Board of Directors Election

Each Chamber member business may vote for five of the following candidates for the Board of Directors.

The five elected will serve from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028.

Eric Christensen

Springfield Town Center

Eric Christensen is the General Manager of Springfield Town Center. He is a Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM) with more than 25 years of management, marketing, and operations experience. Eric is a past Board member of both the Greater Springfield Chamber and the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber. He is a well-liked and respected part of many community committees and is the president of the Transportation Association of Springfield (TAGS). Eric brings an important perspective to Central Springfield revitalization efforts.

Aivy Ho

Demaine Funeral Home

Hello! My name is Aivy, and I am deeply passionate about building connections within the Northern Virginia community. I’m honoured to be nominated for a position on our Chamber’s Board of Directors. Having grown up in Mount Vernon, I bring both lifelong local roots and a fresh millennial perspective. My goal is to continue fostering collaboration among members, create engaging community events, and help our Chamber grow through meaningful connections and outreach.

I speak Vietnamese almost fluently and conversational Spanish, which allows me to engage with our region’s wonderfully diverse population. Professionally, I manage community outreach and military contracts for Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, and in my free time, I enjoy creating social media content that highlights local stories and small businesses. I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute my energy, creativity, and dedication to the continued success of our Chamber and its members.

Adam Khan

Flight Adventure Park

Sean Maxwell

Assisted Living Locators

Sean Maxwell served 28 years as an Active Duty Navy Officer, serving in four ships as a Surface Warfare Officer and then as a Foreign Area Officer with tours in Italy, Belgium, and Israel.  After a couple years as a civil servant, he became a franchise owner of Assisted Living Locators in 2024, working to help seniors and their families in transition.  He is married and lives with his wife in Springfield, VA, and they have two children in their 20s.  He speaks seven languages besides English to various extents – Polish, Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, and Portuguese.

He is interested in serving on the board to continue his long legacy of service, now in his role as a business owner, for his local community chamber.  He currently leads the LeadShare group for the chamber and participates in the Senior Resources Group and the Membership Committee.

Garrett McGuire

AT&T

Garrett McGuire is a Director for External and Legislative Affairs at AT&T overseeing the company’s
presence in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. In this role, Garrett helps advocate for company priorities at the state and local level while also promoting AT&T’s work in the community. Prior
to AT&T, Garrett has worked for elected leaders in a legislative and campaign role at the local, state, and
federal level, and led state government relations advocacy for a trade association representing a sector of American manufacturing.

Garrett’s interest in serving on the Board of the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber comes from his passion for community involvement and leadership. He has been a business and nonprofit leader in the
Northern Virginia region and calls the Mount Vernon district his home. Advocating and advancing the
business community where he lives is of the utmost importance. Garrett would bring a wealth of experience in legislative affairs, government relationships, and nonprofit management to the Board.

Jeff Pennington

Samson Real Estate

Jeff brings over 25 years of sales, marketing, and negotiating experience to his current role as a Northern Virginia Real Estate Pro. After serving 7 years in the US Army as a Military Intelligence Analyst, he applied the discipline, teamwork, and desire to excel to pursue a business career.  

Jeff, originally from Northern Virginia, has resided in Kingstowne for over 20 years with his wife, Rocio, their 3 boys, and a Chihuahua named Sparky.  He is involved in his local community, supporting various charities, is an active member of the Springfield American Legion Post 176, headed the business lead share group for the Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber of Commerce for the past 2 years, and served on the Chamber’s Veterans Affairs and Economic Development committees.  He is a die-hard movie fan, enjoys biking, water sports, the gym, great local restaurants, and family travel in his leisure time.

Cateena Powers

Cox Communications

Cateena Powers is a dynamic and accomplished leader with over two decades of experience in business development, program management, and strategic planning across telecommunications and government sectors. Currently serving as a Building Access Manager at Cox Business, she has consistently exceeded business targets and expanded Cox networking services to private properties, while forging impactful partnerships with property owners and developers. Cateena holds an MBA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a BA in English from Arizona State University. Her commitment to community and professional service is reflected in her leadership roles with organizations such as AFCEA, The Links, Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Cateena seeks to serve on the board of directors for Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce to leverage her strategic insight, collaborative spirit, and passion for equity and innovation. She is eager to
contribute to governance that drives sustainable growth and empowers diverse voices in decision-making.

Noris Sanchez-Urritia

Paul Spring Retirement Community / RUI

I began my career in senior living while still in high school, starting as a server and gradually expanding my experience into accounting, human resources, and eventually sales. In 2021, I joined Retirement Unlimited, Inc. (RUI) as a Community Relations Director, where I continue to build meaningful relationships and connect families with the right senior living solutions. With over 10 years of experience in sales and four years in marketing, I have developed a strong foundation in community engagement, relationship-building, and business development. Beyond my professional role, I volunteer with Insight Memory Care and Meals on Wheels, reflecting my commitment to serving others. I believe my experience, connections, and dedication to community engagement would make me a valuable asset to the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Thank you for your consideration. 

Bhawna Singh

Inova Health Systems

Bhawna Singh is an accomplished HR executive with over 18 years of experience in strategic human resources management, organizational development, and community engagement. As AVP of Human Resources at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, Bhawna leads a team dedicated to advancing team member experience, inclusion, and organizational effectiveness, aligning with Inova’s mission and values. A proud graduate of the Leadership Fairfax Institute, Bhawna has deepened leadership capacity and built a robust network across the Greater Northern Virginia Region, gaining valuable insights into the complex issues facing our community. Bhawna’s commitment to talent development, diversity, and fostering a thriving workplace culture is matched by a passion for civic leadership and service. Bhawna is eager to bring this expertise and dedication to the Chamber Board of Directors, working collaboratively to support local businesses, champion community initiatives, and help build a vibrant, inclusive Mount Vernon Springfield community for all

Rachel Tyson

Fairy Bronze Mother

I served  over 23 years in the clinical arena—culminating as a Healthcare Administrator—and 15 years as the owner of a successful veteran- and female-owned small business in Fairfax County, I bring a unique blend of leadership, community engagement, and business insight to the Mt. Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce. My husband and I both grew up in this community and are now proudly raising our children here, giving me a deep, personal investment in the area’s continued growth and success. Being part of this Chamber has shown me the power of local businesses coming together to strengthen our community, I understand the value of service, connection, and collaboration. It would be a true privilege to serve on the Board of Directors and help foster opportunities for small business growth, community partnership, and innovation throughout the Mt. Vernon and Springfield area. Rachel is part of the Chamber’s member engagement committee.

Spencer Wood

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

I, Spencer Wood, serve on the National Business Investment Team at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), where I work to attract and retain businesses that drive innovation and job creation across Fairfax County. My work focuses on connecting national companies with local opportunities that strengthen Fairfax County’s diverse economy. As a candidate for the Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber Board, I bring a strong commitment to community collaboration, small-business vitality, and smart regional growth. I believe our Chamber plays a crucial role in shaping a vibrant local economy through advocacy, networking, and partnership. I want to leverage my experience in economic development to expand business engagement, support entrepreneurship, and elevate the profile of the Mount Vernon-Springfield corridor as a hub for talent and investment. I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.A. in Recording Industry Management with a concentration on Music Business and Political Science.