Amy Jones
HDR
Current job: Regional Corporate Commercial Principal
Summary of your role in the company: As the Regional Corporate Commercial Principal, Amy is responsible for growing new client relationships across the Southeast in multiple markets including commercial real estate. She collaborates across business groups and disciplines at HDR to provide full-service solutions to their clients.
How I chose my occupation: I would say I discovered my occupation more than chose it. I fell into my first AEC role in 2007 as I was trying to figure out my career path. My network recommended I look into a position in the AEC industry and the rest is history.
Years in the business: 12 years
My specialization is: Business Development & Marketing
A good lead for me is: Private developer.
The most satisfying part of my job is: Connecting people.
Best leadership advice I have been given: To be successful in any position, you need a network. Always be networking. All connections are good.
Greatest professional achievement: Leading the pursuit of a $1b project and winning it.
Number of years with CREW: 2
Most significant CREW connection: Each connection I’ve made through CREW has been unique and significant. We all have things to offer each other no matter what our firm is involved with and what our role is in the commercial real estate industry.
Place of birth/hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Number of years in Charlotte: 19
Family: Husband of 19 years: Matt, 3 children: daughters – Macy (16), Molly (14), son -Avery (10)
My ideal vacation spot: New York at Christmas and pan handle of Florida in the summer.
Hobbies/Interests: Newest hobbies – pickleball and golf. Interests – LSU sports!
Other professional organizations I belong to: SMPS, ULI, NCEDA, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and CRE x CLT.
I wish I could: Make mental health care accessible to all.
Kheng Lee
Progressive Companies
Current job: Interior Designer I
Summary of your role in the company: I assist in all phases of interior design including pre-design, space planning, signage, project coordination, documentation production and contract administration. All while working closely across all disciplines and liaising with clients/consultants for various projects.
How I chose my occupation: Growing up, I always loved games that dealt with building things or putting pieces together. This naturally led me into design.
Years in the business: 3 years
My specialization is: I specialize in workplace design.
A good lead for me is: When people are passionate and excited to build or modify their space, that is when I find the good lead. We transform spaces and empower people in all top market segments including workplace, mixed use multifamily, industrial, civic/municipal and healthcare so when both side of the team’s goal align, that is when I believe I have found a good lead.
The most satisfying part of my job is: Connecting with clients and seeing the final construction of spaces I designed.
Best leadership advice I have been given: Lead by example.
Number of years with CREW: <1
Place of birth/hometown: Hickory, NC
Number of years in Charlotte: 3 years
Family: Family consists of my parents, 5 sisters and 2 brothers.
My ideal vacation spot: Any where in Portugal. It’s a gorgeous country with a lively culture that is always welcoming.
Hobbies/Interests: Art museums, traveling/exploring new cities, and karaoke.
Other professional organizations I belong to: IIDA and WELL.
I wish I could: Designing spaces to incorporate more WELL principles or travel more to foreign countries.
Morgan Grohol
BGE
Current job: Project Manager, Land/Site
Summary of your role in the company:
How I chose my occupation: I always knew I wanted my job to include what I studied in college. I ‘speed-dated’ all the academic departments and I thought the civil engineering department was full of moral, ethical, level-headed, and fun human beings. I picked civil engineering because these were the type of people I wanted to share my life with, and they embodied everything I wanted to be.
Years in the business: 12 years
My specialization is: Project Management, Financial Management, Process Improvement, Talent Management, Client Management
A good lead for me is: Developers, Brokers, Economic Developers, Design/Build General Contractors
The most satisfying part of my job is: Helping BGE’s Clients define their goals and requirements for a project and assembling a project team to produce quality planning, civil design, and survey products.
Best leadership advice I have been given: Statement to a former boss: “I’m not sure what to do.” Former boss: “Most of the time, the most important thing for you to do is show up and be there. Take care of your personnel, and they will take care of what needs to be done.”
Greatest professional achievement: Serving as an Air Force Officer and getting the opportunity to act as a Base Civil Engineer in a contingency environment.
Number of years with CREW: 1.25 years
Most significant CREW connection: The Community Outreach Committee
Place of birth/hometown: Charlotte, NC
Number of years in Charlotte: 21 years
Family: Husband
My ideal vacation spot: Where the mountains meet the water
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, hiking, water sports, swimming, gardening, reading, spending time with family
Other professional organizations I belong to: Junior Charity League of Concord
I wish I could: Fly…slip the surly bounds of earth and dance the sky on laughter-silvered wings…climb sunward…chase the shouting wind along…and top the windswept heights with easy grace.
Lindsey Kormelink
Mill Creek Residential
Current job: Development Administrator
Summary of your role in the company: My primary responsibility is supporting the multifamily development team with the administration of all development projects including market research, feasibility studies, underwriting, due diligence, assisting with real estate and loan closings, monthly reporting, processing invoices, and monthly draws.
How I chose my occupation: Studied in Central Illinois and graduated in May of 2022. I was not initially sure of my career path but did know I wanted to live in Charlotte. I spent the majority of my senior year researching different jobs and industries in the area. The real estate industry quickly caught my attention and felt like the best fit because of the people. I look forward to growing in my career with the goal of becoming a real estate developer.
Years in the business: 2
My specialization is: Multifamily Development
A good lead for me is: Brokers to source development opportunities and provide insight on the market.
The most satisfying part of my job is: Seeing the conceptual plans and renderings come to life throughout the design, entitlement, and construction of the project. I find it very rewarding to see all of the moving pieces come together.
Best leadership advice I have been given: You do not have to be in a designated leadership role to serve as a leader.
Greatest professional achievement: Being selected for my current role is my greatest achievement so far. My current position is how I joined the industry and has taught me so much in such a short time. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow within my role by taking on more responsibility.
Number of years with CREW: 1.5
Most significant CREW connection: My mentor, Laura Roberts. I am currently participating in CREW’s 2024 Mentorship program. She has made navigating my early career much less intimidating. I am grateful for her and the program aiding my personal and professional growth.
Place of birth/hometown: Decatur, Illinois
Number of years in Charlotte: 2
Family: I am the youngest of 4, aunt to 3 nephews, my boyfriend, and Cowboy (golden retriever)
My ideal vacation spot: Anywhere in the mountains or by the beach
Hobbies/Interests: I love being active and spending time outside whether I am hiking, walking on the rail trail, biking on the greenway, or relaxing with a good book. I am currently attempting to learn how to play golf.
