As Chief Growth Officer at Vision Hospitality Group, Mary Beth Cutshall leads the company’s growth and investment strategy, including acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic partnerships that enhance VHG’s market position and long-term success.

With over 30 years of experience in hospitality and real estate, she has played a key role in projects valued at more than $1.3 billion. Prior to VHG, Mary Beth was the Founder and Managing Partner of Amara Capital Group, a real estate investment and advisory firm focused on hospitality and multifamily assets in the U.S. and Europe. She also held senior leadership roles at Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), where she served as EVP and Chief Development Officer, and earlier positions with Hotel Equities, Hotel Investors Trust, and Marriott International.

Recognized as one of the "100 Most Influential People in US Hospitality & Travel" (Global Hospitality Magazine, 2024) and named to Atlanta Magazine’s “500 Most Powerful Leaders” list (2020–2025), Mary Beth is a respected leader and advocate for industry advancement. She serves on the AHLA Foundation’s ForWard Council, LIIC, and the ALIS Law Advisory Committee, among others.

Passionate about mentorship and leadership development, Mary Beth also enjoys travel, wellness, design, and spending time with family and friends.

Chris Hopper is Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska USA, world-leading construction

and development firm and one of the largest in the U.S. In Nashville, Skanska has led such transformative

projects as Fifth + Broadway and its office tower 501 Commerce, the worldwide headquarters of

AllianceBernstein, as well as the JW Marriott Nashville Hotel, the Cordell Hull State Office Building

revitalization, West Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater, and Abe’s Garden Alzheimer’s and Memory

Care Community.

With nearly 25 years in the industry, Hopper leads Skanska’s central region, which includes four

states–Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Under his leadership, the company has become one of the

largest construction management firms in the region with annual revenue over $300 million. To date, Hopper

has managed nearly $2.5 billion in construction projects in industries including healthcare, education,

pharmaceutical, sports, office, corporate commercial and hospitality. In the office sector, Chris has most

recently overseen the $200 million redevelopment of the Medpace campus. Medpace was ranked as Fortune’s

18 th fastest growing company in 2021.

Hopper’s collaborative management style, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and servant leadership has

helped Skanska remain a leader in an ever-changing industry. Outside of the workplace, he lends his time and

support to make a difference and giving back. Hopper serves on several boards and is involved in many

industry and community organizations, including the Table in Nashville. He was also selected as a member of

the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2017 Forty Under 40 class and 2018 Cincinnati Regional Chamber of

Commerce C-Change class 14.

A native of Gillette, Wyoming, Hopper graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in civil

engineering. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Laura and sons Gavin and Ethan.

With over two decades of experience in the fields of design, construction, and real estate development, Scott Black has been involved in the creation of close to two billion dollars in real estate assets. He currently oversees the development process for a variety of projects, ranging from single-family residential communities to large mixed-use developments.

Mr. Black is a registered architect in the state of Tennessee. Prior to joining Bristol, he practiced architecture for commercial and residential projects across the southeast. Along with the many communities he has developed, Scott had a few great opportunities in the public sector. He served as the manager of the budget, finance, and administration for the development of Nashville’s $585 million-dollar Music City Center in Downtown Nashville. Following that, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for the state’s Department of Transportation. In this role, he was focused on implementing transformational initiatives in the process of project delivery. This included adjustments in the project management division, implementing a new information technology process, and restructuring the internal audit division.

He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee. Throughout his professional career, Scott has been an active volunteer in his community. He is a member of the Suburban Development Redevelopment Council with the ULI, the Chairman for the Franklin Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and the Vice-Chair for Cumberland Region Tomorrow (a ten-county smart growth organization in Middle Tennessee).

You can email Scott at black@bristoldevelopment.com.

Houston specializes in site selection and negotiations of Class A real estate. His in-depth market and site analysis helps ensure entitlements to highest and best use.

Chad began his construction career in 1995 with Universal Constructors. He has completed luxury multi-family, affordable housing, and student housing projects nationwide. As a leader at Southern Building Group, he oversees pre-construction and daily operations, focusing on project performance and contract administration. He works closely with co-owner John Elliott on the company’s strategic vision.

Matt Taylor, AIA, LEED AP, is a Principal and Partner at Studio 8 Design, a Nashville-based architecture

and planning practice he founded in 2005. A graduate of Clemson University, Matt has built a diverse

portfolio over more than three decades encompassing civic and community projects, mixed-use

development, adaptive reuse, commercial environments and urban public spaces throughout Middle

Tennessee and the Southeast. Through this regional work, he brings lessons from other growing

communities to the opportunities and challenges facing Franklin.

Matt’s connection to Franklin is both professional and personal. A Franklin resident since 1996, he

designed and built his own home in the community in 1998 and has remained actively involved in its

growth and civic life. His work in Franklin includes City Hall, Bicentennial Park, 231 Public Square and the

Margin District—projects that reflect the opportunities and complexities of accommodating growth in a

city with a strong historic identity. He has also chaired the City of Franklin’s Historic Zoning Commission,

served on the boards of Franklin Tomorrow and the City’s Sustainability Commission, and currently

serves on the board of the TMA Group.

Matt brings to the discussion the perspective of a practicing architect, civic leader and longtime

resident. His work explores how thoughtful planning, architecture and reinvestment can support growth,

strengthen walkable districts and create lasting value without losing the qualities that make a community

distinctive. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute.