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
Doctor
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
Broker, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty
Todd is owner of MountainModern and is a licensed NC real estate broker with Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty.
Todd grew up in the West Raleigh area, though left for many years between pursuing a degree in Geography from Appalachian State University and living in Aspen, Colorado teaching Environmental Education and working in Open Space & Trails. An avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, his diverse background also includes working in the Outdoor Industry with brands such as The North Face & Smartwool.
He currently lives next to the NC Museum of Art Park with his family and values a sense of community, thriving in the balance of the natural and built environments.
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
Broker/Partner, Re/Max/A Squared LLC
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
Vice President, 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.
Taylor Emory – Member of the Board
Attorney, Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
Taylor is a commercial real estate attorney at Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP, where he represent clients through all phases of commercial real estate transactions. He guides developers through the acquisition, financing, and development of office, mixed-use, and multi-family projects, and represents both landlords and tenants in office, industrial, and retail leasing.
Taylor received his B.A.Bio in Political Science, with distinction, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then went on to receive his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During law school, Taylor served as Editor-in-Chief of the Campbell Law Review.
Ginny Hager – Member of the Board
Leasing Representative, Highwoods Properties
Ginny is a licensed commercial real estate broker who specializes in office leasing for Highwoods Properties, Inc. Her office portfolio is comprised of two (2) million square feet in 21 office buildings in the Raleigh market. Included in her portfolio is Rexwoods Office Center consisting of eight (8) office buildings located off Blue Ridge Road and Lake Boone Trail.
Ginny is a Greensboro, North Carolina native and long-time Raleigh resident who brings a vast understanding of the Triangle and its professional communities. She graduated from North Carolina State University and remains an avid Wolfpack fan. She is an active member of the Triangle’s Dress for Success Young Professionals Committee and the Triangle Area Office Building Association.
Jeff Havener – Member of the Board
Project Executive, Bobbitt Construction
Jeff is a native of Raleigh with over 26 years of experience as a builder and general contractor. He has worked on construction projects of all shapes and sizes throughout the Mid-Atlantic preferring projects that are unique, challenging, and impactful. He is a licensed North Carolina General Contractor and Real Estate Broker.
Upon graduation from Millbrook High School, Jeff stayed in Raleigh studying civil engineering at North Carolina State University and then business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill receiving a Master of Business Administration. Despite the degrees from crosstown rivals, there is no confusion in his school allegiance – Jeff is a Wolfpacker!
Jeff is a distance runner who has completed six marathons and many more half marathons. He also serves on the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board and is often found on the greenways around Shelley Lake.
Jeff is married with two children. In addition to running, he enjoys traveling with his family, being outdoors, volunteering, and waterskiing.
Robert Hoyt – Member of the Board
Vice President/Commercial Brokerage, York Properties
Robert Hoyt has over twenty years of experience as a commercial real estate professional. His experience, extensive market knowledge and relationships with other brokers and commercial real estate service providers make him a formidable advocate to his diverse group of clients.
Robert focuses primarily on tenant and buyer representation. He has completed numerous transactions totaling more than 6,200,000 square feet (SF) spanning nearly all types of commercial property; including Office, Flex Industrial and Retail. In his role, Robert provides strategic real estate expertise regarding market studies, site selection, financial due diligence and analysis, creative transaction structuring, and negotiations for lease renewals, relocations, subleases, purchases, and sales. Robert’s vast market knowledge, business and development contacts, and investment sales education serve as a resource to his clients varied real estate needs.
Robert lives in West Raleigh with his family adjacent to the Blue Ridge corridor. He loves the outdoors (especially the NC Museum of Art Park), hiking, live music and is an avid, lifelong surfer.
Diedra McEntyre – Member of the Board
Director of Campus Planning & Facilities, NCMA Foundation
For the past sixteen years, Diedra McEntyre has been a dedicated student, appreciator and employed in the field of Architecture, Urban Planning, Project Management and Construction Administration. In 2005, she graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute State University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, and is a 2007 Alumnae of Cornell University with a Master of Arts degree in Historic Preservation Planning.
Currently, she oversees campus planning and design as it pertains to the physical development and improvements to North Carolina Museum of Art’s 164-acre campus, including its buildings, outdoor facilities and park. She also works on capital projects from an organizational and comprehensive design perspective, and oversee facility operations.
Tia McLaurin – Member of the Board
Sr. Marketing Manager, Centennial Authority/Google
Bio to come.
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
As an architect and Higher Education Practice Leader at southeastern architecture firm LS3P, Shawn specializes in the planning and design of higher education, science and technology, and healthcare facilities across the country. A graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Business Administration, Shawn is a frequent presenter on topics related to campus design and planning. She brings significant professional experience in business development, marketing, design, project management, and office leadership at regional and national design firms.
As a longtime resident and employee in the BRCA area, Shawn can often be found exploring the NC Museum of Art, Umstead Park, or Crabtree Greenway. She currently serves on the marketing committee for Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women, and is a member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church and its host committee for Family Promise of Wake County.
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
Community Liaison
Bio to Come.
Cynthia Ball – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Representative, NC House
Rep. Cynthia Ball is a native North Carolinian, born in Franklin County. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from UNC-Greensboro (Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude) and completed an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She continued extensive graduate work at NC State University in Human Resource and Organizational Development. She has worked in marketing and in university advancement and currently is a practicing certified mediator. Having lived in Wake County since 1983, Rep. Ball currently resides in Raleigh with her husband Dr. David Aspnes, Distinguished University Professor of Physics at NC State University. She and Dr. Aspnes live in a National Register of Historic Places and Raleigh Historic Landmark mid-century modern home in central Raleigh.
In addition to her role as an ex-officio member of the BRCA Board, she serves as a Commissioner on the City of Raleigh Civil Service Commission, on the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh, and on the Advisory Board of Women NC. She helped found and continues as an advisor to the NC Voter Project, a voter engagement and registration non-profit organization.
Rep. Ball has held leadership roles in each of her four terms in the NC House of Representatives, and she is currently one of the four top leaders of the House Democrats, serving as Conference Chair.
Thomas Barrie – Member of the Board
NC State University
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.
Susan Evans – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Commissioner, Wake County
Susan holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Accounting from UNC-CH. She began her business career as a CPA, working with Ernst and Young as an audit professional, but spent the majority of her career in various financial management roles in locally owned businesses.
Susan has served on the Wake County Board of Commissioners since 2018 as the District 4 representative. Susan resides in Apex, however the northern boundaries of District 4 run along Hillsborough St and Western Blvd and much of central and southern Raleigh is in the district. Susan has been a resident of Wake County since 1980 and resided in the Lake Boone/Blue Ridge Rd area for several years and is very familiar with the area.
Susan currently serves as the Commissioner designee to CAMPO ( Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) and is heavily engaged in planning around road improvements and transit expansions in the area, including the planned Bus Rapid Transit West Corridor. The Wake Board of Commissioners, along with the Raleigh City Council, are charged with the responsibility of allocating Hospitality and Food & Beverage Tax Revenue towards improvements at the PNC Arena, as well as other area venues. Therefore, there is a vested interest in the success of the PNC Arena and the surrounding area.
Susan is a member of the Commissioner’s Affordable Housing committee and is engaged in planning for transit-oriented development and various initiatives to increase the overall supply of housing, as well as the supply of housing at more affordable levels. She participates with the Imagine Wake group, which is comprised of homes builders, developers and other elected officials working to find solutions to these issues. Susan spent 16 years in the local residential contracting industry and was a partner/owner for a contracting company during most of that time. She has a strong commitment to providing appropriate housing for all Wake County residents.
Having previously served on the Wake County Board of Education, Susan is Chair of the Commissioner’s Education Committee and serves on the Education Steering Committee for the NC Association of County Commissioners, Wake Ed Partnership Leadership Team and the Wake County Smart Start Board. She works diligently in support of early childhood education, K-12 public schools and community college.
Susan and Chuck, her husband of 35 years, have two grown daughters, a son-in-law and a grandson that all reside in Wake County.
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.
Christina Jones – Ex Officio Member of the Board
City Councilor – District E, City of Raleigh
Christina Jones was elected in 2022 to represent District E on the Raleigh City Council. She serves on the Safe, Vibrant & Healthy Neighborhoods Committee and the Transportation & Transit Committee. She has served on numerous Raleigh boards, commissions, and committees, including the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board and the Community Engagement Task Force.
Council Member Jones has a BFA from Southern Methodist University and has worked as a substitute teacher in the Wake County Public School System, operations manager at La Farm Bakery, and HR manager at Rocky Top Catering.
She moved to Raleigh from Fayetteville in 2011 and was active with the CAC’s (Citizen Advisory Councils) starting in 2017. She organized the annual Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange two years in a row. This event, hosted by Housing and Neighborhoods, bring together neighbors to encourage neighborhood and Raleigh community conSafe, Vibrantnections.
Jennifer Lampman – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Vice President, Wallick Communities
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.
Anthony McLeod – Ex Officio Member of the Board
Community Liaison
Anthony McLeod is a native North Carolinian who moved to Raleigh in 1997. Currently living in the Renaissance Park Neighborhood in Southwest Raleigh, he is an active local citizen as a member of the City of Raleigh Community Engagement Board, Southwest Raleigh Community Engagement group and the District D Neighborhood Alliance.
McLeod graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Communication before working at the Governor’s Institute on Substance Abuse for 26 years.
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.
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.