Experience counts. Our award-winning management team has worked for more than five decades in community association management, partnering with clients to provide responsive, quality service. We understand the regulations and issues that are most important to Hawaii community associations. Our properties and staff have consistently been recognized by national organizations such as the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and Community Associations Institute (CAI) for industry excellence, with honors including Building of the Year and Manager of the Year.

Designations include:

  • Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®), the only international certification program designed exclusively for managers of homeowner and condominium associations and cooperatives. The CMCA recognizes professionals who have demonstrated fundamental knowledge required to manage community associations.
  • Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) is awarded by the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management.  Certification involves extensive experience and rigorous coursework and testing.
  • Association Management Specialist (AMS®) is awarded by the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and is the second level in the career-development track for community association managers. This designation demonstrates a higher level of commitment to the community association industry.

Additionally, Touchstone Properties is an Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC®) by the Community Associations Institute (CAI), which demonstrates that our staff have the skills, experience and integrity to help communities succeed. Touchstone is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, an organization that enhances the principles and practice of democratic decision making.

  • James M. Merrell (R), MBA, PCAM®

    President and Principal Broker

    James has more than three decades of experience in construction, facilities management and real estate management in Hawaii. He holds a Hawaii Real Estate License, serving nearly two decades as a broker. James earned an MBA from Pepperdine University in California and a Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering from Ohio University.

  • Keven Whalen (R), CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

    Vice President

    Keven has more than 12 years of real estate and community association management experience.  He earned his Hawaii Real Estate License in 2009 and serves as the president for the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Hawaii Chapter, where he was awarded the Committee Chair of the Year Award in 2015 and the Richard M. Gourley Distinguished Service Award in 2016. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in finance from the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

  • Jonathan Billings (RS) CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®

    Vice President, Operations

    Jonathan has worked in Hawaii community association management since 2010, with awards including 2011 Property Manager of the Year by the Moilili Resident Manager Association, as well as the prestigious 2014 Hoku Award from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Hawaii Chapter in recognition of his outstanding leadership skills. In 2016, he was elected to the CAI Hawaii Chapter board. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in urban, rural, and environmental planning and is fluent in Portuguese and conversational Spanish.