Trusted Management Planning Services
FirstService Association Consulting (formerly known as Merit Association Services) collaborates with national and local builders and developers from coast to coast, resulting in the creation of many of the most successful and iconic planned communities in the U.S.
We combine our deep experience and expert insights with extensive resources and local connections in every market to secure your investment, prevent unforeseen expenses and add value at every stage of development. Our seasoned professional team has a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges confronting builders and developers of projects of all types, ranging from master planned communities, to active adult developments, to mixed-use urban or high rise developments and more.
By leveraging our experience, we create innovative and effective solutions that reduce costs, streamline operations and add value to your project at every stage of development. In addition, we provide you with current and realistic data on HOA trends, HOA budgets and management models, tailored to your market, to help you plan intelligently and profitably. No matter the size, type or scope of your vision, we have the expertise you need to add value and make a difference, both to your project and your future residents.
From our expert guidance and valuable assistance with governance modeling, financial tools and DRE budget preparation, to amenity and management planning and more, FirstService Association Consulting helps shape a distinctive identity, viable operations and desirable lifestyle for your planned community – the keys that capture the attention of buyers, satisfy your residents and position your community for short- and long-term success.
Leadership
FirstService Association Consulting works closely with the most prominent developers in the U.S. and Canada to bring their community visions to life. As the industry leader and North America’s most experienced property management company, we offer a depth of sector knowledge and expertise, a passion for service and a proven track record no other company can match.
Our seasoned property management leaders share best practices and work closely with your development team to deliver proven solutions, detailed timelines and on-target deliverables for virtually every type of project – no matter its size, location, complexity or challenges. Our guidance has been instrumental in creating some of North America’s most innovative, successful and iconic communities – let us show you how we can make a difference for yours.
With several offices throughout North America to serve our clients, please contact Kellie Sambrano in our California office. She will be happy to assist you personally or connect you to the appropriate market leader.
Robert W. Cardoza
Regional President, West, President FirstService Residential/California
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Robert W. Cardoza
Regional President, West, President FirstService Residential/California
With more than 25 years of experience in association planning and management services, Bob Cardoza drives the company’s vision and directs strategies for product innovation and both client and associate growth and retention. He oversees California’s management portfolio of approximately 540 associations, representing over 155,000 residential and commercial units. In addition, he is responsible for the operations of Merit Association Services, Mar West Realty and Association Escrow Services.
Previously, Cardoza served as CEO of The Merit Companies, which became part of FirstService Residential in 2007. During his 25-year tenure at Merit, he held several senior executive level positions, including President of Merit Association Services, a nationally recognized association consulting company that works with some of the country’s leading land developers and home builders. In this role, he provided community association forward planning services for Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, The Preserve, Mission Bay of San Francisco, Playa Vista and other prestigious developments.
Cardoza holds a designation as a Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) from the California Association of Community Managers, and is a member of the Building Industry Association and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). In addition, he serves on a variety of building industry committees and councils and is a sought-after industry speaker.
Kellie Sambrano, CMCA®
Senior Vice President, FirstService Association Consulting
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Kellie Sambrano, CMCA®
Senior Vice President, FirstService Association Consulting
Kellie is responsible for overseeing the company’s forward planning and budget consulting team for new developments throughout the state. She has over 18 years of experience in community management operations and working with national and local builders, developers and association boards. Kellie has worked on a variety of projects, including active adult, mixed-use urban and high-rise developments and master-planned communities. Her expertise includes implementing governance modeling, financial tools, Department of Real Estate (DRE) budget preparation, as well as amenity and staff planning.
She maintains professional certification from the Community Association Institute (CAI) and serves on the Orange County Regional Chapter of the Publications Committee. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Berkeley and is a member of the United Way committee.
Diana Schindler
Director of Forward Planning, FirstService Association Consulting
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Diana Schindler
Director of Forward Planning, FirstService Association Consulting
Diana works directly with builders and developers to assist with the Department of Real Estate budget preparation and submittal process, community management procedures and various forward planning services for new communities of all scopes and sizes. She has significant expertise in Due Diligence and Department of Real Estate budget preparation for mid-rise, high-rise, mixed-use, condominium conversion properties and master-planned communities.
Prior to joining the team in 2013, Diana obtained her Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. As a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive), she brings more than 12 years of education, analytical experience and knowledge to the team. She has also obtained her Residential Development Certification to further assist her clients within the homebuilding industry.
Danielle Rabe
Management & Budget Consultant, FirstService Association Consulting
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Danielle Rabe
Management & Budget Consultant, FirstService Association Consulting
Danielle joined the FirstService Association Consulting Team in 2021, after spending almost two years as a Client Accountant. Before beginning her career, Danielle earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English from California State University, Fullerton where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She passionately brings a background in analytical experience and financial knowledge to the team and she now works alongside builders and developers to assist with association budgeting needs for communities of all structure and size, including Department of Real Estate budget preparation and submittals, due diligence budgets, subsidy analysis, and cost analysis.
Juliana Hennig
Project Coordinator, FirstService Association Consulting
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Juliana Hennig
Project Coordinator, FirstService Association Consulting
Our accounting, administrative tasks, and FHA certifications are handled by Juliana. Working directly with builders and our internal teams she ensures insurance is up to date, writes Rules and Regulations for current communities, and submits FHA certification to the HUD.
Previously Juliana graduated from University of California Santa Barbara with Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics. During her studies she worked as the administrative assistant for the UCSB Theater and Dance department where she coordinated productions, promoted performances, and handled public announcements about the department.