Who We Are

We’re a team of new media entrepreneurs and journalists who have been covering the residential real estate beat in the DC area for years. Check out who we are in our bios below.

If your thirst for behind-the-scenes UrbanTurf intel isn’t quenched, head over to our About page or feel free to send us an email. We like hearing from readers.

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Mark Wellborn

Editor-in-Chief & Co-founder

Mark oversees the editorial operations at UrbanTurf, so if you have any complaints or accolades, he’s your man. Mark grew up barely within the DC borders and is happy to call himself a native Washingtonian. Prior to starting UrbanTurf, he wrote extensively about real estate in the DC area and New York City. During those rare weekend hours when he is not working, you can find him rooting for DC's beleaguered sports teams.

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Will Smith

Publisher & Co-founder

Will oversees all aspects of UrbanTurf, with a particular focus on the business expansion and technology side of things. Coming nine years after the launch of his first online media business, UrbanTurf is his fourth venture as an entrepreneur, a "job" he adores. Soussi, Habana Village, and Bob & Edith's are a few of his favorite spots around town. Computer scientist by education, Will grew up just outside DC in Alexandria.

202.641.4224
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Meriah Burke-Raines

Head of Sales & Operations

Meriah is UrbanTurf's Head of Sales & Operations and has been with the company since 2011. Before joining the UrbanTurf team, she spent several years working as a copywriter and publicist in New York City. Meriah is a 7th generation Washingtonian, creative writer, vinyl collector, beer-enthusiast and baker. She has soft spot for all things DC.

Amanda Young

Pipeline & Listings Manager

Amanda joined UrbanTurf in 2015 and manages the site's Pipeline and Listings. Originally from Baltimore County, she moved to the District in 2010 for undergrad and now calls it home. By day, Amanda also works for a housing policy membership nonprofit. She lives in Kingman Park, by way of Capitol Hill, Eckington, Glover Park and Tenleytown.

215-290-0636
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John Learn

Technology & Design

John is the president, lead developer and designer at LogicBrush Studios, the company he founded in 2001. His passion is building beautiful, interactive and out-of-the-ordinary websites and web-based applications. With a background that spans both the technical and the artistic, John brings a rare blended perspective to the web development he does for UrbanTurf.

Rocky Vega

Adviser & Co-founder

Rocky Vega is one of the three co-founders of UrbanTurf and continues to advise the team on all matters related to online publishing. Prior to UrbanTurf, Rocky was a co-founder of RFID Update, which he operated from Brazil, Chile, and Puerto Rico, and an associate publisher of FierceFinance. Vega graduated with honors from Harvard University, where he was on the board of Let’s Go Publications and directed business programs involving McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and Harvard Business School faculty. He also completed a master's degree at the Stockholm School of Economics.

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