Dr. Ken Moore, Mayor of Franklin is the 31st Mayor and second physician to head the City of Franklin. Ken practiced orthopedic surgery for more than twenty-eight years and gained recognition on a state and national level as a leader. In May 2012 he was elected to serve as the Chair of the Middle Tennessee Mayor’s Caucus that covers a 10-county area with a population of 1.67 million people, comprising of 27 percent of Tennessee’s population. In the same month, Mayor Moore was given the Leadership in Regional Thinking and Action Award at the Power of Ten Summit. He was recognized as the Tennessee Mayor of the Year in 2018 by the Tennessee Municipal League. The Greater Nashville Regional Council has recognized him twice with the Hank Thompson Award for leadership and integrity. He currently serves on the Pollution Control Board and the Opioid Abatement Council for the State of Tennessee.

As Executive Director and CEO, Ben Bentley develops and implements strategic initiatives to improve affordable housing and foster development in the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Bentley’s background includes significant national experience with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He also has a track record of successfully managing operations of large public housing agencies in the Region.

Prior to his current role, Bentley served as Chief Operating Officer of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) in Nashville, with broad oversight of all Public Housing and Section 8 programs. During his time at MHDA, Bentley led efforts to convert and recapitalize the Agency’s Public Housing portfolio under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.

Bentley began his career at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Nashville Field Office in 2010 as a Presidential Management Fellow and Portfolio Management Specialist.

In 2014, Bentley was promoted to Division Director of HUD’s Denver Regional Office of Public Housing with responsibility for financial and regulatory oversight of public housing agencies across a six-state region. Bentley also served as a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) subject matter expert for HUD.

He holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver and is working toward a Master of Real Estate at Georgetown University. An Alabama native, he also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Birmingham-Southern College.

Kent Ayer is a Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO) & Principal of TDK Companies, where he leads and oversees all aspects of the firm’s development, construction, and asset management platform. With over 20 years of experience in the multifamily industry, Kent is integral to the strategic direction, operational success, and growth of the company, driving key initiatives in capital sourcing, debt structuring, and project execution.

Kent’s expertise spans the entire lifecycle of multifamily development and asset management. He has overseen the construction and development of more than 10,000 apartment units and has sourced over $2 billion in capital. In addition, Kent is a respected leader in the industry, often serving as a guest speaker at multifamily panels, engaging with industry professionals on market strategies and emerging trends.

Kent joined TDK in 2005 as Vice President and General Counsel, bringing a diverse background in legal and financial matters. In 2011, he was promoted to President, where he led TDK’s day-to-day operations, with a specific focus on capital sourcing, debt structuring, and overseeing both the construction and development divisions.

As Co-CEO, Kent works closely with other senior leaders to set strategic objectives, drive innovation, and ensure that TDK remains at the forefront of the multifamily sector. His leadership style is collaborative, and he is deeply committed to fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and sustainable development across all of TDK’s platforms.

Kent holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Business (BBA) in Finance from Middle Tennessee State University, where he was a four-year letterman and captain of the basketball team. Kent is also a member of the Indiana State Bar Association. In his free time, Kent enjoys golf, watching basketball and spending time with his family and friends.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Samantha Joseph is an attorney and seasoned commercial real estate and title
insurance executive with over two decades of experience spanning banking, litigation
management, real estate, and title insurance operations. She currently serves as the
Commercial Manager for Nashville, TN with Fidelity National Financial, where she
provides legal, operational, and underwriting leadership across complex commercial
transactions.
Previously, Samantha held multiple leadership roles with Chicago Title Insurance
Company, most recently as Northern Ohio Commercial Manager, directing
highvolume, complex commercial transactions, supervising multidisciplinary teams,
overseeing underwriting and escrow operations, and managing relationships with
highprofile lenders and stakeholders. Earlier in her career, she served as Senior Vice
President and Counsel to the Litigation Group at New York Community Bancorp
and Senior Counsel at AmTrust Bank, leading inhouse litigation strategy, risk
mitigation, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
Samantha began her legal career in private practice, representing clients in foreclosure
and bankruptcy matters. Known for her strategic problemsolving, collaborative
leadership style, and ability to navigate complex legal and operational challenges, she
brings deep expertise in commercial real estate, title insurance underwriting, contract
negotiation, litigation management, and crossfunctional team leadership.

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.