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 Home Services PenFed Realty, resides in Lorton, and is an active, valuable member of our Chamber.

Real estate runs in Brian’s blood.

His mother was a Realtor® in Massachusetts, sparking his lifelong interest in the field. With over 20 years of experience as a corporate and political consultant, Brian brings expertise in strategy, research, marketing, and communications, skills he now uses to market properties and negotiate top deals for his clients. “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. She is also a devoted wife, mom to three kids and a dog, a community leader and a valued Chamber member.

In 2011, as a mom of a baby and a toddler, Rebecca saw brilliant women leaving the legal profession due to the difficulty of balancing motherhood and a demanding career. To address this, she founded The Geller Law Group (GLG) at her kitchen table in Fairfax Station. Over the past decade, she has transformed the lives of female attorneys in her 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.”

Karen is now working on filling a pantry at South County Middle School, set to launch this fall. “From our incredible volunteers sorting on red bag days to our drivers picking up donations and the high school AP who initiated this pantry, we are all united in achieving food security for our students,” says Karen. Whitmarsh commends McGuinness for her unwavering devotion. “Karen truly embodies the spirit of the Community Impact award, demonstrating outstanding dedication, commitment, and contributions to the betterment of the South Fairfax community.”

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.

Join us in celebrating them during the Chamber’s Hello Summer Achievement Honors networking event on June 20 at Gunston Hall. Tickets are available for purchase here.