Bios

Executive Office

Greg Hatem, Managing Partner
Greg Hatem, a North Carolina native, is the inspirational vision behind Empire Properties. His more than 20 years in real estate development, finance and international business culminated in the founding of the company in order to preserve and enhance the character of downtown Raleigh. Greg is a recognized leader in the efforts to renew downtown through adaptive reuse of existing buildings and new construction in historic neighborhoods, as well as extending positive development into other urban areas. Empire Properties’ impressive track record, under Greg’s leadership, includes 41 rehabilitation projects that consist of more than 550,000 square feet of office and retail space.

Greg’s interest in downtown Raleigh extends well beyond Empire Properties, with current positions as a member of the 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. Greg also was involved the Livable Streets Partnership, Fayetteville Street Visioning Team and Downtown West Gateway Task Force.

For his efforts, Greg and Empire Properties have been recognized by businesses and agencies across Raleigh. In 2003, the Raleigh City Council awarded Greg the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance for his outstanding contribution to the character, environment and appearance of Raleigh. The Triangle Business Journal in 2005 awarded Empire Properties its Edge Award for Best General Contractor in an Urban Environment. And in 2006, Greg received the Impact Award from the Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women for his work in restoring downtown Raleigh. In 2005, The News & Observer also named him “Tar Heel of the Week.” Empire Properties also has received a number of Capital Area Preservation Anthemion Awards for its outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in historic preservation.

Greg also is a frequent guest speaker at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler School of Business, the University of North Carolina Department of City and Regional Planning and the North Carolina State University Chemical Engineering and History departments.

Greg is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. He also holds a diploma in Chinese studies from Beijing Politics College.

Andrew Stewart, President
Andrew Stewart joined Empire Properties in 2003, bringing with him years of experience in city planning and research, economics and analysis. He plays a key role on the leadership team, evaluating current and future projects and managing relationships with debt and equity sources. Andrew is an active member of the Preservation North Carolina Board of Directors and the Raleigh Little Theatre Board of Directors.

In his role just prior to joining the company, Andrew worked with the City of Raleigh Planning Department and was engaged in the creation and management of the Livable Streets Partnership for downtown Raleigh. He also worked for four years as a research economist for Research Triangle Institute International (RTI).

Andrew holds master’s degrees in Business Administration and Regional Planning with a focus on real estate development from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also graduated with honors from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. with bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Philosophy.

Shannon Massey, Receptionist/Office Assistant
Shannon Massey joined Empire Properties in late 2007 from a similar position with a downtown law firm.  An advocate of downtown, she is currently pursuing graduate studies in historic preservation. Shannon earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Property Development

Ashley Pinkard, Development Manager
Ashley Pinkard joined the Empire Properties team in 2006, and manages relationships with debt and equity providers, clients, contractors and other key partners. Ashley also oversees the financing of the hospitality group, including the Empire Eats restaurants and The Lafayette Hotel & Residences. With Empire Properties’ encouragement, Ashley is proud to be an active member of the Board of Directors for the Raleigh Little Theatre and Dr M.T. Pope House Museum Foundation.

Prior to joining Empire, Ashley directed technical lighting needs for large-scale fashion, theatre and television productions in New York City. Leading crews and planning complex productions gave Ashley extensive experience in project management, collaboration and creative thinking.

In 2007, Ashley earned her master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in both Real Estate and Sustainability from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Design & Technology is from Auburn University, and she is proud to be a third-generation Auburn graduate.

Holton Wilkerson, Brokerage Services Manager
With a passion for redevelopment, Holton Wilkerson joined the Empire Properties team to lead the enhancement of Empire Brokerage Services. Working with commercial real estate brokers, tenants and owners, Holton focuses on increasing awareness of the real estate intermediary as a trusted, knowledgeable resource in leasing arrangements, as well as in the buying and selling of commercial real estate property in downtown Raleigh.

Holton brings with him a commitment to preservation from his role as co-founder of Arbor Equity, where he concentrated on remediation and sustainable redevelopment of brownfields. A licensed real estate broker, he has been associated with several high-performing firms in the Raleigh area.

While earning his bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Holton studied abroad for a semester in London. He is candidate for the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Institute, as well as an Executive Committee Vice Chair with the Urban Land Institute. Holton also supports community programs, as a Steering Committee Chair for Band Together NC, which creates fundraising concerts to benefit local non-profits, and as founder of Launch Raleigh, an aspiring non-profit whose aim is to support the Triangle’s Creative Class, most notably musicians and artists.

Property Management

Melony Girton, Director of Property Management
A licensed real estate broker, Melony Girton joined Empire Properties in late 2005 with more than 20 years of real estate experience, primarily in the downtown Raleigh market. As an integral member of the leadership team, she manages all aspects of property management, as well as all space upfits and leasing for new tenants and all aspects of relationships with existing tenants. Melony’s diverse background includes the management and leasing of some of Raleigh’s Class A properties, including the Wachovia Capitol Center and Two Hannover Square, along with warehouse, flex, retail, office and wireless communications assets.

A Raleigh native, Melony is deeply interested in the revitalization of downtown and in the preservation of historic buildings. Her addition as a member of the leadership team was an excellent fit for both Melony and Empire Properties.

Hospitality Operations & Development

Craig Spitzer, Director of Hospitality
Craig Spitzer joined the business in July 2006 to oversee Front of the House services as well as the finances at Empire Eats restaurants. Craig also is leading the development of one of Empire Properties’ newest projects, The Lafayette, a signature building featuring luxury condominiums, a world-class boutique hotel and a fine-dining restaurant.

Prior to his move to Raleigh, Craig was the general manager of the Library Hotel in New York City since its opening in August 2000. At the age of 25, he was the youngest general manager of a hotel in New York City. Before opening the Library Hotel, Craig was the front office manager of New York’s Hotel Elysee.

Craig is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in History.

Misty Ash, Special Events Manager
A member of the hospitality team, Misty Ash manages catering and private events for all Empire Eats establishments. She joined Empire Properties in Spring 2006. Prior to joining the business, Misty gained valuable hospitality experience at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Raleigh, where she managed corporate and group sales for four years.

Misty, a Washington, N.C., native, earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from East Carolina University School of Hospitality.

Accounting & Human Resources

Patricia Wheeley, Controller
A Certified Public Accountant, Patricia Wheeley leads the team responsible for all accounting and financial reporting for the real estate, restaurant and construction divisions of the business. She also manages the administration of all employee policies, procedures and benefits.

With more than 25 years of experience as controller for leading privately held and public organizations in the areas of commercial mortgage financing, real estate investment, residential development, and management and leasing, Pat is a strong asset in the financial management role for Empire Properties.

Pat graduated Cum Laude from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Terryl Hanson, Accountant, Development and Property Management
Terryl Hanson joined Empire Properties in October 2006 with more than 20 years of diverse accounting experience to provide accounting services for Development and Property Management. Terryl’s extensive experience includes similar positions with two large Triangle Area commercial real estate development firms.

Terryl is a native of Montana and graduated with a degree in Accounting from the Rapid City School of Business in South Dakota.

Deb Thompson, Accountant, Construction
Bringing more than 13 years of construction office management and accounting services experience, Deb Thompson joined Empire Properties in March 2008 to provide accounting services specifically for the company’s construction division. Deb came to Empire Properties from her recent position with Choate Construction Company, where she held the positions of office manager and accounting liaison, among others, for the company’s Raleigh Office. Her previous experience includes a career as a certified fitness instructor and fitness center manager, trained technician at a Chiropractic office, and physician’s office manager.

A native of Goldsboro, N.C., Deb is a Notary Public and has completed 10 hours of OSHA certification. Her active life outside of the office includes her husband, two children and three grandchildren, and supporting scout groups and local church.

Jennifer Herndon, Accountant, Restaurants
A new member of the Empire Properties team and new to the Raleigh area, Jennifer joined the business in March 2006 with a true passion for historic preservation. She previously provided accounting services to several restaurants and small businesses in the Memphis, Tenn. area.

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in History.

Andrea Donnelly, Accounting Clerk
A December 2006 graduate from the North Carolina State University College of Design, Andrea Donnelly joined Empire Properties full time in January 2007, following an internship with the company the previous summer. She feels at home in the growing, vibrant company, and is responsible for both the administrative duties of the Accounting Department, as well as for the documentary photography of Empire Properties’ historic buildings.

Empire Construction

David Goodman, Director of Empire Construction
With more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, David Goodman joined Empire Construction in early 2007 as a member of the leadership team, bringing the knowledge and confidence needed to effectively manage this critical division of the business. Previously, David led construction and renovation projects at resorts in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire and St. Maarten for Divi Hotels Marketing. Prior to Divi, he was a superintendent for Choate Construction Company in Raleigh for seven years. His experience also includes project management for Pro-Tec Finishes, a division of Charlotte Paint, as well as extensive experience in home building and home restoration.

David earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. He is a North Carolina licensed general contractor and home inspector.

Juliana Strieff, Architectural Consultant / General Contractor
With a respect for old buildings and a desire to create lively new spaces through adaptive reuse, Juliana Strieff joined Empire Properties in May 2005 with experience in a wide range of architectural, design and historic preservation projects as a consultant. Her work includes rehabilitation analysis for real estate investors, architectural and graphic design services, design technology development and training, and the preparation of large-scale comprehensive historic preservation surveys.

Juliana earned a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from Illinois State University before completing her master’s in Architecture at North Carolina State University, where she was a finalist for the Henry L. Kamphoefner Honor Fellowship.

David Murphy, Assistant Project Manager
As assistant project manager for Empire Construction, David Murphy works with subcontractors, obtaining job quotes, implementing contracts and approving payments. He schedules and tracks jobs for all projects, ensuring that construction logs are up to date, and is responsible for material estimates, orders and safety data sheets for materials stored at construction sites.

Prior to joining Empire Construction, David operated his own home improvement and repair service for five years. He also worked at Nortel Networks for 26 years prior to owning his own business, in roles that included order engineering, international marketing and customer service.

David earned his associate of science degree in Design Drafting from Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo., and has completed numerous continuing education courses in the areas of project management, customer service and leadership development.

Pat Rhyne, Field Operations Manager
In early 2005, Pat Rhyne joined Empire Construction to help lead the growing construction team. As field operations manager, he manages the skill labor resources required for each project, assessing and planning for foremen and craft needs, and supporting project managers and superintendents in preparation of construction schedules.

Pat is a Raleigh native with a long-time interest in the restoration of historic structures and creative infill. He gained valuable construction experience working under general contractor R.A. Harbin for more than five years. Pat is a licensed real estate agent and worked in commercial real estate for two years prior to joining Empire Construction.

David Knight, Manager, Restoration / Sr. Specialty Foreman (Emeritus)
A master carpenter with more than 25 years of experience in woodworking, David is Empire Construction’s restoration manager. He oversees the repair of historic details, weaving together the old with the new to help create the unique experience of an Empire Properties’ building.

While attending Virginia Commonwealth University, David studied painting, printmaking and furniture design.

Kevin Hourihan, Restoration Carpenter / Cabinetmaker
Joining the Empire team in 2007, Kevin brings more than 25 years of experience in preservation, restoration and repair of antique structures. He has maintained National Register buildings in downtown Portland and owned a business in historically significant areas of metro west Boston. He attended the Universities of Oregon and Alaska.

Tom Eichenberger, Superintendent
A licensed North Carolina contractor, Tom Eichenberger joined Empire Construction with more than 25 years of experience in new residential, multi-family and commercial construction. Tom also brings extensive experience in remodeling, renovation, conservation and restoration work.

Carl Dahle, Superintendent
With more than 20 years of construction experience, primarily in renovation and historic renovation, Carl Dahle joined Empire Construction with a desire to contribute to making downtown Raleigh a better place to live and work. Prior to his construction career, he worked in the landscape and horticulture fields, as well as nine years as a firefighter.

A Raleigh native, Carl is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture.

Scott Taylor, Specialty Foreman, Labor/Demolition
Scott Taylor joined Empire Construction in November 2004 and is helping in the restoration process in Empire Properties’ buildings. Scott relocated from Laramie, Wyoming to Raleigh to be closer to his sister and niece.