GCAAR Annual Award winners

Periodically, the GCAAR Board of Directors will select one exceptional REALTOR^® to receive the Distinguished Service Award based on their outstanding, long-term contributions to the association.

Dale Mattison

2025 Distinguished Service Award winner

Dale Mattison is a 51-year veteran of the D.C. Metro real estate industry, recognized for his leadership, expertise and commitment to raising professional standards. He has served as president of the D.C. Association of REALTORS^® (DCAR), president of the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS^® (GCAAR), regional vice president of the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) and as D.C. real-estate commissioner.

At local, state and national levels, Dale’s contributed to numerous committees and served as RPAC Trustees for both the D.C. Association of REALTORS^® and Maryland REALTORS^®. A passionate educator and mentor, he has taught real estate classes nationwide, guiding and inspiring countless professionals.

Dale holds the AHWD^®, C2EX, CRS and GRI designations, and has earned honors, including REALTOR^® Emeritus, NAR’s Omega Tau Rho and various sales awards. Supported in his efforts by his wife Sharon, daughter Danai and son Daris, Dale balances his career with a love for golf, dining and travel.

The GCAAR REALTOR^® of the Year honor has been awarded to two of GCAAR's primary members who provide continuous, dedicated service to enhance the quality of their profession and their REALTOR^® associations.

Colin Johnson

2025 REALTOR^® of the Year

Colin Johnson, MBA, CRS, GREEN, is an associate broker with RLAH @properties and co-leads Metro D.C. Houses, serving clients across D.C., MD, and VA. Over his 15+ year career, Colin has combined client advocacy with industry leadership, closing more than $100 million in sales, while advancing policies that shape the future of real estate.

Colin has held pivotal roles with the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR), including serving as liaison for MLS and Data Management, guiding key policy changes, such as Clear Cooperation and commission language updates. He also chaired NAR’s MLS Policy Forum and has been a trusted voice on emerging technologies and data governance.

Beyond national leadership, Colin has played an active role in the industry as Chair of GCAAR's D.C. Public Policy Committee, as past president and treasurer of the D.C. Association of REALTORS^® (DCAR) and as an expert witness and policy advocate. His career reflects his commitment to clients, colleagues and the broader real-estate community.

Christopher Suranna

2025 REALTOR^® of the Year

Licensed in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, Christopher Suranna with RLAH @properties has been serving buyers and sellers across the region since 2004. A consistent Top Producer, he was the 2018 president of the D.C. Association of REALTORS^® and the 2024 president of the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS^®, where he now serves as immediate past president. He was also named DCAR REALTOR^® of the Year in 2020.

Chris has held numerous volunteer positions at the local, state, and national levels. As a REALTOR^® Party major investor and President’s Circle member, he was inducted into NAR’s RPAC Hall of Fame in 2020. He is also the incoming 2026 NAR Regional Vice President for Region 3 and is excited to begin this leadership role on the national stage.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys traveling with his husband, Andrew, exploring cultures and cuisines around the world.

The GCAAR Rookie of the Year honor is awarded to one GCAAR primary member who provides continuous, dedicated service to enhance the quality of their profession and their REALTOR^® associations. To qualify as a "rookie," applicants must have been a REALTOR^® for the past three years or fewer.

Micah Smith

2025 Rookie of the Year

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Micah Smith moved to Washington, D.C., to attend college at Georgetown University, where he played Division I football for the Hoyas while pursuing degrees in psychology and business. Micah started his career with HRLS partners as an intern. He later got his licenses in D.C., MD and VA and joined them as a partner in 2023. In 2025, Micah was honored as a 30 Under 30 Realtor by the National Association of REALTORS^®. He lives with his wife and son in Logan Circle.

The GCAAR Affiliate of the Year honor is awarded to one GCAAR affiliate member who provides continuous, dedicated service to enhance the quality of the real estate industry and the REALTOR^® association.

Carolyn Burns

2025 Affiliate of the Year

With more than 20 years of legal experience, Carolyn began as in-house counsel, handling mergers, acquisitions and business formations for a D.C.-based venture advisory firm and seed investment fund. In 2008, she shifted her focus to real estate, successfully opening and growing the D.C. office of a large area title company.

Since then, Carolyn has conducted thousands of real-estate transactions and taught hundreds of classes to fellow professionals. She received her B.S. and J.D. from the University of South Carolina and is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar, along with the Maryland and South Carolina State Bars.

Active within DCAR and GCAAR, Carolyn serves on the GCAAR Public Policy and Forms committees. She represents GCAAR as chair of the Montgomery County Public Policy Committee and serves as an affiliate member on the Board of Directors. Living with her husband and two children in Silver Spring, Md., she enjoys hiking, cycling and reading.

The GCAAR Good Neighbor Award is awarded to one primary, emeritus or affiliate member who has made a significant difference as a volunteer for a charity/charities benefiting Montgomery County and/or the Washington, D.C. community. The work does not need to be focused on real estate or housing, and some volunteer work should have occurred within the year preceding completion of the application.

The Stacy and Kathleen Team

2025 Good Neighbor Award Winner

Stacy Berman and Kathleen Ryan, of the Stacy & Kathleen Realtor^® Team, are longtime community supporters, with a focus on creating awareness and fundraising for A Wider Circle (AWC).

Stacy & Kathleen’s relationship with AWC began almost immediately after they received their real-estate licenses in 2002 and 2003. Throughout the years, Stacy & Kathleen have both organized, led and participated in numerous events benefiting the organization. Their accomplishments include actively volunteering in their community with the 2 Homes Reimagined program, Neighbor-To-Neighbor Community Fundraiser and the annual North Pole Holiday Party.