About Us
We Pride Ourselves on Being the Best of the Best
Founded in 2017 out of a desire to raise the standard of multifamily property management in San Diego, our firm was built on the principle that owners deserve more than just basic oversight—they deserve true advisors. In the past, property managers often withheld information or focused narrowly on operations without prioritizing owner success. We take the opposite approach: delivering full transparency, expert guidance, and actionable insights that maximize both property performance and long-term investment value.
With over 30 years of combined experience in multifamily investment, management, development, and brokerage, our team has been trained and mentored by some of the most respected real estate professionals in Southern California. This foundation gives us the unique ability to manage properties with both an owner’s mindset and an operator’s precision.
What We Do
We specialize in the management of apartments and multifamily properties throughout San Diego County. Our focused expertise ensures clients receive the highest level of service and results. From optimizing rent collections and maintaining compliance to protecting owners from liability, we understand every detail of San Diego multifamily management.
Our knowledge of both real estate fundamentals and capital markets allows us to not only oversee your property day-to-day but also strategically position it for long-term success. By translating market trends into actionable intelligence, we empower our clients to make confident decisions about their assets.
Our Mission
Our mission is to operate your rental property as you would. It is that simple. You are putting your trust in us to make property management decisions that directly impact you, your property, and your tenants, and we fully understand this responsibility and obligation as such. Furthermore, in doing so, our goal is to remove these daily stresses and obligations from your current routine so that you have more time for other more enjoyable and productive endeavors in your life.
Why The Name?
Sometimes a name is just a name. Sometimes a name has great meaning. We're shooting for the latter.
We didn't want to be another "INSERT LAST NAME HERE" Group. We're different than the other brokerages in town.
We chose the TOP GUN CRE Gun name to stand out; to connote our commitment to being the best in the business; to resonate with San Diego and our military community; to support one another and our clients; to underscore our commitment to hard work; to be wingmen; and to have fun. All of these things are fundamental pillars of our business, and we wanted to ensure our company name reflects those core values. When you choose TOP GUN CRE, you're choosing the "best of the best".
Our Commitment
We strive to be:
- The best-of-the-best in property management: a high-performance team that delivers superior results, service, and professionalism.
- A trusted long-term advisor: prioritizing lasting partnerships over quick wins.
- An organization invested in people: fostering growth and empowerment within our team to better serve our clients.
- A data-driven, collaborative firm: using market intelligence and proven systems to make smart decisions and drive performance.
- A results-focused partner: consistently achieving higher returns, stronger tenant retention, and smoother operations for our clients.
At our core, we promise to be steadfast partners—your wingmen in navigating the San Diego multifamily market—ensuring your properties reach their maximum potential with the least amount of hassle.
Meet our Team
Maxim Delbecq, MBA
President & Principal Broker
Call Sign: "Mad Max"
DRE #01964069
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Max is President and co-founder of Top Gun CRE, Inc. and specializes in exclusively representing multifamily investors in San Diego. He is a successful serial entrepreneur and real estate investor with multiple active businesses within the real estate industry. He has been in commercial real estate as an investor and property manager since 2012, and has been licensed as a full-time real estate broker since 2014.
A native of Santa Clara, CA, Max moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to study business at USC. As a tenant, Max moved 10 times in 11 years as his studies and post-graduate work took him all over So-Cal and he thus became fascinated by multifamily properties. Wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the investment world, he plunged head first into multifamily brokerage. He was mentored by some of the highest producing brokers in his early years, and he carries the success tactics of those mentors and his passion for entrepreneurship and real estate into all that he does. Sensing a general lack of quality brokerage services in San Diego, Max and his business partner, Ken Herskind, founded Top Gun CRE, Inc. in 2018 to provide the highest level of service and support to multifamily investors in the County.
During his MBA at USC, Max purchased a commercial property investment and management company. With a ton of grit and daily hard work, that business has grown over 10-fold since 2012, and it now has 102 rental units, 5 locations, and roughly 30,000 SF under management, and generates above-average returns for investors.
As a student and practitioner of business, real estate and entrepreneurship, Max provides a unique combination of theoretical knowledge and real-world savvy. He prides himself on providing the highest level of customer service, business acumen, and likes to believe he will generate for his clients: “the highest price, in the quickest time, with the least amount of hassle”. Practicing what he preaches, he currently owns several investment properties and has a goal to purchase at least 1 property per year for the indefinite future.
Max is also a drummer of 25 years, and in his free time enjoys progressive heavy metal and jazz music, exercising, and travel. He resides in Poway with his wife and daughter.
EDUCATION
B.S. Business Administration: University of Southern California, 2005
MBA, Business, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Real Estate: University of Southern California (USC), 2014
CA Real Estate Salesperson License: Nationwide Real Estate School, 2014
CA Real Estate Broker License: The Claire Institute, 2018
MY FAVORITE SAYINGS:
“Life is a dream in which we are an imagination of ourselves”
“Everything good in life is hard”
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce San Diego Association of Realtors
Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors
California Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors
San Diego County Apartment Owners Association
California Apartment Owners Association
Kenneth R. Herskind
Vice President, Broker
Call Sign: "Mad Scientist"
DRE #01872460
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Kenneth Herskind has been investing and working within multifamily industry for over 20 years, and he brings a deep level of expertise and knowledge from an investor’s perspective. And always by putting clients first, Kenneth strives to bring maximum value and benefit to each client through his deep understanding of the San Diego multifamily real estate market as well as the intricacies of commercial transactions.
Previously, Kenneth worked within the international technology sector in both the United States and Japan, and he was focused on new business development and sales functions closing multi-million dollar accounts. He also has entrepreneurial experience and was a founding member of a San Diego based technology firm that was later purchased by a NASDAQ 500 company. Kenneth is conversationally fluent in Japanese.
EDUCATION
Illinois State University Normal, IL Bachelor of Science, International Business, Minor in Business Administration
Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan
Certificate of International Studies
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
San Diego & California Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors
CoStar Group
Joseph Barela
Call Sign: "Optimus"
DRE #02132418
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Joseph is a Southern Californian native that specializes in representing multifamily owners and investors in buying and selling real estate in San Diego, CA. He is also a senior partner in the property management side of the business with Top Gun CRE. He has been active in real estate since 2020 and achieved Top Gun’s Rookie of The Year award for 2021 by representing clients in over $5 million worth of real estate transactions.
Growing up, Joseph played football and wrestled. Between these sports he was taught about real grit and work ethic. He also developed a team mentality and has been given many awards for his leadership qualities. He carries that same mentality throughout his real estate business. With close attention to detail and putting clients first, Joseph strives to position his clients in the best way for long term financial success in commercial real estate.
INTERESTS
During Joseph’s downtime, he enjoys growing jalapenos in his balcony garden, working out at least 6 days a week, and trying new recipes like homemade sushi! Joseph also helps to train young athletes at Noble Fitness in his hometown of Barstow, CA.
Tony Barela
Call Sign: "Tiger"
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Tony Barela. I was born and raised in Southern California. Being a native of Southern California is truly a blessing and there is no other place like it. I have worked in Law Enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff for the past seventeen years. During my career I had the opportunity to work in the California Superior courts conducting Unlawful Detainer cases, which grew my interest in the evictions process and real estate. I feel like I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, so I decided to get my Real Estate License and pursue a career in real estate as well as property management.
During my career as a Deputy Sheriff, I have had the privilege of meeting and working with many different people from all kinds of backgrounds. My real-world experience in dealing with people and high-risk situations has made me well rounded. I am quick on my feet and always strategizing the next move. These attributes help to provide the highest level of support and expertise for my clients.
INTERESTS
Tony enjoys the outdoors and sports. He loves to prepare home cooked meals for his family, his favorites being a zucchini lasagna and a chicken pot pie.
EDUCATION
Associates of Arts in Criminal Justice
Daniel Gonzalez
Call Sign: "Overtime"
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Daniel Gonzalez is a dedicated apartment specialist who brings his passion for teamwork, perseverance, and precision to the real estate world. A former collegiate athlete with five years of experience playing football at both the FCS and FBS levels, Daniel developed key qualities like discipline, resilience, and leadership on the field— traits that now guide his approach to helping clients navigate the multifamily real estate Market.
With a focus on apartment sales, acquisitions, and property management, Daniel is committed to providing exceptional service tailored to each client’s unique needs and long-term financial goals. His dedication to building strong relationships and delivering results has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the industry.
INTERESTS
Outside of work, Daniel stays active through a regular fitness routine and continues to stay connected to his love of football. He enjoys hiking and exploring scenic trails, finding solace in nature. Daniel also volunteers his time coaching young athletes, passing on valuable lessons from years of competition. In his downtime, he enjoys experimenting with new recipes, spending time with family and friends, and seeking continuous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Tondalaya "Tee" Dockery
Call Sign: “Conductor”
DRE #02122448
They call me The Conductor—part Navigator, part Anchor—because I lead with purpose, guide with clarity, and steady the course through any storm.
In the chaos of property management, when tasks pile up, vendors go silent, or emergencies hit without warning, I don’t flinch. I read the map, chart the route, and keep the entire operation in sync. Like a skilled navigator, I anticipate the turns ahead—coordinating people, solving problems, and aligning timelines. And when things get turbulent, I become the anchor—holding steady, staying grounded, and bringing calm to the crew around me.
I don’t just manage the day-to-day—I conduct the entire performance, making sure every part moves together toward one common goal: delivering results with excellence, even in the face of pressure.
