Brent Allen and Sefton Patton, owners of Patton Allen Property Management, combine their unique skills and backgrounds to create a truly new kind of management company. Over the last several decades, Brent has built and grown The Allen Team, one of the area’s top performing real estate teams, with a vast network of repeat clients in and around the Asheville area. Sefton has spent his career analyzing and creating products out of real estate data, and has worked directly with some of the largest insurance companies, hedge funds, and property management companies in the US. Brent and Sefton bring these skills, along with their track record of success, to Patton Allen Property Management.

Meet the Team

Irene Lopez de Carrizosa, Property Manager
Irene’s experience in real estate sales on one of Asheville’s top real estate teams, coupled with her success as a residential leasing agent in New York City made her move to Property Management in 2020 a natural transition. She has a passion for real estate and supports her clients in their investments by prioritizing communication, providing exceptional customer service, and staying current on the changes in our fast-paced local market. As a member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers, Irene is always focused on expanding her knowledge and understanding in this field. She joined Patton Allen because she aligned deeply with their dedication to providing an extraordinary experience to both owners and tenants, and because of the company’s commitment to supporting the local community.

Satorria Jones, Finance Manager
Satorria was born and raised in Asheville, NC. She completed her undergraduate studies at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and wrapped up her master’s degree this year. She joined the Patton Allen team as the Administrative Coordinator and quickly worked her way up to the Finance Manager role thanks to her past administrative experience in the automotive industry and advanced schooling in accounting. Outside of the workplace she loves to spend time with her son Kane, binge watch crime shows, read, and cook big Sunday dinners.

Todd Rullman, Assistant Property Manager
Todd has worked as a real estate broker in Georgia and Florida, bringing 14 years of sales experience and 8 years of property management experience. He graduated from Kennesaw State University, where he majored in business management with an entrepreneurial focus and minored in marketing. He enjoys building relationships, taking on a challenge, and exceeding expectations. After having the opportunity live and work in several different cities, Todd is proud to call Asheville home. When he’s not being an assistant to the property manager, Todd enjoys spending time with his partner and their two pups. Usually, you’ll find them hiking before trying out a new brewery or restaurant.

Desaree Jennings, Tenant Services Coordinator
Desaree is a born and raised Asheville native who worked in food service all around Asheville before joining Patton Allen. Her experience in hospitality coupled with her bachelor’s in English received from the UNC Asheville have facilitated her commitment to clear, informative, and compassionate communication with all people. Desaree’s favorite hobby is having hobbies, whether that be hiking, reading, knitting, weightlifting, paddleboarding, or just hanging out with her cat.

Dawson Snow, Maintenance Coordinator
Dawson is a skilled property management specialist, known for his top-tier maintenance coordination and problem-solving skills derived from a strong STEM background. He excels in maintaining rental properties, managing everything from routine tasks to complex repairs. He’s also adept at foreseeing potential issues, implementing preventive strategies to protect property value and enhance tenant satisfaction. Alongside his professional duties, Dawson’s love for golf and sports in general adds a community-focused touch. When he’s not working or hitting the greens, you’ll find this WNC native spending time with his fiance and their two labs in their Leicester home.

Ara Cohen, Executive Assistant
Ara brings a rare blend of precision, creativity, and calm to everything she touches. After studying culinary arts in Switzerland and earning her chef credentials, she discovered her true talent lay in creating order and efficiency behind the scenes. Since joining Patton Allen in August 2021, Ara has become an indispensable part of our team – managing onboarding, coordinating key processes, and keeping everything running smoothly with quiet confidence. A true Libra, Ara finds joy in balance – whether she’s curating the perfect playlist, watching a great movie, or spending quality time with her family. On weekends, you’ll often find her relaxing by the beach, recharging for another week of working her magic.

Sherly Leonard, Bookkeeper
Sherly is a detail-driven CPA with over 15 years of experience managing financial data, ledger entries, and reporting. Her background in public accounting and financial oversight makes her an invaluable asset in keeping our books clean, accurate, and audit-ready. In her current role as Bookkeeper, Sherly brings a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to efficiency, helping our team make informed decisions and build stronger relationships with our clients. When she’s not reconciling accounts, Sherly enjoys relaxing foot massages, sharing everyday moments with her three children — whether that’s cooking a meal together or wandering the aisles of the grocery store — and occasionally escaping to the mountains or the beach for a well-earned break.

Gene Powell, Maintenance Coordinator
With a background in Information Technology and nearly a decade of experience in market research, Gene brings a data-driven mindset and calm problem-solving approach to his role as Maintenance Coordinator. After spending eight years analyzing trends and delivering projections for global clients, he transitioned into property management in 2024 – where he now helps ensure that maintenance requests are handled quickly, efficiently, and with a focus on tenant satisfaction. Outside of work, Gene is a dedicated yogi who opened his own yoga studio in 2022 to help his community find peace and balance post-COVID. On weekends, you’ll likely find him chasing sunsets on a road trip, beachside with his beloved dachshund in tow.

Julia Merritt, Leasing Assistant
Julia brings a strong foundation in customer care and a drive to learn and grow in the real estate industry. With a Bachelor’s degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and over six years of experience as a Customer Service Representative, she developed a reputation for her technical savvy, tenacity, and warm, solution-focused communication style. In her current role as Leasing Agent, Julia is expanding her skill set and diving into the dynamic world of property management – helping prospective tenants find the right fit and supporting the leasing process from start to finish. Outside of work, Julia enjoys getting lost in a good book, exploring new places, soaking up sunshine at the beach, and spending meaningful time with her family.