Meet the Team

A Note From the Founder, Chaman

When my wife and I were younger, we purchased what we thought would be our forever home. Not long after we moved in, we discovered major issues with the construction. When we raised our concerns with the builder, we were told we were past warranty – there was nothing he could do. Our dream home had become a nightmare.

That experience changed my life. In 1983, I founded Classic Homes with the goal that no family would have to experience what we had experienced. We would build homes that exceeded expectations. We would build homes that were beautiful, functional, and made people happy. I am proud that after nearly 40 years in business, that is still exactly what we do.

Today, I run the business along with my son, Vivek, our General Manager, John, and our dedicated team – some of whom have been with us for decades. We operate debt-free and have built a vast network of trusted vendor and subcontracting partners. We honor our promises to every homeowner. To us, it’s simple. Build beautiful, quality homes. Exceed expectations. Make life better for our clients. Our proof we’re getting it right? Our business is built on past-client referrals.

We’ve seen builders come and go with every boom and bust. We’re here to stay. We have a legacy to protect. I invite you to be part of our legacy and join our Classic Homes family.

Our Team

John Halak - General Manager & Owner
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John H.

General Manager and Owner
John Halak - General Manager & Owner

John H.

General Manager and Owner

John, After graduating from Tulane University, John started his professional career in the US Army and served 9 years in various leadership positions in the United States and overseas. Upon leaving the Army, John joined the home building industry and spent 15 years with several national builders serving in various roles. John spent time in every facet of the homebuilding industry and he has designed, sold, built and serviced thousands of homes in the DC Metro Area.

He has served in various leadership positions including Vice President of Construction Operations and Division President for several of the largest builders in the country. John joined Classic Homes in 2018 as the General Manager overseeing the company’s homebuilding operations where he can combine his national homebuilding experience with his entrepreneurial spirit.

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids. He is also an avid cyclist who enjoys all types of riding.

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Chaman P.

Founder and President

Chaman P.

Founder and President

Chaman, Founder and President of Classic Homes, has been involved in the home building industry for over 35 years and has been in construction for almost 50 years. Chaman received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and went on to earn master’s degrees in Geotechnical Engineering and Structural Concrete Design. He has been in the Washington DC area since 1969 and has seen the dramatic growth of the area and been involved in various aspects of that growth. Upon starting a homebuilding business in 1983, he took a deep interest in providing quality at a great price without sacrificing design.  In fact, the first home he ever built shared engineering principles he used when designing large-scale commercial projects, which the homeowner recognized as setting that home very clearly apart from the competition.

Throughout the years, he has developed over 1,000 acres of land, comprising over 1,500 homes in 6 counties. He has brought this vast experience to bear to design homes that are built to last and desirable across the spectrum of tastes, budgets, needs, location, and more as well as help tackle tricky lot situations while keeping costs to a minimum – a skill that is very rare. Chaman has brought this attitude of providing friendly expertise to our homeowners while also focusing on quality, design, value to everyone at Classic Homes

Vivek Puri - President
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Vivek P.

President
Vivek Puri - President

Vivek P.

President

Vivek, President of Classic Homes, grew up in McLean and has been surrounded by homebuilding since the age of nine, when the family home building business first was started. He attended public schools in Fairfax County, including the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where he is still actively involved. He knows firsthand the evolving tastes of homeowners in Northern Virginia and the value that families place on education.

After attaining his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Cornell University, Vivek worked at Capital One during its formative years in the late 90s. He then went on to MIT and Harvard, obtaining a graduate degree from each, and worked at Bain as a consultant on strategy and private equity. He joined Classic Homes in 2006 and has spent time in every function, including as an assistant superintendent to gain first-hand experience of the home building process. He has brought his education, cultural and work experience, local upbringing, and family-first mentality to create a team and a company that seeks to provide value, safety, and happiness to its homeowners.

In his spare time, he loves rock climbing, spending time with his wife and three children, regularly showing them houses that we’ve built.

Matt Violette - Sales Manager
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Matt V.

Sales Manager
Matt Violette - Sales Manager

Matt V.

Sales Manager

Matt, Sales Manager, grew up in southern Maine and moved to the mid-Atlantic for college. Matt swam for Washington College in Chestertown, MD and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, but always new that real estate was his passion. Matt started his career in the real estate industry almost 15 years ago in general brokerage and moved into new home sales about 12 years ago when he realized that he loves, more than anything, to help people actualize their dream by purchasing and building a new home for their family. Matt loves connecting with people and is dedicated to helping them navigate their homebuilding journey.

Matt currently lives with his wife and daughter in Alexandria, VA. Outside of work, Matt enjoys going to the Delaware beaches, any outdoor water activity, and traveling in his spare time.

Emily Kallal - Director of Client Operations
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Emily K.

Director of Client Operations
Emily Kallal - Director of Client Operations

Emily K.

Director of Client Operations

Emily, Director of Client Operations at Classic Homes, grew up in Northern Virginia. She has over 20 years of experience in the area’s home building industry, where she has focused on Sales and Marketing Management, including running fully staffed sales teams, with small local builders and large national builders.  In those roles, she has developed a strong sense of construction and how to read and interpret architectural and site plans and explain them in a way that her clients can understand.

Since joining Classic Homes in 2016, Emily has used her prior sales, leadership and field experiences to help her listen and engage with clients as she assists them in creating their dream home and guiding them through the permitting process. She truly enjoys identifying customers’ needs, customizing our floor plans to meet those needs in clever ways, and exceeding their expectations. Emily graduated with a BS from Longwood College, where she led their softball team to numerous victories, and still holds several school records.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys being outdoors, riding her horse, and spending time with her family.

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Kristine B.

Design Center Manager

Kristine B.

Design Center Manager

Kristine, Design Center Manager, grew up in Northern California and moved to Northern Virginia in the early 90’s. Her career began in new home sales with nationwide production builders. During her time in sales, she underwent intensive training and cultivated a successful sales record. She will always look fondly on her years in sales, but her true passion lied in assisting customers select the perfect finishing touches for their home.

Since joining our team in 2014 she has found true joy assisting our customers with bringing their vision to life; as well as assisting the builder with selections for various models and spec homes. As a recipient of the Best Design Center Professional GALA award, Kristine has been a great asset to the Classic Homes family because of her style and upbeat attitude.

Outside of her professional life, Kristine is most proud of her children, a son who served for the United States Marine Corps, and her daughter, a collegiate soccer player.

Josh Naill - Construction Manager
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Josh N.

Construction Manager
Josh Naill - Construction Manager

Josh N.

Construction Manager

Josh, Construction Manager, has over 20 years of experience in residential construction and remodeling. He specializes in project management – ensuring all projects are completed on time, within budget, and to code. Known for his strong communication skills and hands-on expertise, Josh has led many successful builds across multiple job sites throughout Maryland and Virginia.

When Josh isn’t working with clients or their homes, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful family.

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Anabel F.

Vice President of Operations

Anabel F.

Vice President of Operations

Anabel is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial construction, specializing in business operations, project management, and organizational growth.

Anabel joined Classic Homes in 2023 where she helps manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. She plays a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency, profitability, and organizational growth. She is responsible for transitioning systems, improving processes, managing construction timelines, enhancing vendor relations, and implementing strategic plans. Her contributions include cost control, quality improvement, and program development, while her leadership, accountability, and problem-solving skills ensure the company’s ongoing success and alignment with its vision and goals.

Previously, she held leadership roles at Paramount Construction and Begal Enterprises, Inc., where she significantly increased productivity and revenue through strategic management and process optimization, driving company expansion and operational efficiency. Known for her entrepreneurial mindset, exceptional leadership, and results-driven approach.

Born in Braga, Portugal, she immigrated to the US as a child and is fluent in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. Anabel grew up in Pennsylvania and while attending Penn State University for Nursing, discovered that she was better suited for the boardroom than for the operating room. Her love of construction began at a young age while working on home improvement projects with her dad. She has passed on her proclivity for nursing and construction to her daughter who is a labor and delivery nurse with her own penchant for home projects and building things. Anabel recently moved from Maryland to Virginia where she spends her time renovating yet another home and enjoying free time with her favorite 4-legged sidekick, Ava.

Mel Geminiano - Estimating Manager
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Mel G.

Estimating Manager
Mel Geminiano - Estimating Manager

Mel G.

Estimating Manager

Mel, Estimating Manager, grew up in the Philippines and moved to Northern Virginia in 2010 with his family. With a BS in civil engineering from Far Eastern University and his service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a Senior Civil Engineer for over twenty years, he is the right man for the job! Upon moving to the states, he joined the home building industry, specifically focusing on multi-family home construction. He shifted to single family homes when he joined the Classic Homes family in 2017. Our team benefits from his ability to work efficiently yet pay attention to the fine details of your home to ensure its high standard of quality.

When he’s not at the office he enjoys spending time with his wife, three kids and spending a day out on the fairway hitting golf balls.

Karen Disbrow - Office and Administration Manager
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Karen D.

Office and Administration Manager
Karen Disbrow - Office and Administration Manager

Karen D.

Office and Administration Manager

Karen, Office and Administration Manager, has over 2 decades of experience in the area’s home building industry. Her expertise encompasses accounting, HR, and customer service, highlighted by pioneering a condominium division for a prior builder. Since joining Classic Homes in 2022, her attention to detail and innovative approach have enhanced team efficiency.

Away from work, Karen enjoys culinary explorations with her husband, spirited family game nights with her kids, supporting the Washington Capitals and Green Bay Packers, and spending quality time with her dogs.

Katie Speed - Warranty Manager
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Katie S.

Warranty Manager
Katie Speed - Warranty Manager

Katie S.

Warranty Manager

Katie, Warranty and Administrative Coordinator, grew up mostly in Northern Virginia and then attended Virginia Commonwealth University. While she really enjoyed her time in Richmond, she found herself living back up in the Northern Virginia area in 2009. Katie has gained experience in the 13+ years in the construction industry supporting Field, Office and Homeowners; Working previously for a National Builder and now very happy to work for Classic Homes of Virginia.

Katie lives with her partner and beloved doggo in Reston. When she is not working you can usually find her reading, cooking for/ spending time with family and friends &/or traveling.

Connie Duvall - Marketing Manager
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Connie D.

Marketing Manager
Connie Duvall - Marketing Manager

Connie D.

Marketing Manager

Connie, Marketing Manager, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Connie is drawn to marketing due to its dynamic nature, offering her the opportunity to unleash her creativity, foster innovation, and create a positive impact through her work. Starting her career in the mortgage industry, she has been able to demonstrate a strong passion for creating impactful marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences and drive business growth.

Connie currently resides in Haymarket, VA with her husband, their two children, and cat. Outside of work Connie finds joy in quality time with her family, exploring new destinations through travel, and indulging in culinary adventures to savor diverse cuisines.

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