T. Scott Smith

T. Scott Smith cut his teeth in the retail development industry. He has spent more than 20 years in the shopping center arena leasing space, acquiring sites, obtaining entitlements and negotiating anchor tenant leases. As a shareholder of WRS, Inc., Scott has been a principal in 25 completed retail development projects comprising more than 6,000,000 square feet of space, primarily anchored by Wal-Mart. As President, and as Vice-President, he has spearheaded the company’s site acquisition, anchor tenant relationship and shop leasing efforts. Prior to the organization of WRS, Inc., Scott worked for development companies which during his tenure collectively developed more than 100 shopping centers. Scott is currently the Chairman of the South Carolina Housing State Finance and Development Authority.

Arthur J. Kepes

Arthur J. Kepes, from his initial experiences as counsel for the commercial lending arms of a large Ohio S&L through his tenure at Wyatt Development and with WRS, has spent his career focused on the nuts and bolts of retail development: acquisitions, leasing and finance. Art, who holds a J.D from the University of Michigan, has participated as a principal in 25 retail development projects comprising more than 6,000,000 square feet of space during his time as a WRS, Inc. shareholder. In his capacity as Vice President/ CFO of WRS, Inc., Art focuses on capital formation and recapitalization issues, on entitlement issues, and on the administrative arm of the company. Art’s past experience in the real estate finance industry includes service on the Board and Executive Committee of a regional savings institution.

Christopher B. Fraser, CCIM

Chris Fraser is a shareholder and the Executive Vice President – Leasing and Development of WRS. Initially licensed as a Broker in 1985, Chris has had significant Brokerage and Development experience in the succeeding 24 years. As Broker in Charge for 4 different firms during that period, he has led sales efforts across multiple product types including resort property, single family developments, and commercial activities. As a developer, Chris has developed a variety of projects including office buildings of between 3,000 and 235,000 square feet, hotels, restaurants and sports facilities (including the Charleston Battery Soccer Stadium and the Family Circle Cup Stadium on Daniel Island, in Charleston, SC). Chris has acted as both principal and third party developer on these projects, which collectively exceed $100,000,000 in value. Chris is currently serving as an elected member of the Charleston County School Board of Trustees.

Hugh Murphy

Hugh (Bo) Murphy has been the Vice President and Director of Planning and Construction for WRS since its inception. He holds a BS in Building Construction from The University of Louisiana at Monroe. Prior to joining WRS, his experience in the development and construction industry included management positions with Sam P. Wallace Co, Hardaway Construction, Hutchens Co, Westinghouse Savannah River CO, and Wyatt Development. From 1975 to 1985, Bo managed construction projects throughout the United States. Since 1986, he has managed the permitting, engineering, architecture and construction of over 75 shopping centers in 13 states.

Elaine M. Fournier, CPM

Elaine Fournier has been the President of Southern Real Estate Management since its creation in 1998. Her 20 plus years of experience in the property management industry includes positions as Director of Property Management for Retail Properties Inc. and for The Eisenberg Company in Charleston, South Carolina. Elaine has also done real estate analysis for Charleston County and was an Asset Manager for the Koll Company. Elaine is a graduate of the Johnson and Wales Business School.

Steve Howe

Steve Howe joined WRS in 2008, and is its Chief Operating Officer. He began his real estate career in 2000 as an analyst of the Finance Department for Sam’s Club. Steve was subsequently promoted to the position of Real Estate Manager for Wal-Mart, where he had responsibility for new store development in many areas of the country including Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and the DC area. Steve left Wal-Mart in 2006 and has focused on retail development in the Southeast since that time.

Amy F. Miller

Amy Miller joined WRS in 2008 as its Controller. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s College in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has more than a dozen years of experience in the controller position in the real estate development and construction industry. Amy supervises the bookkeeping and accounting processes for the development and property management activities of the Companies.