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our story

meet the team behind lake tahoe communities

Lake Tahoe Communities could not exist without the support of so many diverse contributors who share our passion for Lake Tahoe. These individuals have deep roots at the lake with backgrounds in Real Estate, Photography, Residential Home Construction, Resort Development, Entertainment and Information Technology to name a few. In contribution to promoting individual communities of Tahoe, many of our business owners will share special offers for members of Lake Tahoe Communities, including; restaurants, marina’s, ski shops, art studio’s, night clubs, ski areas, boat Charters and Retail shop Owners.

  • Jana, Ken and “Luke the border collie”

    Owners

The dynamic team of Jana and Ken Bednar has made a game changing positive impact on the Tahoe real estate market. With decades of experience in land development, acquisition and planning, and their comprehensive knowledge in sales, marketing, and investor financing, Jana and Ken offer an unprecedented level of intellect to their real estate clients throughout the West. All combined, they have sold over 10,000 resort destination waterfront properties and achieved over one billion dollars in National Sales from 1998 to 2009. After joining Chase International, they have continued their success with over $120 million in Tahoe luxury sales within the last four years while achieving the top Luxury Team award for 2020 and 2021. In 2022 they were chosen as the 2022 Rising Stars for LuxeSF real estate agents.

Although they have many strategies to assist in home sales and provide prime property for those seeking the quintessential Tahoe lifestyle, their primary mission is to develop a new “Lake Tahoe Communities” web-based information platform. With an easy navigation format, this program will individually highlight the many personalities and features of the varied communities within the Lake Tahoe region. “Lake Tahoe Communities will showcase the true ‘story’ and distinctions of each of the neighborhoods that collectively make the High Sierra such an extraordinary place to live and relish.” 

From their experience in building, marketing, and selling some of the largest waterfront resort developments in the country, to their well-established 33-year residency in Lake Tahoe, Ken and Jana are honored to share their unparalleled knowledge and endless passion for their hometown with their clients through Chase lnternational’s Zephyr Cove, Nevada, office.

  • John Turner

    Owner

John was immersed at a very early age in marketing and sales, with most of the family earnings derived from retail and seasonal sales. His first computer was acquired at the age of eight, when his father took a computer as a down payment for a car. Even though John was forbidden from touching the computer he did so anyway by taking the computer into his closet and powering it on. It was at this moment that John’s true passion for technology emerged and his life’s path started to unfold.

Since that fateful day, John has led a dynamic technical career helping some of Americas largest companies manage complex computer programming, marketing and cyber security initiatives. He is a natural born problem solver who designs and develops cost effective, high-performance technology solutions to meet any challenge.

John’s recent accomplishments include leading all technical and cyber-security initiatives for the largest transportation and logistics company in North America and the 11th largest natural gas utility in the United States. He also participates in cyber-security operations with state and federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition to this public service, John also volunteers his time as a cyber-security instructor to middle school students in the area.

  • Elliot Young

    Partner

Elliot Young’s ability to help his clients succeed is ignited by his innate ability to make things happen. Elliot started his career in real estate in 2018, joining team LTC in 2019. He quickly stepped into the role providing administrative services and highlighting the details no matter how small for each and every listing, team LTC takes on. No job is beyond Elliot. He humbly wears the many hats of a realtor as you may find him providing extra services to his clients, making their house standout, from adding some final touches to the landscaping of a Sellers home or moving his clients in or out of their house the team has just SOLD.

“The biggest motivation I have for serving my clients with the best possible service is to ensure they achieve their real estate goals.” His enthusiasm for the business is well-balanced with a tremendous personal admiration for the region which in his opinion offers “more than a home, it offers an unrivaled lifestyle.” While working with Team LTC Elliot has learned many valuable sales and marketing techniques from his partner and mentor Ken Bednar. As a team we have produced over 120 million in Sales between 2019-2022.

Whether someone seeks his advice to find the perfect home or sell their investment and move on, Elliot evaluates every situation as if it were his own and completes each transaction with a caring and considerate style. After his clients’ needs are met, Elliot makes time to fully enjoy the Sierra Nevada mountains which he affectionately refers to as his ‘own backyard.’

Dedicated to all who seek his assistance, Elliot can be contacted through Laketahoecommunities.com.

Elliot Young
REALTOR®
NV 183640
[email protected]
(775) 291-7525

  • Tommy Cortopassi

    Sales Associate

As a legend in the Reno/Tahoe food and beverage business, and award-winning businessman, Tommy Cortopassi may be one of the region’s most connected individuals.  With this established background in the hospitality industry, and decades of volunteering his time and talent throughout Northern Nevada and California, Tommy has all the breath of experience and depth of passion that can make anything happen.  “I have been in the people business for over 50 years.  With this insight, one learns all about how to assess any situation and find the right solution for all involved.”  All of which is every reason why Tommy has received the “Keys to the City of Reno,” successfully built and managed some of the region’s most lauded fine-dining establishments, trained thousands of individuals in the art of customer service, and achieved some of the highest praises from Wine Spectator for his viticultural savvy. Between it all, Tommy manages to find time to write music, play guitar, work in the yard with his grandchildren, and ski as often as possible.  A true local with an appetite to share his insight about the region’s endless assets, Tommy can be contacted through Chase International’s Zephyr Cove, NV, office.  

Tommy Cortopassi
REALTOR®
S.0193499
[email protected]
(775) 220-7150

  • Jessi Bartlett

    Sales Associate

With her never-give-up approach to life, Jessi Bartlett continues to thrive throughout her personal life and profession as well.  She is a generational Realtor who was born and raised in Lake Tahoe to live a full life and help others do the same. Initially, Jessi started her career while working at an appraisal and mortgage company. After being mentored by some of the top agents in the region, she developed all the skills that are vital to succeed in a competitive market. It is due to this perseverance that Jessi has been the recipient of the Top Producers Team Awards in the real estate business.  “I appreciate every moment when I can share my life-long insight about the benefits of living and working at Lake Tahoe.” Jessi takes her responsibility very seriously and will not give up until her clients are completely satisfied.  She also directs her energy to her profession and is a former member on the South Tahoe Board of Realtors. Applying her tenacious attitude to her personal life, Jessi loves to give special needs children therapeutic horse rides and pushes her own limits while participating in seasonal sports throughout the High Sierra. A true go-getter with a lot to give, Jessi can be contacted through Chase International’s Zephyr Cove, NV, office.
 
Jessi Bartlett
REALTOR®
NV 198443 CA 01900062
(530) 416-2061
  • Brad Scott

    Strategic Partner

Born in England and spending most of his childhood in South Lake Tahoe, CA, Brad was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by beauty. He was always fascinated by Nature and everything it had to offer. Huge mountain peaks, powerful ocean waves, glassy lakes, and deserts as far as the eye could see.

Brad competed professionally in Skiing and that took him to many places in the world, all beautiful in there own way. Brad picked up a camera in middle school and never looked back. Now he is always seeking out unique angles that not only show the beauty and power that he sees but also shares the feeling and emotion that he has when he captures these moments in time. Brad’s Photography and Videography takes him all over the world to places many only dream of going.

Living life to the fullest and loving every moment of it. That is what Brad Scott is all about.

Brad has developed a real passion and expertise in Aerial Photography and is FAA Part 107 Certified to use Small UAS otherwise known as Drones to capture unique low altitude aerial imagery. Brad Also loves to capture aerial images from helicopter with the doors off to get a crystal clear aerial photo of the beautiful landscapes.
  • Kelly Gesick

    Strategic Partner

Kelly is a multi passionate creative entrepreneur–an artist, designer, marketer, writer, and coder. She is an acclaimed photographer and branding expert with a passion for visual storytelling, a dedication to expert craftsmanship and an incomparable commitment to innovation with intention.  She has a deep love for helping people and creating moments that resonate–inspiring beauty, love, generosity and unimagined potential. She believes you should invest everything into the people, places and moments that nourish your soul.

Ken, Jana, and the LTC team embraced the challenge and delivered an outcome that exceeded my somewhat outrageous expectations

Karen, SF Bay Area REALTOR®