Strata Agents

Averaging more than a decade of industry experience, highly specialized knowledge, and exceptional administrative support, Ascent’s licensed Strata Agents deliver unparalleled expertise in strata management.

Our committment

If your Ascent Strata Agent is not quite the right fit, please feel free to call a member of our Leadership team. We’re 100% committed to ensuring a good match between our agents and your council – because we're committed to maintaining both relationships over the long-term.

How Your Strata Agent Got to Be So Smart

Our Strata Agents...

Ann Benoit

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2418 abenoit@ascentpm.com

Ann joined Ascent in 2005, previous to joining Ascent, she gained valuable industry related experience working with Property Management companies. In particular, her extensive knowledge of the Strata Property Act and other relevant government statutes and/or legal proceedings enables her to ensure that each property operates in accordance with the law.

Ann always makes a concerted effort to build a strong rapport with members on council, owners, contractors, and insurance providers. She is the constant professional, who believes that the key to one’s success is keeping clients happy. As a result, she is whole-heartedly devoted to and passionate about the service she provides.

Born and raised in Langley, Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a minor in History, from Simon Fraser University. Subsequently, she obtained a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the BC Institute of Technology, before acquiring her license in Strata Management from UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

As a licensed Strata Agent, Ann manages a number of condominium and townhouse complexes across the Lower Mainland.

Boon Sim

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2421 bsim@ascentpm.com

Boon grew up and was educated in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. He brings more than 15 years experience in both operational and construction management to his position as Strata Agent and is dedicated to delivering outstanding client service. During his leisure time, Boon enjoys fishing.

John Lan

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2402 jlan@ascentpm.com

John grew up in Hong Kong, moved to Metro Vancouver in 1986, and started his career as a strata manager soon after. He has been with Ascent since 1996, and enjoys providing exceptional service to his many clients.

John is dedicated to meeting his client’s needs and understands the complexities of strata corporations. With more than 20 years experience, he is highly committed to sharing his knowledge for the benefit of his clients.

Jolanta Friedman

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2452 jfriedman@ascentpm.com

Jolanta is a licensed Strata Agent who has been managing strata corporations since 2007. Prior to becoming a Strata Agent, Jolanta worked for 25 years in the hospitality and food & beverage industries. During that time, she gained a keen understanding of the importance of delivering professional, energetic service that focuses on the continuous improvement of client relationships. Today, Jolanta is focusing her extraordinary talents on building her future clientele in commercial units.

Currently, Jolanta manages a portfolio of multi-unit residential buildings and commercial units in the Lower Mainland and Greater Vancouver area. Her dedication to providing exceptional service has benefited all the strata corporations she manages, particularly through extensive renovations, re-piping projects and/or exterior repairs.

Jolanta is committed to taking the time to develop an action plan to meet each client’s specific needs, effectively and efficiently.

Karen Steed-Wiercinski

Strata Agent & Co-op Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2445

ksteed-wiercinski@ascentpm.com

Karen's experience in the property management industry spans 20 years and includes strata, rentals, and cooperative housing. Since earning her Strata and Rental licence in 1996, Karen's career has been focused on strata and cooperative housing management. During that time, her commitment to providing excellent customer service has allowed her to develop strong relationships with Councils and owners. Karen joined Ascent in 2008 and presently manages a portfolio of high-rises, low-rises, townhome stratas and a large housing cooperative.

Marlene Scott

Strata Agent & Investment Property Specialist/Rental Agent

Direct: (604) 293-2420 mscott@ascentpm.com

Marlene was born and raised in South Africa, where she built a successful manufacturing business from scratch. By the time it sold, her business had achieved extensive market penetration throughout South Africa and was exporting product to Australia and the USA. Subsequently, it was 'back to school' to solidify the entrepreneurial learnings of owning and operating her own business with a mini executive MBA.

Marlene moved to the Tri Cities area (Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam) and has been resident there since moving to Canada in 1997.

Shortly after settling in, Marlene was appointed General Manager for a multi million dollar beverage distribution facility in Burnaby, BC. She then went on to become Executive Vice President for a food equipment manufacturer, where she successfully developed new distribution networks throughout the USA.

Marlene’s business experience includes marketing, digital communications, project management, and interior design. However, the core of her experience is in relationship building and communication, and in understanding the day-to-day operations of a business whilst keeping an analytical eye on the financials. As a result, she is well positioned to help her clients achieve their medium and long-term objectives.

After completing both the Strata Management and Rental Management courses at UBC's Sauder School of Business in 2008, Marlene began working with Ascent to develop their brand and to create an enhanced website that better suits their clients' needs.

Today, Marlene works at Ascent as a full time Strata Agent, where she works closely with strata councils and owners to help them achieve their property management objectives. In this role, Marlene is committed to providing sound legal guidance, staying on top of day-to-day operations and keeping an eye on budgets and expenses. She is also dedicated to building relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome in every situation. Currently managing a portfolio of small sized buildings, including both commerical and residential mixed use developments.

Manmit Atwal

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2453 matwal@ascentpm.com

Manmit has been a licensed strata agent since 2005 and has a wide range of experience in all areas of Metro Vancouver.

Her exceptional organizational skills, hard work and dedication enable her to continuously exceed the expectations of her clients. From leaks to large multi building re-roofing projects, Manmit is efficient and effective in getting the job done and strives to ensure it is done correctly, on time and within budget.

Manmit’s personal attention to individual clients builds strong long lasting relationships with strata members. She is fluent in Punjabi, always upgrading her skills and education at seminars and has a desire to succeed in the strata industry.

Manmit is an avid runner and has completed numerous half marathons in the past four years and plans to complete her first full marathon in 2010.

Maxine Dias

Strata Agent & Real Estate Sales - Direct: (604) 293-2434 mdias@ascentpm.com

Maxine is a licensed real estate and rental agent. She has been with Ascent for the past 8 years and brings over 15 years of industry experience to her role. Maxine also possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, having acquired her teaching degree in England and then pursued a teaching career in Canada and internationally. Her final teaching position was in BC, where she eventually transitioned into the real estate industry. Maxine is well-versed in managing all types of structures, but specializes in small to medium-sized buildings.

Mike Burton

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2417 mburton@ascentpm.com

Mike worked for 20 years as an estimator at a major construction company in South Africa before immigrating to Canada in 1996. Shortly after, he earned his Real Estate license and spent five years selling properties on Vancouver’s North Shore before joining Ascent as a Strata Agent in 2006.

Currently, Mike holds licenses in Real Estate Sales and Strata Management. His interests include golfing and fly-fishing.

Scott Burton

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2431 sburton@ascentpm.com

Scott is a licensed Strata Agent who has been with Ascent since May 2008. He emigrated to Canada from South Africa in 1999, after travelling and living in Europe for several years.

Scott brings an extensive background in corporate finance and contract negotiations to his position, having worked for several large multinational organizations. This experience has given him a clear understanding of the importance of proper budgeting and financial planning. As a result, Scott places a special emphasis on sourcing the best, most cost-effective solutions for the success of your strata.

Scott also understands the importance of developing positive relations within a strata and strives to provide a pleasant and fair experience to all his clients.

Stephen Lam

Strata Agent & Real Estate Sales - Direct: (604) 293-2450 slam@ascentpm.com

Stephen earned his Strata Agent license in 1999, and joined Ascent the same year. He brings an extensive background in strata management to his position, with hands-on experience in both residential and mixed-use strata projects.

Stephen earned a license for trading service in 2007 and is a member of the Real Estate Board of Great Vancouver and the Canadian Realtor Association. An immigrant of Hong Kong, Stephen speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Thomas Young

Strata Agent - Direct: (604) 293-2403 tyoung@ascentpm.com

Thomas has been practicing property management for more than 27 years and has been working with Ascent as Strata Agent since 1999.

As a Strata Agent, Thomas has gained a thorough understanding of the Strata Property Act of B.C. As a result, he is well positioned to develop intelligent, effective solutions for his clients.

In addition, having encountered an average of one leaky condo per year during the past decade, Thomas is highly knowledgeable about building envelope remediation. He understands the rehabilitation process is long and exhausting, and strives to assist his clients through the entire project, including with obtaining financial aid from the government.

Thomas is fluent in both English and Chinese, and is very organized.