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Bryan Kelley
CEO -
Ronnie Wallace
President -
David Smith
Senior Vice President & General Counsel -
Steven Kelley
Senior Vice President & COO -
Zac Allen
CFO -
Mark Pedersen
Vice President - Capital Markets -
Matt Journy
Vice President - Tax & Deputy General Counsel -
Kenny Bolton
National Accounts Manager -
Lance Maffett
Director - Project Management -
Bob Wilson
Director - Forest & Land Management -
Ray Sun
Director - Real Estate Investments -
Greg Jones
Director - Real Estate Development -
Benjamin Black
Engineering Geologist -
Debbie Johnston
Business Manager -
Keri Smith
Client Services Manager -
Carrie Strickland
Executive Assistant -
Christine Olney
Accounting Assistant
Bryan Kelley
CEO
Bryan Kelley is the co-founder and CEO of Webb Creek and brings over twenty-five (25) years of community banking experience. During that time, he has served multiple financial institutions as Chief Financial Officer, also serving as Chief Financial Officer for a multistate Bank Holding Company. He has extensive Mergers & Acquisition experience, and was a primary organizer of a De Novo bank in Georgia. He has also successfully completed multiple Private Placement Stock offerings raising capital for various banks in Georgia.
Bryan has a diverse background in Asset/Liability Management and Investment Portfolio Management. Bryan has also served on the Investment Committee of a National Insurance Company with over site responsibilities of the company’s Investment Portfolio. Throughout his career he has made presentations before the FDIC, Office of Thrift Supervision, Georgia Department of Banking, Alabama Department of Banking, A.M. Best, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. Most recently he has spoken at several Family Office Conferences on the topic of Conservation Land Easements. Bryan has also served as the Finance Director for a Municipal County Government in Georgia.
Ronnie Wallace
President
Ronald J. Wallace (Ronnie) is the co-founder and President of Webb Creek. For over thirty (30) years Ronnie has been involved in banking, both at community and super regional levels, holding positions of President and CEO as well as EVP of Retail, Commercial, Mortgage and SBA lending areas. Additionally, Ronnie has been involved in economic development activities at both the local and state level including being a State Certified Economic Development Trainer and having started and managed a successful incubator program.
Ronnie served local government for twelve years as Rome City Commissioner and Mayor. Additionally, he served state government for many years on the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Board of Directors. He was appointed to its executive committee and chaired the DC/DC Retirement Committee and the State Education Board of GMA. Ronnie was also named to the Georgia Municipal Association Hall of Fame.
Ronnie obtained his undergraduate degree in Economics with his MBA in Finance. He is also a registered Mediator and Arbitrator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Ronnie has taught Economics, Corporate Finance, and Entrepreneurship as well as other Business focused courses at the College/University level. Ronnie has presented to various rating and insuring agencies. He was named to the Georgia Board of Pharmacy for a 5-year term by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2008 and subsequently was nominated for a 5-year appointment to the Georgia Composite Medical Board by Governor Nathan Deal in 2014.
David Smith
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
David left a successful private practice in 2016 to join Webb Creek as its in-house counsel. At Webb Creek, David manages the company’s relationships with outside counsel, coordinates the company’s in-house legal staff, advises on internal legal and compliance issues, and oversees the crafting of Webb Creek’s real estate offerings.
David’s legal practice started in the areas of real estate, corporate law, and mergers and acquisitions. In 2006, his practice grew to include the formation of real estate focused partnerships and the placement of conservation easements. David has practiced as a member with small regional law firms and later founded his own law firm in Rome, Georgia, in 2008. Additionally, David has served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Rome and as Rome’s Municipal Court Judge.
David is a 1998 graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Law. David received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stetson University (’92) and a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida State University (’94).
Steven Kelley
Senior Vice President & COO
Steven Kelley graduated from Shorter University in 2010, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and completed Shorter’s graduate program with an MBA in 2012. During his undergraduate studies, Steven was a member of the Shorter University football team and was awarded Academic All-Conference for the NAIA Mid-South Conference. He was also inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society, which recognizes students of business, management and administration who have attained superior records in their respective business programs.
Steven joined Webb Creek as Director of Operations in 2014 and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. His primary duties include company operations, supporting Webb Creek’s network of broker-dealers and financial professionals, as well as various aspects of offering due diligence and implementation. Steven has played an integral role in significantly expanding Webb Creek’s distribution network to thousands of investors in over 40 states. Since joining the team, Steven has overseen numerous syndicated real estate offerings that account for several hundred million in capital raised through the Broker-Dealer/RIA/Family Office markets.
In addition to Webb Creek, Steven joined Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC) as a Financial Advisor in 2014 and currently holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses through DLS. A significant portion of Steven’s financial advisory practice focuses on alternative investments and working with high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients around the country. He has been a recipient of the DLS President’s Award, which recognizes the firm’s top producing advisors, each in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Steven also manages a portfolio single-family investment properties and is closely involved in day-to-day operations for various other businesses.
Zac Allen
CFO
Zac Allen is the CFO of Webb Creek and joined the team in 2019. Zac is a graduate of Shorter University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in accounting. Zac spent nearly seventeen years in healthcare finance at the controller and CFO level. Following his healthcare career he started his own tax and accounting firm in 2013. Zac brings experience and expertise in the areas of taxation, business operations, compliance, and strategic planning. His practice focused on tax preparation and tax consulting for individuals as well as business entities including partnerships and corporations.
Zac and his wife Teresa are active members of Trinity United Methodist Church of Rome and enjoy bicycling, motorcycling, tennis, and horseback riding.
Mark Pedersen
Vice President - Capital Markets
Mark Pedersen serves as Vice President of Capital Markets for Webb Creek and brings more than 40 years of professional experience in the areas of Civil Engineering and Investments. He has specialized in private placement tax investments since 1984. His concentration for the last five years has been within the area of Conservation Land Easements. Over the last 30 years, Mark has held various Executive and Principal positions in the securities industry. These responsibilities include operations, financial operations, and due diligence. Additionally, Mark holds FINRA series 7, 22, 24, 27, 63, 79, and 99 licenses through Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC in Rome, Georgia – Member FINRA/SIPC.
He has participated as a panelist and moderator at numerous professional conferences and symposiums. Panel subjects include 1031 exchange, leasing, energy, tax and real estate. He has also participated as an Organizer and Director for two De Novo banks in North Carolina. He has also served in appointed local government positions. Mark received a BS in Conservation/Environmental Science from NC State University.
Matt Journy
Vice President - Tax & Deputy General Counsel
Matt Journy joined the Webb Creek team in 2019. Previously, as principal at GKG Law, Matt counseled trade and professional associations, public charities, private foundations, and other nonprofits on a variety of tax, governance, and general corporate matters, including tax exemption applications, audits, tax planning, joint ventures, unrelated business income tax issues, lobbying, and charitable solicitation, among other issues.
Matt represented nonprofit clients in tax disputes with the IRS during each stage of the IRS examination process, as well as individuals and corporations in examinations and in tax litigation against the IRS on a broad range of issues related to income tax deficiencies, excise taxes, and penalties and interest. Additionally, Matt worked on the Office of Chief Counsel of the IRS in 2004-2005.
Matt is a 2006 LLM graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, a 2003 graduate of the Northeastern University School of Law, and a 1999 graduate of Marquette University for his B.A.
Kenny Bolton
National Accounts Manager
Kenny Bolton is a 1981 graduate of Western Maryland College. In 1983 he began a career with EF Hutton which led to positions at Lehman Brothers and Smith Barney. In the mid 90’s he leveraged his experience and moved with an Independent Broker Dealer, where he headed up the Due Diligence for Alternative Investments.
Kenny has also been involved with several Private Equity firms such as Somerset Partners and Gemini Real Estate Advisors. He is a lifelong resident of Brick, NJ where he lives with his wife and three daughters.
He is registered with Dempsey Lord Smith, a Broker Dealer in Rome Ga, and holds FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 licenses.
Lance Maffett
Director - Project Management
Lance Maffett is Director of Project Management for Webb Creek. Prior to joining Webb Creek, Lance served as managing partner for a land group company where he coordinated national real estate sales and marketing initiatives to landowners in the hunting industry. Over the past four years, he has worked extensively with private landowners to realize the preservation benefits of conservation easements to wildlife, the local community, and future generations.
Lance is a 1986 graduate of the University of Georgia. He earned a BA, Communications and holds a MA, National Security Studies from American Military University. Lance is a retired Colonel, United States Marine Corps. During his military service, he flew the AH-1W, Super Cobra, and served as commanding officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. He is an active Board Member, US Service Academy Nomination Board (GA 14th, US Congressional District).
Bob Wilson
Director - Forest & Land Management
Bob Wilson is Director of Forest & Land Management for Webb Creek. Since 2015, Bob’s primary role with Webb Creek focuses on offering timber management services for Webb Creek on managed properties.
Bob brings over 25 years experience in timber procurement and management. After resigning from Berry College Forestry Department in 1987, he became self employed in the timber industry. He owns Ridge Line Timber and continues to manage its timber procurement and marketing. He has worked with private landowners, corporations, and municipalities with land holding of up to 40,000 acres. Bob continues to serve his clients by facilitating site preparation and establishing new timber stands on their property.
Bob has speculated in real estate for over 15 years and is devoted to preserving undeveloped land for timber production. Bob has also facilitated and held a vested interest in conservation easements since 2006.
Ray Sun
Director - Real Estate Investments
Ray Sun is the Director of Real Estate Investments for Webb Creek Management Group and joined the team in 2019. Ray is responsible for overseeing the analysis and strategic acquisition of Webb Creek’s real estate division. He is also involved in the structuring of real estate offerings that are sponsored by Webb Creek.
In addition to his role at Webb Creek, Ray is the President of Sun Coast Realty Inc. (“Sun Coast”), which provides real estate due diligence and consulting services to a variety of companies. Mr. Sun has been active in the acquisition and syndication of more than $1.3 billion in real estate investments since 2001.
Mr. Sun has a depth of experience in reviewing public and private placement offerings as the Chief Investment Officer and Due Diligence Manager for a FINRA member broker-dealer. He also served as the Vice President of Asset Management for TIC Properties Management, LLC where he oversaw a national portfolio of more than 1.5 million square feet of office, retail and multifamily assets.
Mr. Sun serves as the President of Opus Fund, LLC, a California limited liability company that owns seven commercial real estate assets in Santa Ana, CA for the benefit of the Orange County School of the Arts, a California non-profit public benefit corporation. He is an Eagle Scout and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Mr. Sun is a licensed real estate broker in California, Florida and South Carolina, and holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 79 licenses through Dempsey Lord Smith – Member FINRA/SIPC.
Greg Jones
Director - Real Estate Development
Greg Jones is the Director of Real Estate Development for Webb Creek. Greg is a licensed general contractor in the state of Georgia and has forty-five years of experience in the development of residential subdivisions, single and multi-family developments, as well as industrial and commercial projects in the Southeast. Additionally, Greg has significant experience with restoration and construction projects in historical districts. Greg is the recipient of numerous local builder of the year awards.
Greg oversees the formation and implementation Webb Creek’s development efforts, as well as assist in the feasibility analysis of proposed projects.
Benjamin Black
Engineering Geologist
Ben Black is the Staff Engineering Geologist at Webb Creek and joined the team in 2019. Ben has twenty-three years of experience in geological, hydrogeological, and geotechnical analysis and design. He is currently the owner of GeoLogic, LLC, a geologic and mining consulting firm headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia. Ben works closely with all stakeholders and other subject matter experts to ensure that the projects are completed to the highest possible standards. Ben also provides independent technical review (ITR) of third-party geological and mineral valuation reports for compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Guidelines. Ben also serves as chairman of the Association of Engineering Geologists (AEG), Rock Mechanics Technical Working Group (RM-TWG), and is a member of Committee 1 (Roadway & Ballast) of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).
Ben has a B.S. in Geology with a concentration in Hydrogeology from Eastern Michigan University. Additionally, he has a M.S. in Geological Engineering and a Certificate in Applied Geotechnics, both from the University of Idaho. He is a Registered Professional Geologist in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina; and a Registered Professional Engineer in Georgia.
Debbie Johnston
Business Manager
Debbie Johnston joined Webb Creek in February 2015. As Business Manager, she is responsible for day-to-day operations and accounting functions.
Debbie obtained an accounting diploma from Northwest Georgia Technical College. She also earned a B.S. in Middle Grades Education from Shorter University. Debbie has over twenty years of Operations Department experience at local community banks that has resulted in extensive accounts payable and supply requisition knowledge.
Keri Smith
Client Services Manager
Keri moved to Rome, Georgia in 2002 to attend Shorter College and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. Prior to joining Webb Creek, she was employed with the Rome Floyd Chamber where she worked in leadership and community development for eight years. She spent four of those years specifically in economic development where she assisted in the recruitment process of primary job creation in Rome and Floyd County.
Keri is a graduate of Leadership Rome Class of XXVIII and a 2010 graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.
She is married to Stephen and they have a four-year old daughter, Slade, and an eleven-year old black lab mix named Gracie.
Carrie Strickland
Executive Assistant
Carrie Strickland joined the Webb Creek team in 2017 as its Executive Assistant. In addition to supporting day-to-day office functions, Carrie regularly assists Webb Creek’s clientele of land owners, financial advisors and investors with various needs.
Carrie graduated from Berry College in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management and a Spanish Minor. At Berry, she was a member of the Berry Association of Marketers, Sigma Delta Pi: National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, Berry Investment Group, and a Campbell School of Business Fellow. Carrie also studied abroad at the University of the West Indies for International Marketing and Business, and has a Masters of Accountancy Degree from Shorter University.
Christine Olney
Accounting Assistant
Christine Olney joined Webb Creek in November of 2018. As Accounting Assistant she is responsible for handling daily operations as well as accounting functions.
Christine graduated from the University of Georgia in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and later received her Master’s degree in Sport Management & Policy. During her undergraduate studies, Christine was a member of the UGA Softball team where she was an SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She also competed in the 2010 Women’s College World Series.