Gordon A. Pulsifer is the President/CEO and founder of First Resource Companies, a real estate development and management investment firm. First Resource Companies has grown into a recognized owner, developer and is considered among the finest managers of real estate in Massachusetts. The company has grown over the past three decades to a significant portfolio value.
First Resource Companies has been recognized on several occasions for its quality of work regarding historic preservation and the development of affordable housing. The Company received the Excellence in Community Development Award from Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation in 2008. In 2010 and 2013 The Company received the Paul E. Tsongas Profile in Preservation Award for historic preservation. In 2006 and 2011 First Resource Development received Preservation Awards from Springfield Preservation Trust, for projects Developed in Springfield Massachusetts (High Street Commons & City View Commons I). In May 2011 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Worthington Commons, located in Springfield Massachusetts, a project developed by First Resource Development Co., would receive a national housing award, the “Door Knocker Award” honoring outstanding work in producing affordable housing.
Gordon is a graduate of Bentley University. He began his career as a CPA for KPMG and from there became the Chief Financial Officer for WinnCompanies. While there he participated in the development and re-development of properties in several different states. Combining his financial expertise with his real estate experience has allowed him to expand First Resource Companies, specializing in historic preservation and affordable rental housing development. In recent years, First Resource Development Company has focused efforts on acquiring troubled and abandoned properties in urban and inner city neighborhoods. Utilizing innovative local, state and federal government funding programs has enabled his company to rebuild these neighborhoods and to overcome difficult market conditions, resulting in decent and safe housing for their residents.
First Resource Development Co has re-developed several inner city apartment blocks. Many of the buildings renovated are four and five story Georgian and Classical Revival brick buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. The Company has extensive experience in the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic structures including National Register Properties. This restoration experience also includes redesign to allow for Handicap accessibility, life safety updates and creative integration of modern amenities.
Gordon is a past 2009 President of the Rental Housing Association for the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. He currently serves as Chairman for the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and serves as a board member for Preservation Massachusetts that actively promotes the preservation of historic buildings. He also serves as a board member for Caritas Communities a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing for the homeless and working poor. Gordon serves as a Board Member for Citizens’ Housing and Planning Associations (CHAPA) which is a nonprofit organization for affordable housing and community development activities in Massachusetts.
Annellen Pulsifer brings more than 30 years of residential housing experience to the position of President of First Resource Management Company. She currently oversees all aspects of property management for the more than 100 buildings in the First Resource Company portfolio, including day-to-day operations, financial administration, asset management, acquisitions, rehabilitation, and employee supervision. Prior to joining First Resource Companies, Annellen held the position of Vice President of Accounting at Winn Management Company and she attended Bentley University.
In addition to her long-standing membership in NEAHMA (New England Affordable Housing Management Association), Annellen’s many professional accredidations and certifications include LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit), CPO (Certified Professional of Occupancy), FHC (Fair Housing Certification), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), C6P Tax Credit Specialist, and CRCO (Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional). In 2013, she was recognized by Preservation Massachusetts with the Paul E. Tsongas Award. Annellen also serves as Event Chairperson at Friendship Home in Norwell, Massachusetts, whose mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Robin Braga – Sr. Property Manager:
Robin has over 27 years in the Affordable Housing Industry. Robin began her career as a Resident Service Coordinator. In 2010, Robin joined First Resource Companies as a Property Manager at our Fall River, Massachusetts location. Robin also oversees the Resident Services Programs for our residents.
Mercedes Colon – Sr. Property Manager:
Mercedes has worked in the real estate industry since 2010. Mercedes joined the First Resource team in 2016 as a Recertification Specialist and is now working in property management.
Richard Cunha – Sr. Maintenance Technician
Rich has been working in the maintenance industry for over 10 years. He joined the First Resource Team in 2014 and is currently Sr. Property Technician for First Resource Management in Fall River, MA.
Dalia Diaz – Sr. Property Manager:
Dalia began her career in real estate in 2007 and joined First Resource Companies in 2016 as Property Manager.
Edgardo Diaz – Sr. Maintenance Technician
Edgardo has worked in the maintenance industry since 2003. He joined First Resource in 2017. Edgardo is a Sr. Maintenance Technician at First Resource.
Jennifer Egan is the Assistant Developer at First Resource Development Company. She joined First Resource Companies in 2015, where she assisted in the day-to-day management and operations of the home office, as well as Operations and Compliance matters. She was shortly thereafter promoted to Assistant Developer for First Resource Development Company. Jennifer’s responsibilities include coordinating development, financing, funding activities, and closings for all development projects. She is also involved in coordinating construction activities for new projects. A graduate of Burdett School, Jennifer previously held a position as Paralegal and Notary Public in the real estate law industry. Prior to that, Jennifer was a registered lobbyist for a prominent Boston lobbying firm for over a decade, focusing on various legislative and government affairs matters, at both the state and federal levels.
Laurie Fournier holds the position of Payroll Manager/Compliance. She first joined First Resource Companies in 2020 an Executive Assistant and was promoted to Payroll Manager/Compliance in 2022. Laurie’s responsibilities include processing of payroll for the company, assisting in the Compliance review process and maintaining accurate tracking controls. A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, Laurie previously worked for the South Shore YMCA for 22 years as Business Manager, Senior Director of Member Service and Director of Childcare Business Operations.
Gretchen Helger holds the position of Sr. Vice President of First Resource Companies. She oversees the company’s portfolio of properties in Western Massachusetts and in Fall River, Massachusetts. In addition to overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the properties, Gretchen is responsible for all administrative maintenance functions. Prior to joining First Resource Companies, Gretchen held the position of Senior Property Manger for a 100-unit development in Fall River, Massachusetts, which was managed by First Realty. Her extensive background in real estate, property management, and construction management includes several professional certifications, including SHCM (Specialist in Housing Credit Management) Certification and Fair Housing and Section 504 Regulations Certification.
A graduate of the Sawyer School, Gretchen previously held the position of Administrative Assistant at First Federal Savings Bank of America. Prior to that, she served as Administrative Assistant at Ocean State Mortgage.
Daniel Jones – Sr. Maintenance Technician / Regional HVAC Manager
Daniel has worked in the Property Management Maintenance Division for over 20+ years.
He joined First Resource Team in 2008. Daniel is extremely knowledgeable in all aspect of Property Maintenance. He specializes in HVAC systems.
Marice Leahy – CFO
Marice is a graduate of The University of Massachusetts at Boston and has worked 30 plus years in property management. She started her career at WINN Management Company as a property accountant, and transitioned to Peabody Properties before furthering her career by working 5 plus years in public accounting as a senior auditor specializing in affordable housing and property development. She then returned to The Peabody Companies where she has worked for the past 10 years. She ended her tenure at Peabody as Assistant Controller.
Jessica Melero – Sr. Property Manager:
Jessica worked for several years in the healthcare industry before joining First Resource Companies in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant/Recertification Specialist. She is now working in property management.
As Vice President, Facilities, Gary Nelson oversees the maintenance and building improvement projects for more than 80 buildings within the First Resource Companies portfolio. Gary supervises all First Resource Development projects and all major improvement projects for First Resource Management Company. Gary has over 35 years of experience in the construction field and has successfully contributed to the substantial rehabilitation of more than 1,500 historic residential units within Massachusetts.
Gary holds a Construction Supervisor License from the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, Board of Building Regulations and Standards as well as an OSHA 30 Certification.
As Regional Vice President, Ivette Ortiz oversees the administrative operations of First Resource Management Company. Ivette manages and directs the day to day operation of the Property Management staff at all locations ensuring that First Resource Company standards and financial goals are met and residents are satisfied. Ivette has over 10 years property management experience and has earned impressive credentials in the tax credit and affordable housing industry. Her credentials include several industry certifications in Occupancy, Fair Housing and Tax Credits. (CPO, SHCM, FHC, C5P).
Prior to joining First Resource Management Company Ivette attended Holyoke Community College in 1998 and worked in the health care industry in a financial role.
Daisy Perez – Sr. Property Manager:
Daisy entered the real estate industry in 2010 and joined First Resource Companies in 2017 as a Recertification Specialist. She is now working in property management.
Brenton E. Pulsifer is the Vice President of First Resource Development Company. A graduate of Bentley University with a degree in Accounting and Finance, Brenton joined First Resource Development Company in 2008. Brenton had been instrumental in assisting with the development of several large affordable housing projects over the past decade, and has worked closely with historic consultants and community leaders in redesigning inner-city historic neighborhoods. Brenton’s strong commitment to the preservation of historic buildings and communities has made him an invaluable asset to First Resource Development Company. Brenton’s passion for historic preservation has resulted in obtaining significant experience in this area of real estate development of inner-city neighborhoods. Coordinating the state and federal historic requirements between structural engineers and architects has resulted in saving and restoring many historic buildings.
Michael B. Pulsifer is the Vice President of First Resource Development Company. He graduated from Bentley University in 2019 with a degree in Accounting. Michael worked as a tax accountant for CBIZ and BDO in Boston. He joined First Resource Development Company in 2020 as an Accounting/Audit Tax Specialist, and has worked in the Accounting and Finance Department at First Resource Management Company, assisting with audit and tax work. Other responsibilities include the development, construction and closing real estate transactions for First Resource Development Company.
As Vice President, Maintenance, Jose Reyes oversees the day to day maintenance operations of all First Resource Management properties. Jose joined First Resource in 2008 and has been instrumental in ensuring that all residents are provided with safe, sanitary and decent housing. Jose sets a high standard when it involves unit turnover and overall property maintenance which never goes unnoticed by local officials, housing authorities, staff members and the residents themselves.
With over 18 years’ experience in the affordable housing industry, Jose demonstrates a strong commitment to our housing communities by participating in many local community boards whose mission is to provide safe neighborhoods which ultimately benefits our residents, neighbors and staff members. Jose holds an Associates Degree from Holyoke Community College.
Daniel Rivera – Sr. Maintenance Technician
Dan Rivera joined First Resource in 2016 in the Maintenance Department. He is now a Sr. Maintenance Technician and is skilled in all aspects of carpentry work.
Alfonso Roman – Sr. Maintenance Technician
Alfonso started working for First Resource in 2009. Today, Alfonso is a Sr. Maintenance Technician overseeing one of First Resource Properties.
Rafael Santiago – Sr. Maintenance Technician
Rafael began working at First Resource Management in 2010 as a cleaner/groundskeeper. Rafael is now a Sr. Maintenance Technician for First Resource Management.
As Sr. Vice President for First Resource Companies, Catherine Weber oversees the administration of daily operations. Her responsibilities include managing the LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) and Section 8 Housing programs. In addition to implementing company-wide policies and procedures, she administers employee training and serves as the compliance officer for a wide range of diverse programs, including AHTF (Affordable Housing Trust Fund), HOME Investment Partnership), and HSF (Housing Stabilization Fund). She was previously employed at Winn Management Company, where she held the position of Executive Assistant to the Vice President.
Catherine attended Northeastern University and holds several industry certifications, including OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), C3P Tax Credit Specialist, HOME Investment Partnership Program, HSF (Housing Stabilization Fund), AHTF (Affordable Housing Trust Fund), and lead paint removal.