Our Team
The Management Team
Rick Gersten
CEO & President
With over 30 years of experience as a commercial real estate broker, owner, and developer in the Washington, D.C. area, Rick knows the ins and outs of the local real estate market like few others. Prior to founding Urban Igloo, he led an advisory firm for real estate owners and renters, and has been a shopping center and office building developer. He also served as Deputy Director and Chief of the Real Estate Portfolio for D.C.’s Office of Property Management.
Rick started Urban Igloo to bring commercial market professionalism and service to DC-area apartment renters and landlords. His drive, expertise, and enthusiasm have helped transform Urban Igloo from a great idea to a vital rental resource, connecting over 40,000 renters with landlords throughout Metro DC in the span of only a few short years.
With four sons between the ages of seven and 22, Rick doesn’t have any shortage of activities to occupy his time when he’s not at work.
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Kate Becker
Chief Marketing Officer
Kate Becker is a local girl through and through. Growing up in the popular DC suburb of Vienna, Virginia, she has spent a lifetime taking advantage of Metro DC’s many unique cultural, leisure, and dining opportunities. Kate joined Urban Igloo to help others discover their perfect home base for taking advantage of those opportunities too.
Kate says she stays in touch with the needs and interests of those new to the area by pretending to be a newcomer herself. By regularly exploring neighborhoods and activities that she hasn’t experienced before, she is constantly gaining new knowledge and new perspectives to share with Urban Igloo clients.
After graduating college, Kate returned to her local roots and worked for an advertising agency downtown, managing national as well as Washingtonian accounts. Described by those who know her as energetic, organized, outgoing, and inquisitive, Kate is the ideal Urban Igloo employee.
Stephanie McWhorter
Director of Finance & Operations
Stephanie started with Urban Igloo in 2011 as a Leasing Agent in DC and Virginia. After helping the organization in various capacities, she is now comfortably settled as the Director of Finance and Operations, managing the daily operations of the DC office as well as the finances for all of Urban Igloo.
Stephanie is a native of suburban Detroit. She earned her BS in Accounting from the University of South Carolina Aiken. And before she moved to DC, she owned her own bookkeeping firm.
Stephanie is a hippie at heart, who loves gardening and figuring out ways to repurpose everything in her home. She is also horribly addicted to HGTV and The Daily Show. When Stephanie is not living and breathing Urban Igloo, she enjoys running and photography. She lives with her husband, two children and her dog, Finnegan.
The DC Team
Patrick Sprouse
Director of Sales
Patrick is a Washington DC native, growing up in McLean, Virginia. Patrick has been involved in real estate since early 2000 and spent the last 4 years in Houston, Texas working on various commercial real estate projects. Just recently Patrick has returned ‘home’ to join Urban Igloo.
Patrick brings a background of broad real estate experience ranging across all real estate product types, development, sales management, and industry trade organization leadership. Before joining Urban Igloo, Patrick served as Executive Vice President of a well known Houston brokerage firm, helping them establish project leasing and valuation/advisory practices.
Patrick, his wife Tina and their daughter Ashlynn currently reside in Falls Church, Virginia. They enjoy rediscovering and sharing their favorite parts of Washington DC with their family and friends.
Tom Natali
Leasing Agent
Tom Natali was born and raised in the Washington, DC area getting to know, what he feels is, the best city in the world.
After earning a B.A. in communications from Coastal Carolina University, Tom returned to his hometown and now hopes to bring his intimate knowledge and love of the area with future clients. Tom’s family members have worked in real estate for over 30 years and he plans on continuing with that success.
In his spare time, Tom enjoys sports writing and has been an active musician for years now.
Dylan Carragher
Leasing Agent
From Connecticut, Dylan initial worked for a family business and went to community college. He moved down to Washington D.C to attended The George Washington University to study International Affairs. After living in the district five years he began his career in real estate. Passionate and hardworking, Dylan has learned the D.C. real estate market like a seasoned professional.
Currently Dylan resides in the Park View neighborhood of D.C, spending his free spending time in the city going to local events, whether it be a local music show, community event, or art exhibit.
Nikolas Mercado
Leasing Agent
Born and raised in California, Nikolas has lived in numerous cities throughout the country. Exploring San Francisco and Philadelphia in his earlier years he knows what is important in finding a place to call home.
After graduating from James Madison University he decided to pursue real estate after having success with properties in Los Angeles. Charismatic and hardworking, Nikolas sees DC as a place of opportunity, growth and change.
Residing in the beautiful neighborhood of Kalorama he spends his free time exploring DC’s food and exercise scenes. What he loves most about DC is the mix of culture and characters the city attracts making it what he believes to be the greatest city in the world.
Carma Wilson
Leasing Agent
A long time resident of the DC Metro area, Carma’s love of architecture and real estate is home grown. Before her family moved from South Carolina to Maryland, she would spend the entire summer in Brightwood and Petworth with her grandparents, brothers and cousins. Later, Carma would spend her summers watching Bob Villa home building shows.
Carma has seen how much the area has changed over the years and is excited to pull from her own experience as a renter (and with a degree in Architecture) to help people find their perfect place to live.
In her free time, you can find Carma with her husband and friends camping, enjoying game nights, or searching for the best brunch in town.
Kevin Norris
Leasing Agent
Having lived in the Washington, DC area for his entire life, Kevin Norris loves showing people why he considers this city to be his favorite city.
Kevin earned a dual B.A. in Government and Music from the College of William and Mary in 2011. His intimate knowledge of the city ensures that clients get the best representation possible. When not working, Kevin enjoys running, playing music and attending DC United games, both at RFK Stadium and on the road.
The Philadelphia Team
Jason Luber
Leasing Agent
Jason is a Philadelphian through and through. Born and raised in the Greater Northeast, and earning a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Temple University, he knows a thing or two about the City of Brotherly Love besides cheesesteaks and tastykakes.
Coming to Urban Igloo from the fast paced world of the restaurant industry, Jason blends a tireless work ethic with an undeniable passion to match client needs and lifestyles with the perfect neighborhood and home.
Anthony Notarfrancesco
Leasing Agent
