Staff - Our Crew

Founders

THOMAS O. HENSLEY - CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD and FOUNDER

For nearly 40 years Mr. Hensley has been actively involved as a property manager and consultant for commercial properties, apartment complexes, condominium associations, hotels and vacation ownership resorts. He has been an active participant and manager of each phase of development for a variety of properties and has been instrumental in helping to establish the successful operation of numerous projects owned by now prominent real estate syndicates. In 1979, Tom attained the designation of Certified Property Manager (CPM) from the Institute of Real Estate Management. and has been active since 1975 as a residential and resort developer. He served four years in the Navy and studied architecture at Ohio University and business management at San Diego State University. Mr. Hensley is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), a licensed real estate agent, and in 2003 he received his General Contractors License B from the State of California.

BARBARA L. HENSLEY - SECRETARY and FOUNDER

Barbara Hensley is Vice President, Personnel Manager, Risk Manager and an owner of The Helm Management Co. Mrs. Hensley received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from San Diego State University in 1972. Thereafter she accepted a position with California First Bank as a Probate Assistant within the Real Estate Management and Probate Divisions of the bank's Trust Department. At California First Bank, Barbara developed a depth of expertise in property management, administration and personnel management. Since 1979, Mrs. Hensley has managed the insurance, personnel, rental, advertising and accounting divisions of The Helm Management Co. while being a member of CAI and is active in local organizations. In 2004, she received her California Real Estate Brokers License.  Barbara has also obtained her CMCA® and AMS® designations from CAI.

 

Officers

ELIZABETH C. HENSLEY - PRESIDENT/SR. ASSOCIATION MANAGER

In addition to maintaining her own property portfolio, Elizabeth leads the transition of new properties and oversees the operations and schedules of fellow managers to ensure that deadlines are met. Ms. Hensley joined The Helm Management Co. full-time as an Executive Assistant after completing her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Arizona State University and The George Washington University respectively. Prior to that, Elizabeth worked at The Helm over a period of six-years worth of summers and vacations as a receptionist, accounts receivable specialist, office assistant, and database administrator. While in D.C., she worked as a Communications Fellow for OWL: The Voice of Midlife and Older Women, writing press releases, creating newsletters, and developing promotional materials. In August 2007 she became a CMCA® and earned the designation of AMS® in 2009 through CAI.


KENDRA HENSLEY - VICE PRESIDENT/ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR

After Kendra graduated from UCSD in 2001, she worked several years in the film industry doing set design and production. She returned to San Diego and joined The Helm in 2008. She is currently the Accounts Receivable Supervisor and an Assistant Association Manager. Kendra earned her CMCA® designation through CAI in November 2009.


RONALD FICALORA, JR. - C.T.O/SENIOR ASSOCIATION MANAGER

After several years acting as an Information Technology consultant for The Helm, Ron transitioned to working as a Property Manager. He assists in procuring bids for projects, attends meetings, meets with vendors on-site, supervises projects, prepares budgets and reserve studies. Mr. Ficalora's depth of knowledge in the field of Information Technology brought a new philosophy to Property Management and allows The Helm to assume responsibility for maintaining networked systems that are installed at the individual properties, often at a significant discount over traditional consulting services. Prior to his relocation to San Diego, he was the co-owner of a Technology Consulting firm in Denver. Ron has a Bachelor's degree in Business with an emphasis in Information Systems Management from Metropolitan State College of Denver. In 2005, he received his California Real Estate License and became a CMCA® in 2007 and earned the designation of AMS® in 2009 through CAI.


T. BRADEN HENSLEY - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/H.R. DIRECTOR

Upon graduation from the University of Southern California in City Planning and Urban Development, Braden ventured into the world of Video Board and Sporting Event Production while continuing to be hands on with day-to-day operation of The Helm.  His years as a Producer served well in executing long-term plans while adjusting on the fly to the unexpected.  During 2015, the commitment to The Helm became full-time where Braden continues to manage the company's growth while maintaining the founders' original mission statement with a focus on client relations and ethical behavior. 


Association & Property Managers

JONATHON STOUT - SENIOR ASSOCIATION MANAGER

In 1997, Jonathon joined The Helm as a member of the maintenance staff where he serviced a variety of properties. He has served as General Manager for one of our Vacation Ownership Resorts, where his background in maintenance played an integral part in maintaining and improving the property according to budget and with the best interest of the property and its owners in mind.  Mr. Stout is a Property Manager for our properties countywide with extensive experience with our Coastal and North County clients while also overseeing The Helm’s maintenance department. Mr. Stout’s educational background is in the field of Architectural Design. In 2004, he received his Real Estate License and he became a CMCA® in 2007 and AMS® in 2009 through CAI.


WILLIAM "WILL" REILAND, III - SENIOR ASSOCIATION MANAGER

Will Reiland first became a Helm staffer in 2002 when he was a member of the maintenance team. In July 2006, a broken hand restricted his duties in the maintenance department and Will began the transition to customer service, working with our customers to help answer their questions and resolve their concerns. For three years, he worked as an Assistant Manager, attending meetings, securing proposals, attending walk-throughs and overseeing projects. His background in maintenance helps to expedite service requests, as well as directing vendors to address specific repairs. In December 2008, he became a CMCA® and earned the title of Association Manager and assists in managing the Maintenance Department. In June 2015, Will continued his industry education and obtained his AMS® designation through CAI. 


STEPHANIE SCHNURR - ASSOCIATION MANAGER

 


ALEX ROCHON - ASSOCIATION MANAGER

Alex began his time at The Helm in 2013 as part of the maintenance crew. In the Fall of 2017, he made the transition from our maintenance staff to assisting our management team and working with our communities and attending board meetings.  He is also one of our customer support representatives answering your calls.

 


VERONICA NUÑEZ - ASSOCIATION MANAGER

Veronica is one of the newer team members at The Helm, assisting with receptionist duties and serving as an executive assistant. She will be one of the voices you hear when you call our office. Veronica is also bilingual and will assist with our Spanish speaking customers. Prior to working at The Helm, for about 8 years, Veronica was a stay at home parent. She was very active at her son’s school, holding various PTA board positions such as Treasurer, V.P. Fundraising, and 6th Grade Parent Coordinator. Previously she worked at Leatherock International Inc. as an Office Coordinator for 9 years.

 


JENNIFER CASTRO - ASSOCIATION MANAGER

 

 


MICHAEL GOLDBERG - ASSOCIATION MANAGER

 

Rental/Investment Management Department

 

AMENA NAWABI - RENTAL MANAGER

 


 

LOWELL McCREA - RENTAL COORDINATOR

 


 

SABRINA NAWABI - RENTAL ASSISTANT

 

Accounting/Administrative

CRAIG ANDERSON - DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING

Craig comes to The Helm Management Co. in late 2017 as a key addition to the accounting depart with over eight years of property management experience. He has worked a variety of positions from being a leasing agent, property manager, and staff accountant. In January 2015, Craig left property management to work in public accounting and obtain his CPA. During his time in public accounting, he gained experience in completing individual and corporate tax returns and providing bookkeeping services. After earning his CPA and graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, he has decided to return to the property management industry by taking the position as Staff Accountant at The Helm Management Co.


CLAUDIA GONZALEZ - ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Claudia started with The Helm in 2006 when she graduated in May that year from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Spanish and Hospitality & Tourism Management. In her early days at The Helm, Claudia handled escrow requests, maintained insurance policy files, and addressed customer service needs. After working as an Assistant Manager for three years, attending meetings, and helping management staff with projects, she obtained her CMCA® in 2008, followed up with her AMS® in 2013. After serving as an Association Manager, Claudia has shifted her focus to accounting and handles collections for our resort properties. Prior to joining The Helm, Claudia worked at Humphrey's by the Bay for three years, and Leonardo’s Restaurant for fifteen years. She is bilingual and assists many of our Spanish speaking customers. 


KIM OWENS - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Kim Owens has been with The Helm since March of 2007 as an Accounts Payable clerk. She processes the bills for many of our properties and also sets up and maintains homeowner accounts on ACH. Prior to coming to The Helm, she worked in the finance office for the Grossmont Union School District over two years and as a branch administrator at Riso for six years. Kim plays an integral part in making sure property invoices are paid timely and accurately.  In addition to accounts payable responsibilities Kim also manages the scheduling of our housekeeping and landscaping staff.

 


ROCHELLE DACAYO - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE

After a short stint as our receptionist, Rochelle has become an important member of our customer support team aiding clients with our online account services while managing homeowner accounts and transactions.  As accounts receivable clerk Rochelle assures payments are accurately posted to accounts and monthly statements get distributed.

 


CHELSEA BURDENO - PROJECT MANAGER

 


DANI ESPUDO - CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE

  


PRISCILLA TORRES - CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE

 


DARRIAN GAOA - RECEPTIONIST/CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE

 

Maintenance Staff


JOSE VALDIVIA - MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

 Jose is a skilled craftsman well versed in a wide range of tasks involving plumbing, electrical, framing, and general construction projects. 

 

 


Additional Trusted Maintenance, Landscaping, and Housekeeping Staff :

AIDEE, JARED, MARIA, MARIO, MIKE, ORLANDO and STEVE