LoudounNow: Family of Wounded Marine Moves in to Latest HeroHome

​Aaron McCleary, a native of Purcellville, VA, is a dedicated husband, father of two, business leader, and community coach. He exemplifies leadership, discipline, and generosity in all aspects of his life. With an academic background from JMU and an MBA from the University of Tennessee, where he also played basketball, Aaron has honed his skills in financial management and business operations. He co-founded several businesses, including CaseCo, Merit Restorations, MCW Group, and Loudoun West Investments, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Beyond his professional endeavors, Aaron is actively involved in his community, coaching youth sports and serving on the boards of HeroHomes and the Purcellville Business Association.

Gratitude fuels my every morning as I wake up, thanking God for my family, health, and the privilege of living and working in what I consider the best community on earth. My wife is my unwavering pillar of support, and my best moments and time spent are at our home in Round Hill, where my five kids fill our lives with joy. In collaboration with my brother and best friend, we founded CaseCo—a real estate development and construction company comprised of multiple organizations that develop, build, renovate, and restore residential and commercial properties. Our work extends from managing and owning commercial real estate to crafting luxury custom homes in Virginia. As general contractors, we navigate intricate and multifaceted commercial projects for private corporations and the federal government. Additionally, we collaborate with leading insurance carriers, restoring properties damaged by fire, water, wind, and other natural disasters.

I’m most proud of my marriage, my kids, and building a successful business alongside my brother and best friend. I do the work I love, in the community I love, and with the people I love most. This journey has led me to HeroHomes—a cause close to my heart. It is an honor to join this remarkable organization, contributing to the mission of constructing homes for disabled Veterans right here in our community. Together, we continue to build not just structures, but legacies of support and gratitude for those who have served our nation. I’m excited for the future.

Kelly Weist, serves on the HeroHomes Board to continue her grandfather’s legacy of service. Wallace Scott Holbrook fought in the 12th armored division of the U.S. Army in Europe in World War II. He was awarded a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and 3 Purple Hearts. He also fought in the Korean War and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. She joined HeroHomes as a way to give back to veterans who have given so much to protect our freedom, like her grandfather.

Kim Valentine works as the Executive Assistant to the owners of Lowers Risk Group. She is a 26-year retired USAF Veteran.

Steve Gaitten is often remembered as “the AOL guy”, one of the earliest employees at America Online in the mid-1990s. He came to Loudoun County in 1996 when the company moved it’s headquarters to Dulles, Virginia.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Steve’s family moved around the country as his father’s career at IBM required. The Gaitten’s lived for many years in upstate New York (near Kingston) as well as Houston and Atlanta. Steve graduated from Lehigh University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business & Economics.

During his time at AOL, Steve earned 3 US Patents based on his innovative work in online financial transactions.

After AOL, Steve went on to provide marketing leadership at a number of high-growth technology-based start ups in the Northern Virginia Tech Corridor. Notable successes included Bamboo Solutions, MicroPact, and Team Velocity Marketing. Steve founded Loudoun Digital in 2006 with a goal of providing expert digital marketing to local businesses. Loudoun Digital offers web sites, SEO, digital advertising, social media management and drone photography.

Steve has been an active volunteer since the earliest days of HeroHomes. For many years he has managed a substantial grant of free advertising from Google on behalf of HeroHomes. He is also active in web strategy and digital giving initiatives. Steve’s efforts to sustain and support HeroHomes are offered in honor of his father, Donald A. Gaitten, a veteran of the US Air Force.

Loudoun Digital is a small team of technology experts who help local businesses with the hard work of creating useful websites that perform and help generate new business. Popular services include Search Engine Optimization, Digital Advertising, Social Media Management and Drone Photography. If your business needs help with the complexities of the Internet, call Steve at 571-209-7842 for a free consultation.

Michael Hummel is a 1985 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He has been in the residential and commercial construction industries since 1986 having formed and managed H2 Land Company since 2004 which focuses on land development and conservation easement consulting in the Washington DC area.  Michael has also served in public office with the Town of Round Hill since 2006.  A father of one daughter and married since 1986, he spends free time racing cars, traveling, mountain climbing, golfing, and fishing. 

H2 Companies

H2 Companies are a synergistic collection of real estate focused businesses based in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Our team of professionals have over 200 years of experience in the real estate industry. With the diversity of our companies, we provide all services needed by our clients. The H2 Companies strive to provide exceptional service and returns to each client. We seek to be recognized as leaders in the industry with a reputation for being on-time, on-budget, honest, hardworking, and value driven. Please click on any company logo above to gain further information.

Bryan Snow, HeroHomes Board Member, grew up as a military brat. Both of his parents served Active Duty in the Navy for 30+ years including deployments abroad. Growing up as a brat on Fort Meade in Maryland gave Bryan a sense of appreciation and respect for everything our veterans do for us. Being a member of HeroHomes is a small way for him to give back to those that have given him his daily freedoms.

HeroHomes Co-Founder, Matthew Lowers is President of InformData, a leading provider of vital data to employment screening, tenant screening, and risk mitigation providers nationwide. Matthew oversees all initiatives related to revenue, including Sales, Account Management, Customer Service, and Business Development. As a member of the PBSA, he continues to lead and grow the company as a background screening industry innovator.

HeroHomes Co-Founder, Jason Brownell is the President of Bruce Brownell, Inc. Bruce was a visionary and a pioneer in land development and building in Loudoun County. Jason worked under the tutelage of his father from the age of 12 until his father’s passing in May of 2004. Jason was inspired to start HeroHomes in 2016 after managing a home building project for wounded veteran Tony Porta. He undertook the mission with the help of friends Aimee McGranahan and Matt Lowers.

He is a hands-on custom builder, involved in local land development and co-owner of the Adams Mill building, most known as the location of Purcellville’s premier dining venue, Magnolia’s at the Mill. Jason spent 18 months in The Lower 9th ward of New Orleans building for the poorest and leading volunteers in reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

Jason is a graduate of Loudoun County High School and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina with majors in Business Administration and Real Estate. He resides in Western Loudoun, is an avid golfer and enjoys tennis, woodworking, local history and preservation. Jason’s family has been in the Loudoun Valley for more than 260 years.