Dino S. Demare, CPA
President
Dino DeMare grew up in the Metro Detroit Area in southeast Michigan and attended Michigan State University where he had the opportunity to participate in college athletics playing on the MSU tennis team. He graduated in 1982 receiving a B.A. Degree in Accounting.
After graduating he began working in Public Accounting serving several clients in various industries including Real Estate Developers and Property Management Companies. He received his C.P.A Certification in 1983 in the State of Michigan and continued to work in public accounting until 1985.
His exposure to property management during his public accounting career caused a shift in Dino’s career direction where he started becoming involved in the management of cooperative housing communities along with other multifamily communities while working for a large property management company in the mid-80’s. He started as a Controller and subsequently a Regional Area Manager. During this time, he fell in love with the cooperative movement and attended his first MAHC conference in 1988 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was there that he realized the company he worked for placed Cooperatives in the same management formula as their other profit motivated rental properties. This caused many cooperatives to feel underserved with no individual attention.
In 1989, he co-founded Professional Property Services to service these underserved clients by providing a customized service for a unique group of clients and continues to specialize in managing housing cooperatives. Mr. DeMare has dedicated his career in serving the Cooperative Housing Community and providing training to individual cooperative board members through a variety of educational associations.
Esther B. Thomas, RCM
Executive Vice President
Ms. Thomas attended Finney High School and studied Business Administration at Wayne State University. After college Ms. Thomas had an opportunity to work with a small property management firm where she learned the nuts and bolts of property management after which she moved on to a larger property management firm gaining experience with management serving over 15,000 units in the mid-west.
Ms. Thomas joined Professional Property Services in 1991 as a site manager for a 379 unit townhouse community and quickly realized there was an opportunity to help cooperative housing realize their operating concept of owner occupied, owner managed.
Ms. Thomas become a partner in professional Property Services in 2000 and has been committed to the cooperative housing movement during her career. She holds a Michigan and Georgia Real Estate Brokers License for the company.
During her time with Professional Property Services she has been key in developing the personnel and operational system that puts the company ahead of its competition in providing quality services.
Ms. Thomas is responsible for the direction of HUD and MSHDA Compliance throughout the company assuring compliance standards and guidance is adhered to.
Ms. Thomas experience and has been responsible in obtaining grant funding and mortgage restructuring funds under several government programs such as the HOME program, Block Grant Development Funds and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Mortgage Restructuring Program for our clients.
Ms. Thomas has developed and teaches cooperative housing training courses for several associations and provides training directly to our clients in several areas along with fair housing training. Ms. Thomas is an active advocate of Fair Housing Practices.
Ms. Thomas believes and strives to continue to assist housing cooperatives in achieving their short and long term goals and visions for the future.
Lori Fronimos
Executive Vice President of Operations
Lori is the driving force behind operational efficiency at Professional Property Services, where she serves as the Executive Vice President of Operations. With a remarkable career that began in 2012, Lori has established herself as a highly skilled and results-oriented leader in the property management industry.
Lori's career growth within the property management industry has been defined by her exposure to diverse roles that paved the way for her success. Her extensive experience in property management, marketing, training, and operational roles has created the foundation of her wide skillset. These varied experiences have provided Lori with a deep understanding of business operations and the key drivers of success. Throughout her career, Lori has demonstrated a strong focus on optimizing business operations and leveraging technology to enhance property performance, underscoring her comprehensive background in property management.
Lori's leadership is marked by her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to operational efficiency. She leverages her diverse skill set to drive the success of Professional Property Services, ensuring that each property achieves its full potential. Her innovative approaches, particularly in technology integration, continue to position her as a valuable asset to the company.
Lori believes that success starts with on-site teams and their ability to not only perform their jobs efficiently but also focuses on creating an environment where everyone can flourish. She emphasizes that employees are a critical component to exceptional resident experiences. Lori advocates for creating an environment where every employee feels valued, heard, appreciated, and trusted, which she believes paves the way to operational success, with the ultimate goal of creating a positive experience from start to finish for residents and board members.
With a Bachelor of Business Administration bolstering her understanding of business principles, Lori remains dedicated to delivering exceptional results and contributing to the growth of Professional Property Services. Her passion for property management and proven track record underscores her role as a key leader in the industry, driving continued success and excellence.
Kate Boratynski
Director of Business Development
Kate exudes a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Director of Business Development, leveraging her extensive background in finance and operations to drive growth and innovation. She graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Finance, which laid the foundation for her success in various leadership positions.
Kate began her career in real estate as a Leasing Manager, where she excelled in client relations ensuring resident satisfaction and retention. She quickly advanced to several operational roles, demonstrating her dedication, work ethic, and leadership capabilities. She acquired a keen understanding of market trends, enabling her to develop effective marketing strategies. Her experience has taught her the importance of fostering positive relationships with both clients and team members.
Kate brings marketing, innovation, brand awareness, and sales expertise to the team. She consistently demonstrates a unique understanding of market dynamics and a strategic vision that drives success to our clients.
Brittany Merrell
Regional Director
Brittany's expertise in administrative support, compliance processing, financial oversight, risk management, and technology integration have helped her streamline operations and support her team effectively. She prioritizes property safety by implementing robust liability mitigation strategies, ensuring a secure environment for both residents and staff.
Brittany integrates advanced technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency, utilizing tools for maintenance scheduling, financial reporting, and resident communication. Her commitment to delivering positive resident experiences is reflected in her implementation of tailored service programs designated to meet the unique needs of each community.
Brittany fosters a supportive work culture emphasizing teamwork and professional growth while maintaining high standards of property upkeep and resident care. Her dedication to excellence ensures that both residents and staff experience a thriving, well-managed environment.
Chris Hays, CMCA
Regional Director
With a background in real estate and economic development, Chris brings an abundance of diverse experience to his property management career. He has worked with a variety of property types including apartments, condos, co-ops, and short-term rental properties throughout the region. This colorful repertoire allows him to approach any situation with a variety of potential solutions.
Chris has also spent years working with hundreds of entrepreneurs and large companies in organizational strategy, marketing, financial planning, and change management. He utilizes his skills in lean manufacturing principles and project management to coordinate major capital projects and strategic planning.
Chris is also a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the state of Michigan, holds multiple professional certifications and designations, and has interdisciplinary knowledge in manufacturing, technology, construction, and project management. His entrepreneurial spirit and drive for constant improvement make him an invaluable asset to our team, driving consistent growth and ensuring enhanced service for our clients.