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The Nashville Post's In Charge list highlights the individuals who make our city work. This year's list features seasoned veterans and newcomers alike, showcasing the best of the best.
Todd Alexander, Principal-in-Charge at Southeast Venture, has been with the company since 1999. He receives support from Wood Caldwell and Greg Coleman. Allen Arender, Chief Development Officer at Holladay Properties, focuses on projects like The Factory at Franklin and Airport Logistics Park.
Jessica Averbuch, CEO of Zeitlin Sotheby's International Realty, launched her real estate career in 2001 after studying anthropology and psychology. David Bailey, Principal at Hastings Architecture Associates, has led the firm since 1996, designing notable buildings like Peabody Union and Virgin Hotel.
Luca Barber, Managing Director at Mill Creek, oversees local operations for the Boca Raton-based company. Jenni Barnett, CEO of Onward Real Estate, launched her own company in June 2024 after nearly 30 years in real estate.
Ben Bonner, Managing Partner at Magnolia Investment Partners, leads a firm that hired CRE veteran Brian Reames as partner in December 2023. Sean Buck, SVP at JE Dunn, has held various titles within the company since 2003.
Allen Buchanan and Chase Manning, Principals at Dowdle Construction Group, took over leadership from founder Glynn Dowdle in early 2025. Kelly Cathey, Co-Managing Director at Gensler, leads Nashville operations for one of the world's most prominent design firms.
Alex Chambers, SVP and Nashville Market Leader at Highwoods Properties, spearheads development projects like SoBro and Airport Logistics Park. Rodney Chester, CEO and Board Chair at Gresham Smith, has worked with the firm for nearly 24 years.
Hunter Connelly, President at Parks | Compass Real Estate, oversees the state's largest residential real estate firm. Sheila Dial-Barton, Principal at EOA Architects, leads design projects like Rolling Mill Hill's Peabody Union.
Tim Downey, Founder and CEO of Southern Land Co., has developed notable projects like Vertis in Green Hills. John Eakin, Co-Founder and Chairman of Eakin Partners, has led the company since its inception.
Tarek El Gammal, Executive Managing Director at Newmark, launched the local office in 2020 with Vince Lefler. Gina Emmanuel, Principal at Centric Architecture, partners with co-principals to guide design projects.
Meg Epstein, Founder and CEO of CA South Development, has undertaken projects in Edgehill, Pie Town, and North Capitol. David Frazier, CEO and Owner of Hardaway Construction, acquired the 100-year-old company in 2018.
Bob Freeman, President at Freeman Webb Companies, leads a firm with over 450 employees and nearly 15,000 apartment units under management. Elam Freeman, Founder and Principal at Ojas Partners, spearheads local commercial real estate projects.
Rick French, Principal at French King Fine Properties, works with Tim King to oversee residential real estate projects. Steve Fridrich, President and Managing Partner at Fridrich and Clark Realty, has grown the company from one office to two offices with over 180 agents.
Mike Frohnappel, Nashville Managing Partner at Baker Barrios, oversees the local office of the Orlando-based company. Gary Gaston, CEO at Civic Design Center, is a principal contributor to "The Plan of Nashville."
Hunter Gee, Principal at Smith Gee Studio, works with fellow principals Fleming Smith and Dallas Caudle on architecture projects. Tony Giarratana, President at Giarratana, LLC, has developed large-scale projects like the 750-foot residential tower in downtown Nashville.
Elizabeth Goodwin, Senior Managing Director and Market Leader for Tennessee at CBRE, oversees local operations for the global company. Jimmy Granbery, CEO at H.G. Hill Realty, has overseen projects in 12South, Five Points, and Green Hills.
Joseph Griffin, CEO at RaganSmith Associates, has worked with the firm since 1987. John Gromos, SVP at Turner Construction, oversees Nashville operations for the New York-based company.
Roberto Gutierrez, Managing Partner at Jackson Builders, focuses on infill homes in Nashville's urban core. Kristy Hairston, Regional Vice President at Compass, works in the Green Hills office and has over 20 years of experience in real estate.
Kim Hartley Hawkins, Founding Principal at Hawkins Partners, leads land planning and landscape architecture projects with her husband Gary Hawkins. Michael Hayes, CEO at C.B. Ragland, has developed notable projects like the Hyatt Caption hotel in The Gulch.
Jeff Haynes, Founder and Managing Partner at Boyle Nashville, oversees development projects like Capitol View sites in North Gulch. Ray Hensler, Principal at Hensler Development Group, is known for his attention to detail on projects like Peabody Union.
Evan Holladay, Founder and CEO of Holladay Ventures, leads a company developing mixed-use projects like the Samaritan Recovery Community site. Jason Holwerda, Partner at Foundry Commercial, has leased over 5 million square feet of space in transactions totaling over $1 billion.
Tom Hooper, Executive Managing Director at JLL, oversees local operations for the Chicago-based company. Bill Hostettler, Principal Broker at HND Realty, is a veteran with over 44 years of experience in real estate development.
Ken Larish, CEO at The Mainland Companies, has developed projects like Germantown's Buchanan Arts District. Rob Lowe, Executive Managing Director and Partner at Stream Realty Partners, has worked on notable projects like The Arcade overhaul.
Lisa Maki, Principal and Market Leader at Avison Young, oversees local operations for the Toronto-based company. Bert Mathews, President at The Mathews Company, leads development, acquisitions, and financing efforts.
Mack McClung, CEO at Vastland, co-founded the company in 1995 with J.D. Eatherly. Mark McDonald, Partner at Oldacre McDonald, has developed projects like Century Farms in Antioch.
Janet Miller, Principal, CEO, and Market Leader at Colliers Nashville, oversees local operations for the global company. Susan Osterberg, CEO and President at Smith Seckman Reid, leads a 500-employee engineering design firm.
Larry Papel, Partner at Nelson Mullins, focuses on land-use and zoning projects. Reggie Polk, Founder and CEO of Polk and Associates Construction, founded the company in 2011 after working as a real estate broker.
Patrick Poole, Vice President and Nashville Market Leader at Merus, oversees local development efforts for the Cincinnati-based company. Eric Pyle, Owner and President at Bell Construction, joined the company in 2002.
Jeremiah Pyron, Partner at Sagemont Real Estate, leads a boutique company with over 20 years of experience in real estate development. Jonathon Reeser, Partner at SomeraRoad, oversees Nashville operations for the New York-based company.
Todd Robinson, President at ESa, has been with the local design firm since 1981. Ben Rooke, Regional President at Brasfield & Gorrie, oversees Franklin office operations for the Birmingham-based company.
Cary Rosenblum, CEO at Elmington Capital Group, leads a company developing projects in Hillsboro Village and Edgehill. Dave Sansom, Nashville Managing Principal at Cushman & Wakefield, was promoted to his current role in 2024.
Carrie Stokes, CEO at Barge Design Solutions, oversees local operations for the engineering design firm. Lizabeth Theiss, Executive leadership at DPR Construction, joined the company in 2019 after working with Crain Construction.
George Tomlin, President and CEO at GBT Realty, steers a company known for its One22One mixed-use tower in The Gulch. Jay Turner, CEO at MarketStreet Enterprises, oversees development projects like those in The Gulch and Wedgewood-Houston.
David Wells, CEO at Hall Emery, leads a company developing notable projects like the Musica Roundabout site. Christie Wilson, President and CEO at The Wilson Group Real Estate Services, is a respected advocate for Nashville's residential west side.
Manuel Zeitlin, Owner at Manuel Zeitlin Architects, oversees a company known for its 21st-century design aesthetic.
