Leadership

 

Mike Laukka has a proven track record of starting and building successful companies that provide appreciable returns on investment to company shareholders.  Of particular note, he co-founded Laukka Management, Inc., a Minneapolis, Minnesota, based community association management firm that he presided over for 22 years, until 2014 when the company was acquired by FirstService Residential.  

In 2010, Laukka co-founded a Minneapolis based niche entity, Contractor Support Services, LLC, that provided general contractors with consulting services and back office support services via a team of construction professionals, insurance restoration specialists and building code experts.  That same year, he co-founded Bulldog Contractors, LLC, a general contracting firm that specialized in building envelope construction and restoration.  Laukka served as the President of both firms, until selling his equity in each company in 2013.

With the 2014 acquisition of Laukka Management by FirstService Residential, Laukka was appointed to Senior Vice President of FirstService Residential and Senior Vice President of Gittleman Construction & Maintenance, where his knowledge of community association management is combined with his experience in construction management.

Laukka believes in the value and power of volunteerism.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Edina Country Club in Edina, MN, and for the past 23 years, has served as the President of Parkers Lake North Properties Association, Inc., a master association consisting of over 1,000 units of living in the Parkers Lake planned unit community in Plymouth, Minnesota. Additionally, Laukka has been a member of several committees at the Minnesota Community Association Institute, was elected to the Alumni Board of Directors, and co-chaired the Alumni Annual Fund at Breck School, a college preparatory school located in Golden Valley, MN.  

A long-time advocate of community manager education and ethics, Mr. Laukka holds the PCAM® (Professional Community Association Manager) designation from the Community Associations Institute.  Laukka graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, with Bachelor of Arts Degree, and a double major in Religion and Asian Studies. While there, he spent a semester at East China Normal University in Shanghai. He also attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO, where he earned credits toward a Master’s degree in Asian Studies.

Shaun supports a team of directors and managers focused on FirstService Residential suburban clients. Shaun is also responsible for development of standard operating procedures, coleading the organization’s cross-functional client experience team, and conducting Board training sessions.

Shaun joined FirstService Residential in 2012 as an Association Manager after seven years managing apartments for a mix of urban and suburban communities. In 2014 Shaun was promoted to Regional Director and in 2018 to Vice President. Shaun is an excellent problem solver and communicator with a systems mindset in addressing a range of complicated issues including service platforms, governance, capital replacements, and insurance claims.

Shaun has served on various local industry-related committees and Boards including chair of the CAI-MN Vision Awards Committee and treasurer for the Citizens for Loring Park Community Board. He has earned the CAI designation of Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM), the highest professional designation in the property management industry.

Amanda Kelzenberg, Associate Vice President, Property Management, supports a team of Association Managers and associates with a primary focus on FirstService Residential urban and high-rise clients.  In addition to her efforts in Association management, Amanda oversees the organization’s apartment portfolio.  Amanda’s additional responsibilities include associate engagement and training, cross functional partnerships and development and client education.
 
Amanda joined FirstService Residential in 2015 as an Association Manager and advisor to our Rentals Management Division. Amanda was promoted to Senior Association Manager in 2017, Regional Director in 2018 and Associate Vice President in 2021.
 
Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Amanda spent twelve years in property management overseeing a variety of real estate assets including apartment buildings, associations and client investment portfolios.  Amanda is a Minnesota licensed Real Estate Agent and currently holds the CAI designation of Association Management Specialist (AMS).
 

As an Associate Vice President, Greg is responsible for supporting the Suburban division of our property management team as well as leading a network of Association Managers in overseeing the management of properties in the metro area. Greg’s strong work ethic, personable approach and attention to detail are vital to managing the vast array of intricacies that are a part of this industry.
 
Greg joined First Service in 2013 as an Assistant Association Manager and the following year (2014) was awarded the CAI Rookie of the Year Vision Award for his excellent work in property management. He has gone on to hold numerous positions throughout his time at First Service including Association Manager (2014); Sr. Association Manager (2015) and Regional Director (2016-2021). His experience has strengthened his understanding and knowledge of what it means to be a solid property manager and leader.
 
He currently has his real estate license and an Association Manager Specialist Certificate. Since 2020, Greg has been the Chair of the CAI Golf Committee which coordinates and hosts the largest fundraiser for the non-profit organization, that provides education and support to community association managers throughout Minnesota.
 

Karen Stenoien, Director of Human Resources, supports a team of seven directors and managers focused on our employees. As Director of Human Resources, Karen is the strategic business partner for the design, implementation, and execution of the company’s human resources strategies to support our vision, mission, values, and goals. The Human Resources team supports all associates, from recruitment and onboarding to career development and recognition.   
  
Karen joined FirstService Residential in 2013 as a Human Resources Coordinator and after promotion to HR Generalist in 2014, she was subsequently promoted to HR Manager in 2019. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and a SHRM-CP designation from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Veronica Perez brings a comprehensive blend of industry insight, managerial acumen, and a passion for innovation to drive success and elevate operational excellence to her role as Director of Operations. Holding over two decades of experience in retail management, Veronica eventually transitioned into operations management, specializing in overseeing franchise portfolios.

Veronica assumed the role of property manager when she joined FirstService Residential in 2021. This allowed her to hone her skills in property operations and client relations. In her current role, she is eager to contribute to the continued success of the Minnesota team.

Living with her husband and two furry companions, Rocco and Hondo, when Veronica isn’t working she can be found at a concert, reading a book, or hanging out with her bowling team.
 

As Business Development Director, Laura oversees sales for FirstService Residential working with homeowners associations to understand community needs and assist in the design of effective management solutions.

Before joining FirstService Residential in 2018, Laura spent over seven years in sales and marketing with some of the Midwest’s most prolific multifamily real estate developers allowing her to gain valuable insight on the needs of Twin Cities’ residents.

In 2017, Laura was nominated as a Twin Cities Finest Honoree by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recognizing her professional accomplishments and commitment to giving back to the community.

As the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Eric is the liaison between the finance and operational teams to help produce, analysis, and react to data. Additionally, he leads the financial planning and forecasting processes to ensure delivery of accurate and meaningful long-term planning.
 
Eric joined First Service in 2021. Prior to joining First Service Residential Eric had spent the previous 10 years in the hospitality industry most recently as an Area Regional Director of Finance servicing the transitions team. Where he had a strong emphasis on helping operational teams use data to help make their operations more efficient and profitable while ensuring a high level of guest satisfaction. 
 

Jennifer Kane oversees the Client Accounting team for the Midwest Market encompassing Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. She has broad experience in commercial real estate accounting dating back to 2008, when she began as a property accountant for a regional shopping center. Ms. Kane has held roles in commercial real estate spanning both property and corporate accounting for several Chicago firms.

Ms. Kane is passionate about creating efficiencies and finding ways to improve the client experience. Building collaborative accounting teams that produce timely, reliable deliverables and provide top notch client service is also a key focus. Ms. Kane has successfully led initiatives to reimagine accounting processes, leverage technologies, develop solutions for systemic issues, and foster strong relationships with both internal and external customers.

A born and raised Iowan, after 20 years in Chicago Ms. Kane now officially considers herself a Chicagoan.