PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
RITZ INVESTMENTS- As sole proprietor and Principal Broker since 2001, manage personal real estate and other investments and provide consulting services relative to income property development and financing and city planning.
UNION PLANTERS NATIONAL BANK/LEADER FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS- Managed $350 Million Memphis area residential construction and commercial real estate loan portfolio for $20.0 Billion bank holding company. Served as Leader Federal Bank’s Environmental Risk Officer, chaired the Political Action Committee, and was a member of the Executive Committee. Managed ownership and loan relationship for Millcreek Apartments, Tennessee’s largest multifamily tax credit property development.
HARLAND BARTHOLOMEW & ASSOCIATES- Managed the nationwide marketing activities of a planning/engineering services firm with offices in 10 U.S. cities. Consulted with cities on planning, annexation and economic development activities.
MEMPHIS & SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT- Served as first Director of Office of Planning and Development reorganized and managed joint city-county agency which produced new Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations and established a new economic development program representing City and County Mayors on economic development matters.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Led the 1979 City/County resolution of the Interstate 40/Overton Park conflict which created the opportunity to reclaim the Midtown right of way for residential development.
Focused Memphis sanitary sewer extension policy to discourage urban sprawl and to encourage in town development.
Wrote and managed the City/County adoption of new Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances- the first comprehensive rewrite since 1950.
Secured applications for federal assistance for the renovation of the Peabody Hotel and the Orpheum-both of which had been closed for 20 years.
Served as Board member on the original Shelby County Emergency Communications “911” Board.
Chaired the planning committee for the reuse of the Memphis Defense Depot and then served, until elected to the County Commission in 2006, as Chairman of the Redevelopment Board responsible for the leasing, improvements, and eventual sale of the Memphis Defense Depot property for the benefit of the City and County.
EDUCATION: B.S., Civil Engineering, 1967; M.S., Regional and City Planning, 1969, University of Oklahoma
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:
American Institute of Certified Planners-Charter Member
Boy Scout Troop 359 Advancement Chairman
Cordova Leadership Council
Economics Club of Memphis
Germantown United Methodist Church
Leadership Germantown 2002
Leadership Memphis 1983
Memphis Rotary Club-Secretary and Board of Directors
Shelby County “911’ Emergency Communications Board of Directors-1988-1996
Professional Engineer- Tennessee License retired
Vineyards Homeowners Association- Vice President
White Station High School Project Graduation Chairman
