The BRCA Board of Directors meets on the second Thursday of EVEN months from noon – 1:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. For information on location (as we move around the region), please email communications@brcalliance.org.
Dr. Stuart J. Levin – President & Founding Chair
Stuart Levin moved to Raleigh at age 16, and has been in full-time practice at Wake Internal Medicine Consultants in Raleigh since 1994. Levin attended North Carolina State University, is a graduate of Duke University and received his MD at the UNC School of Medicine. He is board-certified in internal and pulmonary medicine and a clinical professor of medicine at UNC. Levin works on and lives near Blue Ridge Road, and served as founding chair of the Blue Ridge Corridor Stakeholder Advisory Group in 2008 to coordinate planning in this area. He was a member of the 1st cohort of the Urban Land Institute’s Health Leaders Network.
Kristen Hess – Vice President
Founder and CEO – HH Architecture
Kristen M. Hess is founder and CEO of HH Architecture, a full-service design firm focused on creating spaces that promote discovery, wellness, recreation, and civic service. This year HH Architecture celebrates a fifteen year anniversary of continued growth and success.
Kristen was awarded the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship by the German Marshall Fund of the United States in 2011 and the Zhi- Xing China Eisenhower Fellowship in 2016, through which she continues to forge global connections around the world. Kristen, a registered architect, graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor of Architecture.
Kristen has over 20 years of connection to the Blue Ridge Corridor, where she lives, works, and plays.
Todd Hancock – Treasurer of the Board 
Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty
Todd is a licensed residential Real Estate Broker and Realtor. Todd works with clients throughout the Triangle Area. He specializes in modern, contemporary and mid-century modern homes.
He grew up in the West Raleigh area and left to obtain a degree in Geography from Appalachian State University, then further to live in Colorado for five years. Returning to North Carolina in 2007 full time, he now focuses efforts on embracing positive change for the community through his work.
Todd lives near Blue Ridge Rd in Meredith Woods with his family. He also serves on the board of the Wade Edwards Learning Lab (WELL).
He is an avid cyclist and racer. Also, he enjoys running, skiing and spending time with his family in the NC Museum of Art’s Museum Park.
Jeff Hastings – Secretary of the Board
President, Burke Brothers Hardware 
Jeff Hastings is the owner and president of Burke Brothers Hardware in Raleigh, which has been a small family-owned business since 1936. Jeff grew up in Charlotte and attended NC State University where he studied botany.
Jeff is involved with several nonprofits in Wake County, including PeakFest in Apex where he is the President, and he serves as the vice chair on the Wake County Historic Preservation Committee. He and his wife Lesleigh and their two children Tommy and Ashleigh live on a farm in Apex with several cats, three dogs, a horse and a pony, and chickens.
Joe Alercia – Member of the Board
Joe was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and settled in North Carolina in the early 1990’s. Joe has been a Real Estate Broker since 1994 and began to invest in local real estate in 1998, emphasizing on investing in West Raleigh.
Since 2010 Joe has partnered with A.J Stillittano and Dan Miller to create A Squared LLC, Tenzing Investments LLC and Neighborhood Redevelopment Group LLC in order to invest, build and develop new construction and rentals locally. Their ventures include being in West Raleigh, downtown Raleigh and Cary. Joe has also remained a local Realtor in Wake County and has been with Re/Max United Real Estate Firm since 1994.
During his time as a Real Estate Broker Joe has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Real Estate Teams within the Re/Max organization out of the North & South Carolina region, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognized for closing over $100,000,000 transaction and remains a current member of the Re/Max’s Chairman’s Club.
Joe enjoys participating in active sports such as running, beach volleyball, yoga and as well as all lake sports. Joe lives in West Raleigh and enjoys raising his son & daughter and taking them to local spots like the NC Museum of Art and parks including Pullen & Laurel Hills. Joe and his family also enjoy vacationing at the lake, beach, mountains of North Carolina.
Corey Bates – Member of the Board
Principal – New City Design Group
Corey Bates has over 30 years of experience in the architecture and construction industries. In 1996, after gaining extensive professional experience in both Portland, Oregon and Raleigh, North Carolina, he joined the new startup firm of New City Design Group. Corey has focused on a vast range of project types including: residential, retail, restaurant, renovation, mixed-use, healthcare and corporate headquarters projects.
Corey is currently serving as a commissioner of the City of Raleigh Appearance commission, as well as other various non-profit construction advisory committees.
In his spare time, Corey’s interests include: traveling with his family, music, coaching, cycling and about anything outdoors.
Gene Bressler – Member of the Board
Professor – NC State College of Design
Bio to come.
Gina Bunch – Member of the Board
North State Bank
Gina is a Relationship Banking Manager for North State Bank at the West Raleigh Office. She has been employed at North State Bank for the last 15 years.
Gina has been in the banking industry for a total of 25 years and is dedicated to serving her clients. She is a native of Raleigh and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economic from North Carolina State University (Go Pack!). She is also a graduate of the North Carolina Bankers Association School of Banking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Gina presently serves on the North State Bank Summer Salute for Transitions LifeCare finance committee and is also a volunteer with Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina. She is an active lifelong member of Bay Leaf Baptist Church in North Raleigh.
Gina is married and has two married daughters and one granddaughter. Becoming a grandmother is one of her proudest moments. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, hiking and spending time with family.
Chris Carlino – Member of the Board
Principal – Dominion Realty Partners
Chris Carlino is a Principal in DRP’s Raleigh office. Chris joined Dominion Realty Partners in 2014 and assists in the management and oversight of the ongoing development projects of the firm. His responsibilities include sourcing & entitlement and the underwriting & financing of the company’s development, acquisition, and disposition efforts. Additionally, Chris is intimately involved in the design, construction, and lease-up/delivery phases of new developments, including Wade Office Park.
He grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Broughton High School before leaving to attend the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Chris is actively involved in the local community and is a member of the local chapters of NAIOP, CCIM, and ULI, where he was selected to participate in the 2014 & 2018 Young Leader’s Partnership Forums.
Chris currently also serves on the NAIOP Young Leaders Board and the Dogwood State Bank Triangle Advisory Board. He is an active North Carolina Real Estate Brokers license. Chris lives in Raleigh not far from Blue Ridge Road and is an avid user of the NCMA Park.
Lydia Cleveland – Member of the Board
Administrative Coordinator – NCMA Foundation
Bio to Come.
Katie M. Ertmer – Member of the Board 
Associate at Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
Katie is a corporate lawyer who works in the areas of company formation and financing, including venture capital, private placements, and public offerings. She also advises clients on mergers & acquisitions and general corporate matters.
Katie received her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Before law school, Katie worked as a city planner for two cities in Northern California. She received her J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from Duke Law School, where she was a Mordecai Scholar and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Duke Law Journal. Prior to joining the firm, Katie clerked on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for the Honorable James A. Wynn, Jr.
Ginny Hager – Member of the Board
Leasing Representative, Highwoods Properties
Bio to Come.
John Koonce – Member of the Board
Senior Vice President/Retail Services, York Properties
After spending 10 years working for a national retail developer and a regional commercial brokerage firm, John joined York Properties in November of 2007. He specializes in retail commercial real estate, including lease & contract negotiations, asset management, landlord & tenant representation, site selection, investment sales and more.
John currently manages the brokerage division and helps spearhead business development for York Properties. He also belongs to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors (TCAR).
He holds a B.A. in English and US History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Julie Smith – Member of the Board
Assistant Vice Chancellor, NCSU – External Affairs 
Julie Smith is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, Partnerships and Economic Development (EAPED) at North Carolina State University. Her role is to further the mission of the EAPED department, as well as be the university liaison for state and local relations.
Prior to NC State, Smith served as Assistant to the Chancellor for External Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In addition, she was the university’s liaison for state and federal relations, working to strengthen external partnerships for the university and the southeast region of the state. Before her work at UNC Pembroke, she served as Associate General Counsel with the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.
Smith graduated from NC State summa cum laude with a B.A. in political science and a minor in environmental science with the designation of valedictorian. Smith also had a the distinction of being a Park Scholar. She is a member of the NC State Alumni Association and the Wolfpack Club. Smith earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia.
Shawn Sowers – Member of the Board
Higher Education Practice Leader, LS3P
Bio to Come.
Emily Ziegler – Member of the Board
Director of Government Affairs, UNC REX Healthcare
Bio to Come.
EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
Will Allen – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Vice Chair, GoTriangle
Bio to Come.
Michelle Andras – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Co-Chair, Northwest CAC
Bio to Come.
Thomas Barrie – Member of the Board
Thomas Barrie, AIA, DPACSA is Professor of Architecture at North Carolina State University where he directs the College of Design’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities initiative.
Professor Barrie is an award-winning architect and has published and lectured extensively in his subject areas. He is a member of the ACSA College of Distinguished Professors and the NC State Academy of Faculty Engaged in Extension. He is also Chair of the Development Projects Advisory Panel for the Blue Ridge Corridor Alliance.
Mark Edwards – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Department of Administration
Bio to Come.
Daniel P. Gottlieb – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Artist & Designer, Gottlieb Design
During his 32 year career at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Dan Gottlieb oversaw museum planning and design of NCMA’s 164-acre campus – its buildings and Museum Park. He holds degrees in studio art, environmental design, and art administration and has led planning and design departments for three museums, since 1984.
In over three decades with the North Carolina Museum of Art, Dan focused on integrating formal and informal experiences with art, utilizing sustainable practices. He oversaw the ongoing transformation of a former prison site into a cultural and recreational destination. Completed NCMA projects include an award-winning day-lit 127,000 sf gallery building (Thomas Phifer, architect); myriad artist commissions for Museum Park; an innovative storm water demonstration pond and environmental restorations; a 3-mile recreational trail system; and PICTURE THIS – a collaboration with artist Barbara Kruger and architects Smith-Miller + Hawkinson.
Dan has lectured extensively on museum practice, design and architecture, is a frequent visiting studio critic, and is an exhibiting artist, working in photographic media. Publications include Landscapes for Art, Redrawing the Boundaries: Toward a New Museum Campus, and Sustainable Museums: Strategies for the 21st Century.
Tan
sy Hayward – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Assistant City Manager for Services, City of Raleigh
In her role as Assistant City Manager, Tansy serves as a liaison to the following City departments: Public Utilities, Solid Waste Services and Transportation plus Information Technology, Office of Internal Audit and the Office of Sustainability. She also is the key point of contact for two Key Focus Areas in the City’s Strategic Plan: Growth and Natural Resources and Organizational Excellence.
Tansy has held positions in the City Manager’s Office since 2001. She worked for the City of Tacoma, Wash. from 2008 to 2014 in a number of roles, but primarily as Assistant City Manager. Prior to the her employment with the City of Tacoma, Tansy also served the City of Des Moines, IA and the City of Olathe, KS. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Kansas, where she also obtained a Master’s degree in public administration.
Tansy has extensive service with professional organizations including serving as a current board member of the Alliance for Innovation; with the International City Managers Association, including co-chairing its Task Force on Inclusion; serving on its Leadership Task Force and the Task Force on Women in the City Management Profession.
Tansy is also the proud mom of twin daughters.
Luke Hoff – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Director of Property and Construction, NC Department of Health and Human Services
Luke Hoff is the Director of the Division of Property and Construction at the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Hoff has over 34 years of experience in providing project management, design and construction administration services in the delivery of projects. Prior to working at NCDHHS, he was the Facilities Services Director of Design and Construction Services for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He worked at UNC-Chapel Hill for nine years before joining DHHS in 2013.
Before working in state government, Hoff worked for 19 years in the private sector for various engineering and architectural design consulting firms. He is a Licensed Professional Structural Engineer in North Carolina and Virginia.
He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa.
Sig Hutchinson – Ex Officio Member of the Board 
Vice-Chair, Board of Commissioners , Wake County
Sig Hutchinson has been working to make communities healthy and livable for more than two decades. Starting with a career with the Dale Carnegie organization, Sig became an instructor for the Dale Carnegie Sales Course for more than eight years before starting his own company to concentrate on sales consulting and professional speaking.
Later, Sig used his knowledge of communication and public speaking to help transform his community by leading six bond initiatives in Wake County and the City of Raleigh totaling $300 Million Dollars for open space preservation, parks, greenways, transportation and affordable housing and most recently ran for the NC State Senate. Sig continues to be active in the region where he sits on numerous boards including Chair of Wake County’s Open Space & Parks Advisory Committee, A Commissioner with the City of Raleigh’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Commission and Chairperson of Advocates for Health in Action, a health and wellness organization in Wake County and has also been a driving force behind the creation of more than 180 miles of interconnected greenways throughout the Triangle.
Sig continues his sales consulting and professional speaking career as President Sig Hutchinson Communications. He has a B.A. from Texas Tech University; M.Ed from the University of South Carolina and lives on a greenway in Raleigh, NC with his wife of 32 years and they have one son and three grandchildren.
Christina Jones – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Representative, Community Liasions
Bio to Come.
David Knight – Ex Officio Member of the Board
City Councilor – District E, City of Raleigh
David Knight was elected to serve District E on the Raleigh City Council in 2019.
A native of Burlington, David attended UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University Law School. He has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, as a practicing attorney with Latham & Wood, LLC, director of government relations for NC Nature Conservancy, and as Assistant Secretary of Natural Resources for the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He most recently served as director of the North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, and he currently works as an environmental lobbyist, consultant, and attorney.
David’s community involvement includes his previous service as chair of the Wake County Water Partnership and the Raleigh Water Conservation Task Force. He is also a former member of the City of Raleigh Parks & Greenways Advisory Board.
David lives in the heart of District E with his wife Avery and their two sons. An avid outdoorsman, David has completed two marathons and numerous triathlons. He enjoys hiking, cycling, skiing, backpacking, and hunting.
Jennifer Lampman – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Manager Acquisitions, CAHEC
Bio to Come.
Karlie Marlowe – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Former Director of Marketing & Communications, North Carolina Museum of Art
Hailing from Asheville, Karlie attended N.C. State University. She started her career in communications promoting the state’s largest industry, agriculture, and its largest event, the N.C. State Fair, before moving into the agency world to specialize in B2B social media and help guide the Triangle chapter of the national Social Media Club. Her work writing for acclaimed Americana blogs The 9513 and Engine 145 led her into music marketing, culminating in a director of marketing role at indie record label Yep Roc Records and its parent music distribution company, Redeye Music. She moved to the NC Museum of Art in 2015, where she became Director of Marketing and Communications in 2016. She lives by the Raleigh Rose Garden with her husband Ben and French bulldog Maddux.
Jim Paumier – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Representative, West Raleigh Community Liaison
Jim Paumier retired from the air quality sector in 2017, though remains on-call to his previous employer, Wood, Inc. Jim has over 33 years supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on air quality model development, enhancement, maintenance, and data analysis. He got a BA in mathematics from Cal-State Fullerton and his MS in atmospheric sciences from Oregon State University, working at Oregon State for three years before moving to Raleigh with his wife in 1984.
Jim is a member of the American Meteorological Society national chapter and the local Central North Carolina Chapter. He has been vice-president, secretary, and education committee chair for the local chapter. Jim was co-chair of the West Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) for four years and remains active in the CAC.
Jim enjoys gardening, stamp collecting, travel, and one day hopes to have a small model train layout.
Danya Perry – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Director, Equitable Economic Development, Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Wake County Economic Development
Danya Perry serves as the Director, Equitable Economic Development with Wake County Economic Development (WCED) and Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Perry supports efforts to ensure economic development in Wake County’s most vulnerable communities. This includes increasing economic mobility, workforce development, strengthening municipal economic ecosystems, and supporting small businesses.
Prior to WCED, Perry worked for Communities In Schools (CIS) of North Carolina as the Vice President of Support Services and has served as a education and community advocate for the past twenty years. In this capacity, Perry has assisted many organizations in their mission to ensure academic proficiency, provide a conducive learning environment, and mobilize the community around youth.
Perry has co-authored several books – “Preventing Violence & Crime in America’s Schools: From Put Downs to Lock Downs,” which speaks to the need for early prevention and “The Secrets for Motivating, Educating, and Lifting the Spirits of African-American Males.” Perry has also served as a national consultant for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Gang and Violence Reduction Project. This project seeks to provide states with the tools necessary to intervene and eradicate gang activity.
Kent Yelverton – Ex Officio Member of the Board
N.C. State Fair Manager, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Kent Yelverton took the helm of the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in 2018 with a vision to create a dynamic campus with perpetual activity, bringing citizens from all parts of the state and all walks of life to the Fairgrounds to participate in a wide array of activities, most importantly the annual North Carolina State Fair and Got to Be NC Festival.
Kent has worked 27 years with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He began his career in 1992 as a consulting engineer, before successive promotions to facility agricultural engineer, engineering director and director of the Property and Construction Division.
Kent earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from N.C. State University and is a registered North Carolina professional engineer.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Jason Barron – Board Legal Counsel
Partner, Morningstar Law Group
Jason focuses his practice on land use and zoning, with a particular emphasis on the towns of Cary and Apex in Wake County, North Carolina. Jason has represented land owners and developers on a wide range of development projects, and is engaged in development projects from the rezoning stage through the issuance of building permits and enforcement issues that arise during the life of a development.
Jason’s practice includes legislative, quasi-judicial and administrative approvals. Prior to founding Morningstar, Jason was a partner in the Raleigh office of K&L Gates.
A proud father of two girls and devoted husband, when Jason is not working he enjoys spending time with his family and NC State Wolfpack sports.