Meet Our Team
We understand that a meaningful camp experience starts with quality staff.
All of our staff members, many of whom have been campers, and some of whom are Congressional Schools’ faculty or staff, are carefully screened through a process of interviews, reference verifications and background checks. In addition to pre-camp orientation, staff members are required to attend training workshops and meetings throughout the summer.
All program areas are managed by one or more trained specialists who provide a progression of skills during the camping season. All of the Congressional Camp senior staff members, including travel camp, specialty camp and athletic camp instructors, are experienced and well trained.
A registered nurse is available during the regular camp hours. The nurse oversees any medication required by campers and contacts parents if a child becomes ill during the camp day.
Gene Giammitorio
Director of Summer Programs
15th Summer
Gene Giammittorio graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources. Gene first began working for Congressional School in 2005 and has served in a variety of roles. He is a Wilderness First Responder. Away from Congressional, Gene likes spending time with his really big family, hanging out with his friends, hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and basically anything else outdoors.
Brittneigh McAvey
Director of Co-Curricular Programs
2nd Summer
Brittneigh McAvey brings over a decade of experience in education to our school. She holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and has worked in diverse international settings. Prior to joining our team, Brittneigh served as a Specialty Manager in New York City and as a Deputy Program Director in Japan. Outside of her professional life, Brittneigh is an avid foodie who loves exploring the outdoors. She enjoys spending quality time with her wife and their two dogs.
Julio Lopez Martinez
Auxiliary Program Coordinator
12th Summer
Julio has been with Congressional Camp since 2013. In 2018 he graduated from George Mason University with his B.S in Psychology but also enjoyed a focus on data and statistics. During the school year, Julio joins Congressional working with the Extended Hours Program as the Auxiliary Programs Coordinator and helping the Congressional community with various tasks. He also teaches 2nd and 3rd grade Spanish. Julio is an adrenaline enthusiast and loves roller coasters and scary movies! He also enjoys a good book in a quiet space.
Levi Herrera
Auxiliary Programs Associate
10th Summer
Levi started on the EHP team in 2015, has worked both the school and camp front desks, and transitioned to Administrative Assistant in 2019. You can find him at the Big School front desk in the afternoons. Levi is currently pursuing a degree in Education with a minor in Science. On top of spending his time at Congressional, Levi is also the Head Coach of the boys Lacrosse team! While not at Congressional, Levi enjoys spending time with his best friend – his dog Oso!
Brenna Ponting
Summer Academy Director
6th Summer
Brenna has a Masters in Education from George Mason University. She has been teaching at Congressional since 2018. During the school year, Brenna teaches First Grade. In the summer, Brenna loves working at Congressional Camp. She has been a camp counselor, Director of Great Adventures and more recently Director of Summer Academy. She loves working with and supporting the community all year. When Brenna is not working, she loves reading, trying new restaurants or going to Capitals hockey games.
Alla Stellakis
Great Adventures Director
3rd Summer
Alla Stellakis started her journey at Congressional School in September 2020 working with our Kindergarten students. This summer, Alla is excited to Direct our Great Adventures (3-5 year old) Program. Before Congressional School, Alla was a Co-Lead Pre-K teacher at The Takoma Children’s School, located in Washington DC. Before making her way down to the Capital, she taught Pre-K for two years at The Meadowbrook School in Philadelphia. Alla is passionate about art and carries a sketchbook wherever she goes. In her spare time, she enjoys puzzle-making, cross-stitching, and drawing. She has recently illustrated and published her very first children’s book about an octopus with many feelings.
Sergio Jimenez
Travel Camp Director
9th Summer
Sergio began working with Congressional as an EHP Counselor in 2015 and transitioned to the Day Camp staff the following year. Sergio has held a variety of positions with our school and camp programs. He currently serves as a P.E. Teacher during the school year and this past summer served as Director of our Travel Camp Programs. Sergio is currently pursuing a degree in education and acquiring his Personal Training certification. When not at work, Sergio enjoys biking, running, and hanging out with all 10 of my Guinea Pigs or find him reading my marvel comics.”
Lisa Harkins
Equine Director
6th Summer
Lisa had served in a variety of roles at Congressional before taking over as Equine Director in 2019. Before coming to Congressional, Lisa was the School-Based Substitute at McKinley Elementary School in Arlington for 13 years. Both in and out of school, Lisa has a passion for horses. She has owned horses and ridden for nearly 20 years. Lisa rides her horse, Mr. Darcy in Dressage and out on the trails of the Manassas Battlefield. Along with riding, Lisa is also passionate about books, creating art, and travel. She’s galloped horses on the moors of Cornwall and on the beaches of Catalonia. Lisa is proud of her daughter, Devon, who is a Teach For America alum and currently teaches Kindergarten in Memphis. Her husband, Will, worked for NASA for over 20 years and is considered a true rocket scientist.
John Duffy
Programming Director
16th Summer
John has been at Congressional Camp every summer since 2009 and has served a variety of roles including sports director, head counselor, and most recently, Director of Programming. After graduating from Radford University in 2000 with a B.A. in Marketing and spending a number of years in the business world, John decided to change career paths and obtained his teaching certification in Physical Education through Towson University (2009). He has since completed his M.S. in PETE from West Virginia University (2013) and M.Ed. in Administration through the University of Virginia (2021). John is currently a Physical Education teacher at Discovery Elementary School in Arlington. In his free time, John participates in a variety of sports and exercise, coaches his children in their sports, and is an avid supporter of UVA athletics, the Atlanta Braves, and the Buffalo Bills.
