Leadership

As President, Trent Harrison is responsible for providing leadership and operational oversight to our associates and communities. Harrison joined FirstService Residential in 2009 and has over 25 years of experience in all facets of residential and commercial real estate management. While at FirstService Residential, Harrison has achieved average client retention of more than 97% with steady growth in new clients each year.

Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Harrison served as President for Trenton Property Services, Inc. of Bel Air, Maryland. This regional management company provided third-party management services to homeowners associations, condominium associations, shopping centers, office buildings and industrial properties. He directly oversaw all company operations serving three states, one million square feet of commercial space, 15,000 residential units and over 100 properties. He more than doubled the portfolio of business through organic growth and developer relationships.

Harrison is a graduate of Millersville University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management.  He is an active member in the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). He holds the Accredited Management Specialist (AMS®), Certified Manager of Community Association (CMCA®) and Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) designations through CAI. Harrison is a Certified Property Manager (CPM®) Candidate through IREM.

 

Melissa provides leadership, operational oversight, and acts as a resource to community managers and board members of our large scale/lifestyle communities throughout the MidAtlantic.
 
Melissa is a dynamic, innovative, and visionary executive with extensive experience leading large-scale communities. She has demonstrated exceptional skills in organizational leadership, integrating SOPs, and KPI management to ensure operational and service excellence. She is adept in financial management, project management, crisis management, and cultivating strong board and governance relations.
 
Melissa holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, specializing in Speech & Language Disorders and Communications from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Psychology from Montclair State University. She is also a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and has completed extensive training in Business Management, Conflict Resolution, and Team Building.

As Vice President of MidAtlantic High-rise, Ron Ruffner brings his strong leadership and business development expertise to drive strategic growth, manage diverse teams, and oversee sales and financial operations across the markets.

With over 20 years of experience in the private country club industry—managing four prestigious, 100-plus-year-old clubs—and eight years in property management, Ron has played a key role in leading a diverse portfolio of properties. One of his notable achievements includes managing the Academy House, a flagship property for FirstService Residential’s Philadelphia high-rise division.

Known for his thoughtful and progressive leadership style, he prioritizes communication, motivation, and team success. His ability to build and nurture relationships with residents, boards, and employees ensures the smooth operation of communities and consistently exceeds expectations.

Ron’s extensive skill set in business development and leadership has positioned him for success across various industries. He has led successful sales and marketing campaigns, managed multiple revenue centers, developed human resource programs, and fostered strong customer relationships. Ron excels at creating efficient systems, policies, and procedures that streamline operations, enhance service standards, and promote team growth.

Dedicated to maintaining strong rapport with residents, boards, committees, and employees, Ron ensures open communication and delivers exceptional service that surpasses the expectations of both board members and their governing bodies.

Ron has a Business Degree from Towson University.
 

As the Vice President of Client Accounting at FirstService Residential, Estella Hartner oversees the financial reporting team, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of financial statements to clients. She leads initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and collaborates with management leadership to drive contract retention and business growth.

Estella adds value to clients and stakeholders by leading innovative, collaborative initiatives that address evolving client needs, exceed expectations, and strengthen relationships. Her passion lies in supporting her team and contributing to the success of FirstService Residential’s client relationships.

Having joined FirstService Residential in 2025, Estella brings a wealth of experience, having held roles including Corporate Controller, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Sales Operations, and Vice President of Operations. With years of experience, Estella is well-equipped to navigate complex financial challenges and provide strategic leadership.

Estella holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in ERP Systems and Marketing from Palm Beach Atlantic University

Michael Mendillo is an equity partner with FirstService Residential, the largest residential management company in North America. As president and principal, Michael’s responsibilities include client retention, leadership development, culture building, organizational growth and strategic initiatives. Michael possesses first-hand knowledge of industry and corporate trends and challenges, having directly pitched and closed some of the largest communities in the region. Michael is responsible for identifying, due diligence and negotiation of all regional acquisitions – through closing and integration. He has been involved in 24 such strategic acquisitions including The Niles Company, Community Management Group and the Abbott Group, attributing to the key growth of the organization. 
 
In 1997, Michael’s organization, The Wentworth Group partnered with FirstService Residential, becoming FirstService Residential’s East Region serving community associations across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Tennessee. Prior to the Wentworth Group and FirstService Residential, Michael founded and served as CEO of Mandell Investment Inc., a real estate investment management firm, working with national and regional residential real estate developers.
 
Michael is responsible for creating two region-specific, associate-centric events aimed at education, development and motivation – L.E.A.D.S. in its 12^th year and the company’s Annual Meeting in its 22^nd year. L.E.A.D.S. attracts industry partners, clients and sponsors, giving them a unique opportunity to introduce their brand to all of the region’s associates, and features compelling motivational speakers, year-after-year. Both have evolved into two-day events that feature educational programming, a review of previous year accomplishments and goals and objectives for the current year, as well as allowing for associate interaction, networking and engagement.
 
Through a charismatic personality, a genuine connection with and passion for people, Michael has become a prolific public speaker on such topics as community association management, entrepreneurialism, leadership, vision, corporate culture and the relationship between service and business. He has appeared as a keynote speaker and panel member on such topics as customer service, leadership, human resources management, achieving and sustaining business success and growing your company in today’s climate. Michael’s speaking engagements have included Columbia University, New York University Stern School of Business, William Paterson University, The International Builders Show, Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
 
Michael graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and currently sits on the University’s Advisory Board for the College of Business. Michael has taught on community association management at Monmouth University, highlighting industry principles community association management as a career path. Additionally, he sits on the board of Rutgers Customer Experience Program through Rutgers University Center for Innovation Education.

Scott Bresnick drives and supports a wide range of strategic and operational initiatives. He is also responsible for transferring best practices across the operations and business units to impact positive change throughout the organization.

Bresnick brings over 20 years of strategic management and process development experience. He has hands-on experience with businesses ranging from start-up to enterprise with extensive knowledge of corporate operations and business management including business planning, strategic management, and project planning.

Bresnick received his Bachelors Degree in Business Management and his Masters in Business Administration, both from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Jack Boselli oversees the company’s financial and accounting services we provide to the communities we manage. Boselli brings an innovative and results-oriented approach with a proven track record for success in association accounting, financial and strategic planning and operational proficiency to his role. In addition, his experience as a market president overseeing Condo/HOA and large-scale communities gives him incredible insight into the unique needs of the boards we serve.

Boselli has been engaged in the association management industry for over 20 years and has 12 years of experience in financial planning.

He is a former owner of two management companies and spent over 10 years in the investment field as a financial consultant for a national investment firm. He is a graduate of Widener University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting. He has attained his CMCA®, AMS® and PCAM® designations and is an active member of CAI.

Jesse DiGiovanni, vice president of human resources, is responsible for the oversight and direction of all human resources activities, including planning and development of initiatives to align with company policies, culture and best practices. She will also serve as a strategic business partner, working closely with market and operational leaders to help meet and exceed organizational goals.

DiGiovanni has vast experience working with leadership teams to advise on talent management, associate engagement, HR metrics analysis, workforce and succession planning, performance management and learning and development functions. Most recently she served as the HR Leader – East Coast for The RealReal. Jesse has an MBA in human resource management from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Science in human resources management and industrial psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Alan Trachtenberg has centralized legal oversight responsibility including contract initiation, review and negotiation; oversees corporate compliance; provides education, advice and assistance to associates on their responsibilities and legal related industry topics; litigation oversight and management; risk management including mitigating and reporting and liaison for national risk management and insurance programs; consults on and assists with employment law and related matters.

Trachtenberg has over 20 years experience in the professional community association management having previously provided direct community management services, as well as providing oversight and guidance to community managers and board members. He also has served as Director of Human Resources for FirstService Residential, coordinating and overseeing personnel management and administration.

Trachtenberg graduated from Rutgers College with a B.A. in Economics and received his J.D. from New England School of Law. He is a member of the New Jersey and Massachusetts Bars and is an active member of Community Associations Institute.

David Calloway is the Vice President of Business Development for FirstService Residential. In this role, Calloway provides leadership and operational oversight to the division’s lifestyle communities and associates throughout New Jersey.

Calloway has over nine years of community association and business management experience and most recently held the regional director position for the company’s NJ/PA Lifestyle Division. Prior to his regional director position, he was the business development director for the company’s NJ/PA HighRise division. Previously, Calloway worked with DowntoEarth Landscaping where he opened their Virginia/DC Metro branch and worked on both the business development and operations ends of the business. He was also the head coach for the Monmouth University Hawks basketball team for 13 years where he brought them to three of their four NCAA Tournament appearances. He was recently inducted into Monmouth University’s Hall of Fame.

Calloway has worked with Special Olympics, Coaches vs Cancer, Autism Speaks, Boys to Men Conference in conjunction with 180 Turning Lives Around and the Monmouth County Mental Health Association State Grant for At Risk Youth. He received both his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and MBA from Monmouth University. He is currently a member of the NABC and the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

Raymond Tate is responsible for enhancing our portfolio of large-scale lifestyle communities, as well as developer relationships, and consulting and management services to new and developing communities. As an accomplished real estate executive, Raymond brings a wealth of industry experience and a deep knowledge of large-scale lifestyle communities and the unique needs of developers and developing communities.     

He joined the FirstService Residential team in 2015 as vice president of sales, where he developed our sales team. Raymond works closely with our teams to identify lifestyle communities that could benefit from our unique lifestyle services, along with identifying services for developers seeking consulting and management for their new communities.   

Raymond earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Hampton University.  

Ilene Jablonski, vice president of marketing and communications, is responsible for the marketing strategy and execution, internal and external communications and development of new business development initiatives for the East Region of FirstService Residential.

With many years of marketing leadership experience, llene has developed and implemented marketing, branding and communications programs for the real estate industry. Prior to joining FirstService Residential in 2018, Ilene spent over 17 years with Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and Roseland Residential Trust. With over 20 years of related experience, Ilene has a proven track record of building successful marketing teams, developing award-winning campaigns and increasing brand recognition.

Ilene remains active on the Hudson County landscape, serving on the board of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey City Economic Development Association and member of the New Jersey City University School of Business Advisory Council. In addition, she is a member of Community Associations Institute of New Jersey (CAI-NJ) and IREM NJ.

Ilene graduated, with honors, from Kean University with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Science and Marketing.

Kithcart leads and develops our Lifestyle directors and managers across the region, through the creation of training programs, SOPs and resources, and best practices. She is responsible for driving efforts to enhance the resident experience, innovate technology solutions, and drive our culture throughout the organization. Kithcart works closely with the market leaders and our regional support team to provide additional resources and support for our lifestyle programming efforts. She is responsible for coordinating lifestyle conferences, programs and events, as well as providing valuable input on the development of lifestyle programming.

 

Kithcart has over 20 years of experience with special events, resort recreation, and in the community sector of programming and amenity planning. She attended SUNY Brockport University in New York and earned a degree in Recreation Management. She is an active member and serves as Director at Large for the Resort Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA). She shares a common vision for delivering superior resident experiences, driving growth and developing a high-caliber team of associates committed to service excellence. 

Montanaro is often asked to visit our client sites to work with and advise our residential boards during the selection process of their sited managers. She also provides our clients with extensive associate evaluations ensuring their communities are properly staffed and managed accordingly.

Montanaro has over 18 years of experience in staffing services. Prior to joining FirstService Residential in 2008, she was President and founder of an Executive Search Firm specializing in service related industries, where she placed and coached Executive level management nationally. She worked closely with “C” level management to identify their associate needs and improve their selection processes.

Montanaro is an active member of Community Associations Institute (CAI) New Jersey, including serving on the Beach Party Committee. She attended Monmouth University in New Jersey where she majored in Communications with a concentration in Radio and Television.

Walter Christian is the Regional Technical Director for the East Region of FirstService Residential. With over 22 years of experience in real-related technology, Walter oversees all technology operations, systems, security and infrastructure for the various departments within markets throughout the East region.   In his role, Walter manages all technical associates, voice and data, technical budgets and expenses, designs and implements local environments to meet national guidelines, and negotiates technical contracts for the region. 

As an evolved and strategic thinker, Walter’s expertise lies in real estate. He is also well versed in hospitality, legal and accounting vertical markets, with a focus on allowing the business to drive the technology. Walter earned a BBA and MS from Baruch College.