BusinessTN

Architecture

Rob Barrick, President & CEO
Smith Seckman Reid, Nashville
Runs architecture and design firm with 450 engineers and consultants, licensed in 41 states. Has been in charge since 1986. Among other prominent projects, the firm designed LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis and the Memphis Zoo. Firm has done work in 10 foreign countries.

Clay Bright, Vice President
Brasfield & Gorrie
Nashville
At number 29 among the nation’s top contractors as ranked by Engineering News Record in 2004, the firm has amassed an impressive portfolio of high-profile Nashville gigs ($275 million in construction costs). BellSouth Tower, Corner Realty’s The Adelicia and Giarratana’s Encore are just some examples.

Jim Downing, Chief Executive
Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon
Nashville
Has been running the firm since last June. With 12 offices in the Southeast, the engineering and architecture firm has done a lot of work in Nashville, including Opryland U.S.A., MetroCenter, four shopping malls (including Green Hills Mall), landscaping for Nashville International Airport, as well as interstates. MDHA’s engineer of choice.

Batey Gresham, Co-founder
Gresham, Smith & Partners
Nashville
Remains active at the architecture firm he co-founded in 1967 with Flem Smith. Started as HCA’s primary architect, GS&P became the point firm in hospital construction. Projects include Skyline Medical Center, 3322 West End, Dollar General headquarters and a 750,000-square-foot terminal at Nashville International Airport.

Chuck Griffin, President
Barber McMurry Architects
Knoxville
Runs East Tennessee’s largest architecture firm and the state’s oldest full-service architecture firm. Expert in project management and facilities evaluation. Barber McMurry’s portfolio includes medical buildings, churches and office structures, such as the two-story, neo-classic headquarters for Home Federal Bank.

Frank Ricks, Principal
Looney Ricks Kiss
Memphis
Founded in 1983, the architecture powerhouse now has offices in Memphis, Nashville, Florida and New Jersey. Projects include the Stax Museum, FedExForum and AutoZone Park. A pioneer of urban design and Tennessee’s premiere “smart growth” advocate and expert, Ricks is currently working on Ave Maria Town Center, South End Condos and Ross Bridge projects, among others.

Charles Smith, Chairman
Bullock Smith & Partners
Knoxville
Firm well known for coming up with unorthodox design solutions, such as the Neverland Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which occupies 60,000 square feet and includes a roller coaster and an IMAX theater. Also builds offices, such as One and Two Centre Square in Knoxville.

Earl Swensson, Chairman & Principal
Earl Swensson Architects
Nashville
The preeminent architectural talent in Nashville. Architect of record for the newly opened Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Firm designed the 1.3-million-square-foot Opryland Hotel Delta wing and 8,000 other projects. Company is licensed in all 50 states. Also did Centennial Medical Center, Caterpillar Financial Building, the Wildhorse saloon and One Century Place, which was lauded as a new standard-setting office complex in Nashville.

Construction

Ray Bell, CEO
Bell & Associates Construction
Brentwood
Firm is famous for winning a ton of road project gigs. Also built a number of Tennessee’s signature buildings, including Nashville’s BellSouth Tower. Recently landed Memphis U.S. Customs House and Nashville airport contracts. While he remains the key identity behind the construction powerhouse, Bell has signed over key responsibilities to President Keith Pyle and twelve other partners. Son Darek also active in day-to-day operations.

C.Dorman Blaine, Founder & President
Blaine Construction
Knoxville
Since founding the firm 37 years ago, has built many a high-end, high-tech and heavy industrial development in East Tennessee. Now a fully owned subsidiary of Yates Co. of Mississippi, Blaine did some $35 million worth of construction for the newly opened Spallation Neutron Source in Oak Ridge.

Bruce Bosse, President
Merit Construction
Knoxville
This large industrial construction firm has built Niswonger Commons at Tusculum College and a $10-million Activity Center at Carson Newman College. Industrial clients include Frito-Lay, Becromal, Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Also does medical, office, hotel and specialized construction, as well as historic renovations like Knoxville’s Bijou Theatre.

Mike Brewer, Executive VP
Linkous Construction
Memphis
Firm’s portfolio includes Renaissance Center, Christ the Rock Metro Church, and a Medtronic Sofamor Danek research and development facility. With 31 years of experience, Brewer is the right-hand man to President R.E. Linkous. Company is now a part of Merit Shop Contractor.

Jim Bush, President
Johnson & Galyon General Contractors
Knoxville
With the help of Doug Kennedy, runs the oldest and most prominent general contractor firm in the state, with history dating back to 1914. Built the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, Pilot Corp.’s headquarters, Volunteer Landing Riverfront Park and Whittle Communications headquarters.

Jim Campbell, President & COO
H+M Co.
Jackson
Relies heavily on senior VP Roger Cook in day-to-day operations. Firm handles construction, architecture and engineering work across the globe, bringing in some $300 million in sales. Clients include ARJ Manufacturing, Quebecor Printing, Pirelli Tire North America and AFG Industries.

Sonny Dement, Chairman
Dement Construction
Jackson
Sons Bill, Joe and Alan run the day-to-day business founded by Sonny, which has become one of the most prolific and efficient road construction firms in the state and is on TDOT’s roster of top road builders, having paved hundreds of miles of roadways in Tennessee.

Gene Gibson, President
Jameson-Gibson Constcution Co.
Memphis
Founded in 1976, the firm owns a custom millwork manufacturing business. Though it has unlimited general contracting license in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, the bulk of the firm’s work takes place in Shelby County. Clients include FedEx, Kroger, Purina, Wal-Mart and Kellogg’s.

Stan Hardaway, President
Hardaway Construction Corp.
Nashville
Firm is most known for Willis Corroon headquarters, work at Nashville International Airport, Vanderbilt University School of Engineering and the Tennessee’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall. Since its founding in 1924, the construction firm has become a force in the Southeast. Other clients include Nissan North America, Davidson County and LifeWay Christian Resources.

Page Inman, President
Inman Construction
Memphis
Firm’s annual revenues fluctuate between $50 million and $80 million. Started in 1970, the company expanded its reach beyond Tennessee into Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Last year, Inman built the second phase of Methodist Hospital in Germantown and Bank Tennessee headquarters.

Raja Jubran, CEO
Denark Construction
Knoxville
His $160 million Knoxville Convention Center project received the Award of Excellence in 2004 from the Associated Builders and Contractors. Son of a Middle Eastern construction magnate, Jubran arrived in the United States in 1977 and now leads a construction firm that virtually lands all the top-notch gigs in the area and is nationally recognized for its safety standards.

Bill Knestrick, President & CEO
The Knestrick Companies
Nashville
Bought his father’s contracting company in 1998 and has expanded its footprint. Firm handles all manner of commercial, industrial, health care and retail construction. Projects include the Nashville Gas Building at MetroCenter, the BellSouth Mobility Building in Maryland Farms and the Service Merchandise headquarters.

Walker Mathews, President & CEO
R.C. Mathews Contractor
Nashville
Expanded business built by his father and is the go-to downtown developer/contractor on projects that are revitalizing Nashville’s urban core. Firm recently built Thrailkill Hall and $18.4-million College of Health Sciences at Belmont University and Cool Springs Life Sciences Center.

Mark McDonald, Co-founder & Principal
Newton Oldacre McDonald
Nashville
With more than 30 years of experience in commercial development, he was running retail center developer The Signature Group, which merged into Newton Oldacre. The group is active in mixed-use developments, currently building, in a joint venture with The Parks Group of Franklin, a 700,000-square foot, $100 million shopping center dubbed Nashville West. Also building at three locations in Florida.

Jeff Sweeney, President
Bowden Homes
Memphis
Founded in 1971, the firm became the largest homebuilder in the Memphis area for six years. Sweeney sold his Bowden Building Corp. in 2004 for $7.2 million in cash to publicly traded Levitt Corp. of Florida. Recently entered the Midstate market, building in Hendersonville, Spring Hill, Gallatin, Murfreesboro and Hermitage.

Commercial Brokerage and Real Estate Services

Kevin Adams, CEO
CB Richard EllisMemphis
Runs Memphis’ largest commercial real estate brokerage firm. Clients include footwear company Asics Tiger, Methodist Healthcare, Perkins Family Restaurants, and Sedgwick CMS. Last year, started H2O Properties, focusing on the Florida Panhandle.

Andy Cates, Partner
Colliers Wilkinson & Snowden
Memphis
Made partner last year after being promoted from associate broker with a focus on industrial tenants and landlords ($90 million in total deals). Clients include T-Aerospace, Brentwood Originals, Covenant Logistics, HRM Automotive, Conair, Tri-State Theatre and Prologis.

David Koziak, Affiliate broker
Newmark Knight Frank
Nashville
Recently left Grubb & Ellis to open and run Newmark Knight Frank’s Nashville office. Developed a reputation as one of the most prolific office brokers in the city. Former clients include National Federation of Independent Business, Aluminum Company of America, PNC Corp., Trane Corp. and Bridgestone/Firestone.

David DeVaney, President
NAI Charter Real Estate
Chattanooga
Firm handles the lion’s share of warehouse distribution and industrial space in the city, as DeVaney handles top management responsibilities, which he took over from father Chet DeVaney, who founded the company three decades ago. Clients include Aerisyn, Sulzer Pumps, FedEx, General Electric and Greyhound. Larry Jensen, President & CEO
Commercial Advisors
Memphis
Runs the independent affiliate of Cushman and Wakefield Alliance, which does a ton of work for FedEx, Baptist Hospital, Baker Donelson and Accredo Health. Former head of the Memphis Chamber.

Maribel Koella, Dir. & Principal
NAI Knoxville
Knoxville
Specializes in industrial properties, investment and corporate services. Clients include Aluminum Company of America, A+ Communications, Levi Strauss, U.S. Postal Service, Ruby Tuesday and BASF.

Rob Lowe, Broker
Colliers Turley Martin Tucker
Nashville
Star broker at Colliers, whose specialties include investment sales and commercial office leasing. (He’s done more than $250 million worth of such transactions.) Clients include Bear Stearns, Prudential Real Estate Investors, CIGNA, Gaedeke Group and Highwoods Properties.

Steve Massey, Executive VP
CB Richard Ellis
Nashville
At CBRE since 1985, established himself as an expert in the multi-family and investment niches. Has handled some $1.5 billion in transaction volume. With clients such as AIMCO, Berkshire Realty Co., Prudential Real Estate, UBS Realty and dozens of others, has no shortage of business.

Investment Development and Management

Al Andrews, Partner
Panattoni Development Co.
Memphis
Builder of large logistics hubs, such as the Memphis Oak Distribution Center, where Thomson Multimedia subsidiary Techni- color found its 806,000-square-foot home for DVD distribution in 2003.

Joe Barker, Chief Manager
Marketstreet Equities Co.
Nashville
In partnership with Bristol Development Group, currently building Icon, a $100-million, 22-story mixed-use tower in the Gulch, a 30-acre plot of land near the Union Station Hotel. Began acquiring land there in 1999. Takes care of day-to-day management, with Steve Turner as the main equity supplier, in the privately held, multinational investment firm whose interests span real estate, banking and technology companies.

Bill Barkley, President
Crosland-Tennessee
Nashville
Building Terrazo condos in the Gulch, where he has invested much of his energy since 1993 along with partner Steve Armistead, having built Mercury View Lofts there. In charge of all of Crosland’s investments in the state. Long-time advocate of historic preservation (evidenced by the treatment of the BMG-Little Sisters and the Castner Knott buildings).

Jack Belz, Chairman & CEO
Belz Enterprizes
Memphis
Oversees more than 30 million square feet of developed property holdings in Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge, other states and Puerto Rico. Changed the face of Downtown Memphis with the purchase of The Peabody Hotel in 1975. Behind Uptown Partnership, a Memphis public-private revitalization effort.

Rusty Bloodworth, Executive VP
Boyle Investment Co.
Memphis
Builds large-scale multi-use communities he calls “new towns.” Studied community development in Scandinavia where he got enamored with European ideas of New Urbanism. Bloodworth’s firm Boyle built Farmington, one of the earliest New Urban communities

Paul Bower, President & CEO
Education Realty Trust
Memphis
Runs one of America’s three publicly traded student housing REITs, which capitalize on outsourcing of student housing by colleges to third parties as college enrollments grow. Company’s predecessor, Allen & O’Hara, was the first to introduce the student hotel concept in 1964. Now owns or manages 59 properties, which amounts to 36,419 beds.

Gary Bowie, Owner
Empire Partner
Nashville
Key downtown Nashville residential loft real estate investor on a buying spree of late, having acquired 131 Second Avenue N. (which houses nightclub NV and offices) for just under $1 million, and Market Street Emporium for $1.75 million. Runs partnership with Ward Pace, formerly of Global Motorsports.

Fletcher Bright, Founder
Fletcher Bright Co.
Chattanooga
Has shopping centers in 15 states across the Southeast. Key properties are Cherry Plaza in Gastonia, N.C., four retail centers in Mississippi, and a wealth of retail properties in Tennessee.

Nick Cazana, President
Commercial & Investment Properties
Knoxville
Specializes in build-to-suit work, including complicated projects for high-tech clients. Top projects are Knoxville’s Northshore Medical Plaza, the Gallery Shopping Center in Huntsville, Ala., and two similar galleries in Knoxville and Nashville. Also handles warehouse construction and redevelopment.

Pace Cooper, President & CEO
Cooper Companies
Memphis
With gross revenues well over $100 million, builds and manages hotel properties, which span a geography ranging from upstate New York through Tennessee to the Mississippi Delta and southern Florida, 21 hotels in eight states in all. Company is the only Hilton franchisee with at least one of every Hilton brand in its portfolio.

Mitch Cox, Owner & President
Mitch Cox Development Group
Johnson City

David Dewhirst, Owner
Dewhirst Properties
Knoxville
Known for his preservationist inclinations, has been doing redevelopment since 1973. With partners Mark Heinz and Chicago transplant Tom Grace, Dewhirst bought three-story Cherokee building and two-story Ely building on Church Avenue and Market in August. Dewhirst is Market Square’s largest property owner with 10 parcels.

John Eakin, Founder & Chairman
Eakin Partners
Brentwood
Developed Burton Hills I & II, Highland Ridge I, II & III, Comdata headquarters building, Virginia Way Plaza and many others. Client roster lists more than 200 companies, including Suntrust Bank, Tractor Supply Co., Triad Hospitals and Quorum.

Mike Edwards, CEO
The Development Corp. of Knox County
Knoxville
Presides over a private, not-for-profit organization that helps companies choose sites, build facilities and develop infrastructure in the Knox County area. TDC has developed some 2,000 acres of business and industrial parks in Knox County. Also runs the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership as president and chief executive.

David Emery, Chairman & CEO
Healthcare Realty Trust
Nashville
In charge of the publicly traded REIT whose holdings are vast and expensive (some 237 properties valued at $1.9 billion). Prior to starting Healthcare Realty Trust in 1992, led Emery Partnership, which built the 480,000-square-foot Nashville City Center and 3322 West End. (The latter was sold for $29.5 million in 1988.)

Pat Emery, Regional VP
Crescent Resources
Franklin
The largest property management company in the Cool Springs market. Formed by Duke Energy and Morgan Stanley, the firm leases and manages the Corporate Centre at Cool Springs, a five-building class A office park, with its Eight Corporate Centre opening in December 2006 and its Nine Corporate Centre starting construction this month. Recently named management company overseeing the leasing and management of the Primus Financial Services campus.

Richard Fletcher, Owner
511 Group Inc.
Nashville
Manages and leases roughly one million square feet of office space in Nashville, plus three large parking garages. A shrewd businessman, he also started a stand-alone cleaning service for his clients. Buildings include Nashville City Center and L&C Tower. Has handled leasing deals for Waller Lansden; Gresham, Smith & Partners; and the State of Tennessee.

John Floyd, Founder & President
Ole South Properties
Murfreesboro
Does a ton of work in the residential home market, mainly in Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson and Maury counties. Founded firm in 1986, and now claims to be the state’s largest independently owned homebuilder. TVA has noted the firm’s energy-saving efforts.

Bill Freeman, Chairman
Freeman Webb Co.
Nashville
Now employs 300 professionals and has largest apartment portfolio in Middle Tennessee. Co-founded the real estate investment, management and brokerage company at age 28 with partner Jimmy Webb in 1979. Former director of Downtown Urban Development for Nashville’s MDHA.

Sam Furrow, Chairman
Archer-Furrow & Associates
Knoxville
Former auctioneer, chairman of Furrow Auction Co., which owns millions of square feet of commercial space. Does a lot of work with historic properties.

Tony Giarratana, President
Giarratana Development
Nashville
By far the most ambitious condo developer in Tennessee, if not the entire Southeast. Finishing up the Viridian in partnership with Novare Group of Atlanta. Remains so optimistic about demand for downtown Nashville condos that he chose to go it alone, without Novare at his side, with the gargantuan Signature Tower, a $300-million, 65-story residential skyscraper slated to include a Kimpton boutique hotel.

Jeremy Giles, VP & Market Officer
ProLogis
Memphis
The Colorado-based firm manages, owns and has developed roughly 2,040 facilities in 75 markets in the United States, Europe and Asia. Giles handles the Memphis operations, including ProLogis Park Stateline, now fully leased following the expansion of Franklin Sports’ distribution space and Kyocera Mita America’s lease of 300,000 square feet in the 80-acre park southeast of Memphis International Airport this summer.

Mike Gorney, Principal
Acquisitions/Wexford Equity Partners
Nashville
Since 1995, the firm has underwritten debt and equity transactions to the tune of $1 billion, with WexTrust Capital acting as a principal investor to assure healthy returns. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm recently paid, through a subsidiary, $2.9 million for two sizeable buildings currently leased to state government tenants in Nashville.

Tim Graham, President
Graham Corp.
Knoxville
Recent projects include Merchant Towne Square, 640 Plaza, Northwest Plaza, Isaiah’s Landing and a new 400,000-square-foot Lowe’s at Southgrove. Graham founded firm in 1989 to develop, lease and manage shopping centers in metro Knoxville and East Tennessee.

Jimmy Granbery, CEO
H.G. Hill Realty Co.
Nashville
Continuing construction of the Hill Center at Green Hills, site of a former H.G. Hill grocery store now slated for a new urban development. Firm capitalizes on the vision of grocer H.G. Hill, who in 1896 began buying properties where his stores stood—and thus built a model for creating value in commercial real estate that can span generations.

Mark Halperin, Executive VP
Boyle Investment Co.
Memphis
At Boyle since 1973, Halperin is responsible for leasing and management of all office properties at Boyle Memphis, overseeing some two million square feet of class A space. Built and now manages Ridgeway Center, which spans nearly one million square feet.

Whitfield Hamilton, Regional Partner
Panattoni Development Co.
Nashville
Taking on a larger role at Panattoni’s Nashville office as Ron Colter’s role diminishes. Used to oversee operations of Colliers Turley Martin Tucker in Nashville, which he left in 2005 to become partner at Sacramento-based construction giant.

Franklin L. Haney Sr., Chairman
Franklin L. Haney Co.
Chattanooga
The 66-year-old multi-millionaire and financier built hotels and office buildings reportedly worth a combined $10 billion. The company’s success came when he began developing properties and leasing them to TVA and other federal entities. Maintains offices in Washington, D.C.

Bill Hawkins, President
Chas. Hawkins Co.
Nashville
Runs the family-owned company, which specializes in build-to-suit projects through affiliation with Hawkins Development Co. Holds a lot of inventory across town. In 1989, joined the firm established by his late father and local industrial development pioneer Charles Hawkins. High-profile projects include the Tire Centers building in 43-acre Logistics Way Industrial Park.

Michael Hayes, Asset Manager
CB Ragland Co.
Nashville
In control of a large portion of land south of Broadway (in the so-called SoBro district), which is slated for major development in the near future. Formerly worked for AutoZone identifying and acquiring new sites. Created business plan for AutoZone of Puerto Rico. His dad, Chairman and CEO Mike Hayes, has been the helm since 1982.

Jeff Haynes, Chief Manager
Boyle Investment Co.
Nashville
Oversees Boyle’s Nashville operations, where he came after 17 years at Trammell Crow Co. In charge of Boyle’s aggressive build-out and acquisitions in the Nashville area, including 40 acres near I-65 in Cool Springs and Meridian business park.

Ashlyn Hines, Principal
Bristol Development Group
Nashville
Co-founder and one of three principals of Bristol Development Group, the urban residential developers behind numerous projects statewide, including in Nashville the Icon (located in the Gulch), as well as projects on Broadway and off West End.

Doug Horne, Chairman & CEO
Horne Properties
Knoxville
Got his start as a Wal-Mart builder by finding a Knoxville location for Sam Walton. Firm has built regional and community shopping centers in 25 states. Tennessee projects include Knoxville’s Chapman Ford Crossing and Northwest Crossing, and Forrest Gallery in Tullahoma.

Dan Jacobson, VP Properties
BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee
Chattanooga
The quiet mover behind insurance giant’s real estate deals. The 30-year veteran of BlueCross did all the legwork for company’s new campus on Cameron Hill, which will dwarf almost all previous developments in the area at $226 million and 800,000 square feet.

Wiley Johnson, Mng. Dir, development
FedEx Express
Memphis
Remains one of the most-traveled real estate executives in the state as he oversees all real estate matters, both domestic and international, for FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company. Negotiates millions of dollars in complex real estate transactions, such as build-to-suit leases, ground leases and airport deals.

Jon Kinsey, President
Kinsey Probasco & Associates
Chattanooga
Former Chattanooga mayor has become the key figure in downtown development in Hamilton County. Has been doing a lot of work in Knoxville of late (planning SunSphere revamp). Key Chattanooga projects are River Pier Landing, a $20 million downtown development across from the Tennessee Aquarium, and Knitting Mill, a 17,000-square-foot condo tower.

Michael Lebovitz, Senior VP
CBL & Associates Properties
Chattanooga
In June was put in charge of mall developer’s aggressive growth program. Focuses on regional malls, open-air, mixed-use and community centers. The publicly traded REIT got its start in movie theater development in the 1950s, and is one of the biggest REITs in the country in terms of mall holdings. (It owns controlling interest in 65 regional malls including several of Nashville’s largest.)

Bobby Loeb, Chairman & President
Loeb Properties
Memphis
Oversees more than 150 company-owned properties under management. The family firm dabbled in laundry, barbecue and fried chicken, until the 1980s when Bill Loeb’s sons, Louis and Bob, shifted focus to real estate investment/management.

Henry Luken, President & CEO
Luken Holdings
Chattanooga
Last year acquired most of Bob Corker’s vast real estate holdings as the latter headed into the U.S. Senate race. The Corker Group portfolio, which is run by Kim White, has some 40 buildings, spanning some two million square feet of office, retail and industrial space.

Mark Menhinnitt, President
Actus Lend Lease
Nashville
Actus handles roughly one-fifth of all Defense Department’s privatized housing contracts nationwide. Menhinnitt runs the Nashville office that was established in 2001 and which became the company’s headquarters last year. Currently doing substantial work at Fort Campbell.

Sam Mischu, President
M&M Development Co.
Knoxville
Since 1991 has built more than 100 Walgreens stores. An Iraqi immigrant who came to the United States with his parents as a teenager, Mischu has projects in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina. He usually buys land, builds the store and then turns it over to Walgreens on a long-term lease.

Roger Moore, President
R.M. Moore Real Estate
Knoxville
Got his start in 1980 selling real estate for his father, who at the time ran the largest real estate firm in the state. Joined the Millin Dollar Cirle in 1987. His fast-growing company, which he formed 11 years ago, was broker for Parkside Drive, a $10-million development in Knoxville. Recent engagements include The Shoppes at Fountain Village and Millertown Pike retail center.

John W. Nelley Jr., Managing Dir/Nashville
Duke Realty
Nashville
Runs Nashville operations of Indianapolis-based REIT, which bought Nashville Warehouse Inc. (NWI). Notable projects include Airpark East and Metro Airport Business Center. Personally owns Midtown Café and C&S Harley Davidson.

David Ogle, Founder
Five Oaks Development
Gatlinburg
Powerful East Tennessee land baron whose family name is synonymous with Sevier County real estate development. Helped develop Pigeon Forge into one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Southeast.

Alex Palmer, PR & managing partner
Alex S. Palmer Co.
Nashville
Prolific Nashville developer who has completed big projects across the United States and is now working to bring to fruition his West End Summit project in Midtown Nashville, which would be the ultimate celebration of his real estate prowess. Paid $3.8 million for the Corinthian Lodge, the final piece of the Summit parcel along the 1600 West End block.

Larry Papel, Partner
Corner Partnership
Nashville
Longtime managing partner at Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz’s Nashville office who is also a principal with Corner Partnership alongside Mark Bloom and Ronald Scott. Building luxury condo complex The Adelicia in Midtown. Recently bought and restored to its former glory the historic Union Station Hotel. The triumvirate is also invested in the downtown Hilton hotel.

Jerry Petzoldt, Chief manager
TCI Group-Jerry Petzoldt Agency
Kingsport
Founding member and champion of the Tri-Cities Regional World Trade Center Association. Recent projects include the 35,000-square-foot office building for the U.S. Army and BAE Systems defense contractor at Holston Defense plant in Kingsport, as well as Gateway Commerce Park at the interchange of I-81 and I-26.

G. Dan Poag, Chairman & CEO
Poag & McEwen Lifestyle Centers
Memphis
Pioneered the idea of a shopping center without an anchor tenant. With partner Terry McEwen, who is president, previously developed strip centers mainly anchored by Kroger across the Southeast, until Kroger bolted from some prospective developments.

Gary Prosterman, Founder & President
Development Services Group
Memphis
Since 1990 has developed 24 hotels, mostly under the Hilton brand, across the U.S., and 23 health care facilities. Peyton Manning and Fred Smith are his partners in the Cumberland House boutique hotel next to the UT-Knoxville campus. Former health care entrepreneur, investment banker and intern for then-Senator Howard Baker.

Brian Reames, Senior VP
Highwoods Properties
Nashville
In charge of the Nashville, Memphis and Columbia markets, but also oversees Greenville, S.C., and Charlotte, N.C., for the Raleigh-based company. Last year began construction on yet another office building in the fast-growing Cool Springs market south of Nashville.

Robert Rogers, Principal
RMR Investment Co.
Memphis
Formed the firm 21 years ago and now owns nearly 100 properties, including an 80,000-square-foot shopping center in Chattanooga. Holdings include some 400 acres of commercially zoned land in Jackson and more than 200 acres in Starkville, Miss. Also active in Oklahoma.

Mike Ross, President
Rarity Communities
Vonore
Key purveyor of the retirement business in East Tennessee with his multitudinous Rarity Communities, which continue to pop up all over the region. Announced in July a joint venture with Thunder Thornton on the largest residential community in the state, a proposed $750 million development in Marion County on Nickajack Lake.

Karl Schledwitz, Chairman
Southland Capital Corp.
Memphis
Continues redevelopment of the 40-acre plot of Memphis downtown land dubbed South End, from industrial to mixed-use (with $500 million worth of projects underway there). Heads real estate development and venture capital firm he co-founded with Terry Lynch, who is president, and wife Gail in 1987.

Floyd Shechter, Principal
SmartSpace
Nashville
Expert at developing office buildings and adaptive reuse projects near interstates, who also builds to suit for banks. Earlier this year, landed 400 Comcast employees at Two Rivers Corporate Center, which was an outlet center when he bought it in 2002 from Konover Property Trust for $5.6 million.

Mike Shmerling, Executive VP
Kroll
Nashville
Former CPA and private prison entrepreneur who bought his first commercial property 13 years ago. Sold nothing during the past year, focused on acquiring more land in Midtown, where he owns more than 30 properties, including a 2.5-acre parcel across from Vanderbilt University on West End. Eyeing a 10-acre development on Charlotte Ave.

Barry Smith, President
Eakin Partners
Brentwood
Former executive vice president and principal of Grubb & Ellis|Centennial, widely considered the top dog in Nashville commercial brokerage circles. Has been making deals in the Nashville market since the mid-1980s, specializing in office leasing and sales. Among top clients are FedEx, MetLife, MAPCO Express and Quorum Health Group.

Bob Talbott, President
Holrob Investments
Knoxville
Started his real estate firm in 1997 after time spent as president of Horne Properties. Has developed some 1.3 million square feet of commercial space, including Mercedes Place, Sevierville Commons and Walden's Landing in East Tennessee; now working on a project in Utah. Branched out into residential development in Sevier and Knox counties.

Gary Taylor, Owner
Gary A. Taylor Investment Co.
Jackson
Heavily involved in shopping center development since building West Town Commons mall. Does it all, from moving dirt to laying utilities to putting the last coat of paint on lampposts. Recent projects are Casey Commons, Park Place, Sandstone Village and Towne Centre North.

Stewart Taylor, President
Taylor Properties
Kingsport
Has built over a dozen restaurants during the last six years in Kingsport, as well as Traders Village Mall. Shrewdly assembled the land and is now poised to bring highend restaurants and boutiques to the intersection of I-81 and I-26 in Sullivan County--the last undeveloped interstate crossing in America.

Henry Turley, CEO
Henry Turley Co.
Memphis
Sixteen years ago, developed Harbor Town in cooperation with Belz Enterprises, becoming one of the beacons of new urbanism in Tennessee. Also developed South Bluffs. Firm's motto is "All about downtown." Well known for preservation efforts.

John Turley, Managing Partner
Turkey Creek Land Partners
Knoxville
Lead developer on Turkey Creek in Knoxville, a 485,000-squarefoot shopping Mecca with more than 70 retailers in Knoxville, a boon to the area. Personally owns another 100 adjacent acres. Started out building Applebee's in East Tennessee, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pa. Owns and manages nearly one million square feet of industrial space in Knoxville.

Ron Watkins, President & CEO
Partners Development
Knoxville
Specializes in building manufacturing, distribution and health care facilities. Built Parkside Plaza in Knoxville, a 200,000-square-foot office building in the Turkey Creek area. Does work in Mexico, Poland and United Arab Emirates.

Ted Welch, GOP fundraiser & invester
Ted Welch Investments
Nashville
Remains a powerful player with dozens of properties in Nashville despite selling some, such as Park Place shopping center and office complex, to Brookside Properties in early 2005 for $13.8 million.

David Wilson, Senior Vice President
Southern Land Co.
Nashville
Joined Southern Land Co., which prides itself on building innovative residential communities, in August 2004, led the company's foray into commercial real estate market, with a focus on land acquisition, master planning and tenant relations. In charge of McEwen Place Town Center, currently under development in Cool Springs.

Pat Wood, CEO
Lawler-Wood Group
Knoxville
Firm developed First Tennessee Plaza, the first-ever modern high-rise in Knoxville. Among other high-profile projects are Whittle Communications headquarters and Baptist Health System of East Tennessee. The publicity-shy real estate mogul has built an impressive resume during his 30-year career in real estate.

Financing, Appraisal and Legal

Jim Ayers, Owner/Chairman
FirstBank
Nashville
His ever-expanding FirstBank has a powerful growing commercial lending unit. Got his start in the nursing home business before starting Lexington-based FirstBank. Has significant amount of his personal fortune invested in real estate in Nashville and across Tennessee.

Mark Mamantov, Managing Partner
Bass, Berry & Sims
Knoxville
The go-to Knoxville attorney on real estate matters. Co-founder of Bass Berry’s Knoxville operations. Clients include Knoxville Community Development Corp., Y-12, as well as many cities, counties and utility districts, for which he does work as bond counsel.

Patrick McGuigan, President & owner
McGuigan & Associates
Nashville
Has built an impressive appraisal shop since its formation in 1984, serving both commercial and residential clientele, such as Vanderbilt University and Nashville’s MDHA. Works extensively with banks, including Capital Bank & Trust and Regions. Prior to starting out on his own, was with R.D. Jackson & Associates.

Tom White, Partner
Tune, Entrekin & White
Nashville
The Music City's best known and most prolific real estate attorney who last year repped developer Robert Moore in teardown of one of the city's oldest homes, Evergreen Place, to make way for a Home Depot. Exhaustive resume includes representing Ensworth in high school construction near Warner Park and defending Hoover Inc.'s efforts to build a rock quarry.