Senior Staff

Deborah Collier-Comins

President
CMCA, PCAM, CPM

Deborah Collier-Comins believes that running a successful business means putting the people first—both employees and clients. This was a strategy that came naturally to Deborah, and a skill that was honed from the start. Early in her career she found fulfillment in working as an accountant, managing the finances of multiple small businesses. After working for a lumber company and then a law firm, she joined her father’s new business, Crowninshield Management. She watched him build Crowninshield from the ground up and learned quickly that operating People-First was the key to success.

Deborah, while working for Crowninshield, became a CPM, CMCA, and PCAM. Shortly following, she took over Crowninshield completely, becoming her father’s successor.

Deborah is keenly aware that long-term success comes from long term relationships. She appreciates and celebrates people, who they are, their knowledgebase, and their skills. One of her proudest achievements is the fact that there are folks who have worked at Crowninshield longer than she has, and that there are 2nd and 3rd generations of employees at the company.

Deborah continues to find ways to simply help clients in any way she can. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Deborah expanded the role of Resident Service Coordinator to facilitate helping residents with anything they may need, from maintenance to health needs to food. People-first will never be just a motto for Crowninshield, or for Deborah. People-first is a lens through which Deborah sees the world.

When she’s not doing her best to help people, you can find Deborah in her garden, watching her two hilarious Bernadoodles playing together. Sometimes she’ll be gardening, but often she’ll be painting, which brings her immense joy. 

Nicholas Ruccolo

Vice President
CMCA, PCAM, CPM, PHM

Nick Ruccolo has been an integral part of the Crowninshield family for decades. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, he became a real estate broker selling and managing apartment buildings. Nick started at Crowninshield as a property manager at their largest apartment communities. Always forward thinking, he became involved with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. He then became designated as a Certified Property Manager with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

As Nick moved up the ranks at Crowninshield to Regional Manager and then Vice President, he also became a Professional Community Associations Manager with Community Associations Institute. After enjoying being Chair of the Condominium Committee at the Institute of Real Estate Management he moved up to become president of their Boston Chapter. He taught Real Estate Management classes at the Boston Center for Adult Education. Nick was instrumental in Crowninshield’s entry into condominium management. He worked to make Crowninshield an Accredited Management Organization. Nick has earned numerous real estate management awards and designations. He has published articles in the New England Real Estate Journal and several other publications.

 In his spare time, Nick skied in timed races on black diamond trails at Sunday River, played in tennis tournaments with an advanced group at the National Tennis Association in Surprise, Arizona and currently plays pickleball tournaments in MA, NH, ME, CT, SC and FL. He lives on the North Shore and spends time with his grandchildren. Nick is now a newfound cat lover.

Janet Perez-Frye

Vice President/Controller

Janet’s path to property management was anything but planned. After graduating from Webber International University, Janet came home to Boston and began her career at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and after several years moved over to Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the accounting department. Janet then found her next move into SEC reporting and general accounting at First Marblehead Corporation in the Prudential Center, where she was happy for many years until her commute to Boston from the North Shore became frustrating.

In 2015, Janet accepted the position of Controller at Crowninshield Management, which was a quick hop from home. She quickly learned the ins and outs of property management and in the summer of 2019, Janet was promoted to Vice President/Controller, where she is responsible for overseeing the corporate, condo, residential and commercial divisions and its workforce.  

Janet prides herself on her commitment to Crowninshield employees—after all, the Crowninshield team is incredible. Janet puts a spotlight on the human side of this company and organizes the employee appreciation events, company sponsored charity drives, and enhanced employee benefits and perks.  Janet is often heard saying that the company’s number one asset is its employees.

 Outside of work, Janet can be found reading a new book every couple of weeks, attending her teenage son’s sporting events, adding more stamps to her passport, walking her beloved dog Bailey, and enjoying new restaurants with friends.