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PROFESSIONAL Commercial Real Estate Services + Local EXPERTISE
Maureen M. Corona, president & founder
Some 30 plus years ago a newspaper ad for an administrative assistant put Maureen Corona on a career course that would eventually become McKenna & Company. Recently out of college and looking for full time employment, Maureen couldn’t wait to start her career. In Newport Beach, CA, as an assistant to the property manager for a large garden office park Maureen started with R&B and learned firsthand the ins and outs of property management.
While working at R&B, she had the opportunity to work for a dynamic woman who became her mentor. Michelle knew property management inside and out and expected nothing less than complete dedication from anyone she worked with. “If you weren’t willing to do the work, it wasn’t worth her time, but if you showed her dedication and hard work she would teach you everything she knew and introduce you to everyone she knew.” It was a phenomenal opportunity and Maureen is thankful for each and every day she spent under Michelle’s tutelage. Michelle was not only Maureen’s mentor; she also became a dear friend who some 10 years after they first met, introduced Maureen to her future husband Stephen Corona.
In the early 80’s Maureen moved to San Diego where she worked as the property manager of several prominent high rise buildings in the downtown area.
Over the years McKenna & Company has experienced both with the ups and downs of the economy and real estate industry. The one constant however, has been the team of dynamic individuals that makes McKenna successful and sets it apart from the rest of the competition. “I didn't set out to have McKenna be a women owned and run company, but when opportunity knocks, who am I not to answer the door? I have been able to assemble a team of incredibly smart and talented women, who I'm privileged to work with each and every day. They share my goals and vision for McKenna. We support one another and the needs of our clients, tenants and vendors with care, consideration, respect and commitment to be the best. Many of our clients and tenants have been with us some 25+ years and I truly feel it is due to these incredible women.”
Maureen and the entire McKenna team has been involved in many trade organizations over the years. From BOMA, where Maureen served many years on the board, and received the Principal of the Year Award in 2002, to IREM, ICN, CREW, NAIOP, and the BOARD of REALTORS.
It was there she expanded her knowledge of the commercial real estate industry not only to include property management, but leasing as well. Managing everything from garden office to high rise, from industrial to flex space and retail, Maureen became well versed in all aspects of commercial real estate. By the late 80’s Maureen was approached by Wilma Pacific, Inc and offered the position to head up their property management division, but by the early 90’s and in the midst of the recession Wilma Pacific gave notice to its employees and closed its U.S. operations.
It is often said that when one door closes, it allows another to open… The end of Maureen’s career path with Wilma Pacific; became the beginning of McKenna & Company. With a team of former associates from Wilma Pacific (who she continues to still partner with today) they took over the management of the centers and never looked back…
Outside of running McKenna & Company, Maureen has been happily married to her wonderful husband of 23 years, Steven Corona. She is the quintessential soccer mom, cheering her son Christopher from the sidelines at his baseball, basketball and yes, soccer games too. Although she loves watching her son compete, Maureen prefers doing as opposed to watching. An avid sports enthusiast, she enjoys spending her winters skiing, her summers swimming and whenever possible sailing. Maureen also has a 1st degree black belt in taekwondo, “I have always competed in sports from an early age, which I feel has contributed to McKenna & Company’s success.”
When the weekend rolls around Maureen and her husband, Steven, are actively involved with their son’s baseball, basketball and soccer teams. Steven has served the past 5 years as president of the local little league along with coaching Christopher’s baseball and basketball teams from the time he was 7. Maureen volunteers as the teams’ photographer and teams’ mom/party coordinator. Every October you’ll find them at Corona Ranch, putting on their family’s annual corn maze in Temecula. Each year proceeds from this event are donated to local school programs where the kids have volunteered at the maze, along with support for one of our military foundations. In 2013, the Corona family partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors and supports our men and women that have served and protect our country.
If one was to walk into Maureen’s office, you couldn’t help but notice her favorite quote framed and hanging on the wall in prominence. They are words that seem to personify Maureen and the entire McKenna team, “If you can dream it, you can do it,” by Walt Disney. Maureen not only lives these words, she encourages her team to do the same. She has made all of them a stakeholder in McKenna and her vision. “It’s not just about the dream, but making the dream a reality. Without action, a dream is just that…a dream. McKenna is currently underway with starting up an affiliate company that will expand and diversify McKenna and provide another layer of added services to our clients and tenants. There are so many opportunities in McKenna & Company’s future. I can’t wait to make our next dream, idea or opportunity a reality.”