Slate of Candidates- 2027 Leadership

Electronic Voting begins August 14 at 10 AM and ends September 8 at Midnight

Results will be announced on September 9th at the FAAR Town Hall (https://www.faarmembers.com/calendar). The results will be communicated to the entire membership on September 11.

Here are the candidates for your 2027 Board of Directors:

Officers

REALTOR® Director Candidates: Three (3) positions open. You may select up to three (3) on this ballot.

Denise Benedetto

Kati Bock

Amal Hall

Donna Jones

Sarah Stelmok

Affiliate Director Candidate: One (1) position open. You may select one (1) on this ballot.

Josie Ramos

Javier Sanchez

Returning Directors

Nate Ferguson

Allison Graves

Sheronica Thompson

From Section 8a. of the Bylaws

“Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by signed petition of at least twenty percent* of the REALTOR® members. The petition shall be filed with the Secretary (via Chief Executive Officer pbrowning@faarmembers.com) by August 26, 2026. The Secretary shall send notice of such additional nominations to all REALTOR® members before the election.”

*(As of 7/23/2026 there are 1615 REALTOR® members. 323 names are needed to complete the petition requirement)

REALTOR® Members can log in to vote from 8/14 at 10 AM on 9/8 at Midnight at https://vote.electionrunner.com/election/NZnAF

Your voter ID is your M1(NRDS) number.

Your voter key is your M1(NRDS) number.

Candidate Campaign Videos

The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® Member Spotlight feature allows members of the community to get to know each other before working with each other in a transaction. Each member answers a series of questions to reveal more about themselves as people.  It is FAAR’s hope that learning about an individual may spark connections that blossom via email, phone conversations or in-person meetings at events and classes.

For me, the relationship doesn’t end at the closing table. My clients become like family. I love checking in after they’ve moved in, hearing how they’re settling in, and getting invited back for home tours where they proudly share the stories and purpose behind each room. Watching a house become a home is one of the greatest joys of my career.

After spending 18 years in education, with June 2026 marking my final year, I made the exciting transition to real estate full-time. My years as an educator taught me patience, communication, and the importance of serving others—qualities I now bring to every client I work with. Being available full-time allows me to provide an even higher level of service, and one of the most meaningful parts of this new chapter is having the opportunity to help some of my former students achieve the dream of homeownership. Seeing them purchase their first home is incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I love what I do every day.

Favorite Work Story
One of my favorite work stories happened recently with one of the sweetest couples I’ve had the privilege of helping. We looked at many homes together before they finally found the one that felt just right.

The week of closing, after everything was set to move forward, we scheduled their final walkthrough. This time, though, they wanted their daughter to come along. She had absolutely no idea her parents were buying a home. She thought she was simply touring another house with them.

When we walked through the front door, her parents looked at her and said, “Honey… we’re home.”

The look of complete shock on her face quickly turned into excitement, hugs, and tears of joy. Being included in their surprise and witnessing such a heartfelt family moment is something I’ll never forget. It reminded me that real estate is about so much more than buying and selling houses—it’s about helping create memories that last a lifetime.

The story became even more special a few months later. I had the honor of helping the couple sell the home they had been living in, and the perfect buyer turned out to be their daughter. Now she lives just minutes away from her parents, and I was fortunate enough to help make that dream possible for their entire family.

Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do.

What are you most proud of in your career?
What I’m most proud of in my real estate career is helping first-time homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership. There’s something incredibly rewarding about guiding someone through such an important milestone and watching them receive the keys to a place they can truly call home.

One of the most meaningful experiences was helping my daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law purchase their first home. Being able to guide them through the process, connect them with the right lender for their needs, and help them find a home that isn’t just their first home but one they can grow into for years to come was a moment I’ll always treasure.

I’m equally proud of the clients who didn’t think homeownership was possible. I’ve worked with buyers who struggled to qualify for a mortgage due to credit challenges. Instead of giving up, I connected them with trusted lending partners who created a plan to improve their credit and prepare them for homeownership. Months later, I had the privilege of handing those same clients the keys to their new homes.

For me, success isn’t measured by the number of transactions I complete. It’s measured by the lives I help change, the dreams I help make possible, and the relationships I build along the way. Seeing the excitement, pride, and confidence on a first-time homeowner’s face is what makes this career so meaningful to me.

Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time? 
Giving back to my community has always been important to me. Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity at the Mayfield Meadows Canterbury Trails project, helping support affordable homeownership and stronger neighborhoods. It was a rewarding experience that reinforced my passion for building communities, not just selling homes.

As I transition into real estate full-time after an 18-year career in education, I look forward to dedicating even more of my time to volunteer work and community service. I believe that strong communities are built by people who invest in one another, and I want to be part of that effort.

With family members who have devoted their lives to careers in law enforcement and healthcare, I have a deep appreciation for those who serve others every day. I am actively seeking opportunities to give back to first responders, healthcare professionals, educators, veterans, and others who make our communities stronger. Whether through volunteer work, community partnerships, or helping families achieve homeownership, my goal is to make a positive impact both inside and outside of real estate.

Fun Fact
Before becoming a full-time Realtor®, I worked in Career & Technical Education and Work-Based Learning, helping students prepare for successful careers. Now, I have the privilege of helping many of those same young professionals purchase their first homes. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing their journey come full circle—from planning their future to finding a place they can truly call home.

Outside of real estate, I enjoy spending time with my family, volunteering in the community, and building lasting relationships with the people I serve.