DCCA 2013 - 2014 Board of Directors
President: Ramon Estrada
First Vice President: Nelson Marban
2nd Vice President: Charlie Ellis
Secretary: Susan Volman
Treasurer: Ruth Horn
Nancy Desmond
Robin Diener
Jim Dudney
Marcy Logan
Mary Lord
Stephanie Sheridan
Ramon Estrada - President
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
Ramon Estrada has been a resident of the Dupont Circle neighborhood for over three decades. He is a community activist who started the first block association in his “neck of the woods” to clean up the crime in order to promote public safety and to encourage new businesses and neighborhood redevelopment.
He just retired as an elected ANC Commissioner after serving for ten years on the Dupont Circle ANC. He was elected to five terms and served as Chairman of the ANC and its ABRA Policy Committee. He was acknowledged for his leadership by his fellow Commissioners who appointed him Chairman Emeritus.
Professionally, Ramon has an MBA Degree and has been a CEO of several non-profit trade associations and a community economic development think tank. He looks forward to sharing his private and public sector expertise while serving on the DCCA Board of Directors.
Nelson Marban - 1st Vice President
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
Nelson Marban relocated to the District of Columbia in 2000 and is a real estate professional with a local brokerage firm. He has been a Dupont Circle resident since 2004 and enjoys the lifestyle Dupont Circle offers … tree-lined streets, gorgeous and varied architecture and its proximity to many of the city’s attractions.
Nelson, his firm and colleagues at his firm became involved with the DCCA in 2011, and volunteered with the planning and day-of needs surrounding the House Tour event. He is excited about further assisting with that important and enjoyable event, growing membership and raising awareness for DCCA, participating in overall fundraising activities and serving the community and needs of Dupont Circle.
In addition to becoming involved with the DCCA, he is on the Executive Committee for Washington Humane Society’s Fashion for Paws and supports and/or volunteers with other charitable organizations locally and in his hometown, Miami, Florida.
Charlie Ellis - 2nd Vice President
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
Although raised in Philadelphia, Charlie Ellis was born in Washington, and while stationed at the Pentagon during his Army service, he met his future wife here at the International Student House. Charlie and his wife of nearly forty years, returned in 2007 after spending many years in Richmond VA. Charlie thinks DC is America’s finest city, and Dupont Circle is the finest neighborhood!
Charlie’s community interests include preserving the beautiful architecture of our Dupont Circle neighborhood, pushing for progress in management of the environment, and otherwise promoting the livability and fairness of our city and our world for the generations to follow us. Charlie also likes travel, reading, music, and strolling around town when time permits. Charlie hopes, among other things, to assist in expanding DCCA’s membership and its community outreach efforts.
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
Susan Volman moved to Washington in 1996 for a temporary job at the National Science Foundation, and rented an apartment in Castleton. In 1998, she accepted a job at the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, sold her house in Columbus, OH, where she had been on the faculty of The Ohio State University, and bought a house on the 1500 block of Corcoran Street, which she could see from her apartment window.
After becoming a Dupont Circle home owner, Susan began her community involvement with the old PSA 309, in what is now known as Borderstan. She also attended ANC meetings, and in 2005 served on a subcommittee to study whether a zoning overlay would be a better balanced approach to the periodic need to renew the 17th Street alcoholic beverage license moratorium. Although they concluded this was not a viable solution, the experience gave Susan a deeper understanding of community issues and acquaintance with a wider range of people in the community.
Susan joined DCCA in 2003 because the meeting programs, such as candidate forums, were of interest, and (she confesses) because DCCA meetings were often held in mysterious buildings that were not generally open to the public. She is still learning about the activities of the DCCA board and discovering where she can most effectively serve to maintain and improve the quality of life and opportunities for the diverse population of Dupont Circle.
Ruth Horn, Treasurer
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
Ruth has been active in DCCA for several years and currently serves as Treasurer. Ruth is Editor of the DCCA newsletter, and creator of the popular DCCA Preferred Merchant’s program.
Ruth has an MBA from the University of Chicago. She marketed alternative financial products until 1991, when she became a Realtor. Ruth has also written two mystery novels (and is looking for a literary agent!).
Nancy Desmond
Term: May 2013 - April 2016
Nancy Desmond moved to the Dupont Circle neighborhood from Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2003, when she accepted a position in the federal government. She then spent a number of years renovating an 1894 neighborhood row house with her husband. The result was included in the 2011 DCCA House Tour. She is interested in preserving the architecture of our Dupont Circle neighborhood.
After years of gardening in large spaces, Nancy now strives not to overplant their tiny front yard and is interested in working with Dupont Circle neighbors to improve our neighborhood parks and environment.
Robin Diener
Term: May 2012 - April 2015
Robin Diener has lived in Dupont Circle (on Corcoran Street) for 20 years. Born and raised in Baltimore, Robin fell in love with DC’s local historic architecture while attending Georgetown University.
Robin has a long history of community service and advocacy. In 1985, Robin co-founded Chapters Literary Bookstore in downtown DC, and for many years, she also volunteered as board president of the nonprofit Washington Literacy Council. In 2005, Robin went to work for Ralph Nader as Director of the Library Renaissance Project and helped save the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library from being sold off by the District. The central library is now landmarked and the city is planning major renovations.
Robin is currently chair of the DCCA Regulatory Committee, and co-chair of the DCCA Parks and Environment Committee.
Robin has been instrumental in spearheading a growing partnership with Casey Trees, and provided primary support for beautification of Stead Park. Robin also was a primary participant in the recent protest of the Congo Embassy’s mistreatment of outdoor space as part of its completed renovations. Additional contributions made to the Dupont Circle Citizens Association by Robin include chairing the 2009 House Tour, and serving as DCCA president from 2008-2010.
Jim Dudney
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
Jim Dudney joined the DCCA Board following his tenure as Design Chairman with Dupont Circle Historic Main Streets. Jim is a registered architect in both DC and Maryland, and presently works with a firm specializing in historic preservation, new construction and renovation of government office buildings. A Notre Dame alumnus, Jim has lived in DC since 1989.
Jim has just completed his second term as Treasurer for the DCCA. He also chairs the DCCA Finance Committee and spearheads our Medallion Program. Jim most recently directed the DCCA Board’s first-time-ever search for an Association’s Operations Manager.
Marcy Logan
Term: May 2013 - April 2014
