Nai Avant LLC

Dan Avant davant@naiavant.com is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NAI Avant. Dan has been active in the development and brokerage of commercial and major residential properties since 1967.

Todd Avant is President of the company and has been with the firm since 1994. In addition to his day-to-day management responsibilities, he also directs the development and investment activities of NAI Avant. His background with the firm includes project design, development and finance, investment and development site sales, and construction/facility management. Todd earned a degree in Business Economics from Wofford College. He holds the CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member) from the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute. Todd is also a Life Member of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence. He was recognized by The State newspaper for his committment to excellence and for community service as a "20 Under 40" award recipient for 2005. Todd was also honored along with his father to receive the March of Dimes Real Estate Award in 2005. He is involved in a variety of business and civic organizations, including: Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board; Engenuity South Carolina Board; City Center Partnership Board; Columbia Cultural Council Board; Boy Scouts of America Executive (Indian Waters) Board; March of Dimes Midlands Board; Greater Columbia Association of Realtors; Committee of 100; Carolina Wildlife Care Board; and Rotary Club.

Bonnie Collins, CMA, CPA is NAI Avant's Chief Financial Officer. She has held senior management positons for accounting and financial operations for a variety of corporate entities, with extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry. Her commercial real estate background covers brokerage, construction, development, lease administration and property management activities. Bonnie is responsible for all of the firm's accounting and human resources activities. She is a Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) as well as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Gene Green has been active in commercial real estate since 1971 and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Broker-In-Charge for NAI Avant. Prior to joining the company in 1989, his experience included 13 years of private-sector real estate research and consultation and five years in the marketing and analysis of major commercial and resort developments. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities in 1997, Gene served as Senior Vice President of NAI Avant and as Vice President-Operations for Edens & Avant. He is active in numerous business and civic organizations and was the 2001 recipient of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors' "President's Excellence Program" award. Gene is active in company/broker transactions throughout markets served by the company. He earned a B.A. Degree from The George Washington University and a M.A. from the University of South Carolina.

Rick Owen specializes in Retail, Office, Industrial & Facilities Property Management. He is responsible for overseeing property managers and maintenance personnel. His experience in Commercial Property Management and Construction Management stretches back to the late 1980s. Rick's duties also include overseeing all construction management for NAI Avant's clients. Rick is active in construction and management projects throughout South Carolina, especially in Columbia, the Central Midlands Region and Charleston. Rick earned his B. A. Degree from the University of South Carolina. He has previously served as the firm's Regional Director of Office Management. He joined the company in 1994, and previous to that handled Commercial Property Management for five years with the Keenan Company.

Carol Buckwalter is responsible for managing all sales administration activities of NAIAvant's sales and leasing groups. She has an extensive background in financial and accounting practices, having served as Financial Analyst and Office Manager for Leo Eisenberg & Company's east-coast regional headquarters. She has also served as a Tax Associate with Arthur Andersen. Carol's areas of responsibility at NAI Avant include supervision of administrative staff, contract management, listings database and process controls, financial tracking and reporting, and assisting the Vice-President of Brokerage Services in day-to-day departmental management activities. Carol attended Winton-Salem Business College She joined NAI Avant in 1993.

Jan Newnham jnewnham@naiavant.com As Controller and Director of Accounting, Jan Newnham has an extensive background in business and finance within the banking and mortgage industries. Her responsibilities include overseeing NAI Avant's accounting division as well as all of the company's human resource activities. She attended the University of South Carolina.

Philip White is NAIAvant's Director of Marketing and Communications. A graduate of the University of South Carolina's Journalism School, he has extensive experience in communications that includes a comprehensive background in public affairs and information, publishing, advertising, design, photography, writing and research - all in addition to his considerable knowledge of commercial real estate and regional markets. Philip's marketing responsibilities include providing marketing expertise and support for NAIAvant's internal and external publics along with the activities of its Brokerage Services Group and its Property and Construction Management Group. Additionally, he oversees communications and linkages of the company's web site, www.naiavant.com. Philip joined NAIAvant in 1995 and is active in all markets served by the company.

Robert King specializes in General Brokerage, Development, Medical and Retail Sites, and General Commercial Buildings. He is a long-time resident of the Columbia Central Midlands Region and has an excellent working knowledge of the Columbia area. His sales experience has also extended throughout South Carolina and all its major markets. Prior to beginning his commercial real estate career, Robert accumulated 14 years of successful experience in sales/marketing, business development, management, operations and organizational leadership. He has a Business Management Degree from Clemson University.

Ben earned his B.S. Degree from The Citadel. He began his commercial real estate career in 1990, and preceded that with a career in the banking industry. He holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. He has won 15 Circle of Excellence Awards including "Gold Level" status in each year since 1998. Ben is the past Chairman of Harvest Hope Food Bank and a former Board Member of the Girl Scouts of the Congaree Area. Ben is active in commercial real estate tranactions throughout South Carolina and North Carolina. Ben joined the firm in 1990 following seven years in commercial bank lending. He holds a B.S. Degree from The Citadel.

Bill Kuhns has over twenty years of commercial real estate experience in major markets throughout the Southeast. His extensive client list has included large, national corporate clientele as well as local and regional entities. Bill's specialties include sales and leasing of large and small office-industrial facilities, large industrial land sites, corporate office facilities and retail tenant representation. He is a LifeMember of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence. Bill has a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He joined NAIAvant in 1986.

Buddy John specializes in: Shopping Center Investments; Single-Tenant and 1031 Investments; Retail Tenant Representation; Build-to-Suit Transactions; and Brokerage of Restaurant Facilities. He joined NAI Avant in 1982. From 1995 to 1999, he served as senior vice president of real estate for a publicly traded national retailer. He received the Real Estate Transaction of the Year Award in 2001 awarded by Columbia Association of Realtors.

Cheryse Tapp began her commercial real estate career in the early 1980s. In addition to her strong expertise in the retailing industry, Cheryse specializes in a variety of commercial property types, including Commercial Buildings, Development Sites, Land Tracts and Recreational Properties. Having built an outstanding reputation for client service, Cheryse has an impressive roster of clients and contacts throughout South Carolina's Central Midlands Region. Before joining the firm, Cheryse spent 18 years with Wyman Boozer Realty, where she served as Vice President. Cheryse won the "Transaction of the Year" award in 2000 from the Board of Realtors and has been a "Circle of Excellence" award recipient. Cheryse received her Business Degree from Columbia College.

Claud Sapp, CCIM joined the NAI Avant Brokerage Services Team in 2003 and specializes in Investment and Recreational Land, Timberland, Industrial and Development Sites. In addition to this focus, Claud brings a strong background in development, financing and financial analysis to assist his development and buyer clients. A life-long resident of the Columbia area, Claud has extensive knowledge of the surrounding submarkets of the Midlands area. He has two undergraduate degrees and a Masters of Business Administration Degree from the University of South Carolina. Claud is a holder of the CCIM Designation. Claud and the NAI Avant Brokerage Services Group continue to combine to bring his clients the expertise, reach and marketing power of one of South Carolina's largest and most-productive full-service commercial real estate firms.

Specializing in the sale and leasing of Commercial Buildings and Sites, Darren J. Bouknight brings his clients a diversity of experiences that includes an extensive background in banking, sales, operations and organizational management. He is a life-long resident of the Greater Columbia region and has an excellent working knowledge of the capital city as well as the markets of the Central Midlands. Darren holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Clemson University.

Dick Stanland is one of the Southeast's most sought-after and knowledgeable authorities of Southeastern U.S. office and industrial leasing properties across a wide range of markets. A proven leader at both the national and regional level and a broker with over 35 years of experience, Dick has previously served as the national SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) President and as President of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors (GCAR). Dick also previously served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Assocation of Realtors. He is a Life Member of GCAR's Circle of Excellence. Dick rejoined NAI Avant after four years as Broker-in-Charge at the Sapphire Lakes, NC resort. He previously served as NAI Avant's Vice President of Office and Industrial Leasing from 1992-2002 and was Senior Vice President-Lease Management with the Keenan Company from 1973-1992. Dick is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. His professional designations include CCIM, SIOR, GRI.

Gerald Steele is the firm's longest-serving broker and is one of the company's most consistent "Gold Level" Top Producers. Having joined the company in 1970, his many years of commercial real estate experience have given him a diversity of knowledge that continues to provide his clients with one of the most effective representatives in the markets he serves. His specialties include: General Commercial Real Estate Brokerage; Major Land Tracts; Recreational Property; Commercial Sites and Buildings. A consistent Top Producer, Gerald has been recognized for each of the past 23 years by the Circle of Excellence Awards and was winner of its Transaction of the Year Award for 1997. Gerald is active in commercial real estate transactions throughout South Carolina, with his primary area of focus being the Central Midlands area. He is a member of: Chapin, Lexington and Irmo, SC Chambers of Commerce; Lowman Home Advisory Board, South Carolina and Columbia Associations of Realtors; Advisory Board of BB&T Bank (Chairman); Dutch Fork Masonic Lodge; Scottish Rite; Jamil Temple; Previously Served on the Greater Chapin Community Endowment Board; In 2001 Gerald was inducted into the Chapin Hall of Fame. He is a member of Mt. Horah Lutheran Church in Chapin.

Jeff Hein specializes in Office Properties. His real estate experience representing landlords as well as tenants began in 1990. He holds the SIOR professional designation and is a Life Member with "Gold Level" status of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtor's Circle of Excellence. He served as past Chairman of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors' Commercial Division and on the Board of Directors of the Association. Jeff is involved in commercial real estate transactions throughout South Carolina with an emphasis on Columbia and surrounding areas. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Georgia and has been employed by the firm since 1993.

Jim Pagett joined the firm in 1997 as a retail leasing specialist and subsequently built a successful track record while servicing a sizeable portfolio of shopping centers throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Having long maintained strong relationships with both national and regional retailers, Jim's commercial real estate knowledge covers a wide range of Southeastern U.S. markets and a diversity of property types. In his current position as a Retail and Investment Sales Specialist, Jim provides his clients with retail and investment sales expertise in addition to a variety of general brokerage services. Well known in the retail real estate industry, he has served in numerous leadership positions within the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), including South Carolina Operations Chairman, 2003 Carolinas Idea Exchange Conference and South Carolina Government Affairs Chairman. Jim currently serves as Chairman of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors Commercial Alliance. A Lifetime Member of the Circle of Excellence, Jim is consistently awarded Circle of Excellence status by GCAR. He earned his B.A.. in English from the University of South Carolina (1992) and is a Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS). He also attended the ICSC School for Professional Development (2001).

Ken began his commercial real estate career in the late 1960s and has led the firm's Brokerage staff in production on eight occasions. Ken has been involved in transactions with a value of $500,000,000 since 1997. He is a Life Member of the Circle of Excellence. He has previously served as the firm as Vice President of Brokerage. Ken is active in brokerage activities across the United States. He received his B.A. Degree from the University of South Carolina.

Laura Kovacich is an experienced commercial real estate broker with an extensive background representing owners and buyers/tenants in the sale and leasing of Office, Retail and Industrial Properties as well as sites for each of these categories for both national and regional clientele. She is a recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award from the Central Carolina Realtors Association for her high level of production achieved in 2006 and in 2007. Laura earned considerable recognition from her brokerage peers for her sales, leasing and total transaction volumes. Her 20-plus years of sales and marketing expertise along with her wide range of commercial real estate knowledge have enabled Laura to consistently craft and complete successful transactions for her many clients. Laura earned a B.A. with honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is a member of: ICSC, Central Carolina Realtors Association, Leadership Columbia, Business Network International, and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

Mac Fanning has been in the commercial real estate business since 1987. His more than two decades experience includes an emphasis on multi-family, retail and industrial site selection, development and sales. Mac's productivity is evidenced by his Life Member designation in the Central Carolina Realtors Association's Circle of Excellence. Mac is a member of the local, state and national Realtor associations and attended the University of South Carolina. His client list includes a wide wariety of development companies, Fortune 500 corporations and financial service firms.

Beginning his commercial real estate career in the late 1970s, Mike Johnson has accumulated a vast multi-market experience and a diverse roster of clients across a wide variety of industries. His knowledge of South Carolina and its real estate markets have continued to make him an important source for client success. Mike's specialties include: Income Properties; Acreage; Major Development Sites; Commercial Buildings; Large Acreage and Recreational Tracts. Mike has won the Circle of Excellence Award 18 times and is a Lifetime Member. Previously, he has received recognition as the area's leading commercial broker. Mike is active in commercial real estate transactions across the Southeast. He joined the firm in 1979.

Nick Stomski brings his commercial real estate clients a diversity of experiences that includes his past success as owner/proprietor of his own Midlands-area business. His work with the InSite Commercial Group involved facilitating the critical details of a wide variety of commercial real estate transactions involving senior brokers, decision makers and city officials. Nick focuses on general brokerage, industrial buildings and commercial buildings. His areas of focus are Columbia and Midlands-area markets of South Carolina. Along with his experience in sales/marketing, business development, management, operations and organizational leadership, Nick brings to the NAI Avant Brokerage team a commitment to providing personalized attention and service excellence while striving to reach the optimum goals of each client. Nick received his Bachelor's of Science Degree from the University of South Carolina with a double major of Real Estate and Entrepreneurial Management.

A long-time resident of the Columbia area, Patrick Chambers is extremely familiar with the markets of South Carolina's Central Midlands Region. His client services include Site Selection and Build-To-Suits for Tenants/Buyers as well as Owner Representation for Commercial Development, Large Development Tracts, Commercial and Investment Sites, and Buildings. Patrick earned his B.S. Degree in Financial Management from Clemson University. He is active in commercial real estate transactions throughout South Carolina.

Paul Hartley joined the firm in 1983. He specializes in Owner and Tenant Representation for Office Leasing. Having begun his commercial real estate career in the early 1980s, Paul has been the company's Top Producer-Office Leasing for 24 consecutive years. During 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, he was named the Columbia area's Top Commercial Real Estate Office Leasing Broker. Also during 2004 and 2005, Paul was recognized as Columbia's Overall Top Commercial Real Estate Producer. He has been named the Top Producer / Office Leasing in Columbia, SC on 17 separate occasions. Additionally, in 2004 and 2005, Paul was the "Office" panelist in Columbia's Commercial Real Estate Market Forecast and has been a regular author of the annual SIOR Columbia Office Market Report. With a primary area of concentration in the Southeast, Paul has an active client base in most major U.S. markets. During the past three years, Pual has completed office transactions in over 75 U.S. cities. Paul received his B.A. Degree from Wofford College, where he was an English/Business Major. Paul is active both locally and nationally in SIOR, having served as: Admissions Chair-Carolinas Chapter of SIOR and a Committee Member; Membership Development and Retention, SIOR National.

Ricky Lefft brings an exceptional range of expertise and specialized knowledge to his commercial real estate clients. Since beginning his legal career in 1984, Ricky has provided service excellence to a wide variety of clients throughout diverse businesses and industries. He is experienced in commercial real estate transactions and has an extensive background in corporate, financial and insurance-related business interests. With a primary client focus on Buyer/Seller Representation, Investment Properties and 1031 Tax Exchanges, Ricky also handles a slate of general commercial real estate specialties. In addition to his commercial real estate experience, Ricky has long been a legal representative for an elite group of professional athletes and coaches. He previously served as a Partner with Synergy Sports Management and as President and Chief Operating Officer for Synergy Sports International. Having worked extensively in corporate law, he also has considerable experience in valuations of capital structures and acquisition of start-up capital for numerous commercial projects and business endeavors. Ricky earned a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law (1984) and a B.A. in Economics from the University of South Carolina (1981).

A long-time broker in the Columbia, SC area, Tracy Duren offers his clients excellent knowledge of South Carolina markets. He has been extensively involved in a wide variety of brokerage property types, focusing on Investment Properties and Multi-family Properties. His experience includes providing brokerage services in a corporate setting as well as running his own private firm, Duren Capital Advisors, LLC. Tracy has built an outstanding reputation for client service while developing an impressive roster of clients and contacts throughout the region. Active in brokerage transactions throughout the Southeast, Tracy is a Lifetime Member of Columbia Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence. He holds a B.S. Degree from Presbyterian College.

Walter Monteith began his commercial real estate career in 1974 and has worked throughout South Carolina and the Central Midlands region. He specializes in restaurant and banking sites and facilities as well as development sites and general commercial buildings. Walter's broad range of commercial real estate experience makes him a tremendous resource of knowledge and talent available for his clients. Walter is a Life Member of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence. He has received the Circle of Excellence Award for his outstanding sales performance on 15 occasions. Active in markets throughout South Carolina, Walter's primary focus is on Columbia and the Central Midlands region. Walter earned his Marketing Degree from the University of South Carolina. He joined the firm in 1974.