1ST AMERICAN MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Amanda joined 1st American in August of 2022. She has 13 years of administrative and customer service experience along with 4 years in a management profession. Amanda is a native of the NWI region and enjoys spending time with her family. She also spends her time exploring on her kayak, playing softball, or cheering on her children at sporting events. She is an active supporter of Mission 22 - Support for America's Veterans and Lurie Children's Hospital.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Commercial Property Manager
Bridget started with 1st American Management in December 2021 as an AP/AR specialist. She has since transitioned to the Assistant Commercial Property Manager role. In her current role, she is a supporting team member for the company's two Commercial Property Managers. She joined the team with 20+ years of experience in office management, human resources, and bookkeeping. Bridget attended Purdue University Calumet with a focus on business. In addition to being a mother of 4, she also enjoys creating fine art and singing.
Ed joined the 1st American Management in July of 2022 as a Property Manager. His property portfolio includes Laporte County neighborhoods. Being an NWI native, Ed is very comfortable visiting the neighborhoods across multiple counties. He joined the team with 10 years of experience in Homeland Security and over 5 years as a store manager for Family Express, where he was awarded manager of the year. Away from the office, Ed is a father of 1, an avid superhot pepper grower to create his own hot sauces, and hosts and organizes Retro Gaming competitions.
Emily started working for 1st American management in September 2022 as an Administrative Assistant in a hybrid position helping in the Maintenance and Accounting Departments. She has joined us with 4 years of retail management, and Emergency Dispatch experience in which she has received many certifications in emergency telecommunication. Emily loves to spend her free time with friends and family. She also enjoys traveling, and outdoor activities such as hiking, and being on the beach!
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Vice President
Gina earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Indiana University Northwest. After completing the experience requirements, Gina became a licensed CPA in August 1999 and is a current member of the Indiana CPA Society. She has been employed in the accounting field since 1994, with experience in public accounting and private industry. In 1995, Gina began working exclusively in property management and joined 1st American Management two years later. After 20 years as the Accounting Manager, supervising the Accounting staff and performing Accounting functions for 1st American Management's portfolio of properties, Gina accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer of 1st American Management Co., Inc. Gina is responsible for all accounting functions for the company including accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statements and payroll. She also manages the entire office staff, and administers the company health insurance and IRA plans. Her accounting education continues on a regular basis with online courses, self-study, and live seminars.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant ( Shorewood )
Jennifer Rivas joined 1st American Management in June of 2021 as an Administrative Assistant. In her role, she assists multiple departments and shares her skills between our main location and the Shorewood office. Jennifer studied at Indiana University Northwest with a focus on Criminal Justice. She has 25+ years of experience as a previous business owner, office manager, and director of human resources. Jennifer is a lifelong NWI resident and is happy to be a part of a great company.
Job Titles:
- Property Manager ( Shorewood )
Kathy joined 1 st American Management in 2019 as a part-time assistant. In 2020, she became a full-time, on-site Property Manager for Shorewood Forest. Kathy has several years' experience as a property manager and completed the M-100 class to receive a Community Associations Institute Certificate. Prior to coming to 1 st American, Kathy was the Administrative Assistant/Treasurer for Hayes Leonard Elementary for 20 years. Outside of work, she is active in her church, a Facilitator for Compassionate Friends, a Gallop Strengthfinders Coach, and involved with LakeShore Paws special events.
Lora is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Finance and Economics. While in college she worked for American Sunbelt in Bloomington and PMM in Valparaiso as a leasing agent. After graduation, Lora came to 1st American as a Residential Manager, handling a portfolio of apartments and townhomes. She then began to take on commercial properties and was the head of the Commercial Department from 1993-2000. After leaving 1st American in 2000 Lora worked for CB Richard Ellis/Sturges out of Merrillville, and Holladay Properties out of Portage Indiana. She returned to 1st American Management in 2020 to handle high-profile commercial properties and new business development.
Lora has received the prestigious Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), an internationally recognized designation for Real Estate Management professionals. She currently serves as the Treasurer for IREM's NWI Chapter. In addition, Lora is a licensed real estate broker in the State of Indiana.
Mandi Tognarelli began her career as Maintenance Coordinator in July 2020. In her role, she leads a team responsible for the maintenance and general upkeep of properties & facilities. She is a graduate of Kankakee Valley High School and came to 1st American Management with 19 years of customer service, scheduling, and administrative experience. Mandi and her family are active supporters of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
Marianne has been with 1st American Management since 2001. She started off as a receptionist, worked her way up to Executive Assistant and is currently our Vice President of Operations / Assistant Office Manager. Marianne is a lifelong Valparaiso resident and graduated from Indiana University Northwest with a Bachelor's degree in English. Her prior work experience focused primarily on customer service and CAD work in a manufacturing environment. She then spent a brief time as a full-time mom, eventually joining 1st American on a part-time basis and then full-time as her children grew older. Marianne and her family are active and financial supporters of the Alzheimer's Association and breast cancer charities.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- President
Michael was born and raised in Valparaiso. After graduation from Valparaiso High School, he went on to pursue a degree in Aerospace Administration from Indiana State University. In addition to his degree from Indiana State he also earned a degree in Mortuary Science. Michael got his start with 1st American as a lifeguard and then as the pool manager at a property managed by the company. In 2008, upon completion of college, Michael accepted a full-time position with us. Michael's responsibilities at 1st American have included Maintenance Technician, Assistant Maintenance Supervisor, Property Manager, Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer. In 2018, Michael was nominated and selected to be part of the IREM Next-Gen program. The program allowed Michael, along with a group of young professionals from around the country, to obtain his Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation in an 18-month accelerated course. In December of 2019, Michael officially became a CPM. Michael is a member of the 2020 IREM Next-Gen Advisory Board, Vice-President of the Northern Indiana IREM Chapter, and, in his free time, volunteers with his wife Sarah at Lakeshore PAWS in Valparaiso.
Nicole joined 1 st American Management in July 2018 as a Residential Property Manager, taking on a portfolio with properties in both Lake and Porter counties. Her educational background is in Behavioral Science, which she studied at Purdue Northwest. Nicole has 14 years of experience in customer service, retail, and management including 7 years as a store manager for Family Express as well as 2 years of leasing and rental property experience. Nicole is an advocate and ally online to Survivors of Domestic Violence, and she volunteers between LaPorte and Porter County food banks and women's shelters.
Job Titles:
- Director of Property Management, Asst Vice President
Renee joined 1 st American in July 2016. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a concentration on Lodging and Human Resources and a minor in Organizational and Leadership Supervision. Renee manages a mixed portfolio of Residential and Commercial properties. She was recently selected to be part of the IREM Next-Gen program, giving her the opportunity to obtain her Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation in an 18-month accelerated course.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Property Manager
Robin began working at 1st American in April 2022 as a Residential Property Manager. She joined the company after 22 years of working as a Sales Representative focused on interior remodeling. Robin is a Chesterton native and on Parish Council for St. Elizabeth Church. Stemming from her love of reading, she created and manages a book club - Lakeside Lit. Robin is a proud Navy mom and Duneland Flyers Supporter.
Tammy joined 1st American in November of 2021 as the Accounting Manager. Prior to joining the team, she was the Administrative Director for the YMCA. Tammy graduated from Portage High School and received a bachelor's in business administration from Indiana University. When not in the office, she participates in leagues for horseshoes and darts. Tammy also enjoys spending time with her family, listening to crime podcasts, and playing with her mini-dachshund, Pepper.
Job Titles:
- Accounting Manager
- Assistant Vice President
Teresea has been employed in the business and financial management field since 1978. She attended Indiana Business & Vocational College in Marion, Indiana. Her professional experience started with banking/data processing then moved into engineering, construction, consulting & environmental fields.
Her responsibilities include the processing of A/R, A/P, Payroll and Financial Statements for the residential associations and commercial properties. She also works closely with the Accounting Manager, the 1st American staff and homeowners resolving issues.
Teresea joined 1st American in April of 2005.
Tiffany joined 1st American Management in August of 2021 as a Residential Property Manager. She manages her own portfolio of properties in Porter County as well as assists a colleague with properties throughout Lake County. Her experience with managing business operations, executive administration, and customer service specialization expand back to 2009. Tiffany is a Valparaiso University alumnus from the College of Environmental Science. During the summer, she volunteers with the Friends of the Dunes to build environmental awareness around the Great Lakes.