The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce is proud
to announce our 2025 Achievement Honor Recipients
Dr. Swathi M. Reddy Named 2025 Member to Watch
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the SFCC Member to Watch Award, which recognizes a Chamber member for their innovation, creativity, and excellence in community engagement. This year’s honoree, Dr. Swathi M. Reddy, of All Smiles Orthodontics, was recognized for her professional excellence and generous spirit.
“Dr. Reddy is very active in the South Fairfax community,” said SFCC Chair Casey Whitmarsh. “She is very supportive of Chamber events, and she also recently generously provided 3D printers to local elementary schools.”
Driven by a lifelong passion to help others through orthodontics, Dr. Reddy not only improves smiles but also uplifts her community. In addition to her involvement with SFCC, she is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Association. “We are proud to honor her dedication to excellence, community care, and the lasting impact she has made on both patients and peers,” added Whitmarsh.
A Night to Remember
The evening served as both a celebration and a reminder of the remarkable individuals who drive progress and unity in South Fairfax. The Chamber is proud to shine a spotlight on these honorees who give so much of themselves for the betterment of others.
As the Chamber looks to the future, events like the Achievement Honors Gala reinforce its mission: to support local businesses, foster meaningful connections, and champion community development across South Fairfax.
The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce (SFCC) recently hosted its highly anticipated 2025 Achievement Honors Gala at the historic Gunston Hall, bringing together business leaders, government officials, and members of the vibrant South Fairfax community for an evening of celebration, recognition, and community pride.
The elegant setting of Gunston Hall provided the perfect backdrop to honor individuals who exemplify innovation, service, and dedication to making South Fairfax a thriving place to live and work.
SFCC Chair Casey Whitmarsh, Elena Jordon, Community Impact Honoree
& SFCC Executive Director Carla Olivo
Community Impact Award Recognizes Two Local Changemakers
The Community Impact Award honors individuals whose volunteerism and community service have made a meaningful difference in South Fairfax. This year, Elena Jordon and Ron Kowalski were recognized for their outstanding contributions.
Elena Jordon has been a pillar of the South County Athletic Booster Club for over a decade, coordinating sports programs, managing concessions, and leading fundraising efforts that bring in more than $40,000 annually. She also co-founded the Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation, organizing awareness events at South County High School and helping provide over $140,000 in grants for pediatric cancer research and family support at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“Elena doesn’t just give her time—she invests pieces of her heart in the hope of making a better world,” said Whitmarsh.
Joining Elena in receiving the Community Impact honor, Ron Kowalski has been a foundational figure in the Chamber since its inception. With more than 20 years of experience in real estate and a deep commitment to service, Ron has played a vital role in the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) as a board member for the past decade. He is best known for hosting the Annual Monopoly Tournament, a beloved charity event that has now run for 16 years.
“Ron truly embodies the spirit of the Community Impact Award, demonstrating outstanding dedication, commitment, and contributions to the betterment of the South Fairfax community,” noted Whitmarsh.
Casey Whitmarsh, SFCC Chair with Ron Kowalski and Tim Rizer
The South Fairfax Chamber recognizes Dr. Swathi M. Reddy of All Smiles Orthodontics as the Chamber's 2025 Member to Watch! The SFCC Member to Watch award recognizes a Chamber member for their innovation, creativity, and excellence in the South Fairfax community.
Dr. Reddy was born and raised in India. Coming from a family of doctors, caring and looking after patient needs was natural to her. She completed her bachelor's in dental surgery from Rajiv Gandhi University, India in 2001. She was awarded the Gold Medal for the best outgoing student. Dr. Reddy continued her dental education (DMD) from Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) in Boston where she was trained by some of the best doctors in the field. At GSDM, she was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor fraternity and graduated with high honors from Boston University in 2005.
Dr. Reddy had a deep desire to learn and treat patients in the field of Orthodontics. She pursued specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Before entering private practice Dr. Reddy worked as a faculty member at UNLV, School of Dental Medicine, Orthodontics residency program.
“Dr. Reddy is very active in the South Fairfax Community,” said SFCC Chair Casey Whitmarsh. “She is very supportive of Chamber events, and she also recently generously provided 3D printers to local elementary schools.” In addition to the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Reddy is an active member of several organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Association. "We are proud to honor her dedication to excellence, community care, and the lasting impact she has made on both patients and peers," said Whitmarsh. Dr. Reddy has two children who attend South County High School.
The Chamber's Community Impact Award honors two exceptional members of the South Fairfax community. For more than a decade, Elena Jordon has volunteered with the South County Athletic Booster Club coordinating the production of the sports programs as well as assisting with the concession stand and the Annual Golf Classic. She is currently the Sponsorship Coordinator, where she raises over $40,000.00 each year for the organization. She received the 2022-2023 Dr. Jane Lipp Stallion Legacy Award for creating a legacy of excellence through service to South County Athletics.
"Elena is also a vital part of the planning team responsible for the yearly Lorton Holiday Extravaganza event and the Lorton Spring Fling," says Event Director Renee Flynn. "She helps bring these events to the community each year."
Elena earned her Baccalaureate in the Science of Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master's in Nursing from the University of Hawaii. She served in the Army Nurse Corps in Hawaii where she met the love of her life, her husband Steve. Her greatest joy is being mom to Will, Zachary, Emma, and Sam.
As co-founder of The Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation, Elena organizes childhood cancer awareness events (Gold Outs) at South County High School and raises funds for research. The foundation has given over $140,000.00 in grants to support research and the families at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Pediatric Oncology Clinic. "Elena doesn't just give her time, she invests pieces of her heart in the hope of making a better world," says Whitmarsh.
Joining Elena as a Community Impact honoree is Ron Kowalski of the Ron K Real Estate Group. Ron is a founding member of the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. He started his real estate business in 2002 and has associated with Long & Foster, Re/Max, and now Keller Williams for over 20+ years.
For the past decade, Ron has served on the Board of Directors of the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC). He devotes time each year to host the popular annual Monopoly Tournament for charity. The most recent tournament last February was the 16th annual and benefited LCAC. “Ron truly embodies the spirit of the Community Impact award, demonstrating outstanding dedication, commitment, and contributions to the betterment of the South Fairfax community,” says Whitmarsh.
Ron grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago and attended Northern Illinois University. He lives in Lorton with his wife Kristy and kids Alex, a sophomore at Florida State University and Connor, a Senior at South County High School with plans to attend Kent State University in the fall.
The South Fairfax Chamber is proud to recognize these three individuals who have significantly impacted local business and the community through their selfless acts of service, community development efforts, and a spirit of generosity.
ACHIEVEMENT HONORS 2024
The South Fairfax Chamber is proud to recognize three individuals who have significantly impacted local business and the community through their selfless acts of service, community development efforts, and a spirit of generosity.
The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Brian Gottlieb as the Chamber's 2024 Member to Watch! Brian, an award-winning realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, resides in Lorton, and is an active, valuable member of our Chamber. “Brian is a creative problem solver dedicated to putting his clients first,” says Chamber Chair Casey Whitmarsh. “He is also very active in the Chamber, most recently assisting with community outreach at the Commerce Carnival last spring.”
The Chamber's Community Impact award honors two exceptional members of the South Fairfax community. Rebecca Geller is an award-winning attorney, philanthropist, trailblazer, and passionate advocate for equality and human rights. Over the past decade, she has transformed the lives of female attorneys in the Geller Law Firm and created a new business model for other firms to follow. Rebecca is a committed community volunteer, regularly helping at the Lorton Community Action Center, a local food pantry. During the pandemic, she organized a food drive that collected over $100,000 worth of donations, which she sorted so these much-needed items could be delivered. “Rebecca's impact is felt throughout South Fairfax, both professionally and in our neighborhoods,” says Whitmarsh. “She is truly deserving of the Community Impact award.”
Joining Rebecca is Karen McGuinness, who stepped into the role of the Food For Neighbors Event Coordinator for South County High School last winter. Passionate about her volunteer work, Karen is dedicated to ensuring that no child or teen ever goes hungry. Under her leadership, the high school pantry has grown significantly through local food drives. South County was established as a sorting site in spring 2023. Karen says, “The community's generosity continues to amaze me, and partnering with Food For Neighbors has been essential.”
The South Fairfax Chamber is proud to recognize these three individuals who have significantly impacted local business and the community through their selfless acts of service, community development efforts, and a spirit of generosity.
Hillary Clawson, Friends of Mason Neck State Park, SFCC Community Impact Honoree Rebecca Geller, The Geller Law Group, SFCC Chair Casey Whitmarsh, State Farm agent
Chamber Chair Casey Whitmarsh presenting the 2024 Chamber Member to Watch to Brian Gottlieb, Berkshire Hathaway / PenFed Realty
Pipi Harrison, 2023 Community Impact Honoree, Grace McGuinness, SFCC Chair Casey Whitmarsh.
2023 Honorees
The Chamber honored The Metropolitan School of the Arts as the SFCC 2023 Member to Watch at last spring's Super S.T.I.R. and Annual Meeting at Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton. Mr. Dave Kyle of Trademasters presented the award to MSA's Co-Executive Directors, Sara Hart and Michelle Collier.
The Friends of Mason Neck State Park were honored with a South Fairfax Chamber Community Service Award for their mission to conserve, enhance, and interpret the park's natural, and historic resources. President Hillary Clawson accepted the award from SFCC Executive Director Carla Olivo.
Carla also presented a South Fairfax Chamber Community Service Award to Pipi Harrison recognizing her work with students at the Bryant Alternative High School.
