Our Team
The people of Powerstone love what they do, and their strength lies in their dedication and professional commitment to helping your HOA thrive. We understand that the world changes fast and that’s why we have our very own Powerstone Academy. It was created as a resource and learning center for employees as well as Leadership programs for Board Members.
The Academy is unique to our industry and provides education and training as well as information on best practices of HOA management. Courses and programs are designed for Powerstone Team Members as they pursue professional excellence in our industry. This ongoing learning and development for employees helps us forge positive and long-term relationships with HOA clients like you. We train to be at the top of our game, so that you can have the confidence that your team is always giving its professional best.
René Decker
Chief Executive Officer, CAMEx, CCAM
René Decker has over 25 years experience in the community management profession. As CEO he has led Powerstone to become the recognized leader in management firms in California by focusing on exceptional client service and building a high-caliber professional management team. René is hands-on in providing guidance to homeowner and developer boards of directors in all facets of HOA management.
René is a multiple Vision Award winner, active member of the Community Associations Institute, and currently on the board of CACM. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications.
Michelle Burge
CFO, CPA
Michelle is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from San Diego State University. She brings over 25 years of community management experience to Powerstone and oversees a team of CPAs and Accounting Professionals in the preparation of monthly financial statements, annual budgets, and all aspects of HOA financial management.
Michelle has been active on both the Finance Committee and Management Firm Council of the California Association of Community Managers (CACM) and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Association of Certified Public Accountants.
Kendrah Kay
CAMEx, CCAM, CMCA, Chief Client Officer
Kendrah has spent more than a decade in redefining what it means to serve. She is responsible for providing the superior customer service that Powerstone is famous for, and is an integral part of the leadership team.
Kendrah is part of the CACM Board of Directors and has been awarded two prestigious Vision Awards. Kendrah is also an active member of the Community Association Institute (CAI) and serves as the Co-Chair for the Summer Symposium Committee. She attended California State University, San Marcos and the University of Phoenix and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.
Karen Kannen Esq.
Executive Vice President Management Systems
Karen has over 20 years of community association law experience. She is an accomplished strategist and as a member of the leadership team she provides professional due diligence on corporate governance issues and provides extensive training on minimizing clients’ risks of legal liabilities.
Karen in a graduate of Cornell University and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where she graduated cum laude in 1990. Ms. Kannen is an active member of the Community Associations Institute and the California Association of Community Managers, as well as a member of the California State Bar.
Joseph Price
Senior Vice President, CCAM CMCA, CAMEx
Joseph Price has worked in the community association industry for nearly 20 years and is a highly regarded veteran in our field. He has extensive experience in the areas of Client satisfaction and retention and has developed numerous programs designed to help HOA’s become the very best versions of themselves.
He is experienced in mergers and acquisitions, internal and external customer retention, high performing team development and building, conflict management, and a skilled communicator. Mr. Price attended the University of the Pacific and California State University in Sacramento majoring in Organizational Communication.
Kristin Hobson
Vice President Community Management, CCAM
Kristin has been a respected association professional for over 10 years. She is known for being calm under pressure having worked with various Boards on difficult projects from litigation to reconstruction. She is a Board favorite who approaches her work with high energy and passion and a keen attention to detail.
As a skilled manager, Kristin has earned the prestigious designation of CCAM, Certified Community Association Manager, from the California Association of Community Managers (CACM), and in 2012 was recipient of the highly respected CACM “Manager’s Choice” Vision Award voted on by over 3000 Community Managers State-Wide.
Valerie Strauch
CCAM, Vice President of Community Management
Valerie is a highly regarded property management professional with an amazing 30 years of experience helping communities and individuals succeed. Her leadership skills and hands-on approach to working with board members is fueled by her perpetual high energy, focus, and enthusiasm for taking on challenges for her clients, as well as her colleagues, where she a willing and capable mentor and trainer.
Valerie has held various leadership positions over a 20-year period at the California Association of Community Managers (CACM) where she is recognized for her ability to get things done. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in business and hospitality.
Karina Reta
CCAM, Executive Director of Management Services
Karina has over 30 years experience in helping HOA’s succeed. She has been part of the Powerstone family for more than 12 years. Her professional approach in working with a wide range of communities is to ensure that the Board of Directors has all of the information they need to make good decisions.
She prides herself on getting things done right the first time. Karina is a Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) from the California Association of Community Managers. She is also an active member of the California Associations Institute (CAI). People who know her say she has an “old school” work ethic and is a great motivator.
Elva Gonzalez
Executive Director of Management Services, CMCA, AMS
Elva is an industry professional with over 25 years’ experience in providing superior customer service and maintaining positive client relationships for the communities she manages. As a Certified Association Manager, Elva works closely with homeowner board members to provide guidance and training in all aspects of community management. She is a leader in assisting boards in how to navigate through the HOA Strategic Planning process.
Elva has earned the distinguished credential of Certified Managers of Community Association (CMCA) and the Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation. Elva is bilingual in English and Spanish and is a native to Orange County, California.
Kylie Decker, CCAM ®, Executive Director of Management Services
Kylie Decker has been an industry professional for over 10 years. In addition to overseeing a portfolio of clients and leading a team of Community
Managers, Kylie also leads the company’s fund-raising efforts for their preferred charity the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. In recent years, employees and business partners have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research.
Kylie is the recipient of the prestigious “Rising Star” CACM Vision Award and was recently presented with the “Social Media Ambassador” CACM Vision Award. Kylie received her degree from California State University Fullerton with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications.
Katie Bellows, Director of Talent Acquisition & Growth
Katie Bellows is an advocate for continuous career growth and is responsible for heading up the Powerstone Academy. The Academy provides continuous learning opportunities for Powerstone employees to expand their knowledge of the property management industry and to better serve Powerstone’s clients. She oversees class development and prepares courses designed to keep Powerstone in the lead when it comes to innovations in service. Previously she managed leadership summits, special events and training, including the entire recruiting process for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Katie has her Bachelor degree from Sonoma State University where she was President of Gamma Phi Beta.
Victoria Gish, CCAM, Director of Community Management
Victoria Gish, is a respected industry professional who is known for her planning and problem-solving skills. Victoria is a passionate manager who provides incomparable customer service and superior leadership during critical transition phases. She is a leader in assisting boards through the HOA Business Planning Process. Victoria earns high marks for her attention to detail, ability to prioritize and respectful management style.
Victoria has earned the distinguished credential of Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) and is an active member of the Community Association of Community Managers (CACM) and CAI where she has received prestigious awards for her excellent service.
Daniel Kayse, CCAM, Director of Community Management
Daniel Kayse, has been an industry professional for over 8 years and is known for his strategic planning capabilities. Daniel is actively engaged in providing superior customer service and maintaining client relationships, working closely with homeowner boards of directors to provide guidance and training in all aspects of community management. Daniel has developed a unique understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of the management profession and he is focused on promoting professionalism and increasing education for the community management industry.
Daniel received his degree from University of California at Santa Barbara with his Bachelor’s of Arts. Daniel is an active member of the Community Association Institute and the California Association of Community Managers.
Gavin A. Kuehn Sr., CCAM, CMCA, Director of Community Management
Gavin heads up the Northern California office and serves Sacramento as well as the entire Bay area including San Jose, Newark, Pleasanton and surrounding communities.
Gavin has earned the designations of CCAM, Certified Community Association Manager & CMCA Certified Manager of Community Associations. Gavin is also Co-Chair of the CAI / OC Education Committee and is active in all industry functions including acting as a speaker and educator for the CLTP Community Leadership Training Courses.
Michelle Lopez, CMCA, AMS Director of Community Management
Michelle is a Director of Community Management and overseas our Coachella Valley office. She is a proven leader with excellent communication and customer service skills. As a lifelong resident of Coachella Valley, Michelle understands the needs and way of life in the desert. She is an experienced supervisor and senior community association manager. Michelle has earned the distinguished credential of Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) and is an active member of the Community Association Institute (CAI).
She holds an associate degree as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix.
Colette Marcelle
CMCA, Director of Community Management
Colette is an HOA industry professional with years of experience managing on-site staff communities with diverse amenities. Her experience includes managing customer relations, contract negotiations, and overall team management. She has a proven track record of developing programs and procedures to insure optimized fiscal health for the communities she manages. Colette’s skills, experience and management style are based on a customer comes first mindset and an incredible attention to detail. She is a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) and attended California Baptist University and Fullerton College where she studied Civil Engineering and Accounting. Colette is known as a caring team leader that understands the many challenges of managing on-site communities.
Amanda McGinley, CMCA, Director of Launch Team Services
Amanda has more than 10 years of industry experience and knowledge, which she has applied to managing the onboarding and account set up of every new client that joins our family. In her 5 years at Powerstone, Amanda has exceled as a Community Manager, Senior Manager and Launch Team Specialist.
Amanda embraces the transition process from start to finish and she is dedicated to making the conversion seamless for the Board and for the membership. She is detail oriented and ensures that every account is embraced with the same care, respect and importance.
Jayme Morris, CCAM-ND, Director of Community Management
Jayme Morris, is a respected industry professional with over 20 years experience in builder development who is known for her leadership strengths. She has strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to de-escalate challenging situations. Jayme demonstrates impeccable customer service and the ability to motivate and actively engage others. She is expert in bolstering builder/client public relations image, and establishing meaningful builder, developer, and community relationships.
Jayme has earned the distinguished credential of Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) and is an active member of the Community Association of Community Managers (CACM) and CAI where she has received awards such as being the first recipient of the CACM Kocal scholarship award and employee of the year award.
Kathy O’Connor Rumsey, CCAM, Director of Community Management – Thousand Oaks Office
Kathy has been in the community management and real estate industry for over 20 years. She is an accomplished Manager and leads our Thousand Oaks Office which serves Ventura and Los Angeles counties. She is a hands-on professional who works closely with her HOA board members to provide their communities with excellent service.
Kathy has great industry insights and experience and leads her team with a reassuring calmness and attention to detail. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the State University of New York at Oswego. Kathy has her California Real Estate License and is a Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) from the California Association of Community Managers.
Melissa Pease, CCAM, Director of Compliance Services
Melissa oversees Compliance Services for all of Powerstone’s Homeowner Associations. Working with the Powerstone property managers she ensures that critical association data, certifications etc. are up to date and accurate. This includes management and coordination of budgets, annual audits, escrow required documents and annual Meetings.
Melissa has been with Powerstone since 2005 and in 2016 won Maintenance Association of the Year thru Woodbridge Village Master Associations. She has earned the prestigious title of Certified Community Manager thru CACM and has been nominated for the industry’s Vision Awards.
Cameron Rehm, CCAM, Director of Business Development
Cameron Rehm has more than 5 years’ experience in helping HOA Board Members succeed. He joined the Powerstone team in 2019 and is known for his positive work ethic and being a willing and able team leader. Cameron has worked on many different types of communities and has developed many strong relationships. His professional approach is steeped in his marketing expertise and understanding of how to improve perception and the overall brand image of the communities he serves. Cameron earned his Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) certification from the California Association of Community Managers, and he graduated from Whittier College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration
Joshua Scott, CCAM, AMS, Director of Community Management
Josh has been a Community Manager since 2004 and been a part of the Powerstone family since 2015. Josh currently manages the Anaheim office.
As a skilled manager, Josh has earned the prestigious designation of CCAM, Certified Community Association Manager, from the California Association of Community Managers (CACM). He has also earned the AMS designation, Association Management Specialist, from the Community Associations Institute (CAI).
Debra Roberts, Controller
Debbie is instrumental in implementing and managing procedures to ensure that clients are in compliance with their HOA documents and Civil Code. She joined the Powerstone team in 2017 bringing over 30 years of accounting focused CID experience with her. She has extensive experience working with all types of developments, from developer startups to large active adult communities. Debbie previously managed an accounting team of 33 individuals overseeing all phases of the financial process.
Steve Romero, Controller
Steve brings over 20 years of community management experience to Powerstone and oversees the preparation and review of over 250 monthly financial statements. He manages new client transitions to Powerstone and oversees their financial data, accounts receivable, accounts payable, budget, and banking to ensure a seamless transition.
Steve is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from San Diego State University. Steve also honorably served our country in the U.S. Air Force. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Association of Certified Public Accountants.