RHAWA 2024 Leadership

2024 Board of Directors

Sean Flynn, Owner, Flynn and Associates
RHAWA Board of Directors President
Sean Flynn owns Flynn and Associates and is the team captain. He is actively involved in all aspects of cases and coordinates both litigation and transactional work. Sean is the team’s grand strategist and as such, Sean loves it when a plan comes together. 

Sean attended the University of Washington for his bachelor’s degree. He holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Clark University. He also holds a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. While in law school, Sean founded the Real Estate Law Student Association and was chosen by his classmates to deliver the commencement address during the graduation ceremony.

If not in the office, Sean can be found via VHF, traversing the Puget Sound on his sailboat, Mary Anne. Sean lives for family, friends, and BBQ. He is regularly the mixer of hardwood smoke and good times. Sean is the firm’s unofficial Pit-master and Skipper.

Sean serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington Business Properties Association and the Partnership for Affordable Housing. 

Christopher Cutting, Cutting Law Office PC
RHAWA Board of Directors Vice President
Christopher Cutting has over a decade of experience in landlord-tenant law, judgment enforcement, and appeals. He began his career as a law clerk to Judge Marywave Van Deren at the Washington Court of Appeals. After working for another local law firm, Christopher founded Cutting Law Office PC in 2017.

Christopher works with several industry associations to advocate for Washington housing providers. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Rental Housing Association of Washington and is the Co-Chairman of their Legislative Committee. Christopher was RHAWA Volunteer of the Year in 2017 and 2020. He has provided expert testimony on landlord-tenant relations and law for the Washington Legislature and multiple city councils.

Christopher is also committed to education.  He teaches legal seminars for state and local bar associations, trade groups, and private companies; Christopher is a licensed clock hours instructor for Washington Real Estate Brokers. He is the co-author of the WSBA Real Property Deskbook chapter on Residential Leasing and a past co-author of the chapter on Commercial Evictions in the Washington Lawyer's Practice Manual.

When Christopher is not working for his clients, he enjoys cycling, running, and watching Husky football.

Larry Crites, RHAWA Board of Directors Secretary
Larry Crites is an active real estate broker in Seattle since 1986 and a rental property owner since 1987 Larry has a long view of the changes that have happened in our region over time and the radical recent changes that are currently shaping the Seattle housing market. From our current apartment building boom to the avalanche of new rental regulations in Seattle, things are changing faster for small investors than ever before, so he sees this as a critical time to be involved.

Larry initially invested in single-family houses and duplexes in the 1980s and 1990s and then moved up to small apartment buildings over the last 10 years. Larry has always been an owner-operator, so has personal experience with rental issues across the spectrum of investment types that most RHAWA members own.

Larry has been active in the community in many ways, from coaching youth soccer to various board memberships, including local school PTA and a medical relief nonprofit. He enjoys many outdoor activities including soccer, hiking, skiing, sailing, and volleyball.

As an RHAWA member since 2001, concern for the direction of regulation in Seattle has motivated Larry to become more active in the organization. He has served on the Political Action Committee and the Legislative Issues Committee. He is co-chair of the Legislative Issues Committee and serves as Secretary on RHAWA’s Board of Directors.

Neil Wilson, CPA
RHAWA Board of Directors Treasurer
Neil Wilson is an independent rental property owner and former CPA who lives on Seattle’s Beacon Hill with his wife Susan. Together, the couple operates 6 rental units on two adjacent lots and works hard to create a safe, happy, and healthy environment for themselves and their tenants, who are also their neighbors. His rental journey began with an aging, 1912 duplex. He has expanded his current portfolio to include a managerial partnership in two local mobile home parks.

William Shadbolt, 
RHAWA Board of Directors Past President
William Shadbolt purchased his first rental property in 1993. Since 2010 he has been purchasing mainly bank-owned property, rehabbing and renting them out. His focus is South Seattle and Renton but includes property as far north as Broadview. He has tenants on the Section 8 program with both the King County Housing Authority and with Seattle Housing Authority. He is one of the owners of Broad Reach Management, Inc. (BRMSeattle.com), a greater Seattle property management company. William is an active member of RHAWA, serves on the Legislative and Political Action Committee, and became the TRENDS Director. He is also a licensed real estate broker. In his spare time, he enjoys sailing and skiing.

William serves on the Board of Directors for Housing Connector and the Partnership for Affordable Housing.

Sharon Cunnington
RHAWA Board of Directors At-Large Position
Sharon Cunnington is a Real Estate Investor, Business Operator, and Private Lender who has been the buyer/seller in dozens of real estate transactions totaling over $5 million in the last 15 years. As a licensed Real Estate Broker, Sharon specializes in helping fellow investors find positive cash flow investment properties – she hangs her license with Wilson Management, Inc. Sharon’s portfolio consists of single and multi-family properties located predominately in the Pacific NW and Midwest. Locally, she serves on the Council of Regents for RHAWA and is a member of the Women’s Business Exchange. As a software industry veteran, Sharon has over 23 years of experience leading large-scale international technology businesses. Her expertise ranges from product development and business strategy to operations efficiency and project management. 

Sharon lived in Europe for 3 years and has been active in the non-profit sector volunteering and serving on a variety of Boards. Sharon holds 8 patents in the intersection of technology communications and human emotions and has won several presentation and research awards. She is a graduate of Washington State University with graduate courses from Harvard and Kellogg School of Business.

Council of Regents

Cory Brewer, Vice President of Residential Operations
Windermere Property Management/Lori Gill & Associates (WPM/LGA)
As the General Manager at WPM/LGA, one of Cory Brewer’s key roles is to oversee multiple offices and the staff of approximately 60 of the area's top Leasing & Property Management professionals. WPM/LGA is the market leader serving King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties and that can be attributed to the people who make up the company. The firm offers leasing and management services for virtually all types of property – single-family, condominium units, multi-family, and commercial. Cory is heavily involved in keeping the multiple offices working in concert with one another, and he brings a unique perspective to the firm with his background in real estate sales and brokerage management. Cory is also the first point of contact for the firm’s recruiting efforts, and he is always interested in speaking with people who would like to know more about a career in the Property Management industry.

Chris Dobler, Partner & Vice President
Dobler Management Company, Inc. 
Chris Dobler is a partner and Vice President of Dobler Management Company, Inc, a Pierce County-based multifamily property management company with a portfolio of over 5,500 rentals. She graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in Business Finance, has been a licensed real estate agent since 1986 and is fluent in Spanish.

She has over twenty-five years of property management and investment experience, specializing in Human Resources, Marketing, and legal aspects of Property Management.

Chris has her Certified Property Manager designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. She is a former President of the Rental Housing Association of Pierce County and a former Board member. She has received several industry-related awards, as well as recognition for her community-oriented endeavors.

Jason Dolloph, Commercial Property Manager
Black Realty Management
Jason Dolloph is a Commercial Property Manager with Black Realty Management, Inc. Jason earned his Business degree in 1995. When he entered the real estate industry in Seattle, he managed mixed-use properties for ten years before moving to Spokane. Jason specializes in shopping centers and office buildings, as well as facilities management. Jason was awarded the Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designation with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). He currently serves as President of the Inland Empire Chapter of IREM, as well as serving on the Council of Regents for the Rental Housing Association of Washington. 

Devin Easterlin, Co-Founder & Principal
Sterling Johnston Real Estate and SJA Property Management
Devin Easterlin graduated from college with degrees in Philosophy Pre-Law and Business and then attended law school where he specialized in real estate transactional law. Devin is currently a licensed real estate agent and a licensed attorney and has worked in the property management industry for over ten years. Devin grew up in Kirkland and has lived in the Seattle area for over twenty-five years. Devin is a partner at SJA Property Management.

Chris Gurdjian, Principal
11 Capital 
Chris Gurdjian is a principal with 11 Capital. His primary responsibilities include acquisitions, underwriting and disposition strategy. Chris has a unique background in lending and development that spans more than 20 years.  

Kaitlyn Jackson, Associate Attorney
Williams Kastner
Kaitlyn Jackson is an Associate at Williams Kastner, located in the Seattle office and a member of the Business Real Estate and Transaction Practice Group. She is admitted to practice law in Washington State, the United States District Court Western District of Washington, and the United States District Court Bankruptcy Court. Kaitlyn’s real estate law practice focuses on landlord-tenant law, lease review, and real estate purchase and sales.

Kaitlyn serves on the Council of Regents of the Rental Housing Association of Washington, where she proactively advocates for her clients’ interests at the Washington State Legislature and often creates and teaches content related to legislative and municipal legal updates to those participating in the residential rental market.

Cathy Jeney, Partner
Paragon Real Estate Advisors
Cathy Jeney has remained a consistent, top-producing commercial broker for over 18 years, representing clients in the acquisition and disposition of their commercial real estate. Her work ethic, thoroughness, diligence and 110% commitment ensure her clients achieve their real estate goals as well as a smooth transaction. In addition, her strong negotiation and interpersonal skills allow Cathy to successfully represent her clients. 

This, combined with her extensive market knowledge, enthusiasm, professionalism, and ability to overcome obstacles has earned her an impressive reputation and consistent repeat business. Her remarkable track record stems from a commitment to the industry, meticulous detail and follow-through, ability to overcome obstacles and hands-on experience. 

Part of Cathy’s work satisfaction stems from the relationships formed while assisting clients with their real estate needs. When not working, Cathy can be found mentoring children, hiking, biking, traveling, and giving back to the community.

Synthia Melton, Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Dimension Law Group PLLC
Synthia Melton is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Dimension Law Group. Synthia’s practice focuses on Business Law and Commercial and Residential Real Estate, including Landlord-Tenant matters. Synthia works primarily with real estate investors and small business owners on matters involving complex transactional and litigation matters. She also serves as general counsel to various small to mid-size businesses throughout Washington State.

Each year from 2016-2019, Synthia was named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, an award given to less than 2.5% of lawyers in the state. Synthia has a passion for working with Washington’s small to mid-size business owners, assisting with their personal, family, and business needs. Synthia’s background and experience as an investor, entrepreneur, and attorney allow her to bring a unique approach to understanding the needs of her clients and offer to create alternatives and solutions to navigate the complexities of our legal system. Synthia is a passionate and aggressive legal advocate who combines her litigation skills with a commonsense approach to cases.

Synthia received her Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and her Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Diversity from Western Washington University. Before joining Dimension Law Group, Synthia worked as a litigation attorney for several Washington law firms gaining valuable courtroom experience in State and Federal Courts.

Synthia is on a mission to help entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses. She is involved in several non-profits including having sat on the boards of numerous organizations including, the College Success Foundation, the Board of Directors for the YWCA King Snohomish and currently the Rental Housing Association of Washington. She also teaches courses on the topics of real estate, entrepreneurship, and business in her local community.

Synthia is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association, and King County Bar Association. She is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Western and Eastern District of Washington.

Mark Mullally, Property Manager
Mullally Development Company
Mark Mullally is a Seattle native and 3rd generation member of properties managed by Mullally Development Company. He has over 15 years of experience managing multifamily property in both Seattle and Phoenix.

Legal Council

Chris Benis
Chris attended the University of Washington, during which time he received a B.A. in Political Science (Magna Cum Laude), a Master of Urban Planning and a law degree. After two years of law practice, he started his firm, which he led for 28 years before First Avenue Law Group. He represents property management firms, individual real estate investors, real estate brokerages, industry trade associations, design professionals, and construction companies. He advises his clients on practical and understandable solutions to their legal needs and concerns.