Mayor Leonardo (Leo) Williams is a former teacher, school administrator, small business owner, and Durham City Council member. He attended North Carolina Central University where he earned a BA in Music Education and Master's in Educational Leadership. While at NCCU, he met his wife, Zweli Williams. They are the proud parents of a thriving high schooler.

Mayor Williams was a two-time Teacher of the Year in Durham Public Schools, and was recognized by the Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Awards for producing innovative practices in education that impacted the community economically. He transitioned from full-time educator to full-time small business owner when he and his wife opened Zweli's, the only full-service authentic Zimbabwean restaurant in the United States.

Mayor Williams served on the Durham City Council from his election in 2021, where he applied his experience and passion in education, entrepreneurship, and commitment to addressing deep social issues in making Durham a united community that provides safety and prosperity for all. He looks forward to continuing that work as Mayor of Durham.

Paul is responsible for the acquisition, development, and asset management of projects across all product types in North Carolina. In this role, he provides market leadership to determine investment strategy, coordinate with Hines’ functional experts and internal funds, and source, capitalize, and execute development projects.

Since joining Hines in 2016, Paul has been involved in the development and acquisition of more than 2.5 million square feet of property across mixed-use, multifamily, office, and retail product types totaling over $1 billion. He has led the execution of the firm’s village creation strategy which culminated in the delivery of Fenton, an 830,000 square foot mixed-use project in Cary, the development of the Market District at American Tobacco in Durham, and the acquisition of Waverly Place in Cary. Prior to opening Hines’ Raleigh office, Paul was involved with the development of multifamily and mixed-use projects in Florida.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Gaurav "G" Patel is a seasoned entrepreneur, restaurateur, business consultant, and 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry of Raleigh, NC. His clarity and natural optimism are drivers of his professional success. This includes his vision to help his local community grow and his interest in mentoring young minds. However, G's professional endeavors would not be possible without the support of his loving wife, Julie, and their children, daughter Zara and son Azil. Today, G leads the Acquisition and Investments for CityPlat Capital, combining his multi-dimensional experience across several leading industries with his passion for development. CityPlat is a leader in local growth while simultaneously building exceptional value for its investors. Together, they continue to change the landscape of commercial real estate in North Carolina. Click here to learn more about CityPlat.

Jay Douglas is the Executive Managing Director of Development for The Ardent Companies. Prior to joining Ardent in March of 2022, Jay was the Senior Vice President of Development for SJC Ventures in Atlanta. Jay has experience in all aspects of the development of retail and mixed-use projects – including acquisition, land planning, zoning and entitlements, leasing, and project management. Jay received his juris doctor from Duke University School of Law, and has a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University.

Nil Ghosh is a land use and zoning attorney who represents landowners in front of elected and appointed boards for legislative and quasi-judicial approvals. He also helps his clients navigate the regulatory processes for development in municipalities across the state.

Nil previously worked in land development and construction -- a background that better enables him to understand and meet his clients' needs. He regularly volunteers his expertise by serving on boards and organizations dealing with local development issues.

Outside of the office, you might find Nil turning wrenches underneath a car, cheering on the Tar Heels, or eating too much at the latest restaurant.

Gaurang Gala is a seasoned real estate investor and developer with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, including a background in lending and commercial and residential real estate sales and development. With a keen eye for identifying market opportunities and a deep understanding of industry trends, Gaurang has consistently demonstrated his expertise in creating innovative and profitable investment projects on his own and with industry leading partnerships. His commitment to excellence and his ability to blend modern design with technology-based concepts have made him a sought-after partner in the real estate sector. Whether it's identifying promising investment opportunities or overseeing the development of high-quality projects, Gaurang Gala's knowledge and track record make him a valuable asset in the world of investing and development.

Lewis Hobbs serves as Vice President of Development in Raleigh, North Carolina. He joined Mill Creek Residential in June 2022, and his responsibilities include sourcing new development opportunities and overseeing the development process, including design and entitlements.

Mr. Hobbs has over 8 years of experience in real estate development with a focus on mixed-use and multifamily development, most recently with Kane Realty Corporation in Raleigh. Prior to his career in real estate development, Mr. Hobbs served as a Naval Officer for 6 years, leading and executing maritime operations across the world.

Mr. Hobbs holds a Master of Business Administration from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina and a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Nick Fernez is Vice President and State Underwriting Counsel for Chicago Title. Before joining

Chicago Title in 2022, Nick was in private practice for many years where he focused on

residential and commercial real estate transactions handling everything from contract to closing.

Nick graduated from North Carolina State University summa cum laude in 2006 with an

undergraduate degree in economics, political science, and philosophy, and received both his JD and MBA from Penn State University in 2010.

Nick and his wife Mira have two children, a two-year-old and an eight-month-old.