2024 Symposium & Networking Event
Event Hosts
Justin Benefield
Academic Director, Institute for Real Estate Development
Head, MRED Program
Benefield is in charge of identifying the education needs among the various sectors of the real estate community and creating for-credit and non-degree offerings to meet those needs, including traditional on-campus courses, synchronous or asynchronous distance courses, shorter not-for-credit modules, and continuing education at IRED-sponsored events.
Benefield also oversee IRED’s sponsored industry research program, real estate-related academic research, and support for the student real estate club and case competition teams.
A faculty member at Auburn since 2012, Benefield has published over 35 articles in some of the leading journals in real estate and finance, including the Journal of Real Estate Economics and Finance, the Journal of Real Estate Research, the Journal of Housing Research, and the Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management. In addition, his work has been presented at a wide variety of regional, national, and international academic meetings.
Dr. Benefield has taught numerous finance and real estate courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was ranked 21st in the inaugural Real Estate Academic Leadership global rankings based on number of publications over a five-year period in the top three real estate journals. He is a recipient of the William N. Kinnard Young Scholar Award from the American Real Estate Society, which recognizes high-quality contributions to the real estate discipline early in one’s career. Dr. Benefield is a very active member of the American Real Estate Society, and he is currently serving as Editor for that organization’s Journal of Housing Research. Dr. Benefield received his Ph.D. in finance from the University of Alabama in 2006. Prior to joining Auburn’s faculty, he taught at the University of Alabama for one year and the College of Charleston for six years.
John Benner
Executive Director, Institute for Real Estate Development
Benner functions as the primary liaison between the Institute and real estate practitioners, stakeholders, alumni and students. He leads strategic planning efforts and recruits new member organizations while managing relations with the Institute’s members.
During his 30-year commercial real estate career, Benner has managed, leased, brokered, developed and owned income-producing commercial investment property—primarily single tenant and mixed-use properties.
As president and development partner at GENREV Properties in Birmingham, he oversaw corporate strategic planning and all new commercial development projects. The former director of development at Dominion Partners, Benner developed institutional quality senior housing and multi-family assets valued at more than $100 million.
Benner earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Auburn.
Kim Kuerten
Administrative Director, Institute for Real Estate Development
Kuerten manages daily operations, administering the industry membership and mentoring programs, and communicates regularly with key stakeholders such as board members, students and member companies.
She recently served as executive director of Harbert College’s Graduate Executive programs, and managed their marketing, recruiting, admissions, operations, budgets, personnel, technology and alumni relations.
Ms. Kuerten is an experienced academic leader with demonstrated success in designing and delivering educational offerings to the marketplace. She was also on the team that launched the Master of Real Estate Program in 2010. One of the few programs in the country for working professionals. Prior to that, She was an integral part of the design team which launched the Executive MBA Program in 1998 and the Physicians Executive MBA Program in 1999. These were two of the first hybrid model (residencies bridged with distance learning) Executive MBA Programs in the country. To date, these three graduate executive programs have generated more than $80 million in gross tuition revenues.
During her tenure with Graduate Executive Programs, she has admitted, matriculated, coordinated, and graduated over 1600 students. She has also led 58 international study tours to over 30 countries and 48 domestic field studies throughout the US.
A two-time Auburn alumna, she has a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA.
Greg Winchester
Head, Industry & Alumni Relations / MRED Program
Mr. Winchester has over a thirty-five year career in banking, finance, and real estate. He is the Founder and CEO of Summit Investors, LLC in Milton, Georgia, an alternative advisory and investment firm. The firm specializes in commercial and residential real estate investments in both North America and Europe. The firm also invests in private operating companies and provides advisory services.
Previously, Mr. Winchester was a Co-Owner and Co-CEO of Trimont Real Estate Advisors which performs customized financial services for commercial real estate lenders and investors and has over $110 billion of client capital under management. He has been involved in the portfolio management of over $225 billion of loans and real estate investments in his career. Prior to joining Trimont, Mr. Winchester was an Executive Vice President of Lomas and Nettleton in Dallas, Texas, and was with the First National Bank of Atlanta.
Event Panelists
Fireside Chat – Capital Markets
Moderated by: Pat Henry
Pat Henry
President, Daniel Corporation, Birmingham, AL
As CEO of Daniel Corp., Henry is the firm’s senior partner overseeing business operations, development and investment activities.
Prior to joining Daniel in 2010, he served as President of Crescent Resources (nee Communities) Commercial properties portfolio which included significant investments across the Southern United States, prior to Crescent, Pat served as the senior Midsouth regional development officer at Trammell Crow Company including serving on the firm’s Operating Committee.
With more than 40 years of partner focused real estate experience, Henry has directly led teams in developing more than 45 million square feet of property valued at over $10 billion across a wide variety of product types.
Robert Boyd
Managing Director, Head Commercial Mortgage Debt Team,
NYL Real Estate Investors, LLC, Atlanta, GA
Boyd is a Managing Director and Head of commercial mortgage loan production and mortgage portfolio management for New York Life Real Estate Investors. He joined the firm in 1998 in the Atlanta office and initially served as a mortgage loan originator. Prior to joining the firm, Rob was a Senior Investment Analyst with MetLife Real Estate Investments in Atlanta and Boston for six years. Prior to that, Rob served in Atlanta as an Assistant Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Lending department of a predecessor entity of Bank of America. Mr. Boyd has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Alex Flachsbart
Founder & CEO, Opportunity Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Flachsbart is the Founder and CEO of Opportunity Alabama, an organization dedicated to building a more prosperous Alabama through creative investments and strategic collaborations that benefit our underserved urban and rural communities. Founded in 2018, OPAL has facilitated hundreds of millions in new investment in Alabama through technical assistance and introductions to capital, including over $50M raised and deployed to more than a dozen deals through OPAL’s own family of investment funds. Prior to OPAL, Alex’s professional career spanned from practicing tax and economic development law at Balch & Bingham LLP – to teaching high school geometry in Lowndes County, Alabama through Teach for America. A native of Northern California (but a naturalized Alabamian), Alex received undergraduate and masters degrees in economics from The University of Alabama and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law. Alex serves on the board of Main Street Alabama, is a fellow in the Blackburn Institute and the Alabama Leadership Initiative, and is a member of the Birmingham Rotary Club and Leadership Birmingham’s Class of 2023-‘24.
John Norris
Managing Director, Head of Investments and Thought Leadership,
Oakworth Capital Bank, Birmingham, AL
Prior to helping start Oakworth, Norris was also Chief Economist, Chairman of the Investment Strategy Committee, and a Senior Fund Manager for Regions Financial Corporation’s Morgan Asset Management (MAM) subsidiary. Before joining Regions, he served as the Chief Investment Officer for The Trust Company of Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. and started his professional career with Mercantile-Safe Deposit & Trust Company in Baltimore, Maryland, as an Institutional Fixed Income Portfolio Manager.
In addition to his role at Oakworth Capital Bank, Mr. Norris hosts a podcast, writes a weekly blog, was a guest columnist to the Montgomery Advertiser’s business section for over a decade, and speaks publicly to a wide variety of audiences. He frequently speaks to students on the high school and college level, large organizations, professionals and retirees. Currently, he serves as treasurer for the Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) Foundation, is on the advisory board for the economics/finance department at Samford’s Brock School of Business, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham. He also serves on the board of advisors for Gabriella White, LLC (Summer Classics). He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1990 from Wake Forest University and his Master of Business Administration in 1994 from the University of Baltimore.
Travis Pritchett
President and Chief Operating Officer,
Harbert Management Corporation, Birmingham, AL
Pritchett joined HMC in 2005 as an Associate in the U.S. Real Estate group. He opened and ran HMC’s Dallas office in 2012 with investment responsibilities for the Central U.S. In 2015, he launched HMC’s first sector specific real estate strategy, Seniors Housing. In 2016, he was promoted to Global Head of Real Estate and in 2019 to Global Head of Real Assets with all HMC Real Assets strategies reporting to him including Harbert Infrastructure. In 2020, he was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer with management responsibilities for all of HMC’s private market investment strategies including Growth Capital and Credit Solutions. Mr. Pritchett sits on all of HMC’s private market investment committees, is an HMC shareholder and member of HMC’s Board of Directors. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Harbert Realty Services.
Prior to joining HMC, Mr. Pritchett completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School as a Kenan-Flagler Merit Fellow. He also holds a Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) with a concentration in Coastal Management from Duke University. He also received a BS in Biology from Davidson College where he was a four-year letter winner on the tennis team. Mr. Pritchett currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the McWane Science Center.
Panel 1: Northern Alabama
Moderated by: David Wilson
David Wilson
Senior Director, Investment Sales, Berkadia Real Estate Advisors, Birmingham, AL
Berkadia is one of the nation’s largest apartment brokerage and mortgage companies. Wilson oversees their Alabama Investment Sales brokerage platform and team, covering all of Alabama and East Tennessee. While a former appraiser and apartment market analyst, David has been exclusively focused on apartment brokerage and apartment land sales for the past 10 years. As an apartment broker since 2006, he has closed over $1 Billion in sales with a heavy focus on sales of Class A and B properties, including new construction and Built-For-Rent communities.
David lives in Huntsville and has been statistically tracking the Huntsville apartment market for over 28 years. For over 8+ years prior to the availability of data from national sources such as CoStar, RealPage, Axiometrics and others, David was “the source” of apartment statistical data for Alabama markets. David was with Birmingham-based Rock Apartment Advisors for 15+ years and led their research team publishing apartment market statistic reports for Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Chattanooga, Tallahassee, and Florida’s Emerald Coast. David also operated a commercial real estate appraisal, research and consulting company in Huntsville for 20+ years, with an exclusive focus on apartments for the last 10+ years of the business.
David grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1986 where he majored in real estate and insurance.
Bob Broadway
CEO & Founder, The Broadway Group, LLC., Huntsville, AL
Broadway, based in Huntsville, AL, US, is currently a President and Chief Executive Officer at The Broadway Group, LLC, bringing experience from previous roles at The Broadway Group, LLC and Broadway Flying J Travel Plaza. Bob Broadway holds a 1991 – 1993 Master of Business Administration (MBA) @ Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business. With a robust skill set that includes Leadership, Team Building, Sellers, Public Speaking, Sales and more, Bob Broadway contributes valuable insights to the industry.
Rob Buddo
President & CEO, Downtown Huntsville, Inc., Huntsville, AL
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Buddo graduated from the University of Alabama in 2011, after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Geography with an emphasis in Urban and Regional Planning. He started his professional career in Birmingham, Alabama working as a Catalytic Development Manager for Main Street Birmingham, the predecessor organization to REV Birmingham. While working for Main Street (and later) REV Birmingham, Rob focused on the redevelopment and management of properties in the city’s historic Woodlawn neighborhood. Over the course of the last decade, Rob also worked in several commercial real estate-related roles for CoStar Group, Inc. in the Washington, DC, and Houston, Texas markets.
Wesley Crunkleton
Principal, Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate, Huntsville, AL
Crunkleton is a Certified Property Manager (CPM), broker, and developer with over 23 years of experience in commercial real estate.
After completing his finance degree at Berry College, he landed a position at a Birmingham, Alabama-based firm where he served as Senior Property Manager overseeing commercial real estate from Birmingham to Raleigh, North Carolina.
In 2005, he moved to Huntsville and became the founding member of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate. Wesley has been involved with developing many high-profile projects in the Huntsville/Madison area, including the redevelopment of a 40-year-old downtown parking garage into a retail destination known as The Garage at Clinton Row, 104 Jefferson Street, Stovehouse, Times Plaza, the 106 Jefferson: Curio by Hilton Hotel, 123 & 125 North Side Square and most recently Lincoln Mill, a 215,000 square foot historical cotton factory converted into office and retail space. Wesley’s development passion evolves around adaptive reuse of historical properties that provides a positive community impact.
Joe Fuqua
Principal, Fuqua & Partners Architects, Huntsville, AL
With over 40 years’ experience, Joe is one of the founding members of Fuqua & Partners Architects (FPA). Under his guidance, the firm has grown to be one of the largest architectural firms in North Alabama.
Joe is best known for his ability to lead and manage diverse and varied project types in an energetic and collaborative manner.
Joe’s ability to provide leadership, connect with the client, and provide vision in an energetic and synergistic manner has been the cornerstone of FPA.
James Lomax
Vice President of Asset Management & Leasing,
COPT Defense Properties, Huntsville, AL
Lomax serves as the point person on business development for Redstone Gateway, the 468-acre joint venture project at Gate 9 of Redstone Arsenal. He has been responsible for over 2,200,000 square feet of office leases in the Huntsville metro in his career.
Outside of his role at CDP, James was elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives for District 20 in 2022. James is a contributor to the University of Alabama Center for Real Estate Blog and is the host of Uncommon Access, a monthly podcast available on Apple Podcasts. He is a past board member of the Huntsville Rotary Club.
James Lomax received his undergraduate at UAH and his graduate degree at the Lipscomb University College of Leadership & Public Service. Outside of business, James’s hobbies include writing, reading, and running.
Fuller McClendon
Principal, Triad Properties, Huntsville, AL
As Principal of Triad, McClendon is responsible for overseeing Triad’s developments, investments, and business operations. Triad is a multi-disciplined real estate development, investment, and operating company. Since its inception in 1993, Triad has developed and acquired more than 10 million square feet of commercial real estate throughout the Southeast and Southwest US. Some of Triad’s active developments include a 2,000,000 square foot industrial park in Huntsville and a 110,000 square foot office development for a defense contractor in Cummings Research Park.
Prior to joining Triad in 2020, Fuller worked in Birmingham’s commercial real estate industry with Shannon Waltchack. Prior to living in Birmingham, Fuller worked for FTI Consulting and Ernst & Young in Atlanta, GA as a private equity consultant and CPA.
Fuller graduated from Auburn University with BS and Masters degrees in Accounting. Fuller and his wife live in Huntsville with their two sons.
Panel 2: Southern Alabama
Moderated by: Lee Lawson
Lee Lawson
President & CEO, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Fairhope, AL
Lawson has served as the President and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic development Alliance since 2012. The Alliance leads all economic development efforts for one of the fastest-growing Counties in the U.S., Baldwin County, AL. Those efforts include
marketing the county to corporate decision-makers, aligning its workforce development efforts, and working with existing businesses and industries to help catalyze their growth.
Before accepting the position at the Alliance, Lee worked as an economic development representative for PowerSouth Energy Cooperative from 2008-2012. During his time
at PowerSouth, Lawson managed PowerSouth’s domestic and foreign economic development efforts for its 39 County Alabama service territory.
Lawson has also held positions with the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial
Development Authority in Birmingham and the Madison Chamber of Commerce
in Madison, Alabama.
Lawson is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and a 2003 graduate of Troy University, where he lettered in Men’s Basketball and received a bachelor’s
degree in broadcast journalism and public relations. Lawson resides in Montrose
with his wife, Regan Ware Lawson of Mobile, and is the father of son Knox and
daughters Greer, Libby, and Ann Garrett.
Philip Burton
President & CEO, Burton Property Group, Mobile, AL
Burton Property Group (BPG) is a private regional commercial real estate investment, development, and management firm. A leader in real estate development in the southeast, BPG is focused on value creation through both ground-up projects and value-add opportunities. With established institutional and client relationships, BPG has the capacity to tackle large-scale projects in a broad spectrum of real estate classes.
Since 2012, Burton Property Group has executed nearly $1 billion in real estate projects around the southeast and has established a $1+ billion pipeline of future projects. BPG’s track record over the last decade has cemented the firm’s reputation as a market expert and industry leader.
In 2021, Burton Property Group announced its largest project to date, the South Alabama Logistics Park (SALP). A 1,300 acre master-planned industrial park that can contain as much as 12 million square feet of industrial space, SALP is the largest warehousing and distribution facility between Texas and Georgia.
Burton Property Group is also developing River Walk Plaza in downtown Mobile. River Walk Plaza will be Mobile’s only riverfront mixed-use hospitality, hotel, office, and residential development.
A Mobile native, Philip attended the University of South Alabama. He is a founding board member of the Beverly Burton Scholarship Trust, board member of the University of South Alabama’s Foundation for Research and Commercialization, and board member of YPO Southern Sands Chapter. He lives in Mobile with his wife, Rachel, and their two sons.
Brian Harold
Managing Director, APM Terminals Mobile, Mobile, AL
Harold is Managing Director of APM Terminals Mobile (formerly Mobile Container Terminal) at Choctaw Point in the Port of Mobile, and has held that position since 2010. He is a 2001 graduate of West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV and holds a B.S.D. in Finance. With twenty-one years of experience in the logistics industry, Mr. Harold has held various positions in liner management as well as inland and seaport operations. Since taking over as Managing Director of the Mobile facility, the Port of Mobile has regularly ranked as one of the fastest growing ports in North America for containerized cargo.
The facility has undergone 3 expansions totaling over $200m in investment, and APMT has also opened an Intermodal Rail Facility in Mobile, which Mr. Harold oversees. In addition to the US Southeast, he has held positions within the AP Moller Maersk organization in Eastern Europe, and in the Port of New York/New Jersey where his responsibilities included oversight of day-to-day operations, labor relations, government relations, commercial sales, information technology, and strategic development of the facilities.
Harold currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Mobile Steamship Association, The Seaman’s Foundation, and serves as President of the Mobile Propeller Club. He is also Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the MSSA-ILA Pension and Welfare Funds. Mr. Harold previously served on the Board of Directors of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently on the Chamber’s Board of Advisors.
Jeremy Milling
President, Milling Commercial Real Estate, Mobile, AL
A 1993 graduate of Washington & Lee University, Milling worked for a regional bank as a branch manager and commercial lender before entering the commercial real estate industry in 1998. Prior to founding Milling Commercial Realty, Inc. in 2012, he served as a principal and V.P. of Sales and Development for White-Spunner & Associates, Inc. of Mobile where he specialized in commercial sales, leasing, development and real estate consulting services.
Mr. Milling, SIOR, CCIM has 25 years of experience in the commercial and industrial real estate market along the Alabama Gulf Coast Region. His company handles in excess of 3,000,000 square feet of industrial warehousing, distribution and logistics space in Mobile and Baldwin County serving local, regional and national clients. He has consistently been one of the top performing brokers in his market providing exceptional service to his clients. He has a strong background in distribution and logistics real estate having worked with a number of clients including Ryder Logistics, Merchants Transfer Company, Point Logistics, Southern Intermodal Express, Coyote Logistics among others.
Jeremy is active in many area organizations including the Mobile Area Association of Realtors, the Downtown Mobile Alliance, City of Mobile Board of Zoning Adjustments, the Alabama CCIM Chapter, Gulf Coast SIOR Chapter and Mobile Baykeeper. A Mobile resident, Jeremy and his wife Myrtle have four children.
Craig Savage
Head of State and Local Affairs, Airbus, Mobile, AL
Based in Mobile, Ala., Savage is responsible for government relations and community engagement at the state and local levels.
Prior to joining Airbus in 2021, Savage was the head of corporate communications for Austal USA, a U.S. defense contractor headquartered in Mobile.
Savage has spent more than 28 years in corporate communications working in multiple industries including entertainment, sports, military, and energy.
He had the opportunity to support global communications for The Walt Disney Company and U.S. communications for BP during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Savage retired from the U.S. Air Force in January after serving 20 years as a public affairs officer in both active duty and reserve roles. A graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, he was recognized twice as a distinguished alum. He resides in Gulf Shores, Ala. and loves spending time with his three children.
Photo courtesy of Social Eastern Shore.
Casey Gay Williams
President & CEO, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Fairhope, AL
Williams was born and raised in Daphne. She has a special connection to the Chamber that dates to her own childhood. Her father, Charlie Gay served as the Chamber’s manager for 14 years. She can recall running around the Chamber office as a child and judging the Christmas parade.
Williams brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and passion to her role at the Chamber. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and an Executive MBA. She has dedicated 35 years of her career to the banking industry and served as the Executive VP and Director of Retail for United Bank Atmore. She has served as the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce President & CEO since November 2016. Casey is a Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama Accredited Chamber Executive and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management.
Other roles include Founding Entity Council of Coastal Alabama Partnership, HATCH Advisory Board, Impact 100, the Eastern Shore MPO Technical Advisory Committee, the Mobile Airport Authority Task Force, the Business Advisory Board for Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, and South Alabama Regional Planning Commission Loan Committee. Casey currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.
Casey has completed the requirements for the Economic Development Association of Alabama Leadership Institute Certification and has successfully completed the FBI Citizens Academy. She is a graduate of Leadership Baldwin.
Panel 3: I-85 Corridor
Moderated by: Howard Porter
Howard Porter
Founder, Porter Properties, LLC, Auburn, AL
Porter has been involved in various aspects of the real state business since 1972. He has experience in real estate appraisal, property management, development, commercial and investment property brokerage, construction and syndicated ownership of commercial, industrial, hospitality, residential and multi-family real estate. Following graduation from Auburn University he was actively involved as Founder and President of Porter Associates / Southeast, a regional real estate appraisal company with offices in Birmingham, Montgomery, Auburn and Columbus, GA. He was founder of Porter Properties in Auburn, AL in 1986 and remains actively involved in development, acquisition and leasing of industrial properties. He was co-founder and from 1995 through 1998, a principal in Summit Asset Management (later merged into BSR Trust) a developer of tax credit apartments, senior living and assisted living facilities in AL and GA.
In 1998, he and Tom Hunt founded The Hotel Group (now PHD Hotels), a hotel development and management firm headquartered in Auburn and active in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. PHD was active in development, acquisition and management of Hilton flagged properties and was named “Multi-Brand Developer of the Year in 2005 by Hilton Hotels. In 2009, he and Mark Traylor founded Traylor-Porter Health Care, Inc. to acquire and manage skilled nursing facilities and have more recently become involved with more diverse health care related enterprises. In 2016, he and Eric Hare founded Global K9 Protection Group to procure and train service and working dogs for various end-users. GK9PG now has a commanding market share in the domestic US air cargo screening keeping explosives off airplanes. He served as CFO and Board Chair until a majority interest sale in 2022 and continues as an Advisory Board member.
Mr. Porter holds an Alabama real estate brokers license, the MAI designation awarded by the Appraisal Institute and the CCIM designation awarded by the CCIM Institute of the National Association of Realtors. He recently retired as a member of the boards of River Bank & Trust and Youth for Christ USA and continues to serve on the boards of TriLogic Pharma and MilanaPharm. Utilizing the variety of experiences gained, he is actively involved as an angel investor with interests in numerous business entities and serves as mentor to a number of younger businessmen. He is an Eagle Scout and received an honorable discharge from the AL Army National Guard – 20th Special Forces. He is married to the former Katherine Qualls and lives in Auburn, AL. He has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. The family enjoys time spent on the farm and on the water at Lake Martin. He worships and serves at Grace Auburn Church, Auburn, AL.
Collin Carter
President, Carter & Carter Constructions LLC, Auburn, AL
Carter is a visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur who currently
holds the position of President and Owner at Carter & Carter, a prominent
construction company renowned for its commitment to excellence and
innovation.
Collin’s journey in the construction industry began alongside his father, Walter
Carter. Prior to assuming majority ownership in August 2017, Collin partnered
with his father, benefiting from Walter’s invaluable wisdom and guidance.
Collin’s expertise in multi-family construction, coupled with his academic
background, has been instrumental in shaping Carter & Carter’s success.
Collin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Building Science from Auburn
University in 2003, laying the foundation for his career in construction. He
furthered his education by obtaining a second Bachelor of Science degree in
Finance from Auburn University. In 2010, Collin completed his Master of
Business Administration (MBA) at Auburn, enhancing his strategic acumen and
leadership skills.
Collin’s career trajectory exemplifies his dedication and determination to excel in
the construction industry. He began his professional journey at Charter
Construction Management Company, where he ascended through the ranks from
Estimator to Project Manager and eventually Director of Construction overseeing
all multi-family projects. In 2008, Collin and his father transitioned the business
to Carter & Carter Construction, with Collin assuming the role of President.
Under Collin’s leadership, Carter & Carter Construction has achieved remarkable
success, earning a reputation for excellence and reliability in the construction
sector. Collin’s unwavering commitment to delivering superior results has been
pivotal in the company’s growth and continued success.
Collin is driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence in every aspect of the
construction process. His unwavering dedication to quality craftsmanship,
attention to detail, and client satisfaction underscores his philosophy of
exceeding expectations and delivering unparalleled value.
As President and Owner of Carter & Carter, Collin Carter epitomizes the values of
integrity, innovation, and excellence. His remarkable leadership, coupled with his
extensive expertise and academic credentials, continues to propel Carter & Carter
Construction to new heights of success, solidifying its position as a leader in the
construction industry.
Kevin Howard
Commercial Development Director, City of Auburn, Auburn, AL
Howard promotes and facilitates quality commercial development and growth in Auburn by serving as a partner for the commercial development community, providing tools and resources to establish businesses in Auburn, and assistance navigating the development process. He has helped facilitate over $80 million of private investment in Auburn, including urban format Target and Publix stores in downtown, Buc-ees travel center, and HomeGoods, amongst others.
Prior to joining the City of Auburn in 2021, Kevin served as Economic Development Project Manager for the City of Greenville, South Carolina. A native of Florida, Kevin is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelors degree in Economics and the University of Alabama with a Masters degree in Geography, focusing in Urban and Regional Planning.
Warren Jolly
Founder/CEO, Alexander Scott Homes, Auburn, AL
Atlanta native, Jolly is the president of The Providence Group, an award-winning, highly respected Atlanta-based homebuilding and development company. The company is known for their desirable locations, amenity rich neighborhoods, top quality construction and innovative land planning and product design.
Warren’s journey in the industry began under the tutelage of his father, Pete Jolly. Upon his graduation from college, Warren and Pete started Jolly Development Corporation, Inc. which developed and sold lots in numerous highly successful new home communities throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan market. Together, they also co-founded The Providence Group in 2000 to expand their business into the homebuilding sector. Today, The Providence Group continues to be a powerhouse in homebuilding and development, in the Atlanta marketplace.
Warren is now continuing the Jolly legacy by transitioning his decades of experience and commitment to quality to his son Cole infusing Alexander Scott Homes with the same values that propelled his previous endeavors to success. Both graduates of Auburn University, their combined dedication to superior design, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering customer satisfaction will set them apart in an ever-evolving industry.
Founded in 2023, Alexander Scott Homes, is a new homebuilding presence in the Auburn/Opelika, Alabama housing market. With control of just under 1,500 homesites in three new one-of-kind communities, Alexander Scott Homes is well positioned to quickly become a major player in the future of Auburn/Opelika real estate.
Justin Patwin
Principal, Farpoint Development, Asheville, NC
Patwin is responsible for putting Farpoint Development on the map in the Southeastern United States. He is leveraging his experience entitling, structuring, managing and planning complex megaprojects, such as the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and Southbank in Chicago, to create game-changing multifamily and industrial developments in the Southeast.
Thoughtful development spurs further economic growth in a local economy. An example of this is the adaptive reuse of Alys Mill, a shuttered former textile mill being converted into loft apartments outside Greenville, S.C.. Another example is the development of a 683-acre turf farm in Macon County, Ala., near Tuskegee, that is being developed into a regional logistics hub. The Regional East Alabama Logistics (REAL) Park development will create thousands of jobs that will fuel growth in an underinvested part of the United States. These share the same firmwide vision as the Bronzeville Lakefront megaproject on Chicago’s South Side.
Based in Asheville, N.C., and having grown up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Justin has come full circle. Over the last two decades his career has taken him to Singapore, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where he has worked extensively on commercial, residential and hospitality projects.
Throughout his career, Justin has been guided by his firm belief that the role of architecture and design is to lead social and environmental change; something he learned at Auburn University, working closely with Samuel Mockbee at the Rural Studio.
In addition to his degree in architecture from Auburn University, he obtained his MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Dr. Steve Taylor
Senior Vice President, Research and Economic Development,
Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Taylor provides leadership to various research and economic development units, including sponsored programs, proposal services and faculty support, contracts and grants accounting, research compliance, the university veterinarian, research security compliance, electronic research administration, the IP exchange, external engagement and support and university-based start-ups.
Taylor previously served as interim dean of Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, as the College of Engineering’s associate dean for research, head of the Department of Biosystems Engineering — where he is a tenured professor — and as director of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts.
As the Ginn College of Engineering’s associate dean for research, Taylor led significant growth in the college’s annual external funding that saw nearly $300 million in new research contracts awarded during the past five years. During this period, he facilitated the creation of the Auburn University Applied Research Institute and Auburn University Transportation Research Institute and he helped secure funding for several new research facilities such as Auburn’s Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory. Additionally, he led the efforts to acquire and operationalize the university’s Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park.
Taylor holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering from the University of Florida and a doctorate in the same discipline from Texas A&M.
Joe Toole
Director of Real Estate, Retirement Systems of Alabama, Montgomery, AL
Toole has served as Director of Real Estate Investments for the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) since 2004. He has worked in leasing and asset management for 27 years and has been with the RSA for 33 years.
The RSA Real Estate portfolio consists of Office Building portfolio, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Alabama Resort Collection, the Colony at the Grand and National Village.
Panel 4: Central Alabama
Moderated by: Dan Lovell
Dan Lovell
Director, Graham & Co., Birmingham, AL
Lovell embarked on his Commercial Real Estate journey after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Auburn University then joining Graham & Company in 1991. Dan’s commitment to excellence propelled him to earn the prestigious Specialist in Industrial and Office Real Estate (SIOR) designation, and later earned the LEED, AP designation.
As Senior Vice President at Graham & Company, Dan has played a pivotal role in some of the largest Office related commercial transactions in Alabama. Dan’s expertise extends to tenant representation on both local and national scales. His proficiency in the sale and leasing of office buildings spans owner/user occupancy, investment transactions, rehabilitation and development, and 1031 exchanges, showcasing his comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics.
At the age of 53, Dan entered Harvard University’s only Executive Real Estate Program, with an international cohort consisting of 35 amazing real estate professionals (AMDP Class 21). Dan completed the program and became a Harvard Alumnus in 2022.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Dan actively engages in community and trade groups, and is currently serving as the 2024 Captain of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club supporting children’s medical health throughout the state of Alabama.
With a track record of excellence and a commitment to client satisfaction, Dan Lovell continues to be a driving force in the commercial real estate sector, leveraging his skills and experience to deliver unparalleled results.
Steve Ammons
CEO, Birmingham Business Alliance, Birmingham, AL
Ammons brings with him a strong background of experience in economic development, regional collaboration, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Before his current role, Ammons served as a Jefferson County Commissioner for District 5, where he chaired the Economic Development Committee and the Information Technology Committee. Ammons served as the county’s liaison to key economic development organizations, including the BBA, where he previously worked on projects as an active member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
His dedication and leadership to public service led to numerous achievements, including the recruitment of the J.M. Smucker Company to the Greater Birmingham Region, resulting in a historic $1.2 billion capital investment. Additionally, he helped draft the Good Neighbors Pledge, a pact to combat poaching and foster long-term economic growth for the region. This initiative was eventually adopted by the entire Jefferson County Mayors Association, demonstrating his continued commitment to fostering positive relationships and promoting regional cooperation.
Ammons’ passion for public safety stems from his background as a U.S. Navy veteran. He initiated the consolidation of 911 public safety answering points and championed legislation to enhance emergency management systems during his leadership at the county. Ammons also brings valuable experience from his previous service as a two-term member of the Vestavia Hills City Council, where he contributed to revenue growth and quality of life improvements for the city.
In addition to his time in public office, Ammons is also a long-time small business owner, professionally having owned and operated an employment background screening services company based in Birmingham. Ammons’ leadership extends beyond professional endeavors. He is a devoted family man, a husband and a father of four children. He and his family are active members of the Church of the Highlands, and they currently reside in the Vestavia Hills community.
Jeffrey Brewer
CEO, Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Birmingham, AL
Brewer’s leadership of GMC is focused on leaving a legacy of good and recognizing opportunities to make people’s lives better through architecture and engineering services. Goodwyn Mills Cawood is one of the largest privately-owned architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast.
Jeffrey’s knowledge of the AEC industry and the many clients he has helped throughout his career have contributed significantly to the firm’s success. He has been a part of the Birmingham community for more than two decades, and has been involved with many notable local projects, including Lane Parke mixed-use development, Hoover Met Sports Complex and Finley Center, Ross Bridge, Protective Stadium, Rotary Trail, Amazon Distribution Center in Bessemer, UAB’s Science and Engineering Complex, Birmingham Zoo Grand Entrance and many more.
Jeffrey was recognized as one of the Birmingham Business Journal’s Who’s Who in Building in 2021 and 2023 and was a finalist in the publication’s 2020 CEO Awards. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Restoration Academy Board of Directors, CEO.net, United Way of Greater Birmingham (Campaign Chair), Mountain Brook School Board, UAB College of Engineering Advisory Board and Leadership Birmingham Class of 2012.
Nick Pihakis
CEO/Founder, Pihakis Restaurant Group, Birmingham, AL
The youngest of four siblings, Nick Pihakis was born into a family of Greek descent in Pittsburgh, PA. When he was about three years old, his family moved to Birmingham, AL, where he has called home ever since. After graduating from high school, Nick got his first industry job bartending at Rossi’s Italian Restaurant. In his spare time, he hung out with the cooks in the kitchen and started to get to know (and love) the ins and outs of the restaurant business.
In 1985, Nick and his father, Jim, bought an old pizza shop and transformed it into the first location of Jim N Nick’s Bar-B-Q. Over the next three decades, they would grow the brand into 41 locations across seven states, eventually selling the business in 2017. Although Nick has now stepped away from day-to-day operations, he remains an investor and still serves on the board.
In 2014, Nick founded Pihakis Restaurant Group, which includes Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Little Donkey, Tasty Town Greek Restaurant and Lounge, Luca Lagotto, Luca Mercato Lagotto, Joyland, and several soon-to-be-announced concepts across the Atlanta, Charleston, Birmingham, and Nashville markets. Nick and his team believe in creating community gathering places that offer great food and drinks with an opportunity for employees to grow. He is a hands-on operator and savvy, systems-driven businessman, constantly challenging his team to find the perfect balance between top-notch service and a healthy bottom line.
Nick is inspired by travel and the creative minds that he meets along the way, and that curiosity, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, is what fuels Nick’s energy for building teams and dynamic brands. He is a proud supporter of the Southern Foodways Alliance, an organization that connected him to partners Rodney Scott and Sean Brock, and Jones Valley Teaching Farm. Nick was nominated for The James Beard Foundation’s Award for “Best Restaurateur” in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Nick and his wife, Suzanne, currently reside in Birmingham, and their three grown children, Constance, Nicholas, and Catherine, all work with Pihakis Restaurant Group.
Christy Roddy
Chief Strategy Officer, Corporate Realty, Birmingham, AL
Roddy is an experienced commercial real estate professional with over 25 years in the industry. As Chief Strategy Officer, she is tasked with overseeing strategy visioning and implementation for Corporate Realty companies. In addition, she heads up development for the firm’s healthcare projects. Prior to joining Corporate Realty, Christy was Senior Vice President of Operations for Capital Growth Medvest, a healthcare real estate developer. Additionally, at Cushman & Wakefield/EGS, Christy held several roles including Vice President – Leasing and Brokerage, focused on healthcare and office sectors. Christy uses her prior experience in healthcare and office development, leasing, and brokerage to inform and cultivate creative solutions for clients and the communities served.
Christy received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Virginia. She is an active Advisory Board Member for Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development program. Christy was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as a Top 40 Under 40. She has also served the National MS Society as a member of their fundraising Advisory Committee and was recognized as a Golden Circle member for her fundraising efforts.
Justin Weintraub
Principal, Chief Development Officer, Daniel Corporation, Birmingham, AL
Weintraub’s primary focus is on the oversight of Daniel’s multifamily platform – including the procurement and execution oversight of multifamily investment opportunities, both in new developments as well as existing assets, in high-growth markets across the Sunbelt.
Prior to Daniel in 2013, Justin was Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Dispositions for Colonial Properties Trust, a multifamily focused real estate investment trust with over 35,000 apartment homes located throughout the Sunbelt region of the United States. Justin was responsible for the company’s multifamily transaction activity and completed over $1 billion in transactions during his time with Colonial, comprised of both residential for-sale and for-rent assets.
Perry T. White
Principal & Chief Operating Officer, Johnson Healthcare Real Estate, Birmingham, AL
White is a Principal and the Chief Operating Officer of Johnson, one of the nation’s leading healthcare real estate development and project management firms. Perry serves on the firm’s Executive and Investment committees as well as overseeing all business development, client relationship, and client engagement projects. In addition, he is actively engaged in strategic planning and development engagements for the firm’s hospital, health system, and physician clients.
Prior to joining Johnson in 2007, Perry was a management consultant, advising hospitals and physician groups on strategic and capital planning initiatives, including joint ventures, mergers/acquisitions, and long-range capital and facility planning. In that role, he advised clients on capital transactions in excess of $1.5 billion. From 2001 through 2006, he served as a senior manager with Pershing Yoakley & Associates. From 1995 through 2000, Perry was a member of Ernst & Young’s national healthcare advisory practice.
Perry holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Birmingham-Southern College as well as a Master of Science in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is the former President of the UAB MHA national alumni association and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama.