Meet the Team

The following serve as staff members for DC Ranch Community Council, Ranch Association and Covenant Commission.

Administration

Melissa Fuentes

Executive Assistant & HR Administrator

Joined 2022

Melissa provides support to the Executive Director and is responsible for carrying out the policies, procedures and practices for the Community Council. She enjoys spending time with family, music festivals and traveling.

Meghann Hill

Director of Community Services

Joined 2022

Meghann has many years of Association governance experience with an emphasis in project and operations management. She has lived in Arizona since 2008 and loves the desert climate. Outside of work, Meghann enjoys playing golf, spending time with family and spoiling her standard poodle Sullivan.

Christine Irish

Director of Public Affairs

Joined 2013

Chris monitors local and regional issues to proactively identify matters that may impact the community and advocates for the best possible outcome for DC Ranch. She enjoys yoga, pickleball, hiking, golf and spending time with her family.

Jenna Kohl

Community Council Executive Director

Joined 2018

A passionate advocate for community building and engagement, Jenna's role is to serve the Board, employees and community; ensure adherence to the governing documents; and carry out the DC Ranch mission and vision with excellence.

Deborah Lanza

Front Desk Receptionist

Joined 2022

Deborah is the front desk receptionist at The Ranch Offices on Market Street and assists with new resident welcomes and tenant registrations. Originally from New Jersey (Go Yankees!), she also lived in the Bay Area (Go Niners!) before calling Arizona home. An avid dog lover, Deborah also enjoys golf, reading and sewing.

Brandy Nash

Administrative Coordinator

Joined 2018

Brandy started as an intern studying at ASU. She now processes insurance claims, speeding violations, monitors short-term rentals and produces weekly open house maps. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being involved with sports and relaxing around the pool.

Elaine Philipps

Office Administrator/Receptionist

Joined 2019

Elaine manages The Ranch Offices front desk operations, new resident orientations, tenant registrations, and provides administrative support to the Ranch Association team. She enjoys reading, travel, cooking and entertaining family and friends.

Michele Ray-Brethower

Ranch Association Executive Director

Joined 2021

Michele brings many years of Association management experience as she manages the daily operations and maintains the look and feel of the DC Ranch community. In her spare time, Michele enjoys shopping, traveling, sporting events (Go Broncos!), reading and creating art.  Her favorite “S” words are sand, saltwater and sun!

Communications

Adis Cajic

Graphic Design & Website Coordinator

Joined 2022

Adis brings experience in designing websites, digital and print media, promotional materials and brand management to the team. In his free time Adis likes to hike, spend time outdoors and drink specialty coffee.

Kathren Coleman

Communications Coordinator

Joined 2022

Kathren provides content for various communications, in addition to liaising with residents and Boards of Directors. She enjoys exploring Arizona’s hiking trails and America’s National Parks, pointing out planets and constellations in the night sky to anyone in earshot, and volunteering with high school youth interested in pursuing a life in public service.

Elizabeth Dankert

Senior Manager of Communications

Joined 2011

Award

Team Values Award - Professionalism 2020, Innovation 2022

Elizabeth oversees the Communications Team for the Community Council, which is responsible for all print and digital communications, including Ranch News and DCRanch.com. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, playing piano and viola and spending time with family.

Alexandra Duemer

Communications Coordinator

Joined 2018

Award

Team Values Award - Innovation 2022

Alexandra creates content for ongoing communications like Ranch News, This Week on the Ranch and social media. She is an Arizona native and world traveler who speaks French fluently. Away from the keyboard, Alexandra enjoys being outdoors, reading, cooking and laughing with loved ones.

Jules Everson

Graphic Design Coordinator

Joined 2019

Award

Team Values Award - Innovation 2022

Jules designs a wide variety of graphics and layouts for many DC Ranch publications, signage and events. He loves drawing, painting, traveling and playing board games.

Community Centers

Luis Ayala

Senior Maintenance and Custodial Manager

Joined 2019

Award

Team Values Award - Teamwork 2021

Luis oversees facility maintenance needs and manages the custodial team at both community centers and the security gate houses. In his free time, Luis enjoys attending school basketball games and practice with his family or working on home improvement projects.

Kristin Coons

Front Desk Receptionist

Joined 2016

Kristin works as front desk receptionist at Desert Camp Community Center. She has lived in Arizona for 30 years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, yoga, hiking and traveling.

Mike Fenzel

Facilities Director

Joined 2021

Mike has over twelve years of professional parks and recreation experience and recently served as community center manager for the Town of Fountain Hills. He is a certified parks and recreation professional (CPRP) through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and holds a master’s in administration with an emphasis in public management from NAU. He enjoys outdoor activities with his family, including golf, hiking and camping.

Gerrie Hilbrich

Front Desk Receptionist

Joined 2021

Gerrie enjoys interacting with so many friendly residents at the Community Center. Originally from upstate New York, she has lived in Arizona since 2009. Her hobbies are singing and writing poetry.

Samantha Kallas

Community Center Receptionist

Joined 2023

Samantha has over seven years of Customer Service experience. She completed her Associates of Arts degree and is currently studying to be a Nutritional Health Coach.
When Samantha isn’t working on school assignments, she enjoys trail hikes with her energetic dog.

Davina Lunetta

Facilities Senior Manager

Joined 2022

Davina oversees the daily operation of Desert Camp Community Center and The Homestead Community center, including parks and common area amenities. She enjoys running, hiking and is passionate about her charitable work with several veteran organizations.

April McCracken

Front Desk Receptionist

Joined 2022

April welcomes residents and visitors to Desert Camp Community Center. She brings over 30 years of professional marketing and communications experience to the position. April is very involved in the community and enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and traveling.

Anita Rogers

Front Desk Receptionist

Joined 2020

Anita spends most of her working hours at The Homestead assisting fitness class members. She lives contentedly with her ex-Navy son and spends many hours reading, quilting and getting together with friends.

Community Standards

Aaron Largo

Community Standards Manager

Joined 2022

An enthusiast for landscape, Aaron's role is to assist homeowners in adhering to the community guidelines and DC Ranch vision. He enjoys cooking for friends and anything about local sports teams.

Doug Mitchell

Community Standards Specialist

2023

A veteran of mortgage banking, Doug brings a keen eye for maintaining property values to his position with the Community Standards team. Doug is a native of Arizona who can be found fishing, hiking, riding one of his motorcycles, or relaxing at home with his dog Fritz.

Covenant Commission

Jan Baratta

Sr. Design Review Manager

Scott Dennerline

Senior Landscape Review Specialist

Alaina Savage

Design Review Coordinator

Joined 2019

Alaina is responsible for processing all incoming submissions for new home builds and for modifications to existing homes that are over 100 square feet in DC Ranch. In her free time, Alaina trains ex-racehorses, spends time with her own ex-racehorse Gio, and her three dogs Kya, Tyson and Odin.

Events/Recreation

Nicole Andreae

Event & Program Coordinator

Joined 2023

Nicole helps plan and program community signature events like Eggstravaganza, Spooky Carnival, DC Ranch Day and Park Parties. Originally from California, the ASU graduate spends her free time at the gym, learning about nutrition and fitness, or being outside with her dog.

Samantha Canchola

Recreation Coordinator

Joined 2021

A proud Chicago native, Samantha is excited to provide new and innovative recreation opportunities for the DC Ranch community. Her passion for the outdoors and fun through fitness is reflected through her work. In her free time, she enjoys exploring this new city she calls home.

Jona Davis

Director of Community Engagement

Joined 2014

Award

Team Values Award - Passion 2020

Jona helps direct Community Engagement, Events & Programs and the Communications teams for the Community Council and helps guide community-wide initiatives. Jona is a native Arizonan and proud Sun Devil (Arizona State University graduate). She spends her free time traveling, hiking, volunteering and enjoying a good glass of wine.

Devin Haggerty

Community Engagement Coordinator

Joined 2015

Award

Team Values Award - Fun 2020, Steadfast Award 2022

Devin oversees the New Resident Welcome program, DC Ranch Gives volunteer program, assists resident-led program committees, serves as a liaison for the commercial centers within DC Ranch, and assists the Events Team with special projects. She enjoys spending time with her family and young son.

Lindsay Vanegas

Arts and Education Coordinator

Joined 2015

Award

Team Values Award - Passion 2022

Lindsay creates and executes programming for residents of all ages including The Homestead Playhouse, Lifelong Learning, Summer Camps and the Performing Arts. Off the ranch, she and her family are Disney fanatics who love collecting antiques.

Lynette Whitener

Events and Recreation Senior Manager

Joined 2010

Award

Team Values Award - Teamwork 2021, Innovation 2023

Lynette oversees the Events & Programs team for the Community Council which is responsible for all signature events, arts and education programming, and large-scale charitable events and partnerships. She’s an Arizona native who enjoys hiking with her family and dogs, day trips and visiting new restaurants.

Finance

Dee Nortman

Director of Financial Operations

Joined 2018

Dee leads the team that oversees finance and accounting for the Community Council, the Ranch Association and Covenant Commission. She has lived in Arizona for 45 years, graduated from University of Arizona and is a CPA. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, reading and traveling.

Clem Sklodowski

Accounting Specialist

Joined 2013

Award

Team Values Award - Professionalism 2023

Clem handles Accounts Payable which includes maintaining vendor files, entering invoices and issuing checks. She relocated to Scottsdale from suburban Chicago in 1991 after several years of being a winter visitor. Clem enjoys cruising, trying new restaurants and following the Chicago Cubs.

Laura Spears

Accounting Senior Manager

Joined 2020

Laura is responsible for the processing of month end financials as well as other daily accounting functions. She moved to Arizona from Michigan five years ago. When not at work, Laura enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Monika Truax

Accounting Specialist

Joined 2012

Monika provides accounting support to major financial accounting areas, maintains the resident database and is a liaison with realtors and title companies for property transfers and disclosures. Originally from Poland, she has lived in Arizona 12 years. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, working out and hiking.

Landscape & Maintenance

Jose Barcenas

Maintenance Manager

Joined 2009

Award

Team Values Award - Teamwork 2022

Jose works to keep common areas and parks looking clean and beautiful for residents. He is actively involved with his church community and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Joe Felix

Landscape Foreman

Joined 2010

Joe assists the Landscape Manager with field operations. He oversees all grounds personnel and ensures homeowner requests are addressed in a timely manner. Joe enjoys spending time with family, his dogs and rooting for the Dallas Cowboys.

  • Email
  • Maintenance Office
Jeff Rons

Landscape Manager

Joined 2022

With over 30 years’ experience in management and landscape operations, Jeff brings a fresh outlook to DC Ranch and a positive “can do” attitude to each project. In his spare time, Jeff likes to relax with his wife and family.

  • Email
  • Maintenance Office
Mike Wells

Director of Operations

Joined 2014

Award

Team Values Award - Passion 2021

Mike oversees the Community Standards Department, community patrol, the gates and camera contract and road signage. He is a native Phoenician and loves all the sunlight that Arizona provides. In Mike’s spare time, he enjoys anything sports related, spending time with family, traveling and fine dining.

Modifications

Larry Cowles

Director of Exterior Modifications & Improvements

Joined 2014

Award

Team Values Award - Passion 2023

Larry started as Director of Community Standards, but now focuses on modifications. He has worked extensively in landscape design and project management. He enjoys garden tours, being out in nature, his family and miniature schnauzers. His hobbies are hiking, tennis, art and wine tasting.

Vince Muldrow

Modifications Specialist

Joined 2020

Vincent is responsible for processing and reviewing all paint & landscape modifications within DC Ranch. In his free time he enjoys trying new restaurants, watching sports and exploring nearby trails.

 

Community Patrol

Matthew Sanders

Assistant Account Manager

Joined 2018

Matthew is an Arizona native who has worked at DC Ranch for almost 5 years with Anderson Security. He enjoys watching movies and football and spending time with family, friends and his dog Anabelle.

Michael Thorstad

Account Manager

Joined 2020

Originally from Montana, Michael received a degree in sociology and criminology. He works with Anderson Security to administer daily operations,
train all gate staff, troubleshoot technical issues and work with residents on gate access.