Santiago brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Virginia REALTORS®. Before going to law school, he served in the Army and in various roles in the Financial Industry and Engineering and Technology Industries. After graduating from American University Washington College of Law he took his experience and worked as a solo practitioner as well as other roles with Engineering firms. He then joined as Staff Counsel for Virginia REALTORS®. As Staff Counsel, Santiago contributes to the Caveat REALTOR® podcast, creates legal resources for members, and serves on the Standard Forms Committee.

Terrie L. Suit was appointed as chief executive officer of the Virginia REALTORS^® on September 23, 2013. Terrie’s real estate background began in 1985 as a REALTOR^® and later transitioned into a twenty-year mortgage lending career.

In 1996, Terrie received a gubernatorial appointment to the Virginia Real Estate Board. Several years later she was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates where she served the 81st District for nearly a decade. During her time as a delegate, Terrie served as chair to the General Laws Committee, the Housing Sub-Committee and the Virginia Housing Commission. As a delegate, Terrie was recognized by legislative peers and constituents as an expert on housing policy to include real estate licensure, common interest communities, landlord tenant issues, real estate finance, foreclosure, and building and fair housing issues.

In April of 2011, Terrie was appointed by Virginia’s Governor to be Virginia’s first Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security. As an Army daughter and a Navy wife, Terrie worked diligently to fulfill the Governor’s goal of making Virginia “the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.” In 2022, the governor appointed her to the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors.

As Virginia REALTORS^®’s chief executive officer, Terrie has also served at the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) level on multiple committees and workgroups.

Terrie is a graduate of both Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. She completed her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Mary Washington and also holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification. Terrie and her husband, Tom, reside in Spotsylvania County.

Laura Murray started working at Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS^® (NVAR) as a legal intern the summer between her second and third year of law school. After graduation, she accepted a full-time position as an attorney at NVAR. Three years later, an opportunity opened up at Virginia REALTOR^® that would allow her to use the Regulatory Law Certificate she had earned in law school; she applied and was hired! Just over three years and three promotions later, she was made General Counsel.

As Staff Counsel for Virginia REALTORS®, Jon wears many hats. He works with the rest of the legal team to teach, create podcasts and legal videos, and even draft legal briefs for the Supreme Court of Virginia. After graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law, Jon clerked for a Circuit Court judge and then worked for a large claims administration firm in town. Those jobs gave him a wide array of legal experiences, which he has been putting to use helping protect REALTORS® since 2017. As busy as he is with work, he is equally as busy having fun outside of work! He lends his guitar skills to his band, Church Hill Music Company. The Atlanta Braves and UVA sports (2019 National Champs!) play a big role in his life—no matter how painful some seasons may be! With his wife, Mandy, by his side, they enjoy exploring new restaurants. Southern and Indian cuisines rank on his top favorite food list.

Sean’s professional background includes both real estate and law. Prior to law school, he worked in various areas of the real estate industry, including as a REALTOR® in California. In 2016, Sean graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law. In addition to his J.D., he also earned a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Sean’s past legal practice focused on civil litigation where he handled cases ranging from personal injury to landlord-tenant disputes. As Staff Counsel, Sean strives to provide excellent service and counsel to the Association and its members.

Laura Murray started working at Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS^® (NVAR) as a legal intern the summer between her second and third year of law school. After graduation, she accepted a full-time position as an attorney at NVAR. Three years later, an opportunity opened up at Virginia REALTOR^® that would allow her to use the Regulatory Law Certificate she had earned in law school; she applied and was hired! Just over three years and three promotions later, she was made General Counsel.

Santiago brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Virginia REALTORS®. Before going to law school, he served in the Army and in various roles in the Financial Industry and Engineering and Technology Industries. After graduating from American University Washington College of Law he took his experience and worked as a solo practitioner as well as other roles with Engineering firms. He then joined as Staff Counsel for Virginia REALTORS®. As Staff Counsel, Santiago contributes to the Caveat REALTOR® podcast, creates legal resources for members, and serves on the Standard Forms Committee.

Dr. Raquel Martin is an experienced licensed clinical psychologist, devoted professor, and scientist who believes deeply in the power of Black mental wealth – an affirming, lifelong journey that encourages Black people to center mental health practices as integral and intentionally linked to success and well-being. Dr. Martin is on a mission to radically re-imagine Black possibility by promoting Black mental health as key to legacy-building and longevity for generations to come.

Pamela Ermen has spent her entire business career in real estate, obtaining her license at 18 years old. Starting at such a young age, she quickly learned the important role industry and product knowledge played in earning credibility with clients and customers. Her intense focus on acquiring that knowledge, combined with award winning sales production, opened doors to full time management by the age of 24. Since then, she has spent nearly 30 years coaching individual agents and teams to their highest levels of productivity.
Pam brings a unique perspective to the classroom, having accomplished successful management careers in both a traditional privately owned and a fixed fee franchised branded company business model. She has spent the past 7 years as Vice President, Senior Trainer and Broker/Owner of one of the top 20 companies in the country.
Pam is the author and creator of two well-defined training series, specific to real estate business planning and the dynamic growth of real estate teams. She has been a Senior Instructor with the REALTOR® Institute for more than 13 years and was selected as the “Real Estate Educator of the Year” for the state of Virginia. She is also president of Real Estate Guidance, Inc.

Marki Lemons Ryhal is a six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, was one of 100 speakers selected out of over 500 speakers to speak at the REALTOR® Conference & Expo six times with high program evaluations and has been an INMAN Closing Keynote Speaker. Marki is a licensed managing broker, REALTOR®, avid volunteer, major donor, and international best-selling author of The Modern Real Estate Professionals Guide to Success. In 2019, Marki was nominated as an RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmaker and inducted into the REBAC Hall of Fame. Shel is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 300,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars. 

Marki holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Chicago State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University, and over fifty real estate-related licenses, certifications, and designation.

For more than a decade, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia’s housing market. Before stepping into his current role of Virginia REALTORS^® Chief Economist, Ryan served as the association’s Deputy Chief Economist. Prior to joining our team, he served as the President of research consulting firm LSA Planning, as an Urban Planner for the City of Alexandria, and as part of the research team at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Even before joining VAR full time, Ryan spent years contributing to our research, including the monthly Virginia Home Sales Report and our quarterly regional market reports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.

Prior to joining Virginia REALTORS^® as the Deputy Chief Economist, Sejal worked as an Economist at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. She has also contributed to economic research and analysis at the American Bankers Association, Freddie Mac, and The Advisory Board Company. She graduated with a master’s degree in Finance from the University of California San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from George Mason University.

Prior to joining Virginia REALTORS^® as the Deputy Chief Economist, Sejal worked as an Economist at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. She has also contributed to economic research and analysis at the American Bankers Association, Freddie Mac, and The Advisory Board Company. She graduated with a master’s degree in Finance from the University of California San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from George Mason University.

For more than a decade, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia’s housing market. Before stepping into his current role of Virginia REALTORS^® Chief Economist, Ryan served as the association’s Deputy Chief Economist. Prior to joining our team, he served as the President of research consulting firm LSA Planning, as an Urban Planner for the City of Alexandria, and as part of the research team at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Even before joining VAR full time, Ryan spent years contributing to our research, including the monthly Virginia Home Sales Report and our quarterly regional market reports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.

For more than a decade, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia’s housing market. Before stepping into his current role of Virginia REALTORS^® Chief Economist, Ryan served as the association’s Deputy Chief Economist. Prior to joining our team, he served as the President of research consulting firm LSA Planning, as an Urban Planner for the City of Alexandria, and as part of the research team at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Even before joining VAR full time, Ryan spent years contributing to our research, including the monthly Virginia Home Sales Report and our quarterly regional market reports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.

For more than a decade, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia’s housing market. Before stepping into his current role of Virginia REALTORS^® Chief Economist, Ryan served as the association’s Deputy Chief Economist. Prior to joining our team, he served as the President of research consulting firm LSA Planning, as an Urban Planner for the City of Alexandria, and as part of the research team at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Even before joining VAR full time, Ryan spent years contributing to our research, including the monthly Virginia Home Sales Report and our quarterly regional market reports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.

Prior to joining Virginia REALTORS^® as the Deputy Chief Economist, Sejal worked as an Economist at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. She has also contributed to economic research and analysis at the American Bankers Association, Freddie Mac, and The Advisory Board Company. She graduated with a master’s degree in Finance from the University of California San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from George Mason University.

For more than a decade, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia’s housing market. Before stepping into his current role of Virginia REALTORS^® Chief Economist, Ryan served as the association’s Deputy Chief Economist. Prior to joining our team, he served as the President of research consulting firm LSA Planning, as an Urban Planner for the City of Alexandria, and as part of the research team at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Even before joining VAR full time, Ryan spent years contributing to our research, including the monthly Virginia Home Sales Report and our quarterly regional market reports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.