July is the time of year when ULI South Carolina kicks off a new fiscal year and new leaders join us to lead the organization. Before welcoming our new management committee members, I would like to thank our outgoing class for their dedication and contributions to the organization over the past two years.

Matt Alexander, our outgoing treasurer has actually served a 3-year term. Matt agreed to stay on for an extra year to create a staggered transition between Chair and treasurer for better continuity. Under his watch, Matt has been instrumental in maintaining our fiscal stability while growing South Carolina’s reserves. Matt’s experience with the position served ULI well as he and Amy worked to recalibrate the budget mid-year to mitigate impacts from the pandemic.

Allen Bridgers, our outgoing sponsorship chair, worked consistently throughout his term to fundraise for the organization while providing key insights and guidance during his time on the management committee. Under Allen’s leadership, ULI South Carolina exceeded it’s sponsorship goal over the past two fiscal years—including 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

Kerby Teller, our outgoing YLG Chair, has played a critical role in building programs that nurture our future leaders. He was instrumental in launching the Development 360 series throughout the state, and ensuring that our YLG contingent is learning and gaining experience through mentoring programs like Dinner with a Winner.

Justin Hirsch, Treasurer: Justin has been involved in ULI South Carolina from its inception and has served in various leadership roles with ULI throughout that time. Justin leads the CBRE Land Group in Greenville where he works on brokerage, consulting, and development of raw land and entitled and improved properties.

Melanie Brown, DEI Chair: Melanie joined the management committee in December 2020 to fill the vacant DEI chair position and has been rocking it ever since—wasting no time in organizing events and providing on-point feedback and perspective within the management committee. In addition to DEI Chair, Melanie serves on the ULI South Carolina Advisory Board and is the President and CEO of Restoration 52 in Greenville, SC.

Gable Stubbs, Sponsorship Chair: Gable jumped into Allen’s sponsorship committee last year and played a key role in helping ULI South Carolina achieve its fundraising goals during the pandemic. Gable joins us from the architecture field, where he is Director of Marketing & Business Development for SGA Narmour Wright Design in Charleston. Gable also serves on the ULI SC Coastal Program Committee.

Walker Sojourner, YLG Chair: As the incoming chair for our statewide Young Leaders Group, Walker will fit right in. As an early career professional, Walker has served in a ULI leadership role on the Midlands Executive committee, as well as the Midlands Young Leader chair, helping to guide programming and ULI efforts in the Columbia area. Walker is a Vice President for Development at Columbia Development.