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Commercial Engagement Coordinator – CLT

CREW’s August Luncheon – Fireside Chat with Laura Mae Martin, Executive Productivity Advisor at Google

Submitted by Julie Pruett, Marlboro Development Team

Laura Mae Martin, Executive Productivity Advisor at Google, joined CREW Charlotte to discuss her book UPTIME: A Practical Guide to Productivity and Wellbeing. Notably, she is one of the first women to author a productivity book, as the top 20 productivity books are predominantly written by men. During her talk, she shared several tips and tricks on how to accomplish more while maintaining well-being.

UPTIME is divided into five sections: “What to Do,” “When to Do It,” “Where to Do It,” “How to Do It Well,” and “How to Live Well While Doing It All.” Martin emphasized the importance of setting your Top 3 Priorities—both personal and professional—and revisiting those priorities every three months. She also discussed the value of saying no while preserving relationships, using strategies like “No, because…”, “No, but…”, asking more questions, or redirecting the request in a different way. Martin suggested imagining how your future self would feel in both “no” and “yes” scenarios to help make decisions.

Martin also highlighted the significance of recognizing your “low peak” hours, which are just as crucial as identifying your “Power Hours” when you are most productive. She explained that creativity often peaks during low-energy times, so it’s essential to align your tasks with your most productive and most creative periods to achieve your UPTIME.

Where you work is as important as what and when you work. Martin introduced the concept of creating “Hot Spots,” designated areas where you consistently perform specific tasks, and “Not Spots,” which are safe zones protected from work-related activities.

Additionally, Martin discussed the “list funnel” technique to manage all your to-do lists effectively, ways to overcome procrastination, how to theme your days, and strategies like using email “laundry baskets” to organize your inbox. She stressed the importance of caring for your “future self” by setting yourself up for future success and happiness.

Laura Mae Martin’s insights on productivity and well-being offer practical strategies for balancing work and life in a more intentional and effective way. Her book provides a comprehensive approach to managing tasks, priorities, and personal growth. Her innovative techniques empower readers to take control of their time, align their actions with their values, and ultimately, set themselves up for long-term success and fulfillment.

 

MECA Facilitates Land Purchase for Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region

5+ Acres Secured for Affordable Home Ownership in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC – August 5, 2024 – MECA Commercial Real Estate, a leading commercial real estate firm that has served the Carolinas and beyond for over 70 years, today announced the successful facilitation of a significant land acquisition to support affordable housing initiatives in Charlotte. Gantt Howell, Senior Advisor at MECA Commercial Real Estate, represented Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region in acquiring over 5 acres of land on Allen Road South. Bryan Butler, another Senior Advisor at MECA, represented the seller.

The project will consist of up to 50 for-sale residential units with a blend of single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes. The timeline to begin construction has not been determined. This acquisition addresses the growing need for affordable home ownership in Charlotte, aligning with Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope. The new development will provide much-needed housing for families, enhancing the quality of life and fostering community development.

“Substantial land opportunities in Charlotte are few, expensive, and extremely competitive,” said Gantt Howell. “This project exemplifies MECA’s commitment to equitable housing and upward mobility, and we are proud to support Habitat for Humanity in their noble cause.”

ABOUT
MECA, a distinguished commercial real estate firm, has been a cornerstone in serving the Carolinas and beyond for over 70 years. Our team of established advisors and support staff with over 250 years of combined industry experience deliver tailored and innovative solutions to address the comprehensive needs of our clients. As the trusted partner in the dynamic commercial real estate market, we are committed to empowering clients to make informed decisions that optimize opportunities and foster lasting value through economic development. For more information about MECA’s services, visit mecacommercial.com.

CONTACT
Olivia Hendricks
MECA Commercial Real Estate
ohendricks@mecacommercial.com
(704) 868-6948

 

MECA Commercial Real Estate is a CREW Charlotte Silver Sponsor and Habitat for Humanity is a CREW Charlotte Community Partner.

Marketing Coordinator – Barringer Construction

Overview: Barringer Construction is a Carolinas-based construction management firm that has grown from humble beginnings in 2011 to a top general contractor with projects throughout the Carolinas and offices in Asheville, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC. RELATIONSHIPS BUILT TO LAST is more than just a tagline for us – we take a client-centered approach that offers a fun, mint-on-the-pillow process grounded in trust, honesty and shared goals. At the core of everything that we do is a commitment to our customers, our community, and our team. We are currently seeking a Marketing Coordinator to join our team in our Charlotte office.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: A Marketing Coordinator contributes to the success of each project that Barringer pursues. Here are some specific tasks:

• Assist in putting together project proposals and presentations.
• Provide assistance in preconstruction RFP activities including:
• Organize, and maintain current project bid/RFP documents;
• Data entry for bid tracking and monthly bid projections in Unanet;
• Assist with the production and submission of pre-qualification documents as needed.
• Regularly update Unanet CRM database (team resumes, project data, business contacts, opportunities, preconstruction)
• Assist in a broad range of external communications including social media, award submittals, thought leadership pieces, project data sheets, and employee resumes for qualification packages.
• Assist in a broad range of internal communications including newsletter and event coverage.
• Assist in updating the Barringer website
• Event coordination for both internal and external customer/community/team events including planning, signage, unique promotional ideas, invitations and follow through.
• Jobsite visits and best practices/lessons learned generation with marketing team.
• Create and/or order stationery, business cards, job signs, and other promotional items.
• Play a large role in the annual creation of a dynamic holiday card.
• Assist with annual client gift initiatives and mailing list.
• Schedule and maintain calendar of appointments, meetings, and itineraries for various initiatives

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following skills and traits: organized, strong communications skills, personable, optimistic, efficient, driven to improve procedures, ‘whatever it takes’ attitude. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook. Proficiency with InDesign and Unanet is preferred.

Education and/or Experience: 4 year college degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism or related field and 2+ years of marketing experience preferably in the construction industry.

Language Skills: Ability to read, write and speak English. Ability to write in a variety of styles for different formats (social media, reports, narratives and business correspondence). Occasionally present information in formal business settings and comfort with business networking with strangers.

Math Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs and data tables.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of customers, co-workers and subcontractors in a fast-paced work environment. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form in a timely manner.

Physical Demands: The employee is frequently required to stand, walk or sit and must be able to move about freely in an office and occasionally in a construction environment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to work on a computer.

Work Environment: The employee will spend time in a climate-controlled, indoor office environment. There will be occasional visits to construction sites for tours, celebrations or meetings.

Regional Executive Assistant in Charlotte, North Carolina – Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC

Job Description
Responsibilities

The Project Assistant is primarily responsible for providing administrative support to the project team(s).

Essential Duties include the following (other duties may be assigned):

Full administrative support to executives and office leaders
Create, along with office leadership’s input, event calendar for the year including but not limited to all office meetings, teambuilding outings, planning meetings, corporate wellness clinics, fundraising events, etc.
Full coordination and handling of all details for events / meetings
Maintain calendar of conference room appointments and training (room) events
Review and code overhead invoices and charges
Track charitable spending and functions and submit and track charitable check requests
Track monthly rent/CAM and submit EFT to accounting monthly
Day to day administrative support for project management team(s) in the office which may include sorting mail/directing invoices, creating and sending correspondence, coordinating catering and conference space, meeting invites, ordering business cards, etc.
Concur Travel and Expense support including handling expense reports and travel arrangements for executives and office leaders
Enter and approve employee time in E1 monthly
Prepare and finalize AIA documents
Act as main liaison and provide support to other corporate departments as needed
Act as primary contact for all office vendors
Building management
Access control
Security
Coffee/beverage maintenance
Appliance maintenance
Cleaning
Carpet cleaning/maintenance
Onboarding for new employees
Assist in the ordering, receiving, stocking, and distribution of office supplies
Update and distribute various directories and lists for the office
Serve as back up for receptionist / front desk when main receptionist is out of office

Education – Skills – Knowledge – Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
Minimum of five years of executive support / office management experience
Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
Must be customer service driven, self-motivated, organized, ethical, competitive, detail-oriented, and a team player
Strong work ethic with a willingness to do what it takes to get the job done
Detail oriented with the ability to recognize discrepancies
Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently
Must thrive in a fast-paced work environment
Demonstrated, excellent written and oral communication skills, including excellent phone etiquette
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times
Ability to work and collaborate with a diverse group of people

June 2024 CREW Charlotte Luncheon “Reimaging Vintage Office Design”

Submitted by Ashleigh Mellon, Geo Hydro Engineers

At the recent CREW Charlotte June luncheon, attendees were treated to an insightful discussion led by James LaBar of Center City Partners. The focal point? Maximizing the potential of vintage Uptown office space. Rooted in a recent community-wide design competition, the conversation aimed to ignite creativity around existing office buildings in Uptown Charlotte, with the overarching goal of bolstering Uptown as a regional asset brimming with diverse destinations and economic activities.

The panel, comprising representatives from the two winning projects – Brooklyn & Church by Asana Partners/MRP Realty and 301 South College Street by Progressive Companies/Childress Klein – brought forth innovative approaches and future-oriented visions.

Reed Kracke of Asana Partners unveiled the Brooklyn and Church project, an ambitious endeavor involving the conversion of office towers into a mixed-use space blending retail and multifamily units. This transformation, complemented by the construction of a new retail building, promises to infuse 55,000 square feet of retail space into the area, fostering a vibrant “downtown neighborhood” ambiance and enhancing walkability within the coveted Brooklyn Village East West Corridor.

Ryan Doherty of Progressive Companies and Amy Clement of Childress Klein delved into their design concept for 301 South College, emphasizing the aim to inspire future possibilities for the project. Their proposal revolves around activating the street level with an array of retail outlets, restaurants, and entertainment venues, while also leveraging the presence of the light rail to create a dynamic experiential space.

The broader context of the discussion touched upon the evolving nature of downtowns nationwide, transitioning from traditional Central Business Districts to more dynamic Central Activity Districts. This shift brings with it a set of challenges, particularly concerning vintage assets predominantly constructed before the turn of the millennium. However, the panelists and attendees alike recognized this as an opportunity to spearhead revitalization efforts and transform Uptown Charlotte into a thriving, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.

In essence, the CREW Charlotte luncheon served as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and forward-thinking initiatives aimed at reimagining Uptown as a vibrant urban hub. By harnessing the potential of vintage office spaces and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the vision of a revitalized Uptown Charlotte as a bustling epicenter of activity inches closer to reality.

 

CREW Charlotte May 2024 Signature Luncheon with Dominique Dawes “Success is a Journey, Not a Destination”

Submitted by Julie Pruett, Marlboro Development Team

Photo Credit: Jo Hayes

Dominique Dawes won Olympic gold, but for her, success has been about more than just medals and accolades. It’s something she worked hard to achieve every day on her journey to Olympic glory. Her career in the sport of gymnastics spanned 18 years, reaching its peak at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta as part of the “Magnificent Seven,” where the US Women’s Gymnastics team won gold for the first time in history.

Reflecting on her experience, Dawes explained that gymnastics is an individual sport, and initially, each member of the 1996 US Women’s gymnastics team came to training camp with individual mindsets. However, a shift occurred during training that brought them together as a team. This shift in mindset, Dawes emphasized, led them to adopt the motto “Together Everyone Achieves More.” As a result, team members began to genuinely support one another, setting aside their egos, which allowed them to gel as a team and ultimately win Olympic Gold.

Dawes attributes her success not only to her talent and hard work but also to her ability to shift focus away from herself and to check her ego, which is all about control. This mindset has enabled her to become a successful business owner of gymnastics training locations, the first of which was founded during the global pandemic. She stressed the importance of prioritizing the safety and happiness of the gymnasts.

Additionally, Dawes highlighted the significance of family as the most important team, emphasizing the need to check one’s ego within the family unit. She believes that getting one’s home life right, with the most important team, sets the foundation for success in all other aspects of life.

From her gymnastics career to becoming a successful business owner and prioritizing her family, Dawes overcame inevitable obstacles, challenges, and doubts on her life’s journey. She stresses that focusing not only on achievements and accolades but on what’s real and lasting is the key to a successful and happy life.

Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Charlotte Established Endowment for Johnson C. Smith University

Charlotte, North Carolina (April 9, 2024) – CREW Charlotte, one of the most transformative commercial real estate professional organizations in the Charlotte region, announced Tuesday its establishment of a $25,000 endowment benefitting Johnson C. Smith University. The endowment will offset educational expenses for select top performing female students seeking degrees that could lead to careers in commercial real estate. CREW Charlotte funded the endowment through donations raised at various events hosted annually by the organization and chose Johnson C. Smith to receive the generous gift in an effort to further its commitment to diversity and supporting activities that positively impact the Charlotte community.

 

CREW Charlotte President Katie Barker with Morningstar Properties, presents check to Dr. Evelyn Leathers, Dr. Alphonso Ogbuehi, and Jennifer Joyner with Johnson C. Smith University

 

Johnson C. Smith is a private, independent historically black university located in Charlotte, North Carolina that was founded in 1867 as a freedmen’s college to educate formerly enslaved black men. JCSU is one of 11 HBCUs in North Carolina recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The school offers 22 degree programs through its three colleges to nearly 1,100 students annually.

 

Founded in 1990, CREW Charlotte is a chapter of CREW Network, the commercial real estate industry’s premier business networking organization with over 14,000 members globally. CREW Charlotte boasts over 400 commercial real estate professionals in the Greater Charlotte region. To learn more, visit crewcharlotte.org.

April 2024 Luncheon: “Thriving Submarkets in Charlotte”

Submitted by Julie Pruett, Marlboro Development Team

CREW Charlotte’s April luncheon showcased Charlotte’s remarkable ascent to becoming the fifteenth largest city in the United States, with a particular focus on its most vibrant submarkets, including South End, University City, SouthPark, and Ballantyne.

Marguerite Novak, representing City Center Partners, provided insights into the staggering $41 billion investment within the City Center footprint. Among the notable current projects is McColl Park, paying homage to Hugh McColl’s legacy. The park’s design is currently being refined, with construction slated to commence in 2024 and an anticipated opening in the summer of 2025. City Center Partners also unveiled their ambitious long-term plan, featuring the North Tryon Tech Hub, a long range plan that will span two decades.

Keith Stanley of University City Center emphasized the unprecedented growth of the University City submarket. Encompassing 8 square miles in North Charlotte, the area boasts 4,700 businesses, a population of 150,000, and a workforce of 100,000. Future developments along the boardwalk, a $40 million library and a research park that will be linked by a pedestrian bridge to UNC Charlotte, promise to further elevate the area’s stature.

Adam Rhew, representing SouthPark Community Partners, revealed that SouthPark is experiencing a surge of $1 billion in new development. Encompassing just one square mile, SouthPark is home to 100,000 residents and a workforce of 32,000. Notably, the newly established municipal service district, including the highly successful SouthPark Mall, underscores the area’s economic vitality. With ongoing renovations at Phillips Place and plans for experiential retail, SouthPark Community Partners is spearheading the 2035 Vision Plan, envisioning enhanced walkability, green spaces, and a vibrant park-centric environment.

Lastly, Christina Thigpen, representing Northwood Office and a board member of South Charlotte Partners, provided insights into the transformation of Ballantyne’s campus. The former golf course is evolving into a dynamic mixed-use development. Groundbreaking in 2021, Ballantyne’s revitalization has been supported by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County with assistance with road and water enhancements. The “New Heart” of Ballantyne, encompasses both indoor and outdoor spaces, with Olde Mecklenburg Brewery anchoring the development with a 1-acre beer garden set to open next month. With plans for a 26-story residential tower, a 6-acre stream park, Amp @ Ballantyne which will be an outdoor concert venue, and Greenway acres facilitating connectivity to uptown via bike, Ballantyne’s reimagination promises to redefine contemporary living in Charlotte.

As these ambitious projects take shape, Charlotte is poised to not only maintain its status a major metropolitan hub but also emerge as a beacon of urban excellence, offering its resident and visitors unparalleled opportunities for living and thriving in all areas of the Queen City.

SGA|NarmourWright is now GF

GreenbergFarrow, the nationally recognized architecture, planning and engineering firm, will bring their architecture firm SGA | NarmourWright Design under its brand umbrella in 2024. The acquisition of SGA|NW in 2022 aimed at expanding GF into new markets and sectors. Now, SGA|NW will fold under the larger firm’s GF brand to truly reflect the way the company operates and officially unite offices and services under one banner. Starting now, SGA|NW will transition to operate all its offices under the unified GF name, aligning with the larger firm’s operational structure.

GreenbergFarrow, the nationally recognized architecture, planning and engineering firm, will bring their architecture firm SGA | NarmourWright Design under its brand umbrella in 2024. The acquisition of SGA|NW in 2022 aimed at expanding GF into new markets and sectors. Now, SGA|NW will fold under the larger firm’s GF brand to truly reflect the way the company operates and officially unite offices and services under one banner. Starting now, SGA|NW will transition to operate all its offices under the unified GF name, aligning with the larger firm’s operational structure.

“Bringing everyone together under the same name completes our mission to unify us as a company internally and externally. Although we will continue to provide the local market knowledge and service our clients expect in both North Carolina and South Carolina, we can now provide access to our full range of services, depth of bench, and multi-market knowledge that our clients have come to expect over our 50 years of success,” said Keith Johnston, President, and CEO of GF. “We are so proud of our team members and the excellence they bring to our clients. We treat every project as though we’re an equity partner, thoroughly understanding our client’s objectives. Now with SGA|NW coming under the same banner on both practice and name, it will be clear to all that we are one team.”

SGA Design was founded in 1987 and in 2018 merged with NarmourWright, a 40-year-old multifamily design firm, to form SGA|NW. The firm has more than 40 employees across four offices in the fast-growing cities of Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, and in Charlotte, North Carolina. SGA|NW is an industry leader in delivering innovative design solutions for mixed-use, multifamily, healthcare, and higher education projects for both private and public sector clients. Its highly experienced design and planning professionals combine the disciplines of architecture, interior design, land planning, and landscape architecture to curate a holistic and balanced approach to the built environment. Firm projects have received awards and landmark recognition, including projects in historic downtown Charleston.

GF was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, where it is headquartered, and has grown into a multidisciplinary A+E firm with offices in the U.S., Asia, and Mexico. The firm is well known for its architectural, engineering and development services offerings serving retail, hospitality, and mixed-use clients. For many decades, GF has served prestigious developers and Fortune 500 companies across the globe garnering awards for projects ranging from flagship retail locations and restaurants to historic renovations and adaptive reuse.

GF is an architecture, engineering and development services firm founded in 1974. The firm grew from humble beginnings as a single client/single office group to an industry leader with offices in every region in the US. As the company continued to expand it gained other retail, restaurant, urban and mixed-use clients. Based in Atlanta, GA, the firm has eleven offices across the United States and international offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. GF’s nearly 300 talented professionals specialize in large-scale retail and urban mixed-use developments, specialty retail and restaurants, and luxury high-rise residential developments. Services include pre-development zoning, land use studies, branding and prototype development, architectural and engineering design, project management and construction administration. Clients include IKEA, Related Companies, Meijer, Vornado, Victoria’s Secret, Toll Brothers, Bath & Body Works, Whole Foods Market, Acadia, The Home Depot, Michaels, Murphy USA, Circle K, Clean Energy, and Texas Roadhouse. GF is ranked in Building Design + Construction Magazine’s top 200 Architecture and Engineering firms. For more information, see https://greenbergfarrow.com/

Relocation Opportunity

Thank you to Adrienne Bain for a recent relocation opportunity in the DFW market! It was a wonderful opportunity for All American Relocation and our national footprint of moving service professionals. Thank you Adrienne!