Leadership

Jon McKenna, PCAM®

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Close

Having worked in various capacities within the real estate industry for more than 13 years, Jon has recently rejoined Certified Hawaii as CEO.... Learn more

For the past five years Jon served as Development Project Manager with Haseko Development, Inc. He was part of the team involved with all aspects of planning and developing the award-winning master planned community of Hoakalei Resort.

Prior to Haseko, Jon served as Vice-President of Business Development for Certified Management, Inc. where, in addition to managing multiple associations more than nine-and-a-half years, he was responsible for acquisition of new clients with a strong focus on developer accounts.

Jon received his Bachelor of Science (1991), Master of Science (1993), and Master’s in Business Administration (1998), each from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

He has achieved the PCAM® designation, the highest level of recognition for managers awarded by the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and currently serves as President for the Special Education Center of Hawaii (SECOH), an organization that provides services to people with disabilities, and is immediate past president of the West Oahu Economic Development Association. He also served as adjunct faculty at Chaminade University of Honolulu for 10 years.

Jon is married with one son and he enjoys traveling, surfing, swimming, tennis, running, and golf.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Stacey Tokairin, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Close

Stacey Tokairin joined the Certified family in 1999 after being employed in the hotel and restaurant management industry. Stacey’s primary responsibility... Learn more is to oversee the island-wide operations of the company and work together with the CEO on company strategic goals.

Stacey has successfully managed a multitude of community associations throughout the years and now focuses on providing guidance and facilitating the corporate objectives for all company divisions. She strives to instill the concept of a service business, where the managing agent provides professional guidance and exceptional service while facilitating administrative and financial goals for their properties. She has achieved the PCAM® designation, the highest level of recognition for managers awarded by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

James Breese

Branch Controller Close

James Brese is Certified’s Branch Controller responsible for providing accounting and financial services to Certified’s clients and the branch... Learn more itself. Prior to joining Certified, Brese served as manager of finance at APS Healthcare, Inc. where he was responsible for leading and managing the budgeting/forecasting, financial analysis, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash and facilities management for the local office. Additionally, he worked with corporate finance, accounting and IT departments to identify and modify issues and efficiencies of the financial system in order to improve its current system functions.

Brese received his bachelor of science degree with a double major in accounting and business administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his master of business administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Kristi Hirota-Schmidt

Senior Vice President of Business Development Close

Kristi Hirota-Schmidt joined Certified Hawaii’s business development division in 2006 and is currently the Senior Vice President of Business... Learn more Development, with oversight for sales and marketing for Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and the Big Island. She coordinates all of Certified’s advertising efforts, including the organization and development of Certified’s quarterly newsletter.

Selected as one of Hawaii’s top young business leaders in the Pacific Business News “Forty Under 40 2009”, Kristi also coordinates Certified’s seminars and community outreach events. Kristi is currently serving on the board for the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the West Oahu Economic Development Association (WOEDA). She is also a Grief Facilitator for Kids Hurt Too, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and has served as Vice President of Fundraising for the Rotary Club of Metropolitan. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Hawaii.

Naomi Suzuki

Vice President, Customer Service Close

Naomi joined Certified in 1996 after serving in the food industry for many years. Her forte has been in administration, and it broadened when... Learn more she advanced as Marketing Director for a large food broker in Hawaii. She then decided on a career change and worked for Gentry Homes, as Administrative Assistant to the Sales and Marketing Director; and then, onward to the world of community association management at Ewa by Gentry.

A decision to experience all aspects of the property management industry became of interest, and this is when she joined the Certified family. As Vice-President of Customer Service, she knows that educating and empowering the staff are the keys to success.

We begin with the end in mind – OUR CUSTOMERS.

Linda L. Aganos (R), REALTOR®, e-PRO®, SRES®, AHWD®, SFR

Vice President, Rental Division & Principal Broker Close

Linda Lehuanani Aganos joined Certified’s rental department as a legal assistant in 1982, and now serves as Vice President of the Rental Division... Learn more and Principal Broker. In these capacities, she manages the rental division and is responsible for personnel management functions relating to recruitment, hiring, training, monitoring, evaluating, promotion and career development.

As the principal broker, she is responsible for Certified’s Real Estate licensees and the general brokerage. Her duties include developing policies and procedures concerning the handling of real estate transactions and the conduct of the associated real estate licensees and other staff, including education and enforcement of the policies and procedures. Linda also represents individuals who want to rent, sell or buy property. She assists in price negotiations between buyers and sellers, determines market values, and assists in marketing real estate.

Linda has worked in the Real Estate Management Industry for more than 30 years. She attended University of Hawaii at Leeward, and graduated from Deville Business School in Corpus Christi, Texas. While in Texas, Linda enjoyed working in the banking, legal and property management industries.

Linda received several certifications from the National Association of Realtors® for: Technology (e-PRO®), Short Sales & Foreclosures (SFR), and At Home with Diversity (AHWD®). She also earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation from the council of REBAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NAR. She is currently a Certified Residential Specialists (CRS®) and Certified Property Manager (CPM) candidate, and holds a Real Estate Broker’s license.

Linda is married, the mother of three and enjoys being a “soccer mom” and the “coach’s wife”. Her hobbies include going to the beach, surfing, golf, and hula dancing.

Candace Villarmia, CMCA®

Transaction Processing Director Close

Candace joined Certified Hawaii in September 1997. Beginning in the administrative division, she currently serves as Transaction Processing Director,... Learn more where she is responsible for establishing and executing strategic plans consistent with organizational long term objectives, operating transaction processing organization and continuously improves transaction processing operations that benefits both internal and external customers.

Additionally, Candace serves as an account executive for a few of the company’s block rental properties. Task includes reviewing, monitoring and approving invoices for payment, overseeing the staff, monitoring and facilitating the owners’ finances.

Candace received her Associate’s degree from Heald Business College, formerly Canon’s Business College. She currently holds the designations of Certified Manager of Community Association (CMCA®) through the National Board Certification of Community Association Managers (NBC/CAM), is a Certified Property Manager (CPM) Candidate, and holds the coveted Associa designation, A-Team®.

Colleen Iseri

Vice President of Human Resources Close

Colleen was born and raised in the islands, graduated from Leilehua and received an AA from UH. Prior to being employed by Certified Hawaii in... Learn more April 1981, she worked in the retail, restaurant and air cargo industries. Colleen started as an association payroll clerk and now manages 3 employees handling payroll for over 700 employees servicing over 200 associations, plus corporate payroll. Colleen is also responsible for all human resource issues and oversees Corporate Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivables.

Michael Packard, PCAM®, CPM®, CCAM®, CAM®

Associa Senior Vice President Close

Michael Packard has more than 35 years experience in the community association management industry as a Senior Executive. He was one of the first... Learn more 20 recipients of the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation from the Community Associations Institute (CAI), and also holds the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate management (IREM) and the Certified California Association Manager (CCAM) designation. He also holds a Nevada Certified Association Manager (CAM) certificate and a California Brokers license.

Packard is a former National President of CAI and its Research Foundation. He is also a former President of San Diego's CAI and IREM Chapters. He is a recipient of CAI's national Distinguished Service award, IREM's Presidential Achievement award and San Diego Manager of the Year award.

After receiving a BA from New Mexico State University, where he served as senior class President, Packard earned an MBA from Pepperdine University. He served in the US Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain, and received the Bronze Star Medal for service as an Air Commando during the Viet Nam conflict.

Packard is a nationally published author and is an instructor for CAI, IREM and CACM. Additionally, he has taught property management internationally in Russia, Poland, Japan, Australia and Canada.

He is father to two step sons with his wife Jeri and has been an active “Make A Wish” volunteer for many years.

Favorite Quote – “When you live by the sword you have to be prepared to die by the sword”