Leadership

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 Lang is Senior Vice President of Finance for the East Region at FirstService Residential where he is responsible for driving revenue enhancement and cost control initiatives across the region. Additionally, he is responsible for providing leadership and oversight to our Corporate Accounting, Client Accounting, HR and Legal groups.
 
Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Lang 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, Lang had a successful career at Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. In total, Lang brings over 25 years of financial, business management, and customer service expertise to FirstService Residential.
 
Lang 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.
 
Lang is actively involved in his local community, serving as Treasurer of the Cub Scouts and of the town library.

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 15 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Arthur Bartikofsky is the Senior Vice President, High-Rise Division for FirstService Residential. Bartikofsky joined the firm in 1986 as a community manager and soon after accepted the position of Regional Vice President for the Philadelphia Region.

In 2004, Bartikofsky was promoted to Executive Vice President, where he became responsible for standardizing and implementing best practices, ancillary services, and client relations.

Bartikofsky is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), where he obtained the highly regarded CPM® (Certified Property Manager) designation, as well as a member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

Bartikofsky graduated Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and went on to attend the State University of New York at Buffalo where he majored in Sociology.

Ted Gammon serves as Vice President of the Lifestyle Division of FirstService Residential Management. Gammon joined the company in 2009 with more than 14 years of commercial and residential real estate management experience. As Vice President, Gammon provides leadership and operational oversight to the sited associates in the Lifestyle Division. His other areas of expertise include relationship management, budgeting, marketing and negotiation.
 
Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Gammon was employed by Ryan Homes Inc. as a Project Manager of Land where he was responsible for identification and analysis of land opportunities in Northern New Jersey and Orange County New York. Gammon then joined Toll Brothers, Inc. as Land Acquisition Manager where he was responsible for the acquisition and disposition of land assets in New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Long Island, New York. His dynamic management style and positive attitude combined with his experience and skills bring continued success to FirstService Residential.

Gammon is a graduate of West Virginia University. He also attended the Goethe Institute in Freiburg Germany and completed course work in the M.B.A. program at West Chester University.  

Cyndy Pirrera is the Vice President of New Jersey High-Rise Division for FirstService Residential. She is the senior executive responsible for the oversight of all operations, business retention and development of new business within our high rise division. She is also developing community wide initiatives with municipalities throughout the entire portfolio.

Pirrera has nearly two decades of experience in both high rise management and community association management.  She is also a Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM), a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) and an Association Management Specialist (AMS). She served as the 2012 President of the Community Associations Institute, New Jersey Chapter, serving over 1,800 members. Previously, she served as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for a New Jersey property management company, where she provided oversight and handled all day-to-day corporate business operations. This included driving sales through product offerings, client relationship management, strategic marketing planning and strategies, as well as human resource initiatives including negotiating all insurance policies.

Pirrera is also a visible and productive member of the Palisades Park community and has been active in local political, civic and community affairs for many years. She currently holds the elected position of councilwoman for the borough to which she was initially appointed and then re-elected for three consecutive three year terms, and has served as a past chair of the borough's Planning and Rent Leveling Boards and as a committeewoman for Bergen County. 

Jim Magid is a Vice President for FirstService Residential. In this role, Magid provides leadership and operational oversight to a portfolio of lifestyle/active adult clients, condominium and homeowners' associations and the team of client supporting associates.
 
Magid has been a FirstService Residential associate for the over 20 years and involved in the professional community management industry for over 25 years . Prior to joining FirstService Residential, he held a senior management position in a community management firm and served as Board President of a condominium association where he lived.
 
His responsibilities at FirstService Residential have included executive management of two regional offices with oversight of approximately 70 communities and a staff of 35. In addition, Magid was the Executive Director at a prestigious gated community in Kinnelon, NJ, featuring 2,500 wooded acres, 912 homes along 30 miles of private roads and extensive amenities including a 125 acre lake and a fine dining restaurant.
 
Magid has been active at both the local and national level of the Community Associations Institute, a national organization servicing the community association industry. In 2005, he served as the CAI – New Jersey Chapter President and currently serves as the Chair of the Legislative Action Committee. In 2014, he was awarded the Jerome M. Fien Distinguished Service Award by the NJ Chapter. Magid served for four years on the CAI National Association of Professional Community Manager’s Board (APCM).
 
In 2018, Magid was appointed a three year term on the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB). He holds the Community Associations Institute Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®), and the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®).

Raymond Weber provides supervision and leadership to our associates in our Client Accounting Department. He oversees the recruiting, developing and supervision of our team responsible for daily cash management and monthly financial reporting. He is also responsible for communicating and coordinating accounting policies, practices and procedures within the accounting department and among community managers, regional executives, clients and vendors. Raymond reviews accounting work products to ensure a high quality product in keeping with AICPA standards. Raymond provides client support by attending Board meetings and offering presentations analyzing and explaining the Association’s financial status.

Raymond brings to FirstService Residential over 31 years’ accounting experience with 22 years as a Controller.

Raymond earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John's University. He is also a Certified ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Lead Auditor.

Judy Julison recently joined the FirstService Residential team as the Senior Vice President of Lifestyle Programming.  In this capacity, she facilitates lifestyle training for new Associates and oversees the development and execution of lifestyle programs and support operations at our active adult and multi-generational lifestyle communities across the East Region.

Prior to making the decision to join the FirstService Residential team, Julison worked as the National Director of Lifestyle Operations for PulteGroup, working exclusively with the company’s Del Webb brand.  Over her 14 year tenure with this homebuilder, she was responsible for supporting more than 50 Del Webb community teams in 21 markets across the country with planning, development and delivery of active adult lifestyle amenities, programs and Association management and governance operations.  Ensuring quality, continuity and alignment with the ever changing consumer needs and interests were a primary emphasis.

Earlier in her career, Julison worked as the Vice President/Executive Director of the Homeowner's Association at Del Webb’s Sun City Huntley, a 5,750 home large-scale active-adult lifestyle community in the state of Illinois.  Concurrently, she also supported smaller-scale Del Webb residential properties in the area with lifestyle programming and Association operations.  Prior to employment at Sun City, Julison worked as the Superintendent of Recreation and in other management capacities in the leisure service/parks & recreation industry for over 15 years. 

Julison completed undergraduate studies in Education at Northern Illinois University and holds a Master of Science in Management & Leadership from National Louis University.  She is also certified as a National Parks & Recreation Industry professional and holds the CMCA and AMS professional designations through the Community Association Institute.

Raymond Tate serves as a key member of the region’s executive team that sets our strategic direction, spearheading business development initiatives consistent with this strategy. In addition, he is responsible for building and managing the region’s business development team always leading by example in maintaining FirstService Residential’s mission and core values.
 
Raymond Tate came to FirstService Residential with over 15 years of progressive business development experience. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Business Development for Planned Companies. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Hampton University.

Bob Rogers is an Regional Director for the High-Rise Division of FirstService Residential. In this role, Rogers provides leadership and operational oversight to the division’s high-rise communities and associates in the New Jersey area.

Rogers has over 15 years of community association and business management experience and held the position of Regional Director in FirstService Residential’s Northern COA/HOA Division. Previously, he was a Regional Supervisor responsible for managing a team of associates and a portfolio of communities. Prior to that, he was an on-site manager for a 565 unit community.

He currently holds both the AMS (Association Management Specialist) and CMCA (Certified Manager of Community Associations) designations with the Community Associations Institute (CAI), and he is working towards his PCAM (Professional Community Association Manager) which is the highest professional recognition available.
 
In addition to still serving as vice president of his association board, Rogers spent many years serving on the Finance and Executive Committees as well as his local Board of Education. Having the unique perspective of seeing property management from both sides of the table has provided him with additional insight into the industry and certainly a true appreciation of its volunteers and their dedication. 

Rogers teaches catechism to students at their local church and is a member of the Instutute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the Community Associations Institute (CAI).  

As Regional Director for the Northern New Jersey HighRise division, John Reichart brings a wealth of experience dealing with Common Interest Communities and community development. In his role, Reichart is responsible for the oversight and direction of high-rise communities in the market, including planning and development of initiatives aligned with company policies, culture and best practices. He also serves as a strategic business partner, working closely with the board members in the communities we serve. 

Reichart has over 19 years of real estate and community association experience. He is a retired NJ Transit Police Sergeant. Prior to joining FirstService Residential, he spent 14 years at SILVERMAN, a real estate development firm in Jersey City, New Jersey. The last 11 years of which he served as director of operations and broker of record. 

Reichart was president of the Historic Downtown Jersey City Special Improvement District for seven years and an elected member and vice president of the Jersey City Board of Education. Currently, he serves as a member of the New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) legislative committee and is co-founder and chair of the Jersey City Apartment Owners Association (JCAOA). 

In her role, Danielle is responsible for the oversight and direction of high-rise communities in the market, including planning and development of initiatives aligned with company policies, culture and best practices. She also serves as a strategic business partner, working closely with the board members in the communities we serve.

Calcagno has been with FirstService Residential since 2009. Previously, she managed a 900-unit, 76-story luxury skyscraper designed by Frank Gehry. At the time of completion, it was the largest residential building in the Western hemisphere. She has extensive management experience and has worked very closely with developers and board members. She is a resource for operational management, amenity design and programming, budgeting, labor and vendor relations. She provides guidance to her team of managers and board members.

Calcagno received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Master’s Degree in Corporate and Public Communication from Monmouth University.

David Calloway is the regional director for the Lifestyle division of 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).

Dawn Ruggiero is an Regional Director for the High-Rise Division of FirstService Residential. In this role, Ruggiero provides leadership and operational oversight to the division’s high-rise communities and associates in the New Jersey Gold Coast region.

Ruggiero brings over 20 years of experience in managing a diverse mix of communities including condominiums, co-ops, multi-use, and homeowner association. She holds several industry accreditations including the Association Management Specialist (AMS), Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), and the most presitgious professional recognition available, the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM).

Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Ruggiero held the position of Regional Manager supervising 13 property managers responsible for 20 associations in northern New Jersey. She has a proven track record as a portfolio manager, managing 12 associations totaling over 3,000 units comprised of garden-style, mid rise, and high rise condominium communities. As a sited manager, she successfully managed a 32 story high rise with a staff of 35 employees.

Ruggiero is an active member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and has served on numberous committees including the Legislative Action Committee, Editorial Committee, and Membership Committee. In 2010 she received the CAI Author of the Year for her contributions. She is also a cerfieid Trained Alternate Dispute Mediator.

Barbara Jaquett is an General Manager at FirstService Residential. Jaquett is responsible for building strong relationships with board members and residents. She also provides leadership, guidance and support to the FirstService Residential Lifestyle team working at the communities she oversees. 

While here at FirstService Residential, Jaquett has been instrumental in developing and offering seminars to provide information on topics of interest to board members and homeowners in our Lifestyle / Active Adult communities.

Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Jaquett was a Development Approvals Manager at Pulte Homes where she led a team of professionals who would design, study, plan, and acquire the permits necessary to construct residential developments. She was responsible for creating the initial budget for the association, as well as hiring the necessary staff. In addition, she served as the developer’s representative on the boards of those associations until she successfully transitioned the communities to the homeowners.
 
Jaquett is a graduate of Rutgers College at Rutgers University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She is a member of the Community Association Institute, a graduate of Pulte Homes prestigious Top Gun Executive Training program, and a past member of the New Jersey Realtors Million Dollar Club for sales.  

Jaquett has lived in Franklin Park, New Jersey for 20 years, and has served on the Board of her Homeowners Association. She enjoys collecting vintage art glass and pottery, and various pieces in her collections have been featured in national publications. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her nieces.  

Jessica Dziegrenuk serves as the Regional Director for the Western and Southern New Jersey Region of the Condominium and Homeowner Association Division of FirstService Residential. She provides leadership and operational oversight to New Jersey COA/HOA clients and associates.

Dziegrenuk first joined FirstService Residential in 2012 as a Community Manager. In this role, she trained and mentored new employees while improving her accounts’ customer satisfaction rating by over 68%. Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Dziegrenuk was a Selling Sales Manager for Pulte Homes where she planned and led training programs, and implemented and monitored programs to maximize customer satisfaction.

Dziegrenuk is an active member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and holds the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®). She is also a New Jersey licensed real estate agent.

Frank Fittipoldi is the Director of Project Services for the High Rise Division of FirstService Residential. With a passion for process improvement and innovative approaches to performance-based contracts, Fittipoldi provides value added services to help management teams deliver premium services to our clients. He directs planning and execution of capital projects and service programs across all MidAtlantic Region accounts, advising boards and management teams of policies, procedures and activities to maintain a high standard of ethics and integrity in contracting. The extra level of care to ensure the contracting community is treated fairly and openly enhances competition for the benefit of all FirstService Residential clients.  

Fittipoldi brings wealth of experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in the construction, maintenance, and operation of critical facilities. He joined the FirstService Residential team in 2014 with over 25 years’ experience in high rise property management and support services. Previously, Fittipoldi managed a multisite portfolio of more than 1 million sq. ft. of properties at which he gained extensive knowledge in large scale project management, contract negotiation, and construction defect litigation.

During a distinguished career in government service, Fittipoldi developed and implemented an automated external defibrillator (AED) program, deploying the devices at public facilities state-wide and training thousands of first responders. This ongoing program is credited with saving six lives since its implementation in 2006.

Fittipoldi earned his B.S. in Business Administration at Rowan University and a certification in Incident Management/Unified Command at Texas A&M University. He is a member of BOMA, NFPA, the New Jersey Apartment Association, and Community Association Institute, where he holds a CMCA® designation.

As Director of Facilities & Maintenance for FirstService Residential Marc Glassman is responsible for the creation, standardization and implementation of the Emergency and Mechanical Operation SOP manuals, along with augmenting our building engineers’ knowledge and expertise, items of great value to both our associates and our clients. In his approach to the residential building industry, Glassman’s emphasis is on life safety, best practices, asset protection and keeping our properties running efficiently and in pristine condition.
 
Glassman brings to FirstService Residential over 30 years of high rise and facilities management experience. He is currently Treasurer of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Engineer Association.