Leadership

Michael Wolfe is the president of property management and a partner at FirstService Residential New York. In this role, he is responsible for driving best practices that enhance operational efficiency, increase property value for boards and owners and elevate the resident experience.  

Michael is a licensed real estate and insurance broker, a New York State Certified Instructor in Real Estate, chair of the Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) Residential Management Council and a board member of the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) and the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums (CNYC). As a leader and industry expert, he is also a frequent lecturer at REBNY, CNYC and other professional forums and events. 

Michael has been involved with real estate his entire life since he began assisting his father at several multifamily buildings. With his father’s guidance, Michael was taught plumbing, electricity, and masonry – the entire physical envelope and mechanical plant. 

Michael began his third-party property management career at Midboro Management in 1986, which he eventually purchased in 1993 from retiring partner and mentor Robert G. Mahler. In 2021, FirstService Residential partnered with Midboro Management which expanded the New York workforce to more than 400 associates, more than 500 multifamily properties and almost 70,000 units across the five boroughs. 
 

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 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.

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 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.

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 advised on opening 100 luxury condominiums and mixed-use residential properties throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. 

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.

Developer Services Brochure: https://bit.ly/2Pmnv9I 

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.

Steven Hirsch is the Executive Managing Director 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.
 

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.

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 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.
 

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.

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.