Karessa Aaron
Chief Technology Officer, Fortress Realty Partners
Reston, VA 20190
Tech-forward CRE advisor with 20+ yrs in gov & secure facilities. CTO at Fortress Realty, specializing in SCIF & high-value leases
Téléphone (980) 347-8394
Tech-forward CRE advisor with 20+ yrs in gov & secure facilities. CTO at Fortress Realty, specializing in SCIF & high-value leases
Types de bien
Bureaux
Marchés
Washington, DC
Biographie
Karessa Aaron is a results-driven commercial real estate professional and accomplished technology executive with over two decades of experience serving the United States government, national security community, and private sector clients. As Chief Technology Officer at Fortress Realty Partners, she blends deep technical insight with strategic market knowledge to deliver high-impact outcomes for clients navigating complex leasing environments.
Karessa’s real estate focus is uniquely shaped by her extensive background in classified operations, federal procurement, and secure infrastructure planning. She specializes in SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) leasing, mission-critical facilities, and high-security environments. Her clients include contractors supporting the intelligence community, defense organizations, and technology companies requiring specialized space with advanced compliance and cybersecurity considerations.
Her leadership at Fortress Realty Partners is marked by a forward-thinking approach to digital transformation, data analytics, and proptech adoption. She is responsible for implementing cutting-edge tools that enhance client visibility, streamline deal execution, and ensure compliance across a range of classified and secure-use properties. Whether representing owners or tenants, Karessa is known for her precision, discretion, and ability to bridge the gap between mission needs and real estate strategy.
Prior to transitioning into commercial real estate, Karessa served for more than 25 years in senior technical and leadership roles across federal government agencies. Her expertise spans human resources, budget development, program management, and IT strategy — with deployments across global training environments and key leadership roles within the Intelligence Community. This background allows her to bring unmatched perspective to clients seeking secure federal leasing opportunities and complex property negotiations.
Karessa is a licensed real estate professional with a commitment to client trust, operational excellence, and long-term value. She thrives at the intersection of government, technology, and commercial real estate, where strategic partnerships and secure infrastructure create measurable impact.
A passionate advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Karessa mentors young professionals entering the fields of cybersecurity, AI, and data science, with a special focus on empowering women and underrepresented groups. She actively supports initiatives that promote equitable access to STEM careers and works to bridge the gap between innovation and inclusion in the commercial real estate and technology sectors.
She currently supports clients across Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland, with a focus on Northern Virginia’s most in-demand commercial corridors.
Specialties:
• SCIF and secure facility leasing
• Technology-enabled CRE strategies
• Site selection for classified operations
• Smart building integrations and compliance
• High-security office, flex, and industrial space
Certifications & Memberships:
• Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Virginia
• Member, CRETech Network
• STEM Advocate and Mentor
• Clearance-aware commercial space strategist
