This month on Getting Real with Rob, we welcome West Charlotte schoolmates Rodney Faulkner and William Haygood III, founders and partners with Boundary Street Advisors here in Charlotte. Established in 2018, this full-service commercial real estate firm is dedicated to some pretty big, bold ideas when it comes to commercial development. And because of that, Rodney, an alumnus of Appalachian State University and William, an alumnus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helped us record an episode that inspires just as much as it informs.

Boundary Street Advisors is nothing if not committed to economic and cultural expansion. They love and celebrate everything about Charlotte. A powerhouse of financial acumen tempered by friendship and faith, their company is named after the street that used to mark the edges of the thriving Black business and residential community of Charlotte, Boundary Street, which is now tucked in and around the southwest loop of the I-277. But that’s just a tip of what inspires them. 

Let’s start with the term, “Lean in.” Words Rodney and William believe are the key to the way we should approach every venture. They see our region as a landscape of people and businesses that are knitted together like a beautiful quilt. Even though those are simple terms, they take very seriously the idea of insisting that we define our city’s targets for the future, not just have them. Additionally, they believe you should “Lean in” to expansion, to the arts, to transportation, and especially to small businesses. 

They also believe that it isn’t the organizations that move us forward, it's the people in those organizations. “Who’s being loud?” Was the question posed by Rodney when we asked him what REBIC can do to help. “What are each of your individual members doing to help?” And with that, we see why these gentlemen are conspicuously unique and refreshing. 

Another fascinating response surfaced when we inquired about their strategy to bring more collaboration to the table between developers and policy makers. Wherein they suggested we need a commonsense committee to help us get to the right things; an overlay of friends and caring experts for each development on the table, who can help resolve burdensome and illogical regulations that are preventing something positive from happening. 

They also boldly shared what they feel is missing in planning, zoning laws, and developer perception, stating their best advice is to simply ask a policy maker or staff member to lunch and get to know them. “Reach out your hand, Rob.” Rodney invited, and then they shook hands. “I just gave you a gift. We are now friends.” That kind of personal approach is what they feel is their ‘secret sauce.’ 

Listen to this interview now!

Michael Foess (pronounced Fess) is a highly accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of experience in engineering, development, and project management. He is serving as the REBIC Board President of 2025 and brings with him a packed agenda for progress. It is during this episode that he shares his deeper visions for REBIC and for members of the entire Real Estate community. Within the context of regulatory and growth push-back as key elements bogging down housing affordability momentum, Michael sees the way forward by using human strategies as much as a logistic one. With an admission of the missteps taken by policy makers he places the pivotal responsibility for improvement on the shoulders of leaders in our industry. And encourages them to explore the effectiveness of creating a more open and cooperative atmosphere at all levels of negotiation and entitlement. Reinforcing the idea that neighbors, policy makers and elected officials are all fellow share holders in a new development, he parses through the rhetoric and brings the narrative straight back to us. The interview here is a fascinating dialog that leaves no room for confusion and makes progress tactile: Be better at communicating the why, communicating the process, and then really listen. In addition to these human agendas, Michael takes a long look at the positive side of the sweeping changes AI will make in our world, especially its effects on our industry. And encourages us all to meet the moment so we can use this tool wisely and urgently as we envision a more efficient future for development. By way of background, Michael has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC. He is a registered Professional Engineer and licensed general contractor in North Carolina and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Michael is currently on the Board of Directors for the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte and the 2025 Chair for REBIC’s Board of Directors. He is also a subcommittee member for the National Home Builders Association’s Subcommittee on Land Use Policy and the past Chair, Land Development Council for the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte. As the Founding Executive of Montrose LLC, a real estate development consulting firm providing tailored portfolio management, program management, and project management services to developers, builders, investors, and family offices. Montrose is currently managing the entitlement and development of 2,761 residential lots, 3 commercial projects, and a beach front resort community in Central America. Mr. Foess’ achievements include successfully launching an in-house land development platform for a privately held, regional builder, entitling, developing, and delivering 6,645 single-family lots across in four years. Michael has also successfully delivered more than 16 commercial and industrial development projects, including a 152,000 ft² retail center and the most advanced automated mixed materials recovery facility on the east coast. 

A little-known fact about the important role played by UNC Charlotte in helping the city to attract large industries and corporations is its status as an R1 University (according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education), meaning is a doctoral-granting institution with the highest level of research activity.  It cannot be understated how important that status is to REBIC’s work and success. We rely heavily on their regional housing data to bolster our efforts to steer policy makers towards positive decisions that help ease the housing crisis.

That’s why we were thrilled to welcome Richard J. Buttimer Jr. as this episode’s powerhouse guest. He returned to Charlotte in July of 2024 to the Belk College of business as their dean, following four years as dean of the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. There he led the process for UNF's successful renewal of the AACSB accreditation and created a new master's in the business analytics program. 

Raised in Georgia and as much at home in the classroom as he is in the leadership positions that have dominated his career, we are pleased to share that Richard was the John Crosland, Sr. Distinguished Professor of Real Estate and Development at UNC Charlotte and also served the Belk College as senior associate dean, associate dean for faculty and research, director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate and in other leadership roles. Earlier in his career, he was the Gould/Mayfield Scholar in Real Estate and director of the real estate master’s degree program at the University of Texas at Arlington. He also has served on the Board of Directors for the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.

Buttimer's academic research examines mortgage finance, real estate development and housing markets. He has been published in multiple scholarly journals such as Real Estate Economics, The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics and Regional Science and Urban Economics. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in real estate finance, real estate capital markets, financial management, corporate finance, financial derivatives, and fixed-income derivatives. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association. 

Buttimer has a bachelor's degree in finance and earned his Ph.D. in business administration with a focus on real estate from the University from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and is a Phi Kappa Phi honor society member. 

Our conversation with Richard helped inform our understanding about what UNC’s Belk College of business is doing behind the scenes to meet their goal of becoming one of the top 25 business schools in the country in the next decade.

As we welcome Alyson Craig back to the podcast booth, we get a chance to not only celebrate her advancement to the position of Assistant City Manager for the City of Charlotte but reconnect on so many issues that important to our members.

By way of background, Craig joined the City of Charlotte in 2018 as the Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Deputy Director and managed the Land Development, Entitlement Services (Rezoning/UDO), and Design and Preservation divisions as well as the department's human resources and budget operations. Craig also led the city's "one stop shop" initiative and the creation of the CLT Development Center.

Previously serving as the Co-Director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate and the Director for the Master of Science in Real Estate program at UNC Charlotte. She taught several courses within the UNC-Charlotte graduate real estate program including planning and real estate development and has been an active member of the Charlotte community, committing her time to the Urban Land Institute, the American Planning Association, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and several other professional and community organizations. Craig is also a certified planner with the American Planning Association and received her AICP certification in 2009.

Alyson has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has two master's degrees, one in sustainable development and conservation ecology from the University of Georgia and another in real estate from UNC Charlotte. With over 25 years of experience in land use planning, real estate development, public policy, and education, Alyson is one of the few in her field with experience in both the public and private sectors. That ‘savvy’ reaches across all sectors including land use planning, entitlements, community outreach, budget and staff management, and communications.

As far as the cadence of the interview, both Rob and Alyson were full of humor that belied her full transparency into her intentions and vision for Charlotte. She shared her recommendations for helping to continually improve and refine the “living document”; her reference to the Charlotte UDO, her desire to truly streamline the permitting process, to push forward on exploring church owned property collaborations for developing attainable housing, and even a clever idea to help mitigate tree canopy metrics while helping to maximize lot yield. And the positive buzz she is hearing across the country about our great city of Charlotte makes our buttons burst.

In summary? Alyson is constantly pushing against the norm, finding cracks in the ‘box’ so she can break it wide open and find real solutions. Thank you, Alyson, for your willingness to update our REBIC members with this episode!

Our podcast has welcomed many who have served in our government but our short interview with Congressman Tim Moore proved not only important, but so very timely. Especially for those who are anxious to hear from this respected man about what he’s finding in Washington as he settles into Congress. Listen to his succinct delivery of facts, his philosophy about how to restore accountability in Washington, his time with President Trump, and his unceasing optimism about the future. This episode is relevant and interesting. Don’t miss it.

Tim Moore, elected in 2024 to serve in the US Congress, is a lifelong resident of Kings Mountain, N.C. He graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1988, earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 and a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1995. Upon graduating law school and passing the North Carolina Bar Exam, Moore returned to Cleveland County to begin practicing law in Shelby, N.C. He became a partner at Flowers, Martin, Moore & Ditz before opening his own firm in Kings Mountain in 2009. His practice focuses on litigation in areas including criminal law, family law, personal injury, wills and estates, corporate law and civil litigation. He also has experience in administrative and governmental law and previously served as county attorney for Cleveland County and general counsel to the Cleveland County Water Board of Commissioners. Moore represented Cleveland County for over 21 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected Speaker of the House in 2015 and has chaired several committees, including the Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House Committee and the House Elections Committee. He sponsored key legislation, including the Jessica Lunsford Act, which increased penalties for child sex offenders, and Laura's Law, which strengthened DUI penalties for repeat offenders. Under Moore's leadership of the Republican majority, the House outlawed sanctuary cities, balanced the state budget annually and enacted one of the largest personal income tax cuts in North Carolina history. Moore also successfully spearheaded efforts to implement voter ID laws, requiring North Carolinians to present identification when voting. While Washington politicians have struggled to deliver on their promises, Tim Moore has demonstrated that conservative leadership gets results. With a proven record in North Carolina, his leadership brings the experience needed to address challenges in Congress. Moore lives in Kings Mountain with his two sons, McRae and Wilson, and attends the First Baptist Church of Kings Mountain.

This episode features Pat Mumford, President and CEO of the Gaston Business Association. Returning after his first visit in June of 2023 to get us up to speed on all things Gaston County.

So much has changed in 18 months, and Pat generously shared, among other topics, his unique perspective on the recent Belmont transportation bond, and the success of micro-transit in Gastonia. Without prompting, he offered some advice to municipalities dealing with the crushing pace of growth by admonishing them to remember they serve all constituents, not just the emotional people insisting that they are the only voices to consider. He implied that leadership that encourages an engaged and informed resident base helps everything run more smoothly.

As we started the interview, beginning with Rob’s famous 5 Question Lightning Round, Pat responded in his usual wise, and measured tone to tell us that the one lesson he’d go back and teach the High School version of himself is to get to know people’s names and use them. “Being personal matters.” He shares. We also heard why he’s so passionate about his involvement in Habitat for Humanity. Mainly it is because he sees the dignity that is restored to people who have a place to call their own, especially children who need to feel the power of belonging.

As we moved through the litany of questions about his views on the housing challenges, and how we’ve created a culture of ‘confirmation-bias’ with the intent to use it to prove ourselves right no matter what, he was refreshingly enthusiastic about AI (Artificial Intelligence) becoming an invaluable way to inform better investment decisions by speeding the research process. He brought his opinions to an apex by sharing these thoughts: “We don’t have people curious to see what’s on the other side of the table” he stated with conviction and concern. Finishing his thought with, “it’s better to be a partner of change, not a victim of it.”

Listen to the episode now!

Karla Hammer Knotts is an industry rock star. Pleasant. Insightful. Funny. And she calls a spade a spade. She was also our member spotlight in December of 2023, and we just can’t get enough of the world according to Karla. Currently Co-Owner and Vice President of Knotts Development, she is a passionate advocate of the industry and spends a great deal of her time digging into areas of purported malfeasance so that our industry can thrive in our beautiful Charlotte region. When we asked her why offering help comes so easy to her, she admits to having not only pretty good photographic recall but also good retention and comprehension of what she reads. And for those who know her, that is an undisputable fact.

This podcast elevates all the above themes by weaving personal insights around the high-level science of policy dissection. And you feel smarter just listening. While being entertained, you find yourself writing down what she says and what she offers as advice so you can be ready next time you have your own issue to resolve.

For those of you that are new to our podcast or to REBIC, here is more information about Karla, our expert real estate analyst and on-the-spot problem solver. Her advocacy for the housing industry in North Carolina is legendary. Mostly because it isn’t about her list of accomplishments, it’s that the accomplishments are truly impactful. And she’s not done yet. With more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, including being inducted into the North Carolina Housing Hall of Fame in 2021, being named a Life Director for the Home Builder Association of Greater Charlotte, President of the HBAGC in 1999, chair of multiple committees for NCHBA, and locally her background includes a breathtaking number of appointments to various advisory committees and steering committees. Most importantly, she doesn’t reach a conclusion before studying and researching any regulations at issue and looking deeply into how they’re applied. She tells us, “As a home builder you understand how regulatory issues ultimately affect the affordability of homes for prospective buyers.” A perspective that serves her well and all those who work with her.

We’re proud and honored to feature Karla Knotts in this month’s Getting Real with Rob podcast!

Jim Morasso, Restauranteur and Developer, is our guest for this episode of Getting Real With Rob. A Gastonia changemaker who believes success is the result of creating opportunities for people to thrive. With over 30 years of education and experience in the hospitality industry –Steak & Ale, Houston’s, TGI Fridays, Harpers and Mickey & Mooch – his experiences laid the groundwork to establish, build and create along with his partners the iconic restaurants such as Epic Chophouse in Mooresville NC, and Chillfire Bar & Grill in Denver NC. But it’s the story of how he secured, imagined, and opened Webb Custom Kitchen in Gastonia NC -- Voted top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America by Forbes Magazine, and top 25 private steakhouses in America – that has caught the attention of so many of his peers. His ability to ‘paint a picture’ for the town leaders, as he refers to it in the interview, sets him apart in momentum and agility. The perfect reason to make him a guest on our podcast.

Jim tells us his formula for success has always been to focus on five key topics. “First, the guests and the quality of their experience. Number two, people, who are the life blood of our business. Training, development, and opportunity for our associates is number three. Strong systems and procedures are number four. And number five states that if you follow the first four, then our community and the company will always thrive.”

For REBIC members who believe it is our responsibility to convey our vision with conviction and a sense of stewardship, all will enjoy hearing Jim talk about how he works to marry the community with the future in a cooperative and healthy way. His journey from Gastonia naysayer to local virtuoso will help inform the entire entrepreneurial narrative for anyone who believes relationships should be at the heart of development.

* NOTE, ERROR: During this podcast, our guest, Jim Morasso mistakenly mentioned the value of the Gastonia downtown condominiums as selling for $375,000. The correct number is a value of $875,000. It refers to the development in the former Rustin Furniture Building on West Main Ave, Gastonia NC. To preserve the cadence of the episode, and with the permission of Jim, we did not edit out this error.

Background on Gastonia Development by Jim:

A board member of the Gaston Business Administration (G.B.A.), this group’s focus is to develop the 13 small cities and towns in Gaston County.

Built in 1927 by renowned architect Hugh White for J B Webb, Webb Theater was transformed in 2016 to Webb Custom Kitchen. Attention to history and acquiring artifacts that once graced the theater were just some of the strategies to return this gem to its prior brilliance. Featured in Architectural Digest and Smithsonian Magazine. A Morasso/Shrake partnership.

TRW2020 LLC was created to repurpose the historic Rustin Furniture store built in 1900. One of the first furniture stores to place a TV in the windows capturing the City of Gastonia with standing room only on Main Ave. After 30 years of neglect and leaking roofs eating the inner structures integrity of the building, we moved ahead to restore and repurpose this center of Main Ave landmark. The building will be called Rustin on Main and will showcase 3 luxury condominiums on the top floor and 3 retail office spaces at street level. A Morasso/Shrake partnership.

Working with the City of Gastonia, CNB1920 LLC purchased the Historic Citizens National Bank. Designed and built by Hugh White in 1920. The plan for this grand place has always been slated to serve its community. Once a savings and trust, we want to transfer this into a brain-trust. Education and business startups are the rebirth of forgotten cities. This facility has deep community ties and will realize its true potential to combine education, mentorship, business rebirth in a live work environment. Other amenities within this campus will include a business club and a landmark restaurant named the FED. A Morasso/Shrake partnership

Community Service highlights:

“There are many deserving groups in our community and our involvement grows every year. Groups like The Least of these for Foster Children, Boys & Girls Club, Webb Street School for intellectual disabilities, Salvation Army, Off the Streets homeless initiative, and Dove House a Childs advocacy center to name a few have been adopted and embraced due to the needs of our communities.” 

We’ve long wanted to introduce you to those REBIC internal team members whose exceptional skills help us move our mission forward. And we’re proud to feature David Coble, one of our valuable Area Advocacy Managers to the podcast booth for this episode.

You’ll have to pay attention to keep up with the cascading flow of information coming from David during this interview. His boots-on-the-ground perspective, honest delivery, and fact-based perspective is just one of many reasons he has helped REBIC influence, advocate, and change things for the better!

Since 2017 David has maintained a successful Land Development consulting firm, guiding his clients in the development community through zoning and other land related requirements across North and South Carolina. He has helped facilitate governmental approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial and residential projects as well consulted on land acquisition for multiple developers.

As far as his pedigree, it begins with being an expert at creating relationships. This exists at all levels, especially with state and local elected officials. He has consulted on winning campaigns as well as building working relationships with General Assembly leadership. With a financial pedigree that includes 15 years at Bank of America as a Program and Project Manager, he began his professional career in 1999 with First Union after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in Marketing. In 2013 David was elected as Commissioner at Large for the Town of Mooresville, NC and served until 2017. During that time David served on various committees including the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nominating Committee and as the Board of Commissioner’s liaison to the Mooresville Graded and Iredell-Statesville School Systems. In 2014 David Co-Chaired the bond committee Our Schools First that successfully worked for voter approval of school bonds for new school construction and building upgrades for Mooresville Graded and Iredell-Statesville Schools.