John Birsner is the Founder, Managing Partner and Designated Broker of Ventana Fine Properties. He has personally amassed more than $260 million in closed sales throughout his 24-year career, and has been involved in product phasing, pricing, and sales team development and management. Although he has been recognized with numerous accolades, including “Salesperson of the Year,” “Top Volume Producer,” and the Camelot Homes’ “Excalibur Award,” his success is not measured by dollars and awards alone. John’s knowledgeable and intuitive understanding of real estate and the discriminating buyers and sellers with whom he works enables him to collaborate with his clients to fulfill their individual needs and dreams. He is dedicated to the protection of his clients' privacy, providing exemplary service with unparalleled quality and, ultimately, producing results.

"Being part-time residents, it was imperative we engage the services of a realtor company we could trust. Ventana Fine Properties not only handled our real estate transactions meeting our expectations, they went above and beyond. Comprised of a great group of professionals we now consider our friends, Ventana Fine Properties was definitely the right choice!"
- Melissa and Andy McGraw

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Christine Nelson
Charter Member, Sales Associate

Christine joined Ventana Fine Properties as a Sales Associate and Charter Member in May 2007. Her main role within the company is that of Sales Executive. Before joining Ventana Fine Properties Christine worked for Camelot Homes in Scottsdale. Initially she was the primary salesperson for Camelot Homes in DC Ranch and was present for the groundbreaking and launch over 10 years ago. During Christine’s successful Real Estate career she has been awarded top honors for production and gross commissions earned. Christine has been selling homes in DC Ranch and North Scottsdale since 1997 and is highly respected by colleagues and esteemed by clients and customers alike. She is personally responsible for over $156 Million in closed sales. Christine is an Arizona native and lives in North Scottsdale with her husband Craig.

“Chance, luck, or providence, my family is grateful that we found and met Christine”.

“As an active real estate investor and real estate litigation attorney, I can say with certainty that in an evolving industry, Christine is an exception”.

“Professionalism, responsiveness, integrity, competency, reliability, sensitivity, proficiency, warmth, and aptitude only begin the describe Christine”.

“It is with unequivocal certainty that my family will work with her again”.

“Christine was our agent, now she is our friend”.

- Law Offices of Jody D. Angel

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Courtney Forster
Charter Member, Sales Associate and Community Specialist

Courtney joined Ventana Fine Properties as a Sales Associate and Charter Member in July 2007. Her main role within the organization is “Community Specialist”. Before joining Ventana Fine Properties, Courtney worked for DC Ranch Realty and Camelot Homes. While at DC Ranch Realty, Courtney was part of a team that produced in excess of $70 million in sales for 2006. Courtney started her Real Estate career with Camelot Homes in Scottsdale almost five years ago. While at Camelot Homes she was recognized for outstanding sales achievement. Specific accomplishments include a two-year sales revenue of over $40 Million and she is indeed an expert on DC Ranch and Silverleaf. Courtney is married and lives in The Haciendas with her husband Paul and their 5-year old son Finn.

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Aaron joined Ventana Fine Properties as a Sales Associate in January of 2008. He has excelled in residential real estate for the past eight years earning several top producer awards from various local agencies. Prior to his career in real estate Aaron worked in corporate settings such as Vanguard and the advertising industry as well as owning his own printing company. Aaron, a Valley native is married and lives in Los Vientos in Grayhawk with his wife Katie and son, Landon.

"I'm so glad I chose Aaron as my real estate agent. He handled the transaction with professionalism and integrity. He put me at ease and made me feel comfortable throughout the process. Aaron is a true professional who cares about his clients and takes the extra steps to ensure a stress-free transaction."

"Aaron is knowledgeable, kind and trustworthy. He is a true professional who really cares about his clients and takes the extra steps to ensure a stress-free transaction. I would recommend Aaron to anyone looking to buy or sell a home."

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Janet joined Ventana Fine Properties in February, 2008 and offers a full range of expert real estate services. Additionally, Janet is the Director of Leasing & Property Management and is uniquely qualified to assist the client who is interested in marketing a property or an individual looking for the best opportunity to lease in DC Ranch or North Scottsdale. Janet has been active in Real Estate since relocating to Scottsdale from Boulder, Colorado, in 2003. She has extensive experience with Residential Rentals and Property Management, and is a property owner in DC Ranch. Before relocating to Arizona Janet was a Research Faculty Member at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she worked in the field of Technology for 14 years. Janet identified DC Ranch and North Scottsdale as the place for her family prior to their first relocation visit! Janet is married and lives with her husband Geoffrey and ten year old son Ian in North Scottsdale.

Regina Buzzello
Sales Associate

Regina joined Ventana Fine Properties as a Sales Associate in September of 2008. She brings with her over 30 years of sales experience in the mortgage banking, insurance, and electronics industries, where she held positions as a National Account Manager and Regional Sales Manager for Fortune 500 companies. Regina’s customer service background and personal dedication to client satisfaction are attributes that buyers and sellers will value. She relocated to the Valley from Southern California in 1990 and quickly became a permanent Valley resident. She considers her move to Arizona one of the best decisions she ever made. Regina resides in Scottsdale and is extremely involved in her local community.

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Craig Nelson
Sales Associate

Craig Nelson has been involved in the Arizona real estate market for 33 years, as a Sales Associate and also as an architectural designer, construction manager and General Contractor. He is a licensed Realtor in Arizona as well as an Arizona licensed General Contractor for Commercial and Residential Construction. Since 1971 he has designed and built over 200 restaurants throughout the United States, and over 7,000 homes in Arizona and Colorado. Mr. Nelson has served as Construction Vice President for Village Inn Pizza Parlors, and as Construction Manager for Continental Homes in Phoenix, Arizona (which, at the time, was Arizona’s largest homebuilder). In 1980 he was a founding member and Senior Vice President of Coventry Homes of Arizona, Coventry Financial, Coventry Homes of Colorado (Colorado Springs, Colorado) and Universal Homes of Phoenix, Arizona, and most recently the Director of Architecture for Elite Communities. From 1990 to 2008, Mr. Nelson and his companies The Arcturus Corporation and Stetson Creek Homes have developed, designed and built numerous custom homes, restaurants and commercial properties. He has won numerous awards for his Residential designs and has also served on committees of the Central Arizona Homebuilders Association.

Kimberly Townsend
Sales Associate

As a resident of the Valley since 1986, Kimberly brings to her clients an expert knowledge of Scottsdale and the northeast Valley. She has been a licensed Arizona Realtor for six years. Prior to her career in real estate sales, she founded and managed a successful business in the health and beauty industry, with a focus on business development. Kim prides herself on providing her clients with the highest level of personalized service, while emphasizing integrity and professionalism. Whether working with Sellers or Buyers, she addresses needs, desires and concerns, and meets or exceeds the expectations of her clients’ in their real estate experience. Through organized sports, church involvement and charitable service, Kimberly and her family play an active role in the community.

Michael Rosness joined Ventana Fine Properties in December 2009. A licensed Realtor since 1998, Michael acquired his Broker’s License in 2004. Adapting to the current market, he completed Default School training in September 2007. Since that time, he and his wife, Kay, have worked with Premiere Asset Services, listing and selling their REO properties. They have completed 150 sales during that time and are currently directing and expanding the REO Showcase for Ventana Fine Properties. Their goal is to apply their professional knowledge and experience toward working with Buyers and Sellers, while facilitating diverse situations with respect and the thorough attention warranted for effective results.

After retiring from a twenty-year career as an opera singer in Europe, Michael relocated to Arizona, where he found himself inspired by the subtle beauty of the desert and its way of life. His years of training in the theatre world provided him with the discipline and thorough attention to detail that later translated into developing a composite perspective fundamental in making sound decisions in Real Estate.

Kerri Shearer
Director of Relocation

Kerri Shearer's success is directly related to her genuine nurturing ability and care for others. She has a way of making you feel like you are her only client with positive, energetic attention. Her strategic approach is to learn about her clients needs beyond the scope of real estate, to educate and to ensure a win-win for everyone. She has personally helped more than 2000 families relocate over the past 24 years of her career. You will find her diverse experience greater than the average Realtor. In addition to her success as a relocation and lifestyle transfer specialist, she has co-launched a corporate housing firm, coordinated group moves for Fortune 500 companies, launched and managed several condo-conversions, started and manged the most successful inside sales team at Realtor.com for 5 years, and has hands on experience in the field selling real estate with first time buyers, investors, and second home buyers. Most recently she created and authored the Flourishing Family - A Unique Relocation Solution for Family Minded Professionals. Kerri places a priority on being involved in her community and is currently the President of the BNI Pros Chapter in North Scottsdale, and has been accepted into Scottsdale Leadership Class 25. She was also in the top 30 Realtors in production in 2006.

"Kerri is a phenomenal human being. She is sincere, kind, pays attention to details and takes extra steps to go above and beyond. Her level of professionalism is unparalleled."

- James and Abigail

Kerri was very proactive and creative. When the buyer was uncertain, she had the information available to give the buyer confidence. Kerri is very professional and we were extremely pleased with her professionalism, availability and responsiveness.”

- Dave and Vonnie

"We have decided we are lucky to have found Kerri. Her strong work ethic fits well with us, plus she make things fun. We learned alot and couldn't have done it without her. Thank you so much!"

- Alan and Nancy

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Josie Pakula
Sales Associate

Josie joined Ventana Fine Properties in May, 2010. In addition to extensive careers in both health care and pharmaceutical sales, Josie served in the US Army as an Army Nurse; she is also Airborne qualified. Originally from Chicago, Josie studied at the University of Illinois where she received her Masters Degree’s in both Nursing and Business Administration. Josie maintains extensive knowledge of her community through involvement in activities with her family, and continues to stay informed of market trends in both new and existing neighborhoods. Her high energy, enthusiasm and drive, along with resources from Ventana Fine Properties set her apart. Josie has been a Scottsdale resident for over 13 years and lives in McDowell Mountain Ranch with her husband Jeff and her children Jackie, Olivia and Ben.

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Susie Ireland
Operations Manager

Susie joined the Ventana family in July 2009 and is now the company's Operations Manager. Susie has 7 years banking experience and 4 years in sales. She is a long time Valley of the Sun resident. Susie has been married over 30 years and lives in McDowell Mountain Ranch with her husband Mark. Together they have 2 sons, Steven and Brandon. She prides herself in providing excellent, personalized service.

Gary Whitten
Director of Marketing

Gary brings to Ventana Fine Properties over 29 years of experience in Visual Marketing communications encompassing all facets of graphic design & production for print advertising. He spent the first half of his career as a freelance advertising illustrator & graphic designer, winning numerous awards as both a commercial & fine artist. With the advent of "Desktop Publishing", Gary returned to work in the corporate world for the past 17 years. For over 11 years he held Creative Director positions in corporate marketing departments focusing on corporate identity, brand & retail print advertising. Through his freelance consulting as well as his corporate positions, Gary has been fortunate to acquire a diverse list of client & industry experience with numerous Fortune 500 companies and many other notable organizations including work for numerous homebuilders, architectural firms, and advertising agencies.