The Winchester Institute Roundtable
The Institute’s Roundtable is instrumental in supporting The Winchester Institute’s mission by participating in bi-annual strategy meetings on Auburn’s campus, proactively connecting Institute staff with the Auburn family in designated expansion markets, and providing financial support through roundtable membership contributions.
There are three distinct Roundtable designations:
The Winchester Advisory Roundtable
This group is comprised of individuals whose contributions played in a pivotal role in the founding of the Institute.
The Winchester Executive Roundtable
The Executive Roundtable consists of 12 members contributing $100,000 over a 4-year period.
The Winchester Associates Roundtable
The Associates Roundtable consists of 24 members contributing $50,000 over a 4-year period.
The Winchester Advisory Roundtable
The Winchester Advisory Roundtable Benefits
• Shall have unique access to Auburn undergraduate and graduate students for purposes of recruitment and established mentoring efforts.
• Have priority access to all industry reports generated by the Institute.
• Will be invited to the Institute’s Annual Real Estate Gala.
• Given Senior Level sponsorships (recognition and 4 tickets) for all CityBuilders events.
• Table at Real Estate specific Career Fairs sponsored by HCOB and CADC.
• First opportunity for speaking engagements in classes or club meetings.
• Priority Project Submission for MRED Capstone.
• Priority Submission for Industry Research.
• Name/Corporate Logo displayed at annual Real Estate tailgate.
• Name/Corporate Logo displayed on the Institute website and other media.
The Winchester Advisory Roundtable Members
Robert Boyd
Managing Director
New York Life Real Estate Investors
Beau Byrd
Partner
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP
Sims Garrison
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
Fairway Investments
John Harbert
Senior Vice President of Strategy
Harbert Management Corporation
Pat Henry
President and Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Corporation
Warren Jolly
Founder / CEO, Alexander Scott Homes
President, The Providence Group
Dan Lovell
Senior Vice President
Graham & Company
Michael Robinson
Director – Emeritus
MRED Program at Auburn University
Mike Rogers
President
Rogers & Willard
David Welch
Chief Executive Officer
Robinson | Weeks Partners
The Winchester Executive Roundtable
The Winchester Executive Roundtable Benefits
• Shall have unique access to Auburn undergraduate and graduate students for purposes of recruitment and established mentoring efforts.
• Have priority access to all industry reports generated by the Institute.
• Will be invited to the Institute’s Annual Real Estate Gala.
• Given Senior Level sponsorships (recognition and 4 tickets) for all CityBuilders events.
• Table at Real Estate specific Career Fairs sponsored by HCOB and CADC.
• First opportunity for speaking engagements in classes or club meetings.
• Priority Project Submission for MRED Capstone.
• Priority Submission for Industry Research.
• Name/Corporate Logo displayed at annual Real Estate tailgate.
• Name/Corporate Logo displayed on the Institute website and other media.
• Invited to attend one INTERNATIONAL field study per 4-year term (up to 2 participants – the land cost will be covered).
The Winchester Executive Roundtable Members
J. Michael McGwier
Executive VP and Managing Director – Development
The Worthing Companies
Jacob Watkins
Owner
Corcoran Reverie
The Winchester Associates Roundtable
The Winchester Associates Roundtable Benefits
• Shall have unique access to Auburn undergraduate and graduate students for purposes of recruitment and established mentoring efforts.
• Have priority access to all industry reports generated by the Institute.
• Will be invited to the Institute’s Annual Real Estate Gala.
• Given Supporting Level sponsorship (recognition and 2 tickets) for all CityBuilders events.
• Name/Corporate Logo displayed at annual Real Estate tailgate.
• Name/Corporate Logo displayed on the Institute website and other media.
• Invited to attend one DOMESTIC field study during the 4-year term. (up to 2 participants – the land cost will be covered.)
The Winchester Associate Roundtable Members
Robb Crumpton
CEO
LIV Development
Russell Harris
President
Bailey-Harris Construction
Howard Porter
Founder
Porter Properties, LLC
Bruce Williams
Owner
Bruce Williams Properties
For more information, please contact:
John Benner
All gifts to the Auburn University Foundation are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Howard Porter
Porter has been involved in various aspects of the real state business since 1972. He has experience in real estate appraisal, property management, development, commercial and investment property brokerage, construction and syndicated ownership of commercial, industrial, hospitality, residential and multi-family real estate. Following graduation from Auburn University he was actively involved as Founder and President of Porter Associates / Southeast, a regional real estate appraisal company with offices in Birmingham, Montgomery, Auburn and Columbus, GA. He was founder of Porter Properties in Auburn, AL in 1986 and remains actively involved in development, acquisition and leasing of industrial properties. He was co-founder and from 1995 through 1998, a principal in Summit Asset Management (later merged into BSR Trust) a developer of tax credit apartments, senior living and assisted living facilities in AL and GA.
In 1998, he and Tom Hunt founded The Hotel Group (now PHD Hotels), a hotel development and management firm headquartered in Auburn and active in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. PHD was active in development, acquisition and management of Hilton flagged properties and was named “Multi-Brand Developer of the Year in 2005 by Hilton Hotels. In 2009, he and Mark Traylor founded Traylor-Porter Health Care, Inc. to acquire and manage skilled nursing facilities and have more recently become involved with more diverse health care related enterprises. In 2016, he and Eric Hare founded Global K9 Protection Group to procure and train service and working dogs for various end-users. GK9PG now has a commanding market share in the domestic US air cargo screening keeping explosives off airplanes. He served as CFO and Board Chair until a majority interest sale in 2022 and continues as an Advisory Board member.
Mr. Porter holds an Alabama real estate brokers license, the MAI designation awarded by the Appraisal Institute and the CCIM designation awarded by the CCIM Institute of the National Association of Realtors. He recently retired as a member of the boards of River Bank & Trust and Youth for Christ USA and continues to serve on the boards of TriLogic Pharma and MilanaPharm. Utilizing the variety of experiences gained, he is actively involved as an angel investor with interests in numerous business entities and serves as mentor to a number of younger businessmen. He is an Eagle Scout and received an honorable discharge from the AL Army National Guard – 20th Special Forces. He is married to the former Katherine Qualls and lives in Auburn, AL. He has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. The family enjoys time spent on the farm and on the water at Lake Martin. He worships and serves at Grace Auburn Church, Auburn, AL.
Pat Henry
As CEO of Daniel Corp., Henry is the firm’s senior partner overseeing business operations, development and investment activities.
Prior to joining Daniel in 2010, he served as President of Crescent Resources (nee Communities) Commercial properties portfolio which included significant investments across the Southern United States, prior to Crescent, Pat served as the senior Midsouth regional development officer at Trammell Crow Company including serving on the firm’s Operating Committee.
With more than 40 years of partner focused real estate experience, Henry has directly led teams in developing more than 45 million square feet of property valued at over $10 billion across a wide variety of product types.
David Welch
Mr. Welch is responsible for the overall operations and strategic leadership of the firm including the implementation and oversight of its developments, acquisitions and dispositions. He maintains key relationships with investors and capital partners. He leads efforts to structure joint ventures through public and private partnerships and oversees the company’s largest development project, Gillem Logistic Center, an 1168 acre master planned development in metro Atlanta.
Prior to joining Robinson Weeks Partners, Mr. Welch was Regional President of LNR Properties, LLC where he was responsible for all investment and development activities in the Southeast Region. Prior thereto, he was in senior leadership positions for 12 years with ProLogis.
Mr. Welch holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the George Washington University. He is a licensed Broker in the state of Georgia and holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.
Mr. Welch is a board member of the Council for Quality Growth, a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) and active with the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). In addition, Mr. Welch serves on the Advisory Board for the Masters of Real Estate Development program at Auburn University. He is a frequent speaker for industry and professional events as well as educational institutions including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn University and the University of Kansas.
Beau Byrd
With more than 25 years of extensive experience, Beau Byrd has represented lenders, financial institutions, borrowers, developers, and owners and investors in a wide variety of commercial real estate and commercial lending transactions, including NMTC, senior housing, HTC, retail, office, and multi-family. The experience Beau obtained as a law clerk to a U.S. bankruptcy judge and as a practicing bankruptcy attorney in the early years of his career gives him a unique advantage in dealing with commercial transactions.
Beau is a fellow in both the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, the past president of NAIOP Alabama Chapter and the twice past chairperson of the Real Property, Probate, and Estate Section of the Alabama State Bar. He has been an adjunct professor at both Cumberland School of Law and the University of Alabama School of Law. Beau is listed in Chambers USA (Band 1), The Best Lawyers in America® and Mid-South Super Lawyers and has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. He serves as a member (and past chairperson) of the Professional Advisory Board of Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development program and also served as a member of the Leadership Council of Alabama Center of Real Estate at the University of Alabama.
Representative Experience
- Acquisition financing for mixed-use development
Represented lender in acquisition financing of a mixed-use development on the south side of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
Representation of lender in making “leverage loan” in connection with New Markets Tax Credit financing
Analyzed risk issue for depository institution making a leverage loan in connection with a qualified equity investment in a community development entity which in turn made loan to a borrower developing a lumber mill. Negotiated inter-creditor terms with equity investor and forbearance and repurchase arrangements with the community development entity and its sponsor. $20 million.
Formation and capitalization of Lane Parke
Advised Daniel Realty Company in the formation and capitalization of a joint venture with Evson, Inc. to build the Lane Parke development in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, J.D., 1992
Auburn University, B.S. of Accounting, 1989
Mike Rogers
Mike has lived most of his life in Mobile. He graduated from McGill-Toolen High School and received a degree in Building Science from Auburn University. He began his construction career in Nashville, Tennessee where he worked for Hardaway Construction. In 1989 he returned to Mobile and founded the company known today as Rogers & Willard, Inc. Since 2001 Rogers & Willard has completed construction projects in over 20 states. In 2017 Mike co-founded Porchlight, LLC which is a real estate development company focused on urban infill and blight remediation.
Since beginning his career, Mike has had interests in a wide variety of charitable and non-profit organizations. He is passionate about his community and is involved in many different efforts to improve the Gulf coast. He is past Chairman of Alabama Contemporary Art Center (ACAC). He also served as Building Committee Chairman for ACAC, overseeing the restoration of the historic Saenger Theatre and the conversion of the historic Mobile Press Register building into ACAC. He has served on the board of Alabama Coastal Foundation and served as a trustee for The Nature Conservancy of Alabama (TNC) and as the project champion for TNC’s Gulf Islands area. He was elected to a three-year term for the Dauphin Island Property Owners Association where he served as secretary. In 2009 he won an Environmental Protection Agency “Gulf Guardian Individual Award” for his conservation efforts associated with the Gulf of Mexico. He is past President of Mobile Big Game Fishing Club where he also served as VP of Tournaments. He is past president of Associated Builders and Contractors where he also served as Chair of the Education and Training Committee and was a founding member of the South Alabama Education Trust. He also served on the Board of the Alabama Architectural Foundation which raises funds for architecture students. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization where he has served in several leadership roles.
Mike is very active in the community and most recently has been involved in several projects related to revitalization in Mobile. In 2015 Mike and his business partner Steve Willard were awarded Alabama Historical Commission’s top preservation award, the Roy Swayze Award for the renovation of the nationally listed Buick Building. Mike is also working in public/private partnerships that are restoring historic neighborhoods and establishing a new 10-mile greenway known as 3-Mile Creek. In 2018 Mike was awarded the Outstanding Individual award by Mobile Downtown Alliance and Mainstreet Mobile in recognition of his contributions to revitalization in Mobile.
Mike has a long history of involvement with Auburn University since graduation. He is a Sustaining Life Member of the Alumni Association. Some of Mike’s involvement are as follows:
- Diamond member of the Alumni Association Circle of Excellence
- The Samford Society
- The Foy Society
- College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) Circle of Excellence Biggin Circle
- He established the first ever endowed student scholarship in Industrial Design
- He has served on the CADC advisory board since 2012 and served as vice-chair from 2015-2017 and chair from 2017-2019
- He served as a director of the Alumni Association from 2017-2021 where he served on the Communications and Marketing Committee, Executive Committee and Nominating Committee.
- He has served on the Harbert School of Business Master of Real Estate Advisory Board since 2017
- He has served on the Advisory Board of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity since 2007
- Since 2014 he has worked with CADC to establish a CADC Industrial Design Studio in Mobile. In 2020 the futures studio welcomed the first remote students to the new research facility in Mobile. The students, who live in Mobile for a semester, have worked with many local business including Airbus, Austal, Mobile Airport Authority, City of Mobile (Bloomberg Grant, Storm Water Management, Neighborhood Identity, 3 Mile Creek, Africatown, Carnival Cruise Lines) Avant Contract Carpet and Nanny Connie (The Nanny Connie Way).
In 1990 Mike Married Cay MacClary Bell. They have three daughters, Catie, Jackie and Leigh.
Mike is an avid outdoorsman and particularly enjoys fishing and nature photography.
Sims Garrison
Sims joined Fairway Investments in 1997 after a four year career with accounting firm Arthur Andersen. Over his 25+ year real estate career with Fairway, Sims has participated in acquisitions/dispositions, finance, asset management, accounting, business development and the strategic direction of the company. Sims graduated from the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business in 1993 with a degree in accounting. Sims continues to serve Harbert via his role on the Advisory Board for the Masters of Real Estate Development (MRED) Program. Sims is a member and former Captain of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club (fundraising arm of the Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation), a member and former President and Treasurer of the Spartan Athletic Foundation, former Treasurer of the Ronald McDonald House of Alabama Board of Directors and is active in Grace Church Birmingham.
Sims enjoys sports and traveling and spending time with his wife and two children, Parker and Kathryn.
Dan Lovell
Dan Lovell, embarked on his Commercial Real Estate journey after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Auburn University then joining Graham & Company in 1991. Dan’s commitment to excellence propelled him to earn the prestigious Specialist in Industrial and Office Real Estate (SIOR) designation, and later earned the LEED, AP designation.
As Senior Vice President at Graham & Company, Dan has played a pivotal role in some of the largest Office related commercial transactions in the state of Alabama.
Dan’s expertise extends to tenant representation on both local and national scales. His proficiency in the sale and leasing of office buildings spans owner/user occupancy, investment transactions, rehabilitation and development, and 1031 exchanges, showcasing his comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics.
At the age of 53, Dan entered Harvard University’s only Executive Real Estate Program, with an international cohort consisting of 35 amazing real estate professionals (AMDP Class 21). Dan completed the program and became a Harvard Alumnus in 2022.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Dan actively engages in community and trade groups, and is currently serving as the 2024 Captain of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club supporting children’s medical health through the state of Alabama.
With a track record of excellence and a commitment to client satisfaction, Dan Lovell continues to be a driving force in the commercial real estate sector, leveraging his skills and experience to deliver unparalleled results.
Robert Boyd
Rob Boyd is a Managing Director and the Co-Head of commercial mortgage loan production and mortgage portfolio management for New York Life Real Estate Investors. He joined the firm in 1998 in the Atlanta office and initially served as a mortgage loan originator. Prior to joining the firm, Rob was a Senior Investment Analyst with MetLife Real Estate Investments in Atlanta and Boston for six years. Prior to that, Rob served in Atlanta as an Assistant Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Lending department of a predecessor entity of Bank of America.
Mr. Boyd has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Warren Jolly
Atlanta native, Jolly is the president of The Providence Group, an award-winning, highly respected Atlanta-based homebuilding and development company. The company is known for their desirable locations, amenity rich neighborhoods, top quality construction and innovative land planning and product design.
Warren’s journey in the industry began under the tutelage of his father, Pete Jolly. Upon his graduation from college, Warren and Pete started Jolly Development Corporation, Inc. which developed and sold lots in numerous highly successful new home communities throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan market. Together, they also co-founded The Providence Group in 2000 to expand their business into the homebuilding sector. Today, The Providence Group continues to be a powerhouse in homebuilding and development, in the Atlanta marketplace.
Warren is now continuing the Jolly legacy by transitioning his decades of experience and commitment to quality to his son Cole infusing Alexander Scott Homes with the same values that propelled his previous endeavors to success. Both graduates of Auburn University, their combined dedication to superior design, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering customer satisfaction will set them apart in an ever-evolving industry.
Founded in 2023, Alexander Scott Homes, is a new homebuilding presence in the Auburn/Opelika, Alabama housing market. With control of just under 1,500 homesites in three new one-of-kind communities, Alexander Scott Homes is well positioned to quickly become a major player in the future of Auburn/Opelika real estate.
Michael Robinson
Robinson originally joined the Auburn University faculty in 1996 as a Professor of Architecture in the Auburn University School of Architecture, Planning + Landscape Architecture (APLA), where he taught architecture and landscape architecture courses. He was an integral part in establishing the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED), a joint program of the CADC and the Harbert College of Business (HCOB), and served as the R. Hugh Daniel Endowed Chair for Real Estate Development until September 2021.
Robb Crumpton
Robb Crumpton is the founder and CEO of LIV Development. Prior to founding LIV, Robb served on the Construction/Development team at Capstone where he was responsible for overseeing pre-development, due diligence, budgeting, and construction of student housing across the Southeast and Midwest. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Robb holds a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University.
John Harbert
Mr. Harbert is the Senior Vice President of Strategy, working on firm-wide strategic initiatives including data management, technology strategy, ESG implementation, business development and capital formation. He previously served as a Director of Investments for the U.S. Real Estate team in the Birmingham office where he focused on the areas of acquisitions, financings, and dispositions for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. regions. Prior to joining the U.S. Real Estate team, Mr. Harbert served as a Director with the HMC Marketing team, raising capital for all HMC strategies from a variety of investors ranging from high-net-worth individuals to large institutional clients. He served in that role in the New York, London and Birmingham offices.
Mr. Harbert holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Alternative Investments from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He holds his FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses and is a member of the Urban Land Institute. He additionally serves on the Board of Directors and the Investment Committee of Harbert Realty Services, an HMC subsidiary, and the UVA Center for Real Estate’s Advisory Board.
Mr. Harbert is involved in his community and serves on the Board of Governors for Birmingham Legion FC, the Board of Directors at Red Mountain Theatre Company, the Board of Directors at the McWane Science Center, and is an active member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.
J. Michael McGwier
As Executive Vice President of The Worthing Companies Mr. McGwier is responsible for all development and acquisition activities undertaken by the company. As such, he leads and directs the activities of others both inside and outside the company who make up the team involved in developing and acquiring properties throughout the Southern United States. Mr. McGwier joined The Worthing Companies in 2011 and brings over 32 years of experience in development, construction and management of multifamily apartment communities. Prior to joining the Worthing Companies Mr. McGwier served as the Senior Managing Director for the Southeast Division of Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC (MCRT). Mr. McGwier’s responsibilities included development, construction and financing of multifamily developments, including 22 years spent in leadership roles at Trammell Crow Residential (TCR). As Executive Managing Director, Mr. McGwier was responsible for all development, construction, management and acquisition activities for the Southeast Region. Mr. McGwier’s tenure at TCR began in 1981 when he became Vice President, Construction for the Southeast Division. Mr. McGwier relocated to the Maryland office of TCR as a Development Partner in the Mid-Atlantic Division. In this role, he managed the development of over 1,300 apartment units, including TCR’s first high-rises, The Chase at Bethesda. In 1990, Mr. McGwier relocated to Atlanta and served as Vice President, Operations for TCR’s Southeast Division. In this capacity, he was responsible for the property operations and management of more than 13,000 apartment units in Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville. Mr. McGwier began his career in 1978 with Henry C. Beck Company, an international real estate and construction company. Mr. McGwier is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Construction Management. Mr. McGwier is the past president of the Atlanta and Georgia Apartment Associations. He is a current member of ULI.
Bruce Williams
Bruce’s real estate experience spans over four decades in all disciplines: brokerage, property management and leasing, land development and ground up development including horizontal and vertical construction. He has been involved in projects throughout the Southeast, Texas and California as well as London, in all areas of development and brokerage: retail, office, industrial and residential. A few of the larger include West Villages in Sarasota County (North Port), Sacramento Railyards, Mall of Georgia and many more smaller developments. He was part of a team that brought UPS to Atlanta for their headquarters.
He is a member of North Point Community Church, and has served on several boards outside of real estate, currently including Georgia National Cemetery Advisory council and Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund.
He graduated from Auburn with a business degree in 1968 and currently lives in Atlanta with his wife, Cathy, where they get to enjoy three grand boys and their parents.
Jacob Watkins
Jacob brings years of investment, finance, accounting, small business leadership and construction experience to the real estate industry in Florida. Jacob moved to 30A in January of 2013. Raised in Fairhope, Alabama, he attended Auburn University. At Auburn Jacob was involved with a number of organizations and served as Student Government President of the university. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance both from Auburn. After graduating Auburn, Jacob joined the firm of Ernst & Young in Atlanta, GA as a financial consultant. With clients across the US, Jacob gained years of understanding in the finance, accounting and software world. After moving to Santa Rosa Beach, Jacob used his experience in a number of startups and investment opportunities in which he still participates in an advisory role.
Jacob began his real estate career with a small boutique firm out of Miramar Beach in late 2015. Jacob has continually been a top producer in the market with approximately $160M in career sales. Jacob’s 2019 production numbers includes $90M+ in sold volume and $50M+ in listing volume. He was ranked as the #1 agent in Seagrove Beach, #2 agent on 30A and the #4 agent in Northwest Florida by sales production. Specializing in the luxury, new construction and new development segments; Jacob has assisted his clients and partners in designing, constructing, marketing and selling their investments.
Jacob purchased 30A Realty from Mickey and Alice in fall of 2018. In addition to owning and managing 30A Realty, Jacob is on the board of two local non-profit organizations: Food for Thought and Sonder Project. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Destin, the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and the Auburn University Student Affairs Advisory Board.
Jacob resides in Inlet Beach with his wife, Devan, and his son, Jay. They enjoy boating, fishing, paddle-boarding, time on the beach and bike riding.
Russell Harris
Russell is the President of Bailey-Harris Construction Company, a full-service general contractor with offices in Auburn and Huntsville, AL. Raised in a construction family, he has extensive hands-on experience in every aspect of the industry, having worked his way up from Carpenter to Superintendent, Project Manager, and now President. Over the past 20 years, Russell has successfully managed a wide range of projects, overseeing all facets from scheduling and material delivery to subcontractor coordination, conflict resolution, and owner/architect relations. His deep, real-world expertise and strong leadership skills are key assets to the company’s Executive Management Team, driving the execution of both strategic and operational goals.
A native of Opelika, AL, Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management with a concentration in Land Development and a minor in Management from Kennesaw State University in Marietta, GA. He currently resides in Auburn with his wife, Melissa, and their two teenage children.
