, Director of Financial Management, and most recently Vice President. Through his leadership, dedication, hard work, strong performance and commitment to our clients, Oleg has built an impressive career while establishing himself as an outstanding representative of FirstService Residential. Oleg earned an MBA from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College where he majored in finance and investments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in public accounting from Brooklyn College.

Amanda Shafer

Vice President, Human Resources

Amanda Shafer is Vice President of Human Resources for FirstService Residential New York where she is responsible for implementing and leading the organization’s human resources strategies and programs. Her duties include providing counsel to the New York executive team in the areas of organizational and leadership development, training, recruitment, associate relations, compensation and benefits. In addition, she was a key player in the implementation of the company’s Human Capital Management platform and the integration of its Shared Services benefits and payroll model.

Shafer earned a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and has more than a decade of industry experience serving as a strategic business partner and managing HR functions.

Daren Crenshaw

Vice President, Residential Closings

As Vice President of Residential Closings, Daren Crenshaw has executive oversight for all aspects of co-op and condominium unit closings within the FirstService Residential New York portfolio. Highly regarded by real estate attorneys, brokers, and other industry professionals for his commitment to service excellence, he is a past recipient of FirstService Residential’s prestigious ‘Diamond Award,’ presented each year to the company’s most outstanding employee.

Crenshaw joined FirstService Residential in 2002 and was previously director of residential closings.

Maria Auletta

Vice President, New Development Group, Property Management

Maria Auletta is the Vice President of FirstService Residential's New Development Property Management Group. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the performance of several property managers and assistant property managers while also managing a property portfolio.

Auletta joined FirstService Residential in 2003 as an assistant property manager and was subsequently promoted to positions of increasing responsibility including associate property manager, property manager, senior property manager and managing director. With more than 16 years of industry experience, she has successfully overseen the execution of a variety of capital improvement projects including façade renovations, window replacements, roof replacements, Local Law 11 projects, and Local Law 87 energy audit and retro-commissioning projects.

Auletta is a past recipient of FirstService Residential’s Star Award, presented to associates who are recognized as outstanding performers.

Farik Badalov

Managing Director, CityLine Property Management Division

With over 12 years of industry experience, Farik Badalov brings his expertise to FirstService Residential New York as a Managing Director in the CityLine Division. Badalov is responsible for the management of four cooperative and condominium properties consisting of 400 units; he also oversees a team of property managers.

Badalov’s commitment to service, goal-oriented nature, and strong communication and organizational skills benefit both his management team and the board members and residents he serves. Prior to his promotion to Managing Director, Badalov held the position of Senior Property Manager.

Badalov originally hails from Baku, Azerbaijan. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his wife and two children.

Steve Hyatt

Senior Vice President, CityLine Property Management Division

Steve Hyatt, a Senior Vice President in FirstService Residential New York’s CityLine Division, has built an excellent reputation for service, commitment, and attention to detail during his impressive 25-year career in property management.

Throughout his time working in management, he has been responsible for numerous types of properties, developing an expertise in each. This includes FHA 213, Mitchell-Lama, co-op, condominium and rental housing. Hyatt began his career in the not-for-profit sector managing properties for one of the largest community providers of group residences and social services until he decided to move to a large Brooklyn-based firm. In 1999, he was designated Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President of Wentworth Property Management.

Hyatt is a licensed Real Estate Broker and is certified by the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal in “Energy Management Practices” and uses this expertise in efforts to reduce energy costs for client buildings while also protecting the environment.

Tom Padilla

Senior Vice President, Property Management

Tom Padilla is a Senior Vice President at FirstService Residential New York. He is the senior executive responsible for overseeing several property management teams within the organization.

Padilla joined the company in 1995 as a Portfolio Property Manager. He was promoted to Vice President in 2005 when he began managing a team of more than 20 property managers.

Padilla has earned accolades throughout his career. Most notably, he earned The Cooperator’s Leadership in Management Award as well as the National Association of Home Builders’ RAM of the Year Award. He holds a degree in management from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Mark M. Pepe

Vice President, Property Management

With more than 14 years of experience in asset and property management – the last 10 spent with FirstService Residential New York – Mark Pepe has proven himself as a trusted adviser to his board members and a respected leader to his building staff. His specialty is evaluating properties and building operations in order to maximize service levels while maintaining tight control of expenses and effective oversight of capital improvement projects.

He has demonstrated the highest levels of financial, organizational, and administrative skills for his property portfolio. Pepe is well-versed in on-site staff oversight, contract negotiation, and construction and project management, having previously worked for a residential developer in Westchester County.

A client-oriented professional, Pepe and his team earned the company’s highest client satisfaction scores in 2014 and he continues to prove himself as a committed and successful leader of a team of property managers. Pepe is an avid sports fan and a New York Jets season ticket holder. He earned a BBA from Iona College.

Aubrey Phillibert

Managing Director Manhattan Co-Op Condominium Division

Aubrey C. Phillibert, Managing Director at FirstService Residential, is a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years experience in residential management. Phillibert has built a reputation for focusing on the double bottom line, implementing measures that reduce expenses and increase property values, reducing the building’s environmental impact and improving resident quality of life.

Phillibert began his career with FirstService Residential in 2007 as an assistant property manager; today, his team includes 14 managers and over 25 properties with more than 2,700 units.

Having overseen a variety of capital improvement projects, such as energy efficiency initiatives, facade repair programs, and elevator modernizations, Phillibert has developed the specialized skill of prioritizing capital improvement projects while leveraging available NYSERDA incentive programs that maximize ROI.

Phillibert is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, Registered Apartment Manager (RAM®) and LEED® certified. Phillibert is a National Science Foundation Scholar for advanced studies in economics; he holds a degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and completed postgraduate studies in economics at Duke University. Phillibert is a proud husband and father of three young children. He enjoys winter sports, hiking and family road trips.

Jeff Poirot

Managing Director New Development Group

Jeff Poirot is a Managing Director of FirstService Residential New York where he oversees The Plaza, The Beekman Hotel and Residences, 432 Park, Baccarat and other prestigious New York City properties. Jeff brings over twenty years of sales, owner relations and strategic planning to both the luxury real estate sector and FirstService Residential. An analytical and creative thinker, Jeff is instrumental in executing effective strategies designed to increase client satisfaction and property value. His previous experience includes management of The Plaza Hotel, The Sofitel, Palace Hotel, and A.K.A.

Jeff is an alumni of Pennsylvania State University and graduated with a degree in hospitality management.

Sal Schiano

Vice President, Property Management

Sal Schiano, a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Vice President at FirstService Residential New York, brings a high level of commitment and 25-plus years of experience to his portfolio of high-end luxury cooperatives and condominiums in Manhattan.

Schiano’s expertise in navigating the three main management disciplines – financial, operations and administration – and his ability to successfully manage capital projects, are an asset to the company and its clients. Importantly, Schiano earns respect from his boards and demonstrates the confidence and integrity required to be an effective leader.

Schiano was a Management Executive with Goodstein Management for 12 years prior to the company’s merger with FirstService Residential in 2010. In this position he was responsible for the physical, financial and day-to-day management of a residential property portfolio.

For the 17 years prior, Schiano was a Senior Vice President at Helmsley-Spear/Parkchester Management where he was a key player on a team that managed 171 apartment buildings with over 12,000 units, 50,000 residents, 150 retail stores, five parking garages and annual business volume of approximately $100 million.

Schiano is a New York State certified real estate instructor, a licensed real estate broker and is a past recipient of the Realtor of the Year award from the Bronx Board of Realtors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from St. Frances College.

Randy Starr Sulzer

Vice President, CityLine Property Management Division

Randy Starr Sulzer is a Vice President in the CityLine Division of FirstService Residential New York responsible for overseeing a team of property managers. Sulzer is an industry veteran with over 21 years of experience in residential management specializing in cooperatives and condominiums.

Prior to joining the company, Sulzer was a co-founder of Live Right Management, a successful, Brooklyn-based residential property management company for 16 years. The company merged with FirstService Residential in 2011.

Sulzer has experience overseeing properties ranging in size from 30 - 700 units and has extensive expertise with many capital improvement projects. She believes that the keys to good management are strong communication skills and the development of client relationships.

Sulzer is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and earned a BA in economics from CUNY Brooklyn College.