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 and 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.
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KENDRA HENSLEY - VICE PRESIDENT and 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.
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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.
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Association & Property Managers
RONALD FICALORA, JR. - 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.
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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.
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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.
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STEPHANIE SCHNURR - ASSOCIATION MANAGER
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ALEX ROCHON - ASSISTANT 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.
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VERONICA NUÑEZ - ASSISTANT 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.
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JENNIFER CASTRO - ASSISTANT ASSOCIATION MANAGER
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Rentals
MELISSA RODRIGUEZ - RENTAL MANAGER
Melissa joined our staff in early 2021.
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AMENA NAWABI - RENTAL MANAGER
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Amena majored in business at Grossmont College and later attended cosmetology school in Northern California where she received her cosmetology certificate from the Academy of Cosmetic Arts. In 2006, she started her own business, Make-Up by Muah Beauty. She managed and operated her business through 2011 until she shifted her focus to real estate management. As an assistant property manager, she was responsible for the management and rental of nearly 200 units. In 2014, Amena returned to San Diego and after a short stint as a temporary employee, she joined The Helm full-time in 2015 and continues to assist in the management of our rental and commercial units. Amena is bilingual and is able to assist our Farsi speaking clients.
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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.
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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.
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SYLVIA PEGUEROS - ESCROW DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND PROCESSING
Sylvia has worked with The Helm in a variety of roles for over two decades. She worked the front desk at one of our timeshare resorts while managing housekeeping personnel prior to moving on to other opportunities in hotel management. Sylvia currently processes our escrow document requests, working with agents, buyers, and sellers to provide needed documents and information to facilitate the close of the escrow process. Sylvia’s bilingual capabilities have been an important asset over the years, as well as her knowledge of many of the properties we work with.
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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.
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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.
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DANI ESPUDO - CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE
Dani joined our team at The Helm in late 2019 and serves as part of our customer support group. She is one of the welcoming faces you will see at reception when you visit our office in La Mesa or speak to when calling our office.
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LAUREN LONDON - RECEPTIONIST/CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE
Lauren joined our team at The Helm in late 2019 and serves as part of our customer support group and primarily serves as our receptionist. She is one of the welcoming faces you will see at reception when you visit our office in La Mesa or speak to when calling our office.
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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 SR., MARIO JR., MIKE, ORLANDO and STEVE