Candidates for 2026 Board of Directors

President-elect: M. Jacqueline Bennett, RE/MAX Excellence Realty

Jackie Bennett is a REALTOR^® with RE/MAX Excellence Realty, serving Washington, D.C. and Maryland. A GCAAR member for over a decade and since it’s inception, she has contributed to numerous committees, including Grievance, Legislative/Public Policy, Forms, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and its Board of Directors. She currently chairs the GCAAR Global Business Committee and serves on the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Global Business Alliance Committee and Board of Directors.

Jackie is a 2014 graduate of the Maryland REALTORS^® Leadership Academy and held leadership roles across several Maryland State Association committees, including serving as 2023 Chair of the Global Business Council. She holds the CIPS, AHWD, MRP and PMN designations and is C2EX certified. Jackie is active in the Women’s Council of REALTORS^®, Maryland, where she has served as the Maryland State Network President, Governor and State Liaison.

Jackie is a U.S. Army Veteran. She values service to country, community and the real estate industry. She is a strong advocate for a member-centric association and looks forward to continuing her service to GCAAR and its membership.

Secretary: Ileann Jimenez-Sepulveda, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Bruce Cotting, RLAH Real Estate 

Although born and raised in Guam, Bruce is a 40+ year resident of Silver Spring, where he resides with his wife, Jennifer, and raised their four children. His client-centric approach is fueled by the desire to eliminate his parents’ stressful experience of moving their family halfway around the world, exacerbated by the pressures of finding a home and simultaneously getting their children into schools. As a referral-based REALTOR®, his personable, consultative customer service combined with great energy and enthusiasm for his clients’ goals earn him consistent referrals.

Nelson Fuentes, Keller Williams Capital Properties

Nelson is a dynamic, tech-savvy real estate agent proudly serving the MD, D.C. and VA areas, born and raised in the DMV. His deep local knowledge allows him to navigate the region like the back of his hand. And as a bilingual agent fluent in Spanish, he’s passionate about helping families achieve their dreams, often guiding them to possibilities they never thought were within reach.

Beyond his role as an agent, he is an educator in his community, empowering friends and clients with knowledge about real estate and investment opportunities. He’s also a business owner and investor, bringing a multifaceted perspective to his clients’ journeys.

In his spare time, Nelson is an active participant in the DMV comedy scene, performing stand-up at renowned venues like DC Improv, Hotbed Comedy Club, Virginia State Theatre and The Port Comedy Club in Baltimore. With him, you can expect a vibrant, engaging experience—your journey will be anything but dull!

Hank May, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Born and raised in Montgomery County, Md., Hank began his real estate career as a full-time REALTOR® in 1999. With over 26 years of experience, he is known to be a problem solver and strives to contribute to the real estate industry in a positive manner. He specializes in traditional real estate and land transactions, where he helps evaluate vacant land and its potential uses, assess property conditions and work with affiliated partners to ensure smooth transactions. In addition to his experience, he has earned the SRS, ABR, SRES and AHWD designations.

He has served on GCAAR’s Forms committee for over 20 years and the Grievance committee. In his spare time, he’s worked as an election judge in Montgomery County for over 15 years serving in several capacities with the Board of Elections and is the secretary of the Board of Directors for his church. 

Hank is a United States Army Special Forces, Special Operations veteran who served two tours in Vietnam and awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation medals. He lives in Colesville on a small farm with his four cats and assorted barnyard critters.

D’Ann Melnick, eXp Realty LLC

After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in communication studies, D’Ann began her real estate career with a production home builder before obtaining her real estate license in 2003. In 2005, she earned her broker's license and relocated to the D.C. metro area. Since moving to eXp Realty in 2021, she’s earned the prestigious ICON award (2022, 2023, 2024) and was placed in eXp’s Top 250 Individual Agent within eXp Realty nationwide for the last three years. She has been named a Top Producer by Bethesda and Washingtonian magazines, D.C. Metro Real Producers (Top 250) and one of D.C.'s Best Real Estate Agents by Modern Luxury.

D'Ann has earned the Real Estate Collaboration Specialist – Divorce designation and the Military Relocation Professional certifications. She is also a member of the Residential Real Estate Council and a Certified Residential Specialist. Over the years, she has served on various GCAAR committees, including Community Service, Grievance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Professional Standards committee. 

Jessica Olevsky, JPAR Stellar Living

Jessica is a staunch advocate for policies that promote entrepreneurship and economic prosperity for REALTORS. While she prioritizes elevating professional, ethical and profitability standards to build a stronger industry, Jessica's passion lies in supporting others in achieving their goals. She seeks to enhance GCAAR's offerings in education, financial resources and mentorship for agents and brokerages.

Her exceptional communication skills and focus on fostering professional collaboration underscore her commitment to transparent and open dialogue. Jessica's empathetic approach creates an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and respected, ensuring a positive impact on both the industry and the community.

Jessica is a “roll the sleeves up” person and has successfully volunteered with multiple organizations including currently serving as a member of the GCAAR Board, Past President of Residential Real Estate Council (RRC/CRS) Maryland/D.C. Chapter, NAR Professional Standards and Housing Affordability Committee, Maryland Grievance and Housing Affordability committees and GCAAR Education, Events and Grievance committees. She also holds the C2EX endorsement, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion suite and is a graduate of the Maryland Leadership Academy.

Christopher Rhodes, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

A native Washingtonian, Chris Rhodes began his real estate career with Long & Foster in 1999 and in 2000 was named Rookie of the Year for the DC Metro area for Long & Foster. In just a few years he was a Top Producer for the company and was at the top 1% of the nation in real estate sales. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as a consummate professional and knowledgeable, reliable resource for the countless buyers, sellers, investors and developers whom he's helped to realize their unique real estate goals. Chris' unparalleled expertise, service, market/pricing insight and negotiating skills are what ensure utmost success with every deal. He is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia and Delaware. Chris also enjoys serving his community where he has volunteered his time and talents to the homeless, feeding the less fortunate and organizing community donations to help the poor through various non-profit organizations.

Kirsten Williams, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Kirsten began her real estate career in the Washington, D.C. area in 1997 and quickly became a top-producing agent and respected industry leader. She currently serves as Managing Broker of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty’s Chevy Chase office, overseeing 60+ agents. Known for her professionalism, deep market knowledge, and personal approach, Kirsten enjoys providing guidance to her agents, buyers and sellers alike.

A dedicated real estate professional, Kirsten is passionate about elevating the industry and advocating for her colleagues and clients. She is committed to continuing her service and would be honored to serve two more years on the GCAAR Board of Directors.

Kirsten currently serves on the Forms and Professional Standards committee and has previously chaired the Grievance and Forms committee. She actively volunteers with local organizations, serves on the Chevy Chase Historical Society board, Chevy Chase United Methodist Church leadership board and enjoys tennis, biking, and time with her husband, two daughters, and their Labrador, Flounder.

President: Russell Brazil, RLAH Real Estate

Russell Brazil is an associate broker with RLAH @properties. A D.C.-area resident for 17 years, he began his career as an investor and moved into full-time real estate sales eight years ago.  He currently serves as the GCAAR treasurer and has been a member of the board for three years, while also serving on GCAAR’s Public Policy Committee for six years. He has been named a Top Producing Agent by Washingtonian Magazine, Bethesda Magazine and Virginia Living Magazine, as well as a Rising Star by D.C. Real Producers Magazine.  

Russell runs the District Invest Meetup, the largest real estate investor meetup in D.C. He is also an active speaker at other REIAs and investment conferences. He is passionate about the ability for his clients to build wealth through real estate investing. He believes that taking an active role in advocating for our industry, homeowners and investors is a vital function for our associations.  Russell and his wife Liz live in Downtown Crown with their pit bull Pumpkin, just steps away from GCAAR’s Rockville office.

Immediate Past President: Samantha Damato, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Samantha has been an active GCAAR member since becoming a REALTOR^® in 2013. In 2017, she was named GCAAR Rookie of the Year and has had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors since 2020. From 2021-2023, she served on the executive committee first as treasurer, then secretary. 

Committee membership has been a cornerstone of Samantha’s GCAAR involvement through the Community Service Committee and the Forms Committee. She also served NAR on the Fair Housing and Land Use Committees. Mentorship and education are the foundation of her business practice. 

In late 2021, Samantha had the opportunity to take that passion for mentorship and her legal background to a new role as a settlement attorney with RGS Title. Working in partnership with the brokerage, she now has the pleasure of working side by side with agents from all experience levels as they navigate the ins and outs of local real estate. Her unique and varied experience as a REALTOR® and as a Title Officer add a new perspective to GCAAR’s leadership and future.

Yves Jean Baptiste, Keller Williams Capital Properties

Yves Jean Baptiste, a first-generation Haitian American, embodies the work-hard, play-hard balance. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., and a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in business administration, Baptiste discovered his passion for real estate after purchasing his first home. This experience ignited his interest in the investment side of real estate, leading him to become a successful agent at Keller Williams Capital Properties in the D.C. metro area.

Baptiste’s commitment to his clients is unparalleled. He treats every client like family, understanding their journey as he has been in their shoes. His dedication earned him the title of a top-producing agent, and he is a 2024 GCAAR Gold Recognition Award winner. Baptiste is also the founder of The Baptiste, focusing on real estate development and sales.

Outside of real estate, Baptiste enjoys working out, playing basketball, watching football and spending time with his two children and wife. A trailblazer in his field, he continues to inspire and lead by example, making a significant impact on the lives of his clients and community.

Theresa Nielson, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Theresa Nielson serves as the Managing Broker for the Montgomery County, MD offices of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Licensed in MD, D.C. and VA, Theresa began her career in marketing at a boutique architecture and development firm before shifting to real estate in 2003. Since then, the offices she has led have consistently ranked among the top-performing in the region.

A native Washingtonian, Theresa loves traveling with her family and their two dogs. She is committed to the community she serves and supports a variety of non-profit organizations. Currently, Theresa serves on the Board of Glen Echo Park, as well as Transformer, a visual arts organization that supports emerging artists and art leaders in the D.C. area.

Tim Phelps, Compass

With over a decade of real estate experience, Tim is dedicated to guiding, counseling and educating his clients to achieve their real estate goals across Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. As an associate broker, Tim is a seasoned problem-solver who thrives on exploring all perspectives and possibilities to find innovative solutions. His project management and estimating background equips him with the skills to expertly navigate negotiations and foster strong client relationships. Additionally, Tim holds the Certified Negotiation Expert designation, further showcasing his expertise in the field.

A Washington, D.C. native, Tim deeply understands the D.C. community and embodies his clients' values and aspirations. He is actively engaged in professional development and serves on the GCAAR Professional Standards Committee. Tim's commitment to the real estate industry extends beyond client transactions; he is passionate about mentoring and training real estate professionals of all levels.

Tim enjoys an active lifestyle outside of work, engaging in hobbies such as hiking, snowboarding, soccer and motorcycle-racing. His dynamic approach to work and life is reflected in his dedication to his clients and adventurous spirit.

Michele Young, Compass

Michele Young has served Maryland and D.C. homebuyers and sellers and landlords with exceptional real estate service for over 17 years. After graduating from American University's School of International Service, she enjoyed great experiences living in D.C. locations, from Southwest to Northeast, before moving to Montgomery County.

Before becoming a REALTOR^®, Michele worked in the IT industry, which provided her with a foundation of skills that now help her navigate real estate industry data for information that helps clients make the best decisions regarding a sale or purchase. Working with some of the country’s largest corporations and government agencies offered her unique experience with negotiations and contract construction, which have translated well into the real estate arena.

Monique Van Blaricom, RLAH Real Estate

Monique Van Blaricom is a passionate and dedicated REALTOR^® licensed in D.C., MD and VA with a proven track record of success for her clients. Monique thrives on helping clients navigate the complexities of the real estate journey, blending modern strategies and client-focused service.

Her dedication to the real estate community is evident through her active participation in GCAAR. Since 2021, Monique has served on the Community Service and has helped facilitate dozens of volunteer opportunities for members, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact in the local community.

Monique’s dedication to excellence was recognized early in her career when she was named 2022 GCAAR Rookie of the Year. In addition, she was named as one of NAR's 2024 “30 Under 30” honorees, reflecting her leadership, dedication and influence in the industry. She has a deep passion for serving the community and the real estate industry.

Christopher Darby, Counselors Title LLC (non-voting affiliate member)

Christopher B. Darby is a founding member of Counselors Title, LLC. He is also the co-managing attorney of the Counselors Title Dupont Circle Office. Prior to founding Counselors, Darby served as a settlement attorney, office manager and the director of D.C. operations for Universal Settlements.

A native of the Washington area, Chris entered the title business in 1998 after receiving his law degree from the University of South Carolina. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Maryland Bar Associations and enjoys regularly teaching continuing real estate education courses for local REALTORS^®, as well as a Real Estate Transactions Law class at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. Chris is also an active member of the local real estate community, with service to and membership in the D.C. Land Title Association and the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS^® (GCAAR), where he has served on the Forms Committee since 2001. Chris was honored by GCAAR as its 2007 Affiliate of the Year for his service to the real estate community. Licensed to conduct closings in D.C., MD and VA, he is experienced in residential and commercial real estate transactions and the resolution of contract issues.