24 Most Influential People Downtown

It takes investment, not only of capital, but also of time — time to plan, to secure support, to implement those plans, and to see long-term projects come to fruition — and beget more opportunities. It takes constant communication and diplomacy with other like-minded individuals — and those who aren’t sold yet — to create support for and unified approaches to a common goal. It takes vision, the ability to see what once was, and what can be again, stronger and better than before. It even takes timing, simply being in the right place at the right time, for the right opportunity. And it takes a commitment to and a love of community, a vested personal interest in seeing it thrive.

The following individuals exemplify these traits. They are investors. They are leaders. They are visionaries who see the potential in the quiet of an underutilized warehouse area, acknowledge the need to preserve the historic while embracing the new, recognize the solid economic sense in bringing businesses and attractions back to Downtown Raleigh — and then creating housing and space for the people and amenities that will follow, ensuring that Downtown will continue to prosper.

This list of influential leaders is neither scientific in its derivation, nor complete with respect to the “movers and shakers” who are propelling Downtown Raleigh into prominence. These investors, educators, developers, architects, planners, and real estate representatives are just some of the more visible participants in Downtown Raleigh’s renaissance. They are at times cheerleaders, if you will, for their cause — a revitalized city center where people live, work, and play, a city that others will want to visit. Simply put, each has taken the time for an introduction and to ask all of us to help promote the future of Downtown Raleigh.

Marvin J. Malecha

Dean, NC State University College of Design

Hometown: Northfield, MN
Education: Bachelor of Architecture, University of Minnesota Master of Architecture, Harvard University
Family: Cindy, wife; son Peter, daughter Michelle
Raleigh resident for 13 yearsProfessional Affiliations:
MEMBER: The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Association of Colleges and Schools of Architecture (ACSA), Sigma Xi, honorary member into the Golden Key International Honor Society, Sigma Iota Rho International Studies Fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi Professional Fraternity and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. AFFILIATED: The American Society for Landscape Architecture (ASLA), American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Marvin Malecha sees great strength in the infrastructure of Downtown Raleigh that “…is in place to create a vital urban center of a manageable scale.” A few of his many contributions to ensure this opportunity becomes a reality include establishing the College of Design’s Downtown Design Studio, assisting in organizing The Fish Market student gallery on Fayetteville Street, and serving on Peer Review Board of the Raleigh Civic and Convention Center and the Contemporary Art Museum’s board.

Gregg Sandreuter

President, Hamilton Merritt, Inc.

Education:
Hamilton College, BA, History, 1984
Harvard University, MBA, 1988
Raleigh resident since 1988

Gregg Sandreuter believes he is “…very fortunate and grateful to be in a 21st century city that embraces new development and the revitalization of its urban core.” His successful entertainment and residential projects in what he sees as just the beginning of Raleigh’s downtown renaissance include Powerhouse Square, The Depot, The Dawson and West (under construction). “Raleigh is America’s next great new city. I would like to help shape its future.”

Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber, Ed.D

President, Saint Augustine’s College

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Education: Hampton (Institute) University, BS, Early Childhood Education
University of Illinois-Urbana, M.Ed., Curriculum Development
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Ed.D, Educational Administration
Family: Daughters Nichole Reshan Lewis and Raegan LaTrese Thomas
Raleigh resident for 7.5 years
Professional Affiliations:
President Bush’s Board of Advisors to the White House Initiative on Historically Black College and Universities, President of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a Commissioner of the American Council on Education (ACE), Board of Directors of the Central Region of Wachovia Bank, the United Negro College Fund, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the Cooperating Raleigh Colleges (CRC). Member of the United Negro College Fund’s Executive, Bylaws, Archives and History Committees; the Association of Episcopal Colleges (AEC); the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Executive and Nominating Committees; The Women’s Network of Wake County, Grants Committee; the Consortium of Doctors, LTD; the Rotary Club; and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

In addition to leading one of the city’s two historically black colleges, Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber serves on the Board of the Raleigh Business and Technology Center, focused on assisting new and existing smaller businesses in area management, marketing, and financial planning; the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; and the Raleigh Five-Year Transit Planning Advisory. “Raleigh is well positioned to catapult forward into one of this country’s great cities. Its unique combination of higher ed institutions…and its increasingly diverse population provides a tremendous opportunity to become a progressive, best-practice model of an urban community….”

B. Grant Yarber

President/CEO, Capital Bank Corp.

Hometown: Greenville, MS
Born: August 18, 1964
Education:
University of University of Mississippi, BBS Business Administration, with a concentration in economics
Family: Suzanne, wife; children Sarah and Austin, both 14
Raleigh resident since 2003Professional Affiliations:
Downtown Raleigh Alliance; Vice Chairman, North Carolina Symphony; North Carolina Bankers Association

Grant Yarber knows that investing in a community is more than just providing capital. An active participant in the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and various cultural arts projects, he actively recruits new businesses to Downtown Raleigh. In five or 10 years, “I don’t think many will hardly recognize downtown from today. I am convinced that Raleigh will be one of the premier cities in the South — for business, government, and entertainment.”

Dr. Clarence G. Newsome

President, Shaw University

Hometown: Ahoskie, NC
Born: November 1956
Education:
Duke University, BA, MDiv, and PhD
Family: Lynne, wife; daughters Brittany Ann and Gina Lynn
Raleigh resident since 2003Professional Affiliations:
Member, The White House Initiative for HBCU Presidents; Board Member, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; Commissioner, NC State Ethics Commission; Board of Trustees, Duke University; Board of Directors, Duke University National Alumni Association; Chairman of the Board of Visitors, Duke Divinity School; President, Society for the Study of Black Religion; Advisory Committee, North American-European Theological Seminar of the American Academy of Religion

Ron Day

Chief Operating Officer, RBC Centura

Hometown: Burlington, NC
Born: 1946
Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BS, Business Administration, with a concentration in finance
Family: Lori Day , wife; daughter Elaine, son Alex
Raleigh resident for all but 3 yearsProfessional Affiliations:
Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Executive Committee Vice Chair; UNC-Chapel Hill, Board of Visitors; North Carolina Banking Association, Board of Directors; Triangle United Way, Board of Directors; Teach for America, Board of Directors; Skyland Trail, Board of Directors; Meredith College, Business Advisory Board; InterAct, Capital Campaign Committee

Ron Day is “…humbled by the opportunity to play a small part in the renaissance of downtown Raleigh.” Yet his role is not a small one, having led the decision with the RBC Plaza project, scheduled to open in 2008. He hopes “…the impact and influence of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance…” can help maintain “…a consistent shared vision among all parties involved” in developing and enhancing downtown Raleigh.

Bobby R. Lewis

Principal, Raleigh Development Co.

Hometown: Kenly, NC
Born: June 27, 1960
Education:
North Carolina State University
Family: Cindy, wife; daughter Ali, son Garrett, dog Mr. Pickens
Raleigh resident for 25 yearsProfessional Affiliations:
Board member of The State Club, NCGOP, NC State Coalition, and Reins from Above Therapeutic Riding Center

Bobby Lewis knows that timing is everything, and views his getting “…involved in properties in the Glenwood South-Five Points and Downtown area at the right time and watching and being a part of the change that we are all witnessing” a great accomplishment. His involvement in the Downtown Raleigh renaissance will continue as properties he owns are redeveloped, such as the renovation of the Capital Bank Plaza. “If we build it, they will come (to downtown).”

Laura Carpenter Bingham

President, Peace College

Hometown: King’s Mountain, NC
Born: November 1956
Education:
Peace College, AA, 1977
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, Political Science, 1979
North Carolina State University, Credit Hours, Administration and Public Policy Analysis, 1980-81
Duke University, Certificate in Nonprofit Management, 1991-92
Family: Warren L. Bingham, husband; parents, Marion and Charles Carpenter
Raleigh resident for 25 yearsProfessional Affiliations:
ndependent trustee of BB&T Funds; Executive Committee of the N.C. Independent Colleges & Universities; board member of Leadership North Carolina, the N.C. Symphony, the North Carolina Chamber, Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Duke Health Raleigh; active with The Fifty Group, Raleigh Visitors Bureau’s The Conference Table, and the World President’s Organization

Recognizing Downtown Raleigh’s “…great momentum and a dynamic optimism for its future,” Laura Bingham has led efforts to ensure historic Peace College’s presence supports development and adds value to Downtown Raleigh by helping with the transformation of Halifax Court to the new Capital Park, expanding the campus, building a new academic building and residence hall, acquiring the city block in front of the Seaboard properties as the College’s new “gateway” entrance, and helping guide development of the Blount Street redevelopment project.

Alex B. Andrews IV

CEO/President, Dominion Realty Partners, LLC

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Born: January 1, 1959
Education:
North Carolina State University
Raleigh resident for 25 yearsFamily: Carol, wife; daughter Rhyne, son Alex (Bo)
Professional Affiliations:
NAIOP, ULI, Southern Tennis Association, North Carolina Tennis Foundation

Andy Andrews sees big change in the Downtown Raleigh skyline over the next 12 months, “…and this visible activity should create additional excitement.” Part of that transformation will include the 33-story mixed-use RBC Plaza, a partnership with Highwoods Properties. Dominion Realty Partners, LLC, is responsible for the condominium portion of the project. Andrews envisions Raleigh providing “…its citizens a unique opportunity to truly live, work, play, and relax in downtown.”

Ted R. Reynolds

Chairman, Reynolds Companies

Hometown: Born in Brooklyn, NY; raised in Clinton, NC
Education:
University of North Carolina, 1956
University of North Carolina Law School, 1959
Family: Peggy (wife); daughter Kim, son David
Raleigh resident for 48 yearsProfessional Affiliations:
N. C. State Bar Association

Ted Reynolds knows this is “…a wonderful time in Raleigh, and with dedicated efforts by our City leaders and our development community, we can do great things.” He also sees Reynolds Companies “… hopefully right in the middle of it.” And in the middle they have been — since the mid 1980s — with the completion of the Reynolds Building, a 40,000-sq-ft office building on West Edenton Street; the renovation of the historic Dodd-Hinsdale House and its opening as the Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern; and the development and construction of the Quorum Center, a mixed-use project scheduled to open this year at the corner of Harrington and Jones Streets.

Mitchell Silver

Director, City of Raleigh Planning Department

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Born: June 27, 1960Education:
Pratt Institute, Bachelor of Architecture
Hunter College, Master of Urban Planning
Family: Mary, wife; sons Mitchell and Jordan, daughter Rachel
Raleigh resident for 20 yearsProfessional Affiliations:
American Planning Association, American Institute of Certified Planners, Urban Land Institute

Mitchell Silver is confident that “Raleigh’s best days are ahead.” His influence on the future is significant, having recommended zoning changes to allow more residential density downtown and new approaches to improve planning and design, streamlined the planning review process and provided predictability to the planning process, and helped reach consensus on key downtown projects, including the Marriott Hotel design, the Hillsborough Street plan, and the RBC Plaza design.

Roland Gammon

Owner/President, White Oak Properties, Inc.

Hometown: Tarboro, NC
Born: 1946Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BS, Business Administration
North Carolina State University, Master of Architecture
Family: Jill Gammon, wife; son Jed, daughter Emily
Raleigh resident for 34 years

Roland Gammon started his real estate development business right out of graduate school more than 30 years ago. He has played an active role in the Downtown Raleigh renaissance, working on developments that include The Cotton Mill, Park Devereux, Martin Place, Governor’s Square, Palladium Plaza, and the planned Site 1 mixeduse location in the Fayetteville Street District.

Scott Custer

Chairman/CEO, RBC Centura Bank

Born: January 31, 1957Education:
College of William and Mary, BA, Business
Family: Betsy, wife; daughters Meredith and Lizzie
Raleigh resident for many yearsProfessional Affiliations:
Board of Directors of the Research Triangle Foundation, the North Carolina Citizens for Business & Industry (NCCBI), and the Research Triangle Partnership; member of the NC Education Ball Board of Directors, board of visitors for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the North Carolina Banker’s Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors

In 2006, RBC Centura’s Heart of the City Grants Program funded a beautification project for Fayetteville Street’s sidewalks, part of the bank’s plan to fuel Downtown Raleigh’s economic development and revitalization efforts. Scott Custer no doubt looks forward to fall 2008, when Fayetteville Street will welcome hundreds of RBC Centura employees upon completion of the mixed-use RBC Plaza. “As a corporate citizen and soon-to-be new resident, we want downtown Raleigh to become a destination for not only daily activities, but a successful nightlife as well.”

Steve Stroud

Chairman, NAI Carolantic Realty

Professional Affiliations:
Executive Committee, Board of Directors, North Carolina Citizens for Business & Industry; Society of Industrial and Office Realtors; Carolinas Chapter of SIOR; North Carolina Economic Developers Association; Optimist Club of Raleigh; Raleigh Board of Realtors; North Carolina Transportation Task Force
In 2006, RBC Centura’s Heart of the City Grants Program funded a beautification project for Fayetteville Street’s sidewalks, part of the bank’s plan to fuel Downtown Raleigh’s economic development and revitalization efforts. Scott Custer no doubt looks forward to fall 2008, when Fayetteville Street will welcome hundreds of RBC Centura employees upon completion of the mixed-use RBC Plaza. “As a corporate citizen and soon-to-be new resident, we want downtown Raleigh to become a destination for not only daily activities, but a successful nightlife as well.”

Dr. Betsy Bennett

Museum Director, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Born: October 10, 1943Education:
Hollins College, BA, Physics and Mathematics, 1965
University of Virginia, MEd., Science Education, 1972
University of Virginia, PhD, Science Education, 1989
Family: Walter, husband; daughter Kelly, son Will
Raleigh resident for 20 years
Professional Affiliation:
Accreditation Commission of the American Association of Museums, Commissioner; Association of Science Museum Directors, Past President; Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative, Administrator; Greater Raleigh Convention and VisitorsBureau, Board member

Dr. Betsy Bennett led the development and April 2000 opening of the 200,000-sq.-ft. Museum of Natural Sciences, “one of the top ten natural history museums in the country and a leader in science education.” As Raleigh continues to grow, with its “incredible wealth in its museum community and enthusiastic leadership for continuing to make new attractions (new venues, festivals, street life) happen in the downtown area,” she hopes to see the museum expand to include an interactive, high-tech center, The Nature Research Center, part of the Green Square Project.

Smedes York

Chairman, York Companies

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Born: February 22, 1941Education:
North Carolina State University, BS, Civil Engineering, 1963
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MBA, 1968
Family: Rosemary, wife; sons George and William
Raleigh resident for entire life
Professional Affiliation:
Urban Land Institute (former National Chairman), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)

As Mayor of Raleigh from 1979-1983, Smedes York was one of the first to focus on Downtown Raleigh. His family’s business, York Companies, was established in Raleigh in 1910 and is best known for Cameron Village. The company has been involved in City Market since 1988, has just opened an office on Fayetteville Street and is an active participant in the area, and is engaged in townhouse developments in the central city area. He believes Downtown Raleigh “…will continue to prosper and it has truly ‘turned the corner.’”

Ann-Cabell Baum Andersen

Owner/Broker, The Glenwood Agency

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Born: February 5Education:
North Carolina State University, BA, Business Management, with concentrations in Economics and Marketing, 1989
Family: Bryan, husband
Raleigh resident for 22 years
Professional Affiliation:
Livable Streets Partnership; Downtown Raleigh Alliance Board; Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women (TCREW); Licensed North Carolina Real Estate Salesman; Licensed North Carolina Broker; Certified Residential Specialist (CRS); Member of North Carolina Association of Realtors, Raleigh/Wake Board of Realtors, and Urban Land Institute (ULI)

Ann-Cabell Baum Andersen recognizes the city’s strength in adopting a “smart growth” approach, along with “…the city council’s direction and the private developers’ vision for the residential underserved market….” Serving unique clientele focused on residential and commercial locations inside Raleigh’s core area and Downtown, her firm is actively involved in marketing and sales of multiple residential units, including The Cotton Mill, Martin Place, Governor’s Square, Park Devereux, The Dawson on Morgan, Palladium Plaza, and West, currently under construction.

Steven D. Schuster

Founding Principal, Clearscapes, PA

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Born: January 16, 1951Education:
North Carolina State University, BEDA, 1973
University of Colorado, Master’s degree, Architecture, 1977
Family: Mary Anne Howard
Raleigh resident for 30 years
Professional Affiliation:
Past President, American Institute of Architects, North Carolina Chapter; Past Chairman, Preservation North Carolina

Architect Steven Schuster’s practice has focused on Downtown Raleigh for over 25 years, completing more than 20 projects in the urban core, including The Creamery, Exploris Museum and IMAX® Theater, and Hudson on Fayetteville Street. Ongoing projects include the new Raleigh Convention Center, the Contemporary Art Museum in the Warehouse District, and the N. Blount Street Revitalization. He sees his greatest accomplishment thus far as “…having had a role in the revitalization of Downtown Raleigh.”

Carter Worthy

President, Carter Worthy Commercial, Inc.

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Born: 1959Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA American Studies, 1981
Family: Tom Hester, husband; sons Thomas, 16 and Ford, 8
Raleigh resident since birth
Professional Affiliation:
Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designee, Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors (Past Chair), Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women (Charter Member), Downtown Raleigh Alliance - Executive Committee Vice Chair, Triangle Transit Authority Trustee, New Schools Project Advisory Board, Raleigh Arts Commission 30th Anniversary Committee Co-Chair

Carter Worthy is fully engaged in her community and is a major advocate for a more vibrant Downtown. As a co-chair of the Fayetteville Street Visioning Process, her efforts helped lead to the Raleigh City Council’s unanimous decision to reopen the street, and her vision of Downtown Raleigh’s future is one that “…will provide a feast of cultural opportunities and visual experiences. It will be rich in arts expression and will be the hallmark of our innovation economy.”

Roger L. Perry

President, East West Partners

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA
Family: Tom Hester, husband; sons Thomas, 16 and Ford, 8
Raleigh resident for 24 years

Roger Perry is no stranger to developing large mixed-use communities around the Triangle, and that experience will extend to his partnership in the Site One project, a planned mixed-use location in the Fayetteville Street District that will connect to the new convention center. “Downtown Raleigh is destined to become a vibrant and exciting place to live, work, shop, and recreate. I hope to play a part in all of that.”

George York

Executive Vice President York Properties

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Born: September 9, 1970
Education:
Wake Forest University, BA, English, 1993
Kenan-Flagler School of Business, UNC-Chapel Hill, MBA, 2006
Family: Parker, wife; Smedes (4), and Bowen (10 months)
Raleigh resident since 1970
Professional Affiliations: Urban Land Institute, International Council of Shopping Centers, Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors (Board member), Southlight, Inc. (Board member), Interact (Capital Campaign Committee), Rex Hospital (Rex Open Committee), Raleigh Little Theater (Board member)

George York knows the profound effect the presence of a corporate office has made on Downtown Raleigh and hopes to see “…new corporate HQ towers… highlight our skyline” in the next five years. A major player in Downtown Raleigh’s renaissance, he successfully secured tenants for Two Progress Plaza’s retail space; managed and leased City Market, achieving a 100% retail occupancy in 2001; and leased The Depot, “…a key part of the downtown warehouse district revival.”

Greg Hatem

Founder and Managing Partner Empire Properties

Hometown: Roanoke Rapids, NC
Born: November 20, 1960
Education:
North Carolina State University, BS, Chemical Engineering
Beijing Youth Politics College, Diploma of Chinese Studies
Raleigh resident for 22 years
Professional Affiliations: Preservation North Carolina Board of Advisors, co-chair of the Southeast Raleigh Assembly, Board member for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Advisory Board member for the Crescent State Bank Raleigh Operations, Steering Committee member for North Carolina in the World, and founding member of the North Carolina China Center Member of the Urban Land Institute

Greg Hatem proved 12 years ago that people were willing to go downtown for entertainment and nightlife, redeveloping a warehouse into Jillian’s. Since then, Empire Properties has redeveloped about 35 buildings and 400,000 square feet, primarily in historic districts “…that help define the character of downtown Raleigh.” His efforts focus on “…streetlevel spaces to create destinations, such as restaurants like the Duck & Dumpling, The Raleigh Times Bar, and Nana’s Chophouse. That’s where the energy in downtown comes from.” His vision to help create downtown as a destination is part of the goal “…to create a sustainable downtown that is not just a group of buildings but a community.”

Frank Daniels, Jr.

Managing Partner, First Raleigh Telex

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Born: 1931
Education:
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, AB History
Family: Wife, two children, three grandchildrenRaleigh resident for 75 years

A lifelong resident of Raleigh, Frank Daniels, Jr., watched the city of Raleigh evolve from a unique vantage point — as the publisher of the News and Observer. He sees the strength and potential of the Capital City and its museums, and wants to see more people attracted to downtown through events like Artsplosure and other outdoor opportunities.

Harvey A. Schmitt, CCE

President, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Hometown: Greenville, MS
Born: August 18, 1964
Education:
Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
University of Notre Dame, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management and the Academy for Advanced Management
Family: Pam, wife; two grown daughtersRaleigh resident for 13 years
Professional Affiliations: Serves on the Boards of several regional initiatives, including the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Triangle Tomorrow, World Trade Center of North Carolina, The United Way of the Triangle, Triangle Community Coalition, and the Regional Transportation Alliance; trustee for the Wake Education Partnership; Board member of the 200 Club of Wake County, Carolina Hurricanes Kids N’ Community Foundation, and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance; serves on the International Affairs Council Advisory Council

Harvey Schmitt joined the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce in 1994, and during his time there, the Chamber budget and program have increased by more than 200%. He was instrumental in gathering support for the RBC Center, bringing the NHL Carolina Hurricanes to Raleigh, and initiating the Sports Council and the Regional Transportation Alliance. He received the Triangle Area’s Business Leader of the Year Award for 2002 from Business Leader magazine.