Mayor William Cogswell, a dedicated lifelong resident of Charleston, assumed office on January

8th, 2024, with an unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs of the city's residents.

Grounded in the principles of Smart Growth, Safe Communities, and Sound Governance, his

leadership ethos is geared towards shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for Charleston.

With a rich background in real estate spanning over two decades, Mayor Cogswell has played a

pivotal role in revitalizing historic properties, transforming them into thriving urban centers such

as the Cigar Factory, GARCo Mill, and the Navy Yard. Drawing upon his extensive experience,

he brings a keen understanding of the nuances of development, distinguishing between what

constitutes responsible and sustainable progress. His vision is to leverage these lessons to

guide Charleston forward into a future marked by responsible growth.

Prior to assuming mayoral duties, Cogswell served in the state legislature, representing District

110 for six years. During this period, his impact was felt across the state, contributing to

statewide teacher pay raises and spearheading the largest income tax cut in the history of

South Carolina. Notably, he championed a crucial bill that delivered free prescription eyeglasses

to thousands of Title One students in the tri-county area, showcasing his dedication to fostering

positive change at both the local and state levels.

Ben Yelm serves as Senior Managing Director and Market Leader for Marcus & Millichap in South Carolina.


Transitioning to management in 2017, Ben brings over a decade of commercial real estate experience to his leadership role. During his time as an agent, he specialized in retail property investments and served as an associate director for both the National Retail Group and the Net Leased Properties Group. He advanced to senior associate in 2016, earning a sales recognition award that same year.


Before joining the firm in 2013, Ben was a middle school world history teacher and basketball coach. He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Miami University in Ohio and a master’s degree in technology and education from Lesley University in Massachusetts.


Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ben has lived in South Carolina for over 20 years. Outside of work, he enjoys playing sports and spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Weaver Capital Partners was formed in 2013 and primarily focuses on value-add real estate. Jay is based

in Charleston, SC developing office, industrial, retail and mixed-use properties in the Southeastern

United States. During his 25-year history in real estate, he has capitalized on exploiting trends, finding

untapped value and avoiding marketplace competition. His development experience includes both

renovating and repositioning buildings as well as ground up construction. Projects include Puritan Mill

in Atlanta, Edgehill Village in Nashville and the Cigar Factory in Charleston, SC.

Sydney Kerschen, NCIDQ, is a Workplace Studio Leader at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, where she drives strategy and growth for workplace clients across the Charleston market. With over 13 years of experience in interior design, project management, and space planning, she brings a strong perspective on how workplace environments are adapting to shifting business and cultural needs.

Sydney’s diverse portfolio spans workplace, hospitality, mixed-use, multi-family, retail and education, allowing her to translate cross-sector experience into thoughtful, high-performing spaces. Sydney is especially focused on early-stage visioning and workplace strategy, helping clients align their environments with the opportunities and demands shaping markets like Charleston.

As a long-term South Carolinian, Josh Spencer is focused on providing an excellent experience to our employees, clients, partners, and community by leading Edifice Construction’s operations in the Lowcountry. With 27 years in the construction industry, Josh’s expertise encompasses adaptive reuse, industrial, office, local government, education, healthcare, athletics, entertainment, and multi-family projects. Passionate about historic preservation, community planning, and workforce development, he serves in various roles with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Town of Awendaw BZA; and local chapters of the Urban Land Institute and U.S. Green Building Council. 

Allen Post is a founding partner of Post Loyal Architecture and a registered architect in Georgia,

bringing over 25 years of experience in architectural design and project management. He excels

in leading design teams through all phases of design and construcEon, working collaboraEvely

with diverse stakeholders and team structures. Allen has a proven track record of transforming

large, complex sites into award-winning, innovaEve projects. Prior to founding Post Loyal, Allen

spent over 15 years at Perkins&Will, where he led the Reuse and TransformaEon market sector

and contributed to projects in the educaEon (K-12), corporate, commercial, and civic sectors.

With over 16 years of assurance experience, Courtney Klinga specializes in commercial real estate. She serves real estate private equity funds, debt funds, homebuilders, real estate developers, owners and operators, investment advisors, asset managers, and institutional investors.

Courtney has extensive experience spanning a broad range of asset classes including multifamily, affordable housing, single-family, industrial, office, retail, and hospitality. She provides U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and income tax-basis audit, review, and compilation services, and advises clients on complex accounting matters such as fair value measurements, business combinations, cost segregations, and purchase price allocations. 

She has extensive experience resolving technical accounting matters and enhancing accounting best practices for commercial real estate clients. She leads all phases of the engagement process, including planning and approach, internal control evaluation, staff supervision, detailed testing, issue resolution, and financial statement review. Courtney leverages her technical expertise to address complex financial reporting and accounting issues involving large mixed‑use development projects, business combinations, revenue recognition, leases, consolidation, fair value, and IFRS. She works closely with real estate clients to help ensure deadlines are met efficiently and also designs and delivers continuing professional education for team members on core real estate concepts.

Education

• B.S., Accounting, University of Delaware

Professional Affiliations

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants   

• Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants 

• New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants  

• Commercial Real Estate Women Network  

Dustin Potter is the co-founder of Obelisk Real Estate Partners, a New York-based

sponsor founded in 2024 that is focused on industrial assets in the Carolinas and

broader Southeast. Since inception, Obelisk has acquired $200 million+ of assets and

manages approximately 1.5 million square feet in several geographies.

Prior to Obelisk, Dustin was the Director of Acquisitions at New York-based sponsor,

Acram Group, which acquired and managed several million square feet of commercial,

industrial, and multifamily properties worth more than $1 billion. In addition, Dustin

started in the industry at JLL’s Austin office, where he worked in the investment sales

group, after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dustin now resides in Manhattan, where he and his wife chase around their soon-to-be

2-year old son.

A native of Richmond, VA, Angelyn migrated south to attend the College of Charleston where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Prior to joining SC Power Team, Angelyn served as Business Development Coordinator at Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) in Charleston, SC.

Angelyn’s zeal for economic development stems from her passion for helping people. In her current role as project manager she aims to improve communities in South Carolina through business recruitment and job creation. Angelyn provides project management assistance to SC Power Team’s partners with all facets of the site selection process. Additionally, she coordinates in-house prospect visits, lead generation, manages project-related grant programs, and serves as the point of contact for business development logistics. She also travels the U.S. and internationally, telling the SC Power Team story at trade shows and economic development conferences. She joined SC Power Team in January 2015 as the Business Development Manager. In this role she supported the execution of a comprehensive, results-driven global business development plan aligned with the team’s economic development strategy and objectives.

Prior to working in economic development, Angelyn interned at a Charleston interior design firm and also worked in the marketing department of a retirement community in Memphis, TN. In her free time, Angelyn serves on the committee of South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) Women, participates in a community book club, and volunteers for various organizations.

Angelyn is an avid cook and lover of all things social. She lives in Charleston with her husband, Peter, and sons, Banks and DuBose.

Jason M. Ward is the President of Landmark Enterprises. Responsible for Landmark’s day-to-day operations, he oversees the development, asset/property management, and brokerage divisions of the firm. He is also in charge of all aspects of real estate development for Landmark, which has delivered 7 projects worth over $75 million in the past 3 years.

Mr. Ward joined Landmark after stints at several regional and national real estate firms, where he acquired extensive experience with real estate development, management, operations and marketing. His broad expertise spans the Office, Industrial and Hospitality product sectors.

Mr. Ward is a graduate of The Florida State University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Residential Sciences, Real Estate. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, NAIOP, and First Scot Presbyterian Church, and he volunteers on many boards and committees to serve his local community.

Hagood Morrison, SIOR, is Executive Vice President at Bridge Commercial, where he works in the industrial brokerage practice across the Charleston and Savannah port markets. His focus is the procurement, leasing, and disposition of property for industrial users and institutional investors, with practice concentrations in port-adjacent logistics, advanced manufacturing, and the disposition of corporate excess and distressed real estate. 

Hagood has completed more than $1 billion in career transaction volume over his real estate career. Recent assignments include the disposition of multiple large scale waterfront industrial sites and tenant representation of a distribution center relocation for a Fortune 50 company. His work spans traditional industrial brokerage as well as nuanced business points such as Foreign Trade Zone assets, build-to-suit analysis and selection, and Section 363 bankruptcy sales on behalf of lenders and trustees.

Before entering brokerage, Hagood spent seven years in institutional acquisitions, development, and asset management, giving him an owner’s perspective on both sides of the transaction. He is a designee of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and serves on the executive board of the Charleston Realtors Commercial Investment Division.

Quinn Balderson leads business development for Choate Construction’s South Carolina

division, where she helps shape the state’s commercial real estate future by driving

strategic growth, forging strong partnerships, and aligning construction solutions with

market needs. With deep roots in the industry and a reputation for delivering results,

she’s been recognized as a SC Biz News 2024 Woman of Influence and a 40 Under 40 honoree.

Known for her relationship-first approach, Quinn is a connector and problem-solver who brings energy and insight to every project. She’s actively involved in CREW, ULI, and

the Charleston Metro Chamber, and is a graduate of both Leadership Charleston and

the SC Ports Authority Ambassador Program.

Beyond her role at Choate, she champions initiatives that support inclusive

development, women in leadership, and community-driven growth—making her a strong

voice in shaping the next phase of South Carolina’s commercial real estate evolution.

Will Matheson is a co-founder of Matheson Capital, a real estate investment firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. 

Since the start of 2018, they have completed over $180 million in multifamily acquisitions across the Southeast. 

Prior to forming Matheson Capital, Will worked as an investment sales broker at Marcus & Millichap in their Raleigh office. 

Jon is a private equity real estate professional with deep construction roots and extensive development experience across multifamily, retail, and mixed-use assets. As Founder and Managing Partner of New Vintage Capital, he has helped raised over $850 million in capital, executing a disciplined investment strategy focused on adaptive reuse, value-add, and ground-up real-estate across the Southeast. His hands-on construction background and institutional transaction experience drive New Vintage Capital's ability to identify, underwrite, and execute complex opportunities others cannot.  

Andrew Dansker is the CEO and founder of Dansker Capital Group, a national mortgage brokerage firm with six U.S. offices and one international office. He oversees a team of 30 professionals originating commercial mortgage debt across all major asset types, with a particular focus on retail and multifamily properties. The firm primarily arranges bank and credit union financing while also executing agency, CMBS, life company, and bridge loan transactions as appropriate. Since its establishment as an independent company in 2020, Dansker Capital Group has placed well over $3 billion in commercial real estate loans nationwide.

Andrew believes the middle-market debt marketplace is under-served by professional, high-quality national firms and sees a significant opportunity for an enterprising company to fill that gap. His leadership vision is to build an organization that delivers institutional-quality service, execution, and results to the national middle-market debt space.

Andrew is a published industry commentator whose writing on the real estate lending market has appeared in The Commercial Observer, Real Estate Weekly, and New York Real Estate Journal. He is also a frequent industry speaker and contributor at conferences and events organized by Bisnow, GlobeSt, Interface, Commercial Observer, ConnectCRE, and other leading commercial real estate platforms. He has more than 15 years of experience in the real estate industry. Andrew earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.

With a strong background in both private equity real estate and technology, Alex Chalmers founded Material Capital Partners in 2018 with a specific focus on the then-emerging build-to-rent (BTR) market. Now managing its own BTR funds, the vertically integrated company is redefining rental housing and addressing the severe housing shortage through communities of dedicated single-family home communities with professional property management. Addressing the “missing middle” of  renter-by-choice tenants who want the amenities, lifestyle, space, and privacy of a home without ownership, Material Capital Partners has attracted major institutional interest, including partnerships with Bluerock, Stockbridge, and other leading investment groups, as well as numerous individual investors. This mix of local commitment and national backing sets the firm apart from other regional operators and supports multiple projects now under construction across the Southeast and Midwest.

Alex holds a Professional Certificate from MIT in Real Estate Development, an MBA from the University of Michigan and a BA from the University of Southern California. He is an inaugural member on the ULI BTR Product Council, a CEO Council members on the National Rental Housing Council (NRHC), a member on the ULI Carolinas Council, a member of YPO Charleston and serves on several non-profit boards.

Scott D. Greenwald, Esquire, Senior Vice President, is a licensed attorney in Louisiana and Wisconsin who has been involved in the evaluation, negotiation, and consultation of insurance claims for over fifteen years. Scott graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in History and Political Science, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Emory University School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Scott served a one-year clerkship for Judge Nadine Ramsey, Civil District, Orleans Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he assisted Judge Ramsey in making various rulings on the permissibility of asbestos, mold, and other toxin exclusions within Louisiana insurance forms.

Prior to joining GGG/AI, Scott practiced law in New Orleans in the insurance field with the firm of Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr and Smith, whose client list included CNA, Chubb, Great American, and Scottsdale Insurance Companies. Mr. Greenwald is a frequent speaker/presenter to business owners, insurance brokers, real estate brokers, and property managers regarding the measuring of damages and the processing and handling of insurance claims, and recently gave a presentation on “Disaster Preparedness” at the Southeastern Affordable Management Housing Association’s (SAMHA) annual conference in Savannah, Georgia and on “Changes To Property Insurance In The Post Hurricane Sandy Era” at the Counsel For Affordable and Rural Housing’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Clark Davis is the Chief Executive Officer & President of Highland Resources. He is responsible for overseeing and leading the company’s business activities including all phases of strategic planning, acquisitions, development, financing, operations, tax planning, and risk management. Clark also oversees all governance policies and procedures within the company and provides reporting to the board of directors and shareholders.

Prior to joining Highland, Clark served as the National Business Development Partner at Transwestern. He completed the negotiations, planning and execution of venture agreements across the national platform. Other previous experiences include 16 years with Hines during which he served as Senior Managing Director/Senior Vice President of Development, Asset Management and Leasing, TIER REIT as Managing Director, and VanTrust Real Estate as Executive Vice President.

Clark holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from Vanderbilt University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Baylor University. Clark is a member of ICSC and NMHC.

Mike Schwarz, a principal with Woodfield, is also responsible for sourcing and developing assets in South Carolina. Mike and his team just recently closed on Woodfield’s 21st apartment community in Charleston. Prior to joining Woodfield, Mike worked with the Woodfield founding partners while he was COO of Summit Properties Inc, a NYSE-listed apartment owner and developer. 

As Managing Director, Herbert Ames is responsible for the

strategic direction and priorities of EDENS’ Southeast

Region and sits on the company’s Investment

Committee. With a 19-year tenure, Ames oversees the 2.6

million square-foot Southeast portfolio, as well as future

growth through (re)development and acquisitions. He is

currently responsible for the 2.5 million square-foot

redevelopment of Lulah Hills in Decatur, GA.

Herbert is well-recognized for his commitment to the community. He is currently

serving as treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Buckhead Community

Improvement District and serves on the Board of Directors of the Buckhead

Coalition. He is a past member of the ICSC Next Gen Leadership Network and ULI

Atlanta Livable Communities Council and was named Chain Store Age magazine’s

“10 Under 40 – Ones to Watch.”

He previously chaired the Long-Range Planning Committee of the City Center

Partnership (CCP), an organization dedicated to reinvigorating Columbia, SC’s urban

core and central business district, and served on CCP’s Executive Committee of the

Board of Directors. He also co-chaired the Midlands Reality Check for Urban Land

Institute-South Carolina.

Herbert is a graduate of the Leadership Columbia (South Carolina) Class of 2008, a

member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute,

and a Director of Buckhead Coalition. He received a Bachelor of Science from the

University of South Carolina.

Chase joined Landmark Properties in 2021 and is a Senior Director on the Student Housing team. He is responsible for executing all functions of development with a focus on planning, entitlement, identifying and underwriting development opportunities, design, capitalization efforts, and overall management of the development process from inception to stabilization. Since joining Landmark, Chase has overseen the development of over $1.5 Billion in total development costs.

Prior to joining Landmark, Chase led the student housing efforts of Haven Communities where he served as Vice President of Development. Chase has held various development positions at MidCity Real Estate Partners, Portman Holdings, and Legacy Ventures, where he worked on projects in multiple asset classes ranging from boutique office developments to large mixed-use, public private partnerships.

Chase attended Saint Joseph’s University graduating with a B.S in Political Science and Business Administration. He also holds a Master of Real Estate Development from Georgia Tech. Chase lives in Athens, GA with his wife Lauren and their three children.

A 34-plus-year veteran of the retail development industry, Lenn has been directly involved in the development, leasing, and management of millions of square feet of retail and commercial space. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Brigham Young University and a MBA from the University of Utah. Lenn is an active, long-term member of ICSC and maintains strong contacts with real estate representatives from regional and national retailers. Born and raised in Washington DC, Lenn now lives is North Charleston and serves as a Principal for RealtyLink’s Charleston office.

As Managing Director, Commercial Leasing + Asset Management, Billy oversees leasing operations and asset management for all commercial assets in the Holder Properties portfolio. Billy has a diverse background in commercial real estate ranging from managing new development projects to leasing office product. At Holder Properties, Billy has managed the delivery of over 500,000 square feet of class-A office and negotiated nearly $100 million worth of office leases. Previously, Billy worked as a management consultant for ENR firms located across the United States. He received a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees from Georgia Tech and is a licensed real estate agent.

Rhett Reidenbach is President and Chief Executive Officer of Reveer, a civil engineering and consulting firm based in North Charleston, South Carolina. With nearly three decades of experience in the Lowcountry, Rhett has worked at the intersection of development, infrastructure, and public policy, helping advance many of the projects and investments shaping the Charleston region today.

Throughout his career, Rhett has advised public agencies, private developers, and community partners on complex land development and infrastructure projects, from large-scale mixed-use developments and employment centers to transportation networks, utilities, and public infrastructure. His experience includes navigating planning and entitlement processes, development agreements, infrastructure funding, and coordination among the public and private interests necessary to move major projects from vision to implementation.

Since founding Reveer in 2016, Rhett has grown the firm into a 30+ employee civil engineering practice with deep roots in the Charleston market. His regional perspective and understanding of both development and infrastructure give him a unique view of how growth decisions influence where and how the Lowcountry lives, works, and plays.

Rhett is a licensed Professional Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional and remains active in the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, and the Urban Land Institute. He also serves on the HCA Board of Directors and as a Trident CEO Council Board Member supporting efforts focused on regional collaboration, economic growth, and long-term infrastructure investment across the Lowcountry.

Julie R. Gurtis serves as Executive Vice President and President of United Bank, overseeing all banking services and United's more than 240 locations across the Company's footprint. Joining the Bank in 1990, she previously served as Chief Commercial Banking Officer. Throughout her career with United, she has held other leadership roles, including Commercial Lender, Market President, and Regional President.

Active throughout the Bank's communities and industry organizations, Gurtis currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities. She also previously served on boards with Charleston Area Alliance, YWCA Charleston, and West Virginia Symphony.

Gurtis is a graduate of West Virginia University, earning her undergraduate degree in finance.