Long & Foster Real Estate, the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States, has named Zhanneta Lopez as the new branch manager at its Gainesville office. Lopez brings to her new position a wealth of experience in sales.

“I’m thrilled to lead the fantastic team of real estate professionals at Long & Foster’s Gainesville office, and I’m excited for this amazing opportunity,” Lopez said. “It’s well known that Long & Foster attracts high-caliber sales associates and clientele by providing the best and latest tools, technology and training to its agents. I look forward to helping the agents in the Gainesville office build their careers in real estate and to continue to grow the Long & Foster brand in the area.”

Lopez found her calling in the real estate industry in 2004 joining the Ron Rush Team at the Long & Foster Fair Oaks office. She sold more than $14 million in volume in her first year, eventually breaking off on her own in 2007 and establishing her own team in 2008. She earned her associate broker license and in 2013 served as sales manager at Long & Foster’s Fairfax Centre office, helping develop agent relationships, recruiting new agents and revamping training within the office.

Lopez has consistently been ranked as a top producer and is rated in the top 1 percent of residential real estate professionals in North America for exceptional performance by Realty Alliance. She is licensed in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., and has sold homes throughout the region. She also holds the e-PRO and Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource designations of advanced real estate and often works with first-time buyers.

“Zhanneta is a knowledgable and experienced leader and those qualities are what’s needed to support today’s real estate sales professionals,” said Boomer Foster, senior vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster’s Northern Virginia region. “Adding Zhanneta to the Long & Foster leadership team will no doubt help our agents thrive, and this is how our company has continued to help its clients meet their homeownership goals for more than 45 years.”

Lopez was born and raised in Russia and moved to the United States in 1990. She resided in El Paso, Texas, where she met her husband, Henry, and moved to Northern Virginia with him in 1994 when he was reassigned to the area. Lopez enjoys reading, listening to music and attending concerts.

“I always look for new opportunities and a chance to grow,” Lopez said. “I am very excited to begin my journey here at the Long & Foster Gainesville office.”