Our Team
Get to Know the Casa Park Team
Casa Park’s People
Mark Ashby, Transaction Coordinator and Sales
Mark joined Casa Park’s staff in 2019 excited to work for a company focused on helping people realize their dream of homeownership. In his role, Mark handles all transactions from the initial offer on a home through the final closing of the sale. He also works alongside the home construction staff in coordinating remodels of the used homes in our inventory.
Having served as Monte Christo Communities’ regional manager prior to his role with Casa Park, Mark became familiar with the manufactured home communities in which Casa Park operates as well as the community leaders and residents. Mark shares this familiar knowledge of a community when working with buyers to help them have confidence in their buying decisions.
“Assisting buyers through the process of finding their affordable home truly connects me to our motto of ‘Helping people live life to the fullest.’ Oftentimes, I am able to help buyers own a home for less than they were paying for a rental.” Mark is proud of his work helping individuals achieve homeownership when they have challenging credit or other situations that make them not fully confident that they can become homeowners.
In his free time, Mark enjoys traveling and seeing new places with his wife. He enjoys music, playing guitar, concert-going, and is a big KISS fan. He also has a passion for scale model trains, something his grandfather introduced him to when he was young.
Brittany Dowell, Titling Coordinator
Brittany began her work titling manufactured homes and mobile homes with Casa Park in 2020 She is grateful to continue to witness and be part of tremendous growth in her team and peers. Brittany enjoys the aspects of her job that encourage her to think outside the box to keep up with this industry.
“What I enjoy the most about working with Casa Park and our clients is being able to alleviate the stress of our homebuyers through titling. Helping people find solutions to problems is rewarding and motivates me to continue to hone my craft.”
When she’s not working, Brittany relaxes by painting with a variety of canvases or catching a movie at the theater.
Jed Ferguson, Construction Director
Jed Ferguson is a seasoned construction director at Casa Park where his unwavering commitment to excellence has propelled him to the forefront of the industry. A distinguished business graduate from Humboldt State University, Jed brings over a decade of invaluable expertise in construction and sales to his role, driving the company’s success with visionary leadership and a dedication to client satisfaction.
As a true entrepreneur at heart, Jed has not only demonstrated his ability to construct exceptional homes but also to build and nurture lasting relationships. His keen eye for detail and unparalleled organizational skills have been instrumental in overseeing projects from inception to completion, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jed is a passionate mentor, fostering the growth of aspiring professionals within the construction field. His outgoing and fun-loving nature has earned him the admiration and respect of colleagues and team members alike.
Jed’s life outside of work is equally fulfilling. He is happily married and the proud father of two wonderful daughters, cherishing every moment spent with his family. When not on construction sites or mentoring the next generation of builders, you’ll often find him at the gym or out on the trails mountain biking with his loyal canine companions.
In every facet of his life, Jed embodies dedication, innovation, and a commitment to creating lasting legacies, both in the construction industry and within his cherished family circle.
Monica Ferrufino, Marketing Coordinator
Monica joined Casa Park Homes in 2013 and has the privilege of working for both Casa Park and its partner company, Monte Christo Communities.
“I was drawn to the company by the quality of homes and quality of life we provide to those looking for affordable housing and making the dream of homeownership a reality.”
In her role with Casa Park, Monica creates and delivers essential information about our homes and communities through various avenues of marketing. She builds brand awareness, generates sales leads, connects potential buyers to our expert sales team, and above all, helps people achieve homeownership.
Monica is the first in her family to graduate from a university and achieve a bachelor’s degree in marketing and just recently reached her ten-year anniversary with Casa Park Homes and Monte Christo Communities.
“I feel most connected to our purpose when I am able to assist a Spanish speaking potential buyer over the finish line when extra assistance is needed during the sales process.”
“One of my favorite moments working with Casa Park has been seeing us rebuild our Paradise community after a devasting loss due to fire, which is aiding the city of Paradise as well.”
When she is not working, Monica loves spending time with family and friends and squeezing in as many concert experiences as possible.
Vanessa Gutierrez, Finance Manager/MLO
Vanessa began working with the owners of Casa Park before Casa Park was a company. “When I heard they would be starting a new company, I without hesitation knew I wanted to be part of this new venture. I’m thankful daily that I made that leap of faith and could not be any prouder of what the company has grown into these last few years.”
As the finance manager, Vanessa ensures all applications for financing homes are processed with care. Each application is reviewed and evaluated to ensure each homebuyer has the best chance of qualifying at the best terms available. Unlike brokers, Casa Park does not benefit from placing applications with one lender over the other, it is strictly determined by which will give each of our buyers the best competitive edge.
Vanessa started in home lending in 2001 and in real estate in 2003. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she has seen the highs and lows of the market, from the dot com boom and the subprime crash, to the recent historical mortgage rates and inventory lows.
Having helped people through the home buying process for so long, Vanessa has seen the struggles hard working families have faced in trying to secure a home for themselves. “My years with Casa Park have been less about, ‘I’m sorry you’ve been priced out, or just don’t qualify,’ and more about, ‘Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming the homeowner you have been trying so hard to become!’ Casa Park has done many things to ensure as much of the market is recognized and that those with less than perfect credit and limited funds have the same chances as those with cash at making homeownership a reality. Being a part of a company that believes in people is not only a rarity in this day in age but is such a rewarding experience and feeling.”
Vanessa has worked with buyers who have come to Casa Park while living in their car or a motel, who we’ve been able to help find and secure a home in one of our communities. “From ‘homeless to homeowner’ will always be the success stories I am the happiest to be part of.”
When not at work, Vanessa spends her time with family and friends. A mother of four (humans) and three (4-legged animals), she has a lively household. A once avid poker player, even having played in the women’s event at the World Series of Poker, Vanessa enjoys a good card game. Cooking, traveling, and any event fit for a family are what she enjoys in her “downtime.”
Matt McDougall, President of Casa Park Homes
Since graduating from Washington State University, Matt McDougall has dedicated over two decades of his career to the mobile home park and manufactured housing industry. His journey in this industry has been marked by an unwavering commitment to detail, efficiency, and most notably, his passion for ensuring affordable housing for all.
One of his most notable achievements as president of Casa Park Homes was spearheading the reconstruction of the Paradise Estates community following the devastating Camp Fire. Under his guidance, Paradise Estates became the first park with a 100% loss to successfully rebuild and reopen, providing hope and housing to those affected by this tragedy.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matt is a devoted family man as a husband, father, and an identical twin. This deep sense of connection extends to his community, where he actively participates in church activities and gives back. In his leisure time, Matt finds joy in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. He is an avid CrossFit enthusiast, enjoys the thrill of mountain biking, and finds solace in the tranquility of fishing.
Chris Podesta, Sales Director
Chris was born and raised in Northern California and earned his bachelor’s degree in Commercial Recreational Administration from California State University Sacramento (yes, that’s an actual degree). While attending Sacramento State, he played collegiate tennis and helped the men’s tennis team achieve a Big Sky Conference Championship. After graduating, Chris coached tennis professionally at Rio Del Oro Racquet Club in Sacramento for 10 years.
In 2009, Chris changed careers, earned an EMT certification from Sierra College and became a Cal Fire wild land firefighter. He quickly realized firefighting was not for him, and in 2010 he began working in the manufactured home industry with Casa Park Homes and Monte Christo Communities.
“It’s been a wonderful career so far and I enjoy helping people realize their dreams of homeownership. Affordable housing is a fleeting commodity in California and Oregon and it’s important that we continue in this endeavor.”
Chris lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, adorable children, and quirky poodles. He enjoys long walks on the beach, camping and fishing with the family, and playing golf with the boys. A quote he appreciates and lives by is from Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Sunny Townsend, Director of Sales and Marketing
Sunny started working with Casa Park in February 2023 and shares, “It’s been one of the best decisions of my life. After working in real estate for the past decade, I was beginning to get deterred due to the increase in home prices and seeing how discouraged my clients were in the tough housing market. Not being able to help people was really affecting my outlook. Then, I learned what Monte Christo Communities and Casa Park stand for: ‘Helping others live life to the fullest.’ I want to help people and be a beacon for guidance in the home buying process. Not all Realtors® are out for a check, some really want to do good for others.”
After graduating from California State University Sacramento, Sunny jumped into the hospitality industry as a certified wedding planner, dedicating nights and weekends to making dream weddings a reality. She loved the energy of events, though, when she assisted a bride down the aisle in November 2013, she didn’t cry. This was a sign for Sunny, who for years had always cried in those moments, that she was ready for a new endeavor. She made the transition from helping people plan the “biggest day of their lives” to helping people make the biggest purchase of their lives (a home!) as a realtor in 2016. “It has been so rewarding educating buyers on the process of homeownership. And even more so when I get to hand over keys.”
Sunny feels most connected to Casa Park and Monte Christo Communties’ purpose of “Helping people live life to the fullest ” when people share their stories and she is able to listen and find a solution to help them move forward to becoming homeowners.
A moment at Casa Park that Sunny will always remember is when a resident in one of our communities who had lived there for 20 years as a renter was ready to purchase her home. Sunny met with the resident and her family, as well as the rest of the community and we celebrated this resident for buying her home. “She was beyond grateful for our help and the opportunity. It was an amazing feeling to be part of!”
In her free time, Sunny loves attending sporting events with her husband, in particular San Fransisco Giants baseball games and 49er football games. She has three children who keep her busy; between soccer, softball, baseball, football and gymnastics, they’re always on the go!
“Assisting buyers through the process of finding their affordable home truly connects me to our motto of ‘Helping people live life to the fullest.’ Oftentimes, I am able to help buyers own a home for less than they were paying for a rental.”
– Mark Ashby, Transaction Coordinator/Sales