 Our
 Team  
	

Rob Johnston

Founder & Chairman

Rob hails from South Carolina and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds a Masters of Business Administration. Rob served several years as an officer in the USAF before permanently relocating to Atlanta, GA in the mid-1970s. In 1978, he formed First Communities with the goal of creating a premier property management services company. Through Rob’s hard work, First Communities grew from a bold idea into Atlanta’s largest multifamily management company with a portfolio of 30,000 units. Rob has served on several real estate trade association boards and as president of numerous professional apartment management associations (NAA President – 1997, GAA President – 1992, AAA President – 1987 & 1991). He constantly consults with the country’s largest lending institutions and large portfolio owners to keep abreast of market changes and demographic shifts.

Mitch Harrison

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mitch joined First Communities in 2004 and currently holds the title of Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his current position, Mitch has held numerous roles within First Communities. He is actively involved in the management of over 50,000 units that range from class A, B, C and new development assets located throughout the Southern half of the United States. Mitch is a licensed Georgia Realtor and the 2013 President of the Atlanta Apartment Association and is the current Chair of the Board for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Furman University in 1997.

Kevin Carr

Chief Financial Officer

Since beginning his career with First Communities in 1994, Kevin has been one of the industry’s most versatile and strategic-minded leaders. He came to FC with a Master’s degree from DePaul University and extensive experience in the real estate industry, having handled the financial reporting for 75 residential communities for JMB Properties in Chicago. In 2004, Kevin became Chief Financial Officer and oversees the Accounting, Risk Management, Human Resources and Information Technology departments.

Jon Nixon

Chief Operating Officer

Jon joined First Communities in 2011 and previously held the role of Executive Vice President – Corporate Services. During his time at FC, he has led a number of internal operational improvement initiatives and is responsible for overall Business Development strategy and new client acquisition. Prior to FC, Jon worked as a broker for Grubb & Ellis and consultant for Thomson Reuters. He has also earned a Master of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University.

Ed Romano

Executive Vice President

Ed joined First Communities in 1988. He is responsible for maintaining performance excellence for a portfolio of approximately 10,000 units. His leadership team has extensive experience in due diligence, acquisitions, strategic redevelopment and includes over 60 renovations for private and institutional clients. Ed holds his CPM designation and serves as FC’s chairperson for the Atlanta Community Food Bank initiative. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Florida.

Pauline Houchins

Executive Vice President

Pauline joined First Communities in 2012 and now has over 24 years of multifamily experience. During her career, Pauline has overseen a range of asset types including new development, stabilized, and value add communities across the United States. She currently oversees $1 Billion in multifamily assets. During her career, Pauline has managed the transactions of more than 50 assets worth over $2 Billion in collective value. She has extensive experience in the Sunbelt region, including major metropolitan areas that include Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Jacksonville, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, Tampa, and Washington D.C. Throughout her multifamily management career, Pauline has served leadership roles in several areas of the industry including management, marketing, and training. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business in 2003.

Stephanie Morel

Executive Vice President

Stephanie started her career in multi-family over 30 years ago spending over 20 years working with First Communities. She holds position of Executive Vice-President and is responsible for overseeing operations and management of approximately 10,000 units located in the Sunbelt region to include Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and North/South Carolina. Her experience expands across all types of assets including stabilized, value add and lease up assets. She is an active member at her local apartment associations and has also served on leadership forums within First Communities to enrich training and development as well as operations of the company.

Craig McMinn

Vice President - Asset Management

In his 30 years in the real estate industry, Craig has successfully managed conventional, LIHTC, and HUD communities located throughout the Southeastern US. He has extensive experience in the acquisition, renovation, and repositioning of assets of varying property ages and types. As Asset Manager, Craig is responsible for the acquisition process, development, and execution of the operational and renovation financial plan as well as the financial review and reporting for each asset in the portfolio. Craig has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, has a Georgia Real Estate License, and has held the CPM designation since 1988.

Kim Chadwick

Vice President - Human Resources

Since joining First Communities Management in 2019, Kim Chadwick has been essential in overseeing the Human Resources function of First Communities. In her current position as Vice President of Human Resources, Kim manages payroll, benefits, employee relations, and talent. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business with concentrations in Marketing and Human Resources, as well as the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation. Before joining the First Communities team, Kim led the Human Resources function in various high growth distribution and sales organizations, both privately and publicly held, with strong experience in acquisitions and integration.

Nicole Griffith

Vice President - Compliance & Strategic Development

Nicole joined First Communities in 2017. Throughout her career Nicole has gained extensive experience in conventional, new development and student housing for both publicly and privately held organizations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Law (MSL) with a concentration in Corporate Compliance from Fordham Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Communications. Additionally, she holds a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification for efficiencies in operations. Nicole oversees the compliance, learning and development and utility management departments.