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Our Team

Coordinator
- Dennis ChernovFounder + Executive Realtor
- Yana ChernovHead of Operations + Marketing
- Kevin SilverRealtor
- Burt BakmanRealtor
- Steven EjioforRealtor
- Greg ShenonRealtor
- Nicole TekielaRealtor
- Sarrah GallegosRealtor
- Hovik PakhanyanRealtor
- Barrington MalcolmRealtor
- Robin GaurRealtor
- Rich MejiaRealtor
- Wesley EdbergRealtor
- Camden WhitfieldRealtor
- Saena HartRealtor
- Natalia CastroRealtor
- Helen HilloExecutive Sales Director
- Kara RobartsResale Homes Director
Dennis Chernov began his journey in real estate through the operation of his own property loan business in the early 2000s—building a foundation in the transactional processes necessary to buy and sell a property and developing a keen aptitude to qualify potential buyers quickly. In 2009, Dennis decided to focus his efforts towards being a full-time real estate agent and since then has consistently ranked as a top-producing agent in Los Angeles county year after year. Now with nearly two decades of experience in the field, Dennis brings his expertise to The Agency. Dennis’s core values are simple: lead the team by example, deliver consistent, transparent, and timely communication to our clients, meet all contract dates and deadlines, and focus on fostering relationships with top talent and vendors in the local market. Raised in Los Angeles, Dennis was born in Uzbekistan, a state of the former Soviet Union, and is a native Russian speaker. A competitive athlete at his core, Dennis played basketball for Grant High School in Van Nuys and enjoys staying active today—chasing after his two boys and enjoying the valley’s plethora of hikes and outdoor terrain. Dennis is committed to winning his client’s trust and helping them succeed in property investment—his greatest gratification comes from receiving referrals and knowing that he performed so well for a client that they felt gracious enough to recommend his services to friends and loved ones. + Read More
As the head of Chernov Team’s marketing and operational arm, Yana has been deeply involved in the business since inception. With a background in business development and the experience and know-how in operating a thriving back-office staff in the dental industry, Yana manages all personnel, accounting, HR, budgets and more. Further, Yana oversees all property and brand marketing including strategy, open-houses, digital media, event production, and frequently showcases properties across her personal and professional Chernov Team social media accounts. Yana truly believes that everything happens for a reason and that there’s nothing that life throws your way that you can’t handle—challenges are opportunities to mold and shape you for your future. A ball of positive energy and strong work ethic, Yana’s spirited, exuberant, and ambitious nature is focused on making a difference in people’s lives, motivating and nurturing the organization to achieve and succeed on behalf of Chernov Team clients, and empowering the team to be their best selves, inside-out. Yana first moved to the valley as a teenager and is pleased to say she’s never left—the valley cities are a safe haven where family-friendly communities give residents a true sense of belonging, all with unbeatable proximity to everything Los Angeles has to offer. Yana is proud that she has not only experienced her community progress and refresh, but that she has had the continued privilege of contributing to the valley’s flourishing real estate market. + Read More
Kevin has been a successful realtor with the Chernov Team for the past 8 years and has lived in the valley his entire life. Originally from Tarzana, Kevin attended USC, grew up riding quarter horses and competitively showing when he was a teenager. Today, Kevin prides himself in supporting and quelling the nerves of local buyers and sellers—in finding a home, making the right purchasing decision, or strategically pricing their property for the market. Kevin firmly believes that if you are honest and have integrity, people will notice and recommend you to others—values upon which he has built his entire career. He loves being a part of his client’s major milestones and he proudly strives to create a sense of community in the sprawling valley that he still calls home today. + Read More
With an illustrious career in publicity, music touring, record labels, and most recently named one of the valley’s Chef darlings with his new restaurant “Slab,” Burt has simultaneously thrived as a realtor for over a decade. In addition to sharing his continuous supply of hilarious memes, complimenting Yana’s outfits and playing with the office pup, Burt tirelessly sorts through property inventory to find our clients the best real estate opportunities out there. Born in Zimbabwe, Burt grew up in Israel and has lived in the valley for over 30 years. He loves that the valley is so family-friendly, quieter than other parts of the county, but still has great proximity to all of the advantages of Los Angeles. He loves the thrill of the chase when making a deal and if he’s not wearing his realtor hat, you can usually find Burt spending time with his beautiful family or cooking—maybe even schooling Kanye West on how to BBQ + Read More
With an MBA from Pepperdine and a decade of experience in tech, medical, manufacturing, and commercial real estate, Greg has thrived as a realtor with the Chernov Team for the past three years. As a proud first-generation Angelino, Greg is inspired by the Valley’s immense growth, development, and convergence of cultures and lifestyles. His hands-on approach to real estate helps guide clients through the entire process of purchasing, leasing, selling, and investing in property—and Greg proudly adds value at every step of the way. Whether a family is closing a chapter and moving on or making a fresh start, Greg loves knowing that he is supporting his clients in making the biggest decisions of their lives—a responsibility that he honors deeply. Out of the office, Greg is a foodie who loves live music, hiking, and snowboarding. He is also a fluent Russian speaker. + Read More
Born in Los Angeles, Steven attended seminary school in Nigeria, returned to California, and earned his B.S. in Finance from CSUN. After a successful near-decade long career with giants AIG and State Farm, Steven leaped forth to pursue his true passion for real estate. Steven has excelled with the Chernov Team since 2019—uncovering buyer and seller aspirations and helping them reach victorious outcomes. He feels the utmost pride in handing over the keys to a new home and in the difference this makes in a family’s life, as well as the community. The thought that ”Home is not a place, it’s a feeling” rings truest to Steven—if his clients don’t feel “it,” they move on to the next property. Steven cheers for the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Rams, Kings, Galaxy, and every LA team—this love for athletics and devotion to fitness are the source of his unmistakable vivaciousness and industrious character. + Read More
Introducing Nicole Tekiela, a dynamic and design-savvy residential real estate agent recognized as a Rising Star in the industry. With a profound understanding of both the logistical and emotional aspects of buying and selling property, she brings a fighter spirit to every transaction, striving to achieve the best financial results while ensuring a smooth process. Before embarking on her successful real estate career, Nicole founded Tekiela Cosmetics, a thriving beauty boutique in Los Angeles with a decade-long track record of serving countless repeat clients. This invaluable experience has equipped her with exceptional qualifications to personalize her approach to meet the unique needs of each individual client. Nicole's achievements also include a record-breaking sale in Tarzana, a testament to her outstanding skills and dedication to delivering top-notch results. Additionally, she is a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to a successful film producer. Her extensive network spans from small business owners and celebrities to hardworking families, all sharing the dream of building a prosperous life in Los Angeles and beyond. + Read More
This CSUN alumna and Burbank native fervently believe that with enough hustle and determination, she can accomplish any task at hand — exhibited by her ambition when she dove right into the realm of Real Estate at an early age. Sarrah yearned to experience all ends of real estate from the very beginning to strengthen her career, by working closely with Dennis and the Chernov Team, she accomplished just that. She prides herself on being a hard worker and is driven, persistent and determined to do whatever it takes to fulfill her clients' real estate needs. With a background in property management, marketing, and real estate operations, Sarrah loves telling the story of a residential property and featuring its beautiful individual qualities— and ultimately helping families find and lock in their dream home. + Read More
Hovik prides himself on providing his clients with exceptional Real Estate services. He displays his unwavering commitment to his clients by putting their needs above all else. He earns the loyalty and trust of all his clients by holding himself to the highest of ethical standards and values. By doing so he creates lifelong relationships with his clients, who in return become great friends. Hovik is friendly, charismatic, an expert in his craft, and an indispensable asset to any buyer or seller. His knack for valuing relationships and his dedication to quality of service are the hallmarks of his business. Whether you are looking for a quaint home or a luxurious residence. He understands buying and selling real estate is one of the most important transactions in a person's life and strives to make it a smooth, stress-free process. Hovik measures his success through the satisfaction of his clients. + Read More
Real estate can often feel intimidating and tumultuous, but Barrington Malcolm leverages years of experience, perseverance and strategic know-how to successfully manage transactions, habitually over-delivering for clients to help them achieve their homeownership dreams. Taking time to cater to his clients’ needs during the search process, he prides himself on being a powerful ally and the type of agent that everyone wants to work with. Barrington comes from a family deeply embedded in the real estate industry. Surrounded by developments, investments and distressed properties, he nurtured a strong work ethic and fresh perspective for what’s possible through real estate. When he isn’t assisting clients in their home searches, Barrington spends every free moment with his young son. He balances intense workouts with ice cream, his favorite dessert, and enjoys traveling to spend time with friends and family. Renowned in his circle for his sense of humor, he brings laughter to every interaction, turning stressful situations into moments of joy. + Read More
Robin Gaur is a Southern California native. Born in the San Fernando Valley, and a current Playa Vista resident, Robin brings a large network, creativity, knowledge, and unique perspective. Because he grew up in Los Angeles, he garnered an appreciation for the SoCal lifestyle. Robin has always had a passion for real estate for the past 20 years. He has helped many families and friends show them value in investments properties as well as bought and sold several personal and investment properties himself. Robin has extensive experience navigating challenging transactions in an aggressive but professional manner. Robin is highly regarded amongst his peers for his relentless work ethic, honesty, commitment in delivering strong deals, and being available "around the clock." Robin graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a Masters of Business Administration and from the California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors in Computer Engineering and Masters in Engineering Management. Outside of the office, Robin enjoys spending time with his wife, Avneet and two boys, Shawn and Armaan. He is also fluent in Hindi and Punjabi. Whether buying, selling or leasing properties in California, Robin has the resources and advice to guide you in your decision and achieve your real estate goals. + Read More
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rich has a "homecourt advantage" that he uses to his benefit. "I'd like to think that I know the area like the back of my hand, and I’m deeply rooted here and offer a vast amount of local information that can be invaluable for clients when they're making the decision of when and where to purchase.” Rich has worked as a top producing agent alongside some of the best in the industry. Advising and guiding his clients as they make the decision to invest in a home is an honor. Rich’s goal is to make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. His first-class negotiating skills, and putting his clients’ best interests’ front and center are what set him apart from the rest of the pack. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, being outdoors and networking. + Read More
Wesley is one of the few people in this town who was born and raised in Southern California, as such he has been able to gain valuable knowledge of the Los Angeles Real Estate Market and is able to use this knowledge to help his clients reach their ultimate goal when buying or selling. Wesley prides himself on his honesty and hard work. Known as “The Real Estate Magician" because he grew up doing magic, he has a knack for magically helping the most difficult deals close.
Driven and knowledgeable, Camden Whitfield has been a successful agent with motivation to grow since starting her real estate career in 2016. Camden posses the innate ability to understand the needs of her clients by listening first, accessing their needs and acting on the best solution to achieve their goal. In an industry that is constantly evolving, always on the go and can be a 24-hour career, Camden finds herself right at home. Education is at the forefront of Camden’s daily tasks, enhancing her ability to be the best for her clients, team, and the company. Creative, innovated and able to think outside of the box, Camden tasks herself constantly to find new solutions to always be efficient. She is most comfortable when challenged and rises to the occasion to meet the needs of her clients. Always the right agent for the job, Camden is waiting to help you achieve your real estate needs. “I absolutely love what I do… and I also know it’s a blessing to be able to say that, so I’m always willing to go the extra mile to achieve the best outcome for my clients.”
Saena Hart is a multi-talented real estate professional known for her impeccable taste, eye for detail and passion for architecture and design — all of which harmonize to make her one of the region's most respected and sought-after agents. She offers a wide range of professional real estate services, representing buyers, sellers, and investors across all price points throughout Los Angeles County, with a particular focus in the San Fernando Valley. Since starting a career in residential real estate in 2018, Saena has directly managed the closing of over $60 million worth of real estate. Known for her ability to adapt to changing market conditions and tailor her approach to meet specific client needs, Saena delivers the highest level of service to her clients with a personalized approach. As a skilled negotiator with a proven track record of success, clients regularly praise her for consistently exceeding their expectations. Having successfully flipped nearly one hundred properties, Saena has mastered the art of creating captivating spaces that maximize a property’s value. She leverages her extensive experience in interior design and remodeling to curate each property’s unique features and craft tailored marketing strategies. Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Southern California, Saena currently resides in South Pasadena with her husband and their rescue dog, Hershey. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History from UC Berkeley and a Master's Degree in Art Business from Sotheby's. In her free time, Saena can be found with her family enjoying the outdoors, exploring new restaurants, galleries, and traveling.
Natalia Castro has always been drawn to the energy, opportunity, and architectural gems that Los Angeles has to offer. As a California native, she has spent her life along the California coasts from the San Francisco Bay Area to Orange County. In 2013, she graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in global studies, a subject that fostered her love of serving global and local communities, and she carries this humanitarian mindset into her real estate career. Helping people navigate through life transitions is one of her most satisfying experiences. An adept listener, Natalia is dedicated to understanding every client’s unique needs and commits fully to helping them achieve their goals at every life stage. From first-time buyers to right-sizers and seasoned investors, Natalia brings in-depth market knowledge and an eye for cutting-edge design and architectural detail to every transaction. With a project management background in commercial interior design, she delivers an organized, methodical approach to the real estate processes that are so often overwhelming and emotional. A key to her clients’ success is her ability to overcome challenges and bring the big picture to life without losing focus on the details that are necessary to achieve it. She is guided by an understanding of the dauntless determination that it takes to exceed each of her clients expectations and real estate goals. A strong negotiator and tenacious deal-closer, Natalia seamlessly prioritizes the needs and desires of her clients while expertly guiding them through some of the most complicated deals.
After more than 7 years, Helen holds one of the longest tenures with the Chernov Team. Helen manages and oversees the team in transactions across new developments. She works tirelessly to ensure that the level of care we provide our clients always meets or exceeds Chernov Team standards. Operating across every aspect of the business including internal team members, vendors, agents, and affiliates, Helen values integrity and swears by the words “never remember what you give and never forget what you receive.” Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, this mom of 3 beautiful children is a “Valley Girl” at her core and loves the energy of her home town—it’s the perfect convergence of character, diversity, excellent schools, and just the right balance of fun and quiet for a fast-paced lifestyle. Helen thrives in working with genuine people and loves the thrill of real estate’s endless opportunities and projects.
Kara serves as the main hub for all transactions and works directly with sellers and buyers in coordinating all critical aspects of the process. From staging consultations, showing requests, inspections, contracts, and final walkthroughs, Kara is the internal arm for all timelines and day-to-day processes. Kara is a fifth-generation Angelino who has over a decade of experience working in real estate. Operating diligently alongside Dennis Chernov and the other Chernov Team agents for the past 5 years, Kara is the true embodiment of a Chernov Team member—with patience, integrity, and kindness at the core of her business values. Kara loves mitigating the challenges of what could be a very stressful time for sellers but beyond all else, she is passionate about helping people make their dreams a reality. Off-hours, you can find this UCSB alum kickboxing, cooking up vegan dishes, or baking Challah.