Getting Real With Rob

When Ed Driggs, Charlotte City Councilperson for District 7, sat down for our interview, he elaborated on many civic issues. But woven in between the answers, we heard him speak of two important principles that he uses to facilitate the positive outcomes he's known for. One. Make sure the people in the room feel comfortable. And two, never stop learning. These words offer sage advice to not only anyone reading this but stands as a key to his results-driven municipal leadership that has stood the test of time. Representing Charlotte's District 7 since 2013, we may think his task has grown easy. But he represents an engaged, vocal, and passionate segment of the city. It is in the crosshairs of the nudge of growth that is demanding big neighborhood changes. Many of those changes feel uncomfortable and are accelerating. That being said, District 7 is almost a test zone for the way our region is learning to balance tradition with revision. No one has a better view of those changes and their impact than Councilperson Edmond Driggs. With the experience needed to inform outcomes across all segments of policy making, he serves as the Chair of Transportation, Planning and Development Committee and serves on the newly stand-alone Safety Committee. With the ease of a man who offsets the stress of his leadership job with his love for music and playing his guitars, (He has a lot of them. Many are classics!), he explains in detail how delicately balanced we are in regulating our current prosperity and how little it would take to throw us off our envious status as a vibrant and economically growing city. Always in flux, city councils often bring new members with strong opinions and sometimes no perspective or experience. The goal is to keep real needs in focus, so all citizens are served and nurtured.  This podcast is one you sit and listen to with eagerness and curiosity. You'll learn a lot. In his professional life, Ed was a banker and analyst at Bankers Trust Company in New York, Frankfurt, and London, and then worked at Goldman Sachs and Company in New York until his retirement in 2001.  Since retiring, Ed has been active in various community roles and has served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the Mecklenburg County Boy Scouts of America, WTVI, The Association of Public Television Stations well as on the Central Piedmont Community College President's Council. Ed received an AB degree cum laude in Economics from Princeton University and pursued graduate studies in mathematical economics at Berlin University and the University of Oxford. In 1971, he received a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve, from which he retired in 1987. He and his wife Caroline live in South Charlotte and have two adult children.  

It's been 2 years since Danté Anderson, City Councilperson for District 1, joined us for an episode of Getting Real with Rob. And although the sitting Council looks a little different, Danté still brings her signature gravitas to the podcast booth, just as she does to any interview. Appointed as the Chair to the newly independent Charlotte City Safety Committee, she clarified what she sees as an effort to connect all the relevant safety-minded entities within the City with Uptown residents and business owners, to ensure they support and uphold the work of our dedicated police force.  "60% of our budget is dedicated to safety, covering police and fire protection," she shares, and then transitions into a narrative around her intention to lean into agendas that support safe, affordable housing in Charlotte. She calls home ownership, "…the second most important step to increasing safety in our community…" The first being a sustainable plan to bring in good paying jobs and provide a way for people to get educated so they can access these jobs, better equipping them to buy a home.  Councilperson Anderson brings a wealth of experience in the private sector to her work in the policy making realm. However, she remembers Charlotte before we became one of the fastest growing cities in the Nation. "I'm a native daughter of South Charlotte, raised during an era of the Queen City when Eastland Mall was a gem, Saturday afternoons at Queens Park were a treat and the possibilities were abundant." She continues, "As a poor African American girl reared in public and low-income housing, I've experienced housing instability and food insecurity throughout my childhood. Yet, if one were to tell me the possibility of improving my desired outcomes barely existed based on my location in the city, I would have rebuked that notion. I was hopeful, encouraged to reach higher, and keenly believed possibility could become reality." Her CMS education armed me with the appropriate knowledge and skillset to successfully navigate through a dual BS Degree in Electrical Engineering and Cinema Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Fine Arts in Cinema Studies from New York University's The Tisch School and acquire an MBA from Harvard Business School. She desperately wanted the concept of achievement to resonate for all Charlotte residents, regardless of what side of the city they called home, and regardless of their location on the economic mobility ladder. "I firmly believe my professional skills & experience, insight, civic engagement, and tribal knowledge of being a native Queen City resident can uniquely help to advance City Council's key focal objectives."

"It's really easy to identify a problem; it's actually not that hard to come up with solutions. The real work comes with implementing them." shares David Longo, our first guest of 2026, as he gave his closing remarks. Our episode drilled down into the details of the Transportation Referendum and the accompanying 1 cent sales tax increase that passed last November as David's leadership was instrumental in forging bipartisan collaborations between Raleigh and Charlotte. Helping to move this historic initiative forward, its successful passing reinforced his belief that real progress happens when people put community above politics. The referendum passed on the first attempt with 52 percent of the vote—an unprecedented outcome for an initiative of its scale and complexity. David's role in advancing the Mecklenburg County Transportation Referendum, a once-in-a-generation effort to transform the region's infrastructure is a masterstroke of opportunity and vision. The soon-to-be-imposed sales tax will generate $19.4 billion in local funding over the next 30 years and will be matched by $6 billion in federal funding. The total results, say many, is estimated at $250 billion in long-term economic development.  A long time Charlotte influential, David has spent more than three decades transforming how organizations view their workplaces—not as static environments, but as powerful tools that shape culture, enhance collaboration, and elevate the human experience. That fingerprint will be conspicuously prominent as he takes his place as an appointee of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Board. As the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of CBI Workplace Solutions, he was also the 2025 Chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance – an organization that referendum proponents sought support from — acting as a strategic genius by building bridges of purpose that transcended divisive agendas. Through these civic efforts, David has earned a reputation as someone who works across lines of difference, uniting Democratic and Republican leaders, business executives, educators, and community advocates around shared goals.   As we dig into his background, the foundations of his philosophies become obvious. Raised in a loving and faithful home, he learned the value of responsibility, gratitude, and respect for others. His early influences—family, faith, and scouting—profoundly shaped his worldview and gave him a lifelong desire to serve others. In 1993, David founded CBI Workplace Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina, guided by a simple yet transformative conviction: the workplace matters. What began as a small entrepreneurial venture quickly grew into one of the Southeast's premier workplace solutions firms, serving clients across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. Under David's leadership, CBI became a trusted distribution partner to MillerKnoll and Falkbuilt, delivering workplace solutions that integrate design, technology, and human insight. His approach transcends furniture and floor plans, and he believes that when leveraged correctly, the 'built' environment can profoundly improve people's lives, their processes, and their performance.  As Chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, he has been a unifying voice in the region, bringing together the public and private sectors to pursue long-term investments that enhance quality of life and regional competitiveness. In 2023, David co-chaired the $2.5 billion Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bond campaign, the largest school bond in North Carolina's history. His leadership helped secure widespread, bipartisan support for modernizing and expanding educational facilities across the county.   At the center of David's life is his family. He has been married to his wife, Chris, for more than forty years, and together they have raised three children and now cherish time with their two grandchildren. Family remains his greatest source of joy and grounding, reinforcing the values that have shaped both his personal life and leadership journey. In addition to his business and charitable work, David lends his leadership to a variety of civic and institutional boards, including UNC Charlotte, the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, Novant Health, Charlotte Center City Partners, and now the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority. David Longo continues to live out a calling larger than himself—building not just workplaces, but communities, not just businesses, but legacies of purpose. "Success is not about status or power—it's about how we use our gifts to lift others."  

In this episode, we turn our attention to policy makers and citizen groups' persistent distaste for growth, and confusion around managing it intelligently. And all over the US, albeit the world, there is a tug of war between those who live in a place and those who want to live in a place with each believing they hold virtue over the other. With NC assumed to become the seventh most populated state in the country by 2030, leaning in is a prerequisite to resolving our issues. That's why we're thrilled to welcome our guest Aaron Houck, a land use attorney at Robinson Bradshaw, who specializes in assisting his clients with zoning and entitlement endeavors and has some fascinating opinions about both sides of the argument. But he's also someone who is questioning the human tenues that block our ability to flourish. So, what dogmas are fueling the grumblers who stand between us the right answers? Aaron reminds us that just because you're in the room doesn't mean you get to make all the decisions. And he brings up the point that although a city's outcome should be influenced by local citizens having what he calls, "a voice, a veto and a vote", we don't think about the people wo aren't in the room and are being denied all three. These are the folks who will need a home next year, or after school in 5 years, or when they're transferred here in 10 years. What will they find? Will they forever be the reason existing residents groan in distaste? It is these ideas and more that light up the airwaves on our current Getting Real with Rob podcast. It's a conversation about how to see things on a larger stage and increase our peripheral view. It is about helping our elected leaders and neighborhood groups understand the economic and behavioral nuances that must be addressed. Otherwise, we're stuck in anger. That's neither democracy nor leadership.  By way of background, Aaron Houck brings to his profession an intricate set of skills and insights. His family moved to Charlotte when he was eight years old, he is a proud graduate of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, having attended Newell Elementary School, J.T. Williams Middle School, and Independence High School. And he went to Davidson College, where he double-majored in economics and political science, served as co-editor-in-chief of The Davidsonian, and played on the scouting squad for the women's basketball team. He then braved the cold, darkness of Cambridge, Massachusetts, for three years at Harvard Law School before returning to Charlotte to work as a real estate attorney at Robinson Bradshaw. He left the practice of law to pursue a Ph.D. in political science at Duke University, and he taught for seven years at Queens University of Charlotte, where he was a tenured professor in the Political Science Department. He subsequently boomeranged back to Robinson Bradshaw.  Where it gets fascinating is when Aaron's career as a lawyer and a political scientist was fueled by an interest in how cities work (and why they don't). At Queens University of Charlotte, he taught a course on the "Politics of Urban Design" that included taking a group of students to Barcelona. As a land use attorney, he helps his clients navigate rezoning and entitlement processes. Aaron and his wife, Pearl, have two kids. They live in the Elizabeth neighborhood. They enjoy college sports and spending time in the North Carolina mountains.  Listen now to this episode!  

A veteran of nearly every discipline in home building, our podcast guest Dan Puvak, Operations Partner—Architectural & Estimating Services at True Homes in Monroe, NC reminds us that unpacking the intricacies of building a home is something relatively few understand. He would love to see more narratives dig deeper into the facts and details so the public can become educated about its elegance and importance to our economy and our communities. Sharing his views on how the UDO, even in its imperfect form, can help create predictability and therefore efficiency in planning and execution of developments, he also explained that the UDO parameters are often discarded in favor of neighborhood groups who push against agreed upon ordinances in favor of popularity-driven opinions. And the problem intensifies when decisions are made without considering the missing voices of those who will be the future members of a community. "There are too many who make decisions based on sentiment, and not facts. We're not considering how the vetted data is already showing us who is moving here, where the jobs are, the needed traffic planning, and what kind of product these future neighbors need and want." He points out that these same loud voices sway elected officials to constantly question and change existing policy, dramatically changing the metrics of cost and design. Along with cooperative dialog during the entitlement and approval process, he insists that data about schools, traffic, engineering, and forward planning should be respected as the first way to inform development planning strategies. As we dug deeper into how the mechanics of home building can become more efficient the conversation naturally moved towards AI. Dan overwhelmingly agreed that any design models loaded into AI must first be a reflection of exceptional planning, innovation, and a clear vision. Then AI can cull through and tighten processes or planning, resulting in a better end product for the company and the customer. Dan, by way of responsibilities with True Homes, influences nearly every decision within the company. He unifies architecture, estimating, and BIM into one operating system that speeds product launches, improves cost accuracy, and protects margin. He leads new product development, cost modeling, pricing and margin management, and the technical standards that keep offerings scalable. He's pushing building technologies that turn models into business data—specifically a BIM backbone that generates purchase orders directly, links options to the supply chain, and delivers first-time-right takeoffs at scale. He is quick to point out that he started his career at the first rung, working for a builder by sweeping out and punching-out homes, which is why he insists every model of execution reflect field reality. After becoming a corporate leader, he has committed to giving back and has served for years as a judge for NAHB's four-year student competition. Mentoring the next generation of homebuilding professionals is a priority and a privilege, and he finds the work genuinely rewarding.

Torrey Feimster is championing efforts that pave pathways to accelerated generational wealth through homeownership, thereby helping to close the widening wealth gap. Torrey chatted with Rob Nanfelt about the nuances of this benevolent mission, but it's clear this is a personal passion for Torrey in addition to a mission for good. Previously, Torrey served as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at GEM Investments (GEM), a $ 12 billion+ OCIO, where he advanced diversity initiatives and participated in the development of GEM's proprietary impact investing framework, which includes a racial and social equity scoring model. Ascension, incubated within GEM, continues to benefit from this strategic partnership while operating independently. But the roadmap being put into place by Ascension's leaders and public/private partners has a list of incredible milestones they intend to hit within the next 6 years. Like delivering over 600 mixed-income houses with a significant portion in the attainable housing price range. He is quick to emphasize that Ascension's holistic approach to community economic development prioritizes both housing attainability and financial education, ensuring that all residents can have the opportunity to thrive. Discovering the algorithm that will bring this mission to life is why you need to listen to the entire podcast! "By investing in diverse-price point housing developments, offering educational empowerment programs in financial literacy, and fostering community economic development initiatives, we aim to create vibrant, mixed-income communities where everyone has access to quality housing and opportunities for economic advancement." According to the Ascension website. It goes on to state that they're reshaping the narrative on affordable housing in Charlotte by prioritizing sustainable homeownership over traditional rental solutions. While many focus solely on providing affordable rental units, they believe that true empowerment comes from owning a home. By offering affordable homes for purchase, we're not only addressing the immediate need for housing but also fostering long-term stability and generational wealth within our communities. As is the case with our podcast, we enter the interview with our lighting round questions that inevitably strike gold in revealing the character-shaping events and choices that have shaped our guest. Torrey gives us a glimpse into what drives him, and therefore what is catalyzing the forward movement with Ascension. And it should be noted that the partners in this endeavor include Kingdom Development Partners guided by James Scruggs, a guest who graced our podcast booth in 2024. In the past, Torrey has served as Assistant to the President and Director of Corporate Relations at Johnson C. Smith University and was Publisher at PRIDE Magazine, Charlotte's premier African American lifestyle publication. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust, an organization that provides endowment management and investment expertise to build and grow permanent funds for arts, science, and history organizations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. He received a B.A. in Speech, Communication, and Rhetoric from Wake Forest University, a Certificate in Capital Markets from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Certified Diversity Professional Designation from the ILR School at Cornell University.  https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/104214/homeownership-is-affordable-housing.pdf  

"You can have an impact!" states Sagar Rathie as he deftly handled our questions from host Rob Nanfelt. As our latest podcast guest, he approached the interview with enthusiasm and a plan. Immediately endearing and always prepared, Sagar has made a meteoric rise in the commercial development industry here in Charlotte. He also calls himself a bit of a Renaissance man but also stated that one of the mobile apps he couldn't live without is his GPS (…so he knows where he's going!). Then he explained how, given a choice between being the smartest person in the room or the funniest, he would choose to be funny. Cementing our impression of him as a man who balances discipline and structure, with sheer persuasion. Schooled as an engineer, his focus for NAIOP in 2025 and beyond is establishing a robust advocacy connection between Charlotte's commercial industry and our representatives at the state level. Moved deeply by the magic that happens when a concept and dream of a development becomes tangible and real, he is also committed to helping those even younger than him get a start in the commercial industry with a good mix of wonder and dedication to engagement.  Here's more information about our podcast guest: Sagar Rathie joined Crescent Communities in 2016 and currently serves as Managing Director, Office for the Commercial division. He leads all aspects of the Company's office acquisitions and developments throughout the Southeast and Southwest, with an active investment and pipeline development portfolio totaling 2.5 million SF and representing $1.3 billion in capital deployed. Sagar is responsible for sourcing, entitling, designing, financing, and executing on new and value-add office and mixed-use developments across the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Central Florida, Texas, and Arizona.  Sagar has extensive capital markets experience, having collectively raised nearly $4.0 billion in third party equity and debt throughout his career. Previously, he was Crescent Communities' Director of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations, where he played an integral role in the company's financial forecasting and planning efforts, assisted with the investment committee process, and led numerous strategic initiatives for the company. Prior to Crescent Communities, Sagar was in Investment Banking with Piper Sandler, and a Manager at GlaxoSmithKline. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Discovery Place, President for the NAIOP Charlotte Chapter, active with ULI as a member of the Capital Markets Committee, a recent graduate of Leadership Charlotte, and heavily involved with the community. Sagar received his master's in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, master's in engineering from Duke University, and Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering also from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

We thought long and hard about the first few lines of our editorial for this podcast, in the hopes we'd successfully ignite some curiosity with our audience. It was decided that leading with "Tax Talk" might not be the hook needed. But after our interview with Bobbi Jo Lazarus, Shareholder with Elliott Davis, we changed our minds. Because spending 25 minutes on this podcast is going to be more entertaining and interesting than you would think. And extremely (yes, extremely) educational. In a short amount of time, we unpacked the top elements of the new implications of the Big Beautiful Bill with the addition of perspectives about its place in the landscape of previous bills. Bobbi Jo mentions she feels this work is like 'solving a puzzle' and you need to 'always think ahead.' In our opinion, no one should make a move in the tax world without a professional like Bobbi Jo.  In addition to her deep knowledge of her craft, Bobbi Jo is the incoming Charlotte NAIOP President. She is a driving force in their initiative around amplifying the boots on the ground voices at the state level. The goal is to establish a coalition that can generate real-time discussions with lawmakers and get more traction around 'what happens next' planning. And with the passing of The Big Beautiful Bill, there is so much to parse through, especially as the guidance needed to implement these new laws trickles in. A translator is surely needed.  Our GRWR lighting round, clearly one of our guests' favorite parts of the interview, gave us a glimpse into what makes Bobbi Jo tick. She's transparent and funny. Articulate and engaging. Confident and competent. You're listening and laughing and nodding for so much of the interview that you don't even realize that we're talking about …yes…Tax Talk. Just click "listen" and learn for yourself. Bobbi Jo's Professional Bio: With over 20 years of experience, Bobbi Jo Lazarus has established herself as a respected leader within the real estate industry. Utilizing a forward-thinking approach, her expertise extends beyond advisory and tax services, as she consistently delivers value-added solutions supported by the full capabilities of Elliott Davis's real estate and consulting teams. Her impact is marked by a strong commitment to staying ahead of regulatory changes and market dynamics, ensuring customers remain competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. As the previous Real Estate Industry Specialty Group leader, she spearheaded initiatives to align customer needs with team strengths, resulting in higher satisfaction and measurable business impact. Bobbi Jo's influence also extends into the non-profit sector, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service, including executive roles supporting organizations focused on real estate development, emergency management, and advocacy. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and foster collaboration has driven success across both corporate and non-profit initiatives, ensuring sustainable growth and positive impact.   Education, Credentials and Special Training Certified Public Accountant B.S., Accounting with an Economics minor, Plymouth State University   Civic & Community Activities  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation Board, Treasurer Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Type III All Hazards Incident Management Team, Member Hopeway, Advisory Board Member   Leadership Charlotte, Class 44   Professional Affiliations NAIOP Charlotte, President-Elect   NAIOP, Tax Policy Committee Member NAIOP Nashville Women Executives of Charlotte  Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Urban Land Institute  CREW Charlotte - Past National Delegate, Past President  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants  North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants   Awards Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Award Recipient 2025 Career Mastered Emerging Leader Award Recipient 2018 Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award Recipient 2016 Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women Award Recipient 2015 NCACPA Women to Watch, Emerging Leader 2014 CREW Charlotte, Sponsor of the Year 2012 Business Leader Women Extraordinaire, Award Recipient 2011  CREW Charlotte, New Member of the Year 2010  

This month on Getting Real with Rob, we welcome West Charlotte schoolmates Rodney Faulkner and William Haygood III, founders and partners with Boundary Street Advisors here in Charlotte. Established in 2018, this full-service commercial real estate firm is dedicated to some pretty big, bold ideas when it comes to commercial development. And because of that, Rodney, an alumnus of Appalachian State University and William, an alumnus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helped us record an episode that inspires just as much as it informs. Boundary Street Advisors is nothing if not committed to economic and cultural expansion. They love and celebrate everything about Charlotte. A powerhouse of financial acumen tempered by friendship and faith, their company is named after the street that used to mark the edges of the thriving Black business and residential community of Charlotte, Boundary Street, which is now tucked in and around the southwest loop of the I-277. But that's just a tip of what inspires them.  Let's start with the term, "Lean in." Words Rodney and William believe are the key to the way we should approach every venture. They see our region as a landscape of people and businesses that are knitted together like a beautiful quilt. Even though those are simple terms, they take very seriously the idea of insisting that we define our city's targets for the future, not just have them. Additionally, they believe you should "Lean in" to expansion, to the arts, to transportation, and especially to small businesses.  They also believe that it isn't the organizations that move us forward, it's the people in those organizations. "Who's being loud?" Was the question posed by Rodney when we asked him what REBIC can do to help. "What are each of your individual members doing to help?" And with that, we see why these gentlemen are conspicuously unique and refreshing.  Another fascinating response surfaced when we inquired about their strategy to bring more collaboration to the table between developers and policy makers. Wherein they suggested we need a commonsense committee to help us get to the right things; an overlay of friends and caring experts for each development on the table, who can help resolve burdensome and illogical regulations that are preventing something positive from happening.  They also boldly shared what they feel is missing in planning, zoning laws, and developer perception, stating their best advice is to simply ask a policy maker or staff member to lunch and get to know them. "Reach out your hand, Rob." Rodney invited, and then they shook hands. "I just gave you a gift. We are now friends." That kind of personal approach is what they feel is their 'secret sauce.'  Listen to this interview now!  

Michael Foess (pronounced Fess) is a highly accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of experience in engineering, development, and project management. He is serving as the REBIC Board President of 2025 and brings with him a packed agenda for progress. It is during this episode that he shares his deeper visions for REBIC and for members of the entire Real Estate community. Within the context of regulatory and growth push-back as key elements bogging down housing affordability momentum, Michael sees the way forward by using human strategies as much as a logistic one. With an admission of the missteps taken by policy makers he places the pivotal responsibility for improvement on the shoulders of leaders in our industry. And encourages them to explore the effectiveness of creating a more open and cooperative atmosphere at all levels of negotiation and entitlement. Reinforcing the idea that neighbors, policy makers and elected officials are all fellow share holders in a new development, he parses through the rhetoric and brings the narrative straight back to us. The interview here is a fascinating dialog that leaves no room for confusion and makes progress tactile: Be better at communicating the why, communicating the process, and then really listen. In addition to these human agendas, Michael takes a long look at the positive side of the sweeping changes AI will make in our world, especially its effects on our industry. And encourages us all to meet the moment so we can use this tool wisely and urgently as we envision a more efficient future for development. By way of background, Michael has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC. He is a registered Professional Engineer and licensed general contractor in North Carolina and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Michael is currently on the Board of Directors for the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte and the 2025 Chair for REBIC's Board of Directors. He is also a subcommittee member for the National Home Builders Association's Subcommittee on Land Use Policy and the past Chair, Land Development Council for the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte. As the Founding Executive of Montrose LLC, a real estate development consulting firm providing tailored portfolio management, program management, and project management services to developers, builders, investors, and family offices. Montrose is currently managing the entitlement and development of 2,761 residential lots, 3 commercial projects, and a beach front resort community in Central America. Mr. Foess' achievements include successfully launching an in-house land development platform for a privately held, regional builder, entitling, developing, and delivering 6,645 single-family lots across in four years. Michael has also successfully delivered more than 16 commercial and industrial development projects, including a 152,000 ft² retail center and the most advanced automated mixed materials recovery facility on the east coast. 

A little-known fact about the important role played by UNC Charlotte in helping the city to attract large industries and corporations is its status as an R1 University (according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education), meaning is a doctoral-granting institution with the highest level of research activity.  It cannot be understated how important that status is to REBIC's work and success. We rely heavily on their regional housing data to bolster our efforts to steer policy makers towards positive decisions that help ease the housing crisis. That's why we were thrilled to welcome Richard J. Buttimer Jr. as this episode's powerhouse guest. He returned to Charlotte in July of 2024 to the Belk College of business as their dean, following four years as dean of the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. There he led the process for UNF's successful renewal of the AACSB accreditation and created a new master's in the business analytics program.  Raised in Georgia and as much at home in the classroom as he is in the leadership positions that have dominated his career, we are pleased to share that Richard was the John Crosland, Sr. Distinguished Professor of Real Estate and Development at UNC Charlotte and also served the Belk College as senior associate dean, associate dean for faculty and research, director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate and in other leadership roles. Earlier in his career, he was the Gould/Mayfield Scholar in Real Estate and director of the real estate master's degree program at the University of Texas at Arlington. He also has served on the Board of Directors for the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association. Buttimer's academic research examines mortgage finance, real estate development and housing markets. He has been published in multiple scholarly journals such as Real Estate Economics, The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics and Regional Science and Urban Economics. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in real estate finance, real estate capital markets, financial management, corporate finance, financial derivatives, and fixed-income derivatives. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.  Buttimer has a bachelor's degree in finance and earned his Ph.D. in business administration with a focus on real estate from the University from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and is a Phi Kappa Phi honor society member.  Our conversation with Richard helped inform our understanding about what UNC's Belk College of business is doing behind the scenes to meet their goal of becoming one of the top 25 business schools in the country in the next decade.  

As we welcome Alyson Craig back to the podcast booth, we get a chance to not only celebrate her advancement to the position of Assistant City Manager for the City of Charlotte but reconnect on so many issues that important to our members. By way of background, Craig joined the City of Charlotte in 2018 as the Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Deputy Director and managed the Land Development, Entitlement Services (Rezoning/UDO), and Design and Preservation divisions as well as the department's human resources and budget operations. Craig also led the city's "one stop shop" initiative and the creation of the CLT Development Center. Previously serving as the Co-Director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate and the Director for the Master of Science in Real Estate program at UNC Charlotte. She taught several courses within the UNC-Charlotte graduate real estate program including planning and real estate development and has been an active member of the Charlotte community, committing her time to the Urban Land Institute, the American Planning Association, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and several other professional and community organizations. Craig is also a certified planner with the American Planning Association and received her AICP certification in 2009. Alyson has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has two master's degrees, one in sustainable development and conservation ecology from the University of Georgia and another in real estate from UNC Charlotte. With over 25 years of experience in land use planning, real estate development, public policy, and education, Alyson is one of the few in her field with experience in both the public and private sectors. That 'savvy' reaches across all sectors including land use planning, entitlements, community outreach, budget and staff management, and communications. As far as the cadence of the interview, both Rob and Alyson were full of humor that belied her full transparency into her intentions and vision for Charlotte. She shared her recommendations for helping to continually improve and refine the "living document"; her reference to the Charlotte UDO, her desire to truly streamline the permitting process, to push forward on exploring church owned property collaborations for developing attainable housing, and even a clever idea to help mitigate tree canopy metrics while helping to maximize lot yield. And the positive buzz she is hearing across the country about our great city of Charlotte makes our buttons burst. In summary? Alyson is constantly pushing against the norm, finding cracks in the 'box' so she can break it wide open and find real solutions. Thank you, Alyson, for your willingness to update our REBIC members with this episode!    

Our podcast has welcomed many who have served in our government but our short interview with Congressman Tim Moore proved not only important, but so very timely. Especially for those who are anxious to hear from this respected man about what he's finding in Washington as he settles into Congress. Listen to his succinct delivery of facts, his philosophy about how to restore accountability in Washington, his time with President Trump, and his unceasing optimism about the future. This episode is relevant and interesting. Don't miss it. Tim Moore, elected in 2024 to serve in the US Congress, is a lifelong resident of Kings Mountain, N.C. He graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1988, earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 and a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1995. Upon graduating law school and passing the North Carolina Bar Exam, Moore returned to Cleveland County to begin practicing law in Shelby, N.C. He became a partner at Flowers, Martin, Moore & Ditz before opening his own firm in Kings Mountain in 2009. His practice focuses on litigation in areas including criminal law, family law, personal injury, wills and estates, corporate law and civil litigation. He also has experience in administrative and governmental law and previously served as county attorney for Cleveland County and general counsel to the Cleveland County Water Board of Commissioners. Moore represented Cleveland County for over 21 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected Speaker of the House in 2015 and has chaired several committees, including the Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House Committee and the House Elections Committee. He sponsored key legislation, including the Jessica Lunsford Act, which increased penalties for child sex offenders, and Laura's Law, which strengthened DUI penalties for repeat offenders. Under Moore's leadership of the Republican majority, the House outlawed sanctuary cities, balanced the state budget annually and enacted one of the largest personal income tax cuts in North Carolina history. Moore also successfully spearheaded efforts to implement voter ID laws, requiring North Carolinians to present identification when voting. While Washington politicians have struggled to deliver on their promises, Tim Moore has demonstrated that conservative leadership gets results. With a proven record in North Carolina, his leadership brings the experience needed to address challenges in Congress. Moore lives in Kings Mountain with his two sons, McRae and Wilson, and attends the First Baptist Church of Kings Mountain.  

As James Pressly took his seat, his tall frame easing effortlessly into the seat opposite Rob, we watched as he opened his iPad to access his notes and listened to him express gratitude for the platform we were providing. Honestly, we couldn't wait to hit the record button. Poised, prepared, and passionate, James covered topics from politics to his family's legacy, from stories of angry farmers defending their land rights, to explaining the real origin of the term NIMBY. As we settled into the episode, James mused, "Closed mouths don't get fed…we have to speak out." And went on to admonish our entire industry to get more involved. "We need to be asking how we can help you, [Rob]…" Going on to explain that our industry should be communicating more effectively with elected officials and neighborhood shareholders. He then closed his thoughts with: "As builders and developers, we sometimes get a bad reputation, and we have to do a better job of communicating the benefits of our services."    James Pressly is the managing member of Pressly Residential Group, LLC, which he runs with his father, David Pressly, founder of the organization. They develop and build market-rate and affordable multifamily housing communities located in Statesville, NC. Having served in leadership roles for local, state, and national trade groups, including holding the title of past president of the Iredell County Home Builders Association, James was appointed in 2019, by the North Carolina General Assembly. It is there he serves on the state's Housing Partnership Board of Directors, working to connect private sector home building initiatives with public affordable housing programs. In 2024, Governor Roy Cooper appointed him to serve on the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors to protect public welfare through the regulation of NC General Contractors. He is a licensed NC General Contractor (License no. 73506) and NC Real Estate Broker (License no. 272033). Professional designations include NAHB's Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), and Certified Property Manager (CPM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management of the National Association of Realtors.     James graduated with a degree in History from the University of South Carolina and holds graduate degrees in Master of Business Administration (WCU, 2013) and Master of Science in Real Estate Finance and Development (UNCC, 2016). He is an Eagle Scout from New Salem United Methodist Church Troop 363 and an ordained and installed officer at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Jessie, live in Statesville, NC.

This episode features Pat Mumford, President and CEO of the Gaston Business Association. Returning after his first visit in June of 2023 to get us up to speed on all things Gaston County. So much has changed in 18 months, and Pat generously shared, among other topics, his unique perspective on the recent Belmont transportation bond, and the success of micro-transit in Gastonia. Without prompting, he offered some advice to municipalities dealing with the crushing pace of growth by admonishing them to remember they serve all constituents, not just the emotional people insisting that they are the only voices to consider. He implied that leadership that encourages an engaged and informed resident base helps everything run more smoothly. As we started the interview, beginning with Rob's famous 5 Question Lightning Round, Pat responded in his usual wise, and measured tone to tell us that the one lesson he'd go back and teach the High School version of himself is to get to know people's names and use them. "Being personal matters." He shares. We also heard why he's so passionate about his involvement in Habitat for Humanity. Mainly it is because he sees the dignity that is restored to people who have a place to call their own, especially children who need to feel the power of belonging. As we moved through the litany of questions about his views on the housing challenges, and how we've created a culture of 'confirmation-bias' with the intent to use it to prove ourselves right no matter what, he was refreshingly enthusiastic about AI (Artificial Intelligence) becoming an invaluable way to inform better investment decisions by speeding the research process. He brought his opinions to an apex by sharing these thoughts: "We don't have people curious to see what's on the other side of the table" he stated with conviction and concern. Finishing his thought with, "it's better to be a partner of change, not a victim of it." Listen to the episode now!

Karla Hammer Knotts is an industry rock star. Pleasant. Insightful. Funny. And she calls a spade a spade. She was also our member spotlight in December of 2023, and we just can't get enough of the world according to Karla. Currently Co-Owner and Vice President of Knotts Development, she is a passionate advocate of the industry and spends a great deal of her time digging into areas of purported malfeasance so that our industry can thrive in our beautiful Charlotte region. When we asked her why offering help comes so easy to her, she admits to having not only pretty good photographic recall but also good retention and comprehension of what she reads. And for those who know her, that is an undisputable fact. This podcast elevates all the above themes by weaving personal insights around the high-level science of policy dissection. And you feel smarter just listening. While being entertained, you find yourself writing down what she says and what she offers as advice so you can be ready next time you have your own issue to resolve. For those of you that are new to our podcast or to REBIC, here is more information about Karla, our expert real estate analyst and on-the-spot problem solver. Her advocacy for the housing industry in North Carolina is legendary. Mostly because it isn't about her list of accomplishments, it's that the accomplishments are truly impactful. And she's not done yet. With more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, including being inducted into the North Carolina Housing Hall of Fame in 2021, being named a Life Director for the Home Builder Association of Greater Charlotte, President of the HBAGC in 1999, chair of multiple committees for NCHBA, and locally her background includes a breathtaking number of appointments to various advisory committees and steering committees. Most importantly, she doesn't reach a conclusion before studying and researching any regulations at issue and looking deeply into how they're applied. She tells us, "As a home builder you understand how regulatory issues ultimately affect the affordability of homes for prospective buyers." A perspective that serves her well and all those who work with her. We're proud and honored to feature Karla Knotts in this month's Getting Real with Rob podcast!

Jim Morasso, Restauranteur and Developer, is our guest for this episode of Getting Real With Rob. A Gastonia changemaker who believes success is the result of creating opportunities for people to thrive. With over 30 years of education and experience in the hospitality industry –Steak & Ale, Houston's, TGI Fridays, Harpers and Mickey & Mooch – his experiences laid the groundwork to establish, build and create along with his partners the iconic restaurants such as Epic Chophouse in Mooresville NC, and Chillfire Bar & Grill in Denver NC. But it's the story of how he secured, imagined, and opened Webb Custom Kitchen in Gastonia NC -- Voted top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America by Forbes Magazine, and top 25 private steakhouses in America – that has caught the attention of so many of his peers. His ability to 'paint a picture' for the town leaders, as he refers to it in the interview, sets him apart in momentum and agility. The perfect reason to make him a guest on our podcast. Jim tells us his formula for success has always been to focus on five key topics. "First, the guests and the quality of their experience. Number two, people, who are the life blood of our business. Training, development, and opportunity for our associates is number three. Strong systems and procedures are number four. And number five states that if you follow the first four, then our community and the company will always thrive." For REBIC members who believe it is our responsibility to convey our vision with conviction and a sense of stewardship, all will enjoy hearing Jim talk about how he works to marry the community with the future in a cooperative and healthy way. His journey from Gastonia naysayer to local virtuoso will help inform the entire entrepreneurial narrative for anyone who believes relationships should be at the heart of development. * NOTE, ERROR: During this podcast, our guest, Jim Morasso mistakenly mentioned the value of the Gastonia downtown condominiums as selling for $375,000. The correct number is a value of $875,000. It refers to the development in the former Rustin Furniture Building on West Main Ave, Gastonia NC. To preserve the cadence of the episode, and with the permission of Jim, we did not edit out this error. Background on Gastonia Development by Jim: A board member of the Gaston Business Administration (G.B.A.), this group's focus is to develop the 13 small cities and towns in Gaston County. Built in 1927 by renowned architect Hugh White for J B Webb, Webb Theater was transformed in 2016 to Webb Custom Kitchen. Attention to history and acquiring artifacts that once graced the theater were just some of the strategies to return this gem to its prior brilliance. Featured in Architectural Digest and Smithsonian Magazine. A Morasso/Shrake partnership. TRW2020 LLC was created to repurpose the historic Rustin Furniture store built in 1900. One of the first furniture stores to place a TV in the windows capturing the City of Gastonia with standing room only on Main Ave. After 30 years of neglect and leaking roofs eating the inner structures integrity of the building, we moved ahead to restore and repurpose this center of Main Ave landmark. The building will be called Rustin on Main and will showcase 3 luxury condominiums on the top floor and 3 retail office spaces at street level. A Morasso/Shrake partnership. Working with the City of Gastonia, CNB1920 LLC purchased the Historic Citizens National Bank. Designed and built by Hugh White in 1920. The plan for this grand place has always been slated to serve its community. Once a savings and trust, we want to transfer this into a brain-trust. Education and business startups are the rebirth of forgotten cities. This facility has deep community ties and will realize its true potential to combine education, mentorship, business rebirth in a live work environment. Other amenities within this campus will include a business club and a landmark restaurant named the FED. A Morasso/Shrake partnership Community Service highlights: "There are many deserving groups in our community and our involvement grows every year. Groups like The Least of these for Foster Children, Boys & Girls Club, Webb Street School for intellectual disabilities, Salvation Army, Off the Streets homeless initiative, and Dove House a Childs advocacy center to name a few have been adopted and embraced due to the needs of our communities." 

We've long wanted to introduce you to those REBIC internal team members whose exceptional skills help us move our mission forward. And we're proud to feature David Coble, one of our valuable Area Advocacy Managers to the podcast booth for this episode. You'll have to pay attention to keep up with the cascading flow of information coming from David during this interview. His boots-on-the-ground perspective, honest delivery, and fact-based perspective is just one of many reasons he has helped REBIC influence, advocate, and change things for the better! Since 2017 David has maintained a successful Land Development consulting firm, guiding his clients in the development community through zoning and other land related requirements across North and South Carolina. He has helped facilitate governmental approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial and residential projects as well consulted on land acquisition for multiple developers. As far as his pedigree, it begins with being an expert at creating relationships. This exists at all levels, especially with state and local elected officials. He has consulted on winning campaigns as well as building working relationships with General Assembly leadership. With a financial pedigree that includes 15 years at Bank of America as a Program and Project Manager, he began his professional career in 1999 with First Union after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in Marketing. In 2013 David was elected as Commissioner at Large for the Town of Mooresville, NC and served until 2017. During that time David served on various committees including the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nominating Committee and as the Board of Commissioner's liaison to the Mooresville Graded and Iredell-Statesville School Systems. In 2014 David Co-Chaired the bond committee Our Schools First that successfully worked for voter approval of school bonds for new school construction and building upgrades for Mooresville Graded and Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Since initiating our REBIC podcast, we have had many esteemed interviewees give us a true glimpse into their personal beliefs and self-governing principles. We now include our guest Terry M. Brown Jr., North Carolina House Representative for the 92nd District, into that club of transparency. Why? Terry likes to call himself an honest broker meaning that whenever he enters into a discussion over policy, he approaches the encounter by moving the intent forward without a need to first protect the partisanship of the issue. He states that he is always honest about what he knows, what he believes his bill can and will do, and encourages others to also meet him with facts. That's why we think you'll find this episode worth a listen. Brown, a lifelong North Carolinian, also serves as a House Democratic Whip. A nod to his ability to bring voices to a table that is often rife with polarization. Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to two public school educators, Representative Brown is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte (2009) and Campbell University School of Law (2015). While at Campbell Law, Brown was runner up in the National Tournament of Champions and earned a Mock Trial National Championship. Additionally, Brown also served as the President of the Black Law Students Association and received the David R. Teddy Award for Leadership. In 2023, Brown was inducted into the Campbell Law Competitive Advocacy Hall of Fame. Representative Brown generously shared his agenda with us, emphasizing the importance of education, creating and sustaining growth, and keeping the new jobs that come to our state filled with NC residents. He also lights up when he talks about quality of life for those who seek to come to our state sharing that we are stewards of not only the new job and the new home opportunity for residents filling our state, but to be mindful of their humanity and diligently support the creation of amenities that will elevate their lifestyle options. He is also committed to policy that helps those who are emerging from abusive relationships to enjoy a fresh start to life by mitigating financial consequences that may push them into an inescapable grip of poverty. Our discussions showed him to be a man of many passions. Prior to being elected to the legislature, Terry was a community advocate for affordable housing and justice reforms. Terry has been recognized in Mecklenburg County as one of the top 30 Under 30 and 40 Under 40 in both the business and civic community. Terry currently works as a litigation attorney focusing on financial litigation and complex commercial business litigation with the international law firm of Winston & Strawn. In the General Assembly, Terry has been elected the House Minority Whip, and serves on the Judiciary 3, Appropriations, Appropriations-Health and Human Services, Energy and Public Utilities, Insurance Regulatory Reform, and Unemployment Insurance committee. Terry has introduced forward thinking legislation on topics ranging from public education to mental health. Terry is married to his supportive wife Arielle, a local pediatric mental health counselor.    

Rob Nanfelt, Executive Director of REBIC in Charlotte, NC, is our usual host for Getting Real With Rob. But today, he finds himself in the guest chair and interviewed by AnneMarie DeCatsye, CEO of Canopy REALTOR Association. In this episode he discusses all things UDO, (and becomes the victim of the Lightning Round questions himself!). His responses are comprehensive and detailed, giving us a valuable glimpse into the City of Charlotte's master planning document. Charlotte's Unified Development Ordinance, referred to as the UDO, has been a point of celebration and angst since being implemented in June of 2023. As we revisit it one year later, questions and complaints about its content persist. However, our members should understand that REBIC has been working behind the scenes since long before the document was ever drafted. Key leaders in the development field worked during the review process to help insert reality into the paragraphs and sections of this complex document. One of the most fact-filled episodes we've ever recorded, Rob goes from A to Z explaining the phases of improvement we're working to help refine. Many listeners may not know that REBIC has formally submitted over 30 change requests, using a form provided on the REBIC website. The party requesting a change can give give a complete and detailed picture of the issue, with context, and offer suggestions about what a change (or text amendment) should contain. Improvements to the document are made solely by the Planning Board, but our hope is that these amendments not only rectify faulty language, but help the UDO become more robust and real-time in the future. By way of background, Rob Nanfelt, a long time Charlotte resident, joined REBIC as their Executive Director in the fall of 2109, bringing over 25 years of public policy experience to the position. The foundation for this knowledge was honed by his time as a political Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill and a decade long leadership position promoting advocacy for the Colorado Association of Home Builders. If you work with Rob, you know he possesses a unique ability to quickly understand complex challenges and identify appropriate solutions and is known for easily guiding diverse parties with opposing goals toward common objectives. The statements, "Be overprepared. Stop complaining. Let's discuss solutions, not problems." are three of his favorite phrases. He deftly operates at the intersection between soundbite platitudes and real-life-on-the-ground execution believing that only when we examine true cause and effect can we expect to create a plan for meaningful change and achieve positive outcomes.