Meet Our Team
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Joel Worcester
Co-Founder, Partner
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Jesse Worcester
Co-Founder, Partner
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Nickole Nordstrom
President
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Jamie Jacob-Cannon
Director of Asset Management
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Lorelei Rains
Director of Operations
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Ryan Ward
Director of Facilities
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Laura Zirhut
Regional Manager
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Darlene Boyt
Regional Manager
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Crystal Gray
Regional Manager
Joel Worcester - Co-Founder, Partner
Joel is a Co-founder & Managing Partner. He started the company with his brothers in 2006. He manages the company's financials and oversees capital allocation and approves all major strategic decisions.
Jesse Worcester - Co-Founder, Partner
Jesse is responsible for raising capital for new projects, building new investor relationships, and working with Joel in communication with Worcester Investments' existing investors. He also consults in the analysis of new purchases and the oversight of operations.
Nickole Nordstrom - President
As President of Asset Management for Worcester Communities, Nickole drives the strategic vision, growth, and performance of the organization's extensive real estate portfolio. With over two decades of experience in property management, she is a recognized leader in the multifamily housing industry, known for delivering operational excellence and fostering innovation.
Nickole's expertise encompasses team member development, value-add strategies, lease-ups, and acquisitions. Her proven leadership and comprehensive understanding of property operations have consistently resulted in successful outcomes across a wide range of projects. She holds the Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) designation from the National Apartment Association, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence.
In addition to her operational and strategic leadership, Nickole is a passionate advocate for advancing the multifamily housing industry. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Apartment Association of Kansas City, chairs the National Apartment Association’s NAAPAC, and actively contributes as a member of the #NAAGIVES Committee.
With a track record of success and a dedication to innovation, Nickole continues to elevate Worcester Communities as a leader in the multi-family housing industry.
Jamie Jacob-Cannon - Director of Asset Management
Jamie Jacob-Cannon brings over 23 years of multifamily experience to her role as Director of Asset Management. Her career began humbly as a groundskeeper and evolved through leasing, management, and regional leadership, giving her a deep, hands-on understanding of every level of property operations. In her current role, Jamie leads operational strategy and performance across a diverse portfolio of assets, focusing on occupancy growth, expense control, team development, and process improvement. She plays a central role in standardizing systems, enhancing resident satisfaction, driving team accountability, and aligning daily execution with long-term business goals.
Jamie also leads the training and development of team members, helping cultivate high-performing, engaged site teams and future leaders across the organization. She is passionate about creating strong foundations through clear expectations, structured onboarding, and ongoing coaching.
Jamie has also contributed to the industry as a supplier partner and remains actively involved in advocacy and education. She holds the CAM, CAPS, and CAS designations through the Apartment Association of Kansas City (AAKC), where she is a LEAD and Lyceum graduate.
Outside of work, Jamie is passionate about personal growth and outdoor adventure. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, tackling DIY projects, and staying active. After conquering her first 14er by hiking Pikes Peak and completing her first marathon in 2023, Jamie is now training for her first triathlon, with a Half Ironman planned for 2026. Her long-term goal is to run a half-marathon in all 50 states.
Lorelei Rains - Director of Operations
Lorelei brings 19 years of multifamily property management experience, beginning her career as a Leasing Agent and advancing through roles such as Assistant Manager, Accounts Receivable Specialist, Business Manager, Property Manager, and Financial Manager.
Since joining the company in 2017, Lorelei has showcased exceptional dedication to professional growth and operational excellence. As Director of Operations, she oversees daily property operations, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and fostering success across all properties. Her strategic leadership encompasses optimizing processes, enhancing training programs, tracking performance metrics, and managing key systems in collaboration with software providers. Lorelei also leads the internal support department, ensuring seamless assistance for on-site teams. Her innovative approach and commitment to excellence drive operational efficiency, profitability, and long-term success for the organization.
Ryan Ward - Director of Facilities
Laura Zirhut - Regional Manager
Darlene Boyt - Regional Manager
Darlene Boyt has over 35 years of experience in the multifamily industry, she has held various positions such as leasing consultant, property manager, regional manager, and Executive Vice President. She has years of experience in Residential Property Management including Conventional, LIHTC, HUD properties as well as Rural and Military properties. She has overseen several multi-million-dollar rehabs and has worked closely with development teams creating proformas and due diligence for new acquisitions.
She resides in Gardner Ks with her husband, Doug, and their charcoal lab, Guinness. She has four children and 6 grandchildren. She loves to golf, fish and bow hunt, and pretty much anything outdoors.
Crystal Gray - Regional Manager
Crystal has a background in the multifamily housing industry and brings to the company a wealth of experience in managing affordable, student, and conventional housing properties. Crystal is a dedicated leader who values teamwork and enjoys spending quality time with my family when she is not at work. One of her passions is revitalizing distressed properties and building strong, cohesive teams to provide exceptional living experiences for our residents. Crystal specializes in transforming apartment living into a true lifestyle that residents can enjoy and appreciate. Crystal is thrilled to be part of this community and looks forward to working together to achieve our goals and exceed expectations.