J. Bart Hopper
J. Bart Hopper
Founder

Bart Hopper developed his passion for real estate after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin and moving to Houston. He spearheaded the development of an office tower in Pittsburgh, and then became a partner with Lincoln Property Company in Charlotte, helping to shape the city’s skyline with his involvement in developing the Bank of America Tower. Bart also left his imprint on communities throughout the Carolinas, such as Jetton Cove, a mixed-use development known as the gateway to Lake Norman. As the 21st century began, Bart co-founded New South Properties, a development company specializing in retail and residential development. He followed that success by starting Hopper Communities, a company intent on leaving a positive imprint on some of the New South’s great cities including Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Charleston, and Austin/San Antonio. A Texas Longhorn fan since Earl Campbell won the Heisman Trophy, Bart enjoys attending Texas University and Carolina Panther football games. He also enjoys golfing and spending time with his children. Bart travels to Austin for business and pleasure and also enjoys relaxing along the South Carolina coast.

Clay McCullough
Clay McCullough
Senior Vice President

Clay McCullough graduated from the University of Georgia and has been an essential part of the Hopper Communities family for over nine years. He oversees land acquisition entitlements and residential development for our Charlotte market. Clay’s patience and devotion to maneuvering through challenges is vital to successful land entitlement and development. His steadfast approach to this sometimes lengthy process, has earned him trust and respect among investors, lenders, architects, engineers, and the Hopper Communities Family. Clay McCullough and Bart Hopper have become a dynamic team in our industry and within the Charlotte market. They have built a solid reputation for creating outstanding neighborhoods with exceptional value. Clay and his wife, Heather, have been Charlotteans for over fifteen years. They are avid Georgia Bulldog fans, have two active children, and like many parents, spend their weekends cheering at soccer and baseball games.

Trey Hopper
Trey Hopper
Vice President of Operations

Trey Hopper received his bachelor’s degree in business management with a finance concentration from North Carolina State University, and earned his MBA from Queens University of Charlotte. He gained extensive knowledge about the importance of being an advocate for consistency and quality while building single-family homes and townhomes for M/I Homes. Trey also previously worked as a procurement agent for Pulte Homes, supporting the company’s growth by identifying trade partners in both Charlotte and Nashville. At Hopper Communities, he is known for his in-depth understanding of residential construction operations and skill at visualizing what it will take to achieve goals. He and his wife Erin, a proud third-generation Charlottean, enjoy spending time on Lake Wylie with their son, Jackson, and black lab, Lady.

Bill Harrell
Bill Harrell
Land Acquisitions & Development Partner

Bill Harrell majored in Urban and Regional Planning at East Carolina University and has eighteen years of Real Estate experience. He now leads planning, development and rezoning for residential and retail properties in our North Carolina Triangle area. A native North Carolinian who’s proud of his small-town roots, Bill has resided in the Raleigh area since 1998 and has been instrumental in creating some of the area’s most successful neighborhoods. His loyalty to small communities, and the neighbors who call them home, gives Bill an edge in infusing each community’s charm and character into the neighborhoods he creates. When Bill is not working, hunting or fishing, he and his wife enjoy playing soccer with their kids and taking them to ECU football games.

Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
Kelly Cunningham
Kelly Cunningham
Operations Manager

Kelly has over thirty-three years of experience in managing residential homebuilding operations for national/regional homebuilders in major Texas markets and in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Finance and Real Estate and Urban Land Development. Kelly entered into the homebuilding industry with Pulte Homes and became the VP of Construction Operations working in multiple cities during his tenure. Additionally, he has been the VP of Construction Operations with Meritage Homes, Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes, Century Communities and M/I Homes. Kelly joined the Hopper Communities’ team in May of 2016. He is responsible for all of the purchasing, budgeting, payroll, and vertical construction activities in the Austin, TX communities. Outside of pursuing his passion for homebuilding Kelly enjoys spending time with his wife Kimie, their three children and five grandchildren.

Austin, Texas
Theresa Blum
Theresa Blum
Office Manager

Theresa Blum has worked with Bart Hopper for seven years, making tremendous contributions to our growth through her strong work ethic, fiscal experience and highly responsible nature. Theresa efficiently manages the home office, handling accounting and human resources for all Hopper Communities offices. Establishing an environment of support, collaboration, and respect, Theresa has proved to be of great value to the Hopper Communities family. Theresa and her husband, Jeff, have lived in the Charlotte area for fourteen years. Their two boys are talented lacrosse players, so cheering at a game is a regular family activity. Theresa volunteers for her son’s school, finds time to walk her dog Zoey, and enjoys reading a good book.

Debbie Micale
Debbie Micale
Director of Sales

Debbie is a Native Northern New Yorker who in 1995 found herself drawn to the booming housing market in beautiful Charlotte, NC. Introduced to the Home Building Industry in 1989, Debbie worked with NVR, Inc. for over 27 years beginning her career as a Sales & Marketing Representative and growing to an Executive Level Management role overseeing the company’s Southeast Area covering 4 consumer brands and 6 unique markets before leaving the Corporate World in 2016. She is known for her ability to build and develop successful sales teams, strategic community positioning and maximizing operational performance. She is considered a subject matter expert on the selling, promotion and management of New Home Sales. Debbie started her own Consulting Firm, Micale & Co. Consulting, in 2017 to work with Builders who needed guidance with their Sales & Marketing efforts. After completing some consulting work for Hopper Communities, she decided to contribute full time to the growth and development of the sales side of their business in 2019.

Breanna Sharkey
Breanna Sharkey
Director of Marketing

Breanna, a native of Upstate NY, completed her Advertising degree with a specialization in Graphic Design. Following graduation, she ventured into multiple industries, such as food and beverage, retail, hospitality, and construction. Breanna is responsible for the marketing, design, and communication aspects of Hopper Communities, overseeing the organization’s overall marketing strategy, messaging, and deliverables for each community while providing creative direction for all projects. During her free time, Breanna enjoys sand volleyball, ATVing, watching football, and spending quality time with her friends, family, and her dogs Mister Bear and Roxie.

Lauren Barger
Lauren Barger
Sales and Marketing Assistant

Raised in the town of Hickory, NC, Lauren Barger was brought on to the team in early 2024. She holds a bachelors degree in Commercial Photography from Appalachian State University. Shortly after obtaining her degree and beginning work with a marketing team for a furniture manufacturer in her hometown, Lauren found the city of Charlotte to be a comfortable place to start a new beginning. With a passion to help others, being able to assist in providing the community with beautiful new homes felt like the perfect fit for her. In her free time, you can find Lauren reading or hanging out with loved ones.

Marcus Hughes
Marcus Hughes
Director of Finance

A Charlotte native, Marcus was active in athletics at Providence Day School, receiving All-State recognition in both Football and Lacrosse, before heading to NC State University where he earned joint degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. He then earned a Masters of Accountancy from UNC Charlotte. Before joining Hopper Communities, he worked as a staff accountant in public accounting at two local established CPA firms. In his time off, Marcus enjoys staying active, running, attending sporting events, taking part in alumni events, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Stephanie Helms
Stephanie Helms
AP & Accounting Associate

Stephanie, a Charlotte native, joined Hopper Communities the Summer of 2022. Prior to that, Stephanie was a Property Accountant with The Spectrum Companies for 11 years, a Commercial Real Estate Company in Charlotte, NC. Stephanie joined Hopper as an AP and Accounting Associate supporting the Director of Finance. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her two girls Meredith (9) and Caroline (6) play softball. Stephanie is a three year Breast Cancer Survivor that enjoys being outdoors, especially camping and cheering on The Clemson Tigers and Carolina Panthers.  Stephanie and her husband, Tommy, and two girls live in Denver, NC with their cat Spookie.

Jorge Cruz
Jorge Cruz
Architectural Manager

Jorge is an architectural professional with experience in a variety of projects ranging from large commercial to small retail upfits. Born in Chicago, he was inspired by the skyscrapers and decided to pursue a career in architecture. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Since graduating Jorge has worked on a variety of projects. Attention to detail and design are important values that he hopes to develop at Hopper Communities. Outside of the office Jorge enjoys spending time with his dog, Renzo. You can catch them at a local brewery patio or out on the greenway.

Jack Thomas
Jack Thomas
Senior Development Manager

Over the past eighteen years, Jack Thomas has successfully managed the development of neighborhoods ranging from homes for first-time homebuyers to exclusive neighborhoods with amenities such as pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, walking trails, and more. His strategy for ensuring collaborative results, is built around cultivating relationships with architects, engineers, and sub-contractors, enhancing his ability to overcome challenges in the field. His ability to embody positive leadership contributes to Hopper Communities producing desirable and valuable neighborhoods. Jack graduated from North Carolina’s Gardner-Webb University and played free safety for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, making him well-suited for roving the field and tackling problems. Jack’s wife, Debbie, and his daughter enjoy the outdoors as much as he does. They love to ride bikes, go snowboarding and host cookouts with family and friends.

Wyatt Kalapp
Wyatt Kalapp
Land Development Manager

Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, Wyatt attended Florida State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Real Estate and was an active member of FSU’s Real Estate Society. He began his career as a commercial property manager where he was responsible for managing retail and office buildings. With the goal of working in development, Wyatt is honored to be a part of the Hopper Communities family where he is excited to leave a lasting impact on the community. Outside of work, Wyatt enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and spending time at his family’s lake house.

Bart Key
Bart Key
Land Development Manager

After graduating from the College of Charleston, Bart began his career renovating historic homes in Charleston, SC. In order to gain more knowledge of new construction, he moved to Charlotte in 1994 to work for Centex Crosland Homes. While building homes in Charlotte, he met the developer of a community he was working in and was ultimately offered a position to assist him with the start up of a new home division within the company and to also learn more about residential development. He soon realized that development was what he truly enjoyed. During his 25+ years of building and development, Bart has managed the development of small infill projects, high end custom home projects such as Stonecroft and The Forest as well as numerous 100-500 lot projects around the Charlotte area. Bart joined Hopper Communities in July 2023 and is excited about the opportunity to continue his passion of building communities where the residents will be proud to call home. In his spare time, Bart enjoys traveling and being on the water with his wife and 2 daughters, offshore fishing, sporting clays, and tinkering in the garage.

Russell Brown
Russell Brown
Senior Purchasing Manager

Raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Russell relocated to Charlotte shortly after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, to pursue a career in the residential new construction market.  Russell quickly climbed the ranks of a local subcontractor in the Charlotte market, moving from an entry level position to operations manager in less than 18 months.  Over the next few years, he worked closely with other subcontractors, builders, and multi-family contractors of all sizes, across the South-East.  During this time, Russell quickly developed a passion for working together with other industry professionals.  He is honored to be part of the Hopper Communities family where he can continue to grow in the new construction industry while providing a valuable and lasting product to our local community.  Outside of work, Russell enjoys spending time with his wife, Madison, and their two daughters, Ellie and Amelia.  Together, they enjoy recreational league sports, visiting North Carolina mountains or beaches, and cheering on the Carolina Panthers.

Robert Higgins
Robert Higgins
Purchasing Agent

Robert Higgins received his bachelor’s degree in construction management from Appalachian State University. He began his career in residential construction with MI Homes in Charlotte, where he gained valuable experience in the home building industry. A career move into commercial contracting took him to Greensboro, where he worked for a few years. Realizing his passion was in the residential field, he moved back to Charlotte and began working for Hopper Communities as our Purchasing Coordinator. At Hopper Communities, Robert is responsible for the sourcing of materials, services, contract negotiating with vendors, and managing multiple suppliers for each project.

In his spare time, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife Angie & their newborn daughter, Brooke. He is also an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, and golf.

Katlyn Bittner
Katlyn Bittner
Purchasing Coordinator

Katlyn grew up in Raleigh and relocated to Charlotte to pursue her education. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After graduation she began her career in purchasing and quickly realized her passion for working in home building construction. She joined the Hopper team in February 2023 with several years of experience in the field. Outside of the office Katlyn enjoys staying active and spending time with her Great Dane, Zayla.

Jack Roberts
Jack Roberts
Site Acquisition Manager

Jack, a native of Maryland, obtained his bachelor’s degree in business with a specialization in project management from Elon University. During his time at the university, he was an active member of the project management club and played for the varsity baseball team for four years. After graduation, Jack started his career in project management with a general contractor. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned into land acquisition, where he developed his professional network and honed his skills in the Charlotte market. In May 2023, Jack joined the Hopper Communities team, where he is excited to apply his knowledge and expertise as a larger builder/developer. He hopes to contribute to the company’s already exceptional reputation while also continuing to learn and grow as a professional. When he’s not at work, Jack enjoys being at the beach, weightlifting, barbequing for his friends/family, and participating in various recreational sports.

Alex Little
Alex Little
Director of Construction

Over the past two decades, Alex Little’s resume of residential construction experience in the Charlotte area has read like a “Who’s Who” of well-known builder names. In the late 90s, he made contributions to the reputations of both Pulte Homes and Parker Lancaster. As the 21st Century dawned, Alex moved on to serve as a superintendent for Newmark Homes, and then project manager for Turnberry Homes. When 2009 brought a housing-industry downturn, he persevered as owner of his own company, Birkdale Builders, orchestrating renovations that enabled homeowners to make the most of their investments after the market rebounded. He caught the attention of MI Homes and joined them as superintendent in 2014. When he subsequently became a custom-home project manager for Grande Custom Homes, this Thomasville, N.C. native was even able to put his UNC-Charlotte bachelor’s degree in Computer Science to work developing the company’s website. Away from work, Alex coaches his son’s sports teams, and along with his wife Stacey, enjoys wake surfing, surfing and boating at the lake and the beach.

Tyler Mitchell
Tyler Mitchell
Area Construction Manager

Tyler hails from Harrisonburg, Virginia, but has called Charlotte home for more than 10 years. He attended Emory & Henry College and moved to Charlotte to pursue a career in NASCAR. Tyler worked for various teams, most notably Team Penske, as a pit crew member and mechanic.

In 2018, Tyler decided to transition into the construction industry and joined the Hopper team as a Superintendent. His professionalism, attention to detail on job sites, and quick progression within the industry has proven him to be a valuable asset to our team. Tyler now serves as our Area Construction Manager where he overseas multiple job sites & provides leadership to our other Superintendents.

Outside of work, Tyler enjoys being on the water with his wife Rachel and two labs, Jake and Kenzie.

JD Basden
JD Basden
Senior Superintendent

JD is a Senior Superintendent at Hopper Communities. He understands what it takes to manage a project from its initial conception to the final stages of delivering the completed home to the homeowner.

JD has always had a passion for the industry; from building treehouses as a young child, to pursuing the home building industry in 2001, he comes with a vast array of knowledge, professionalism, and understanding of how to run an efficient and professional job site. Since 2001, he has worked for several well-respected builders in the Charlotte area. When he’s not on a job site, you can find him boating, fishing, and spending time with his daughters Jana and Jordyn.

Alyssa Ammons
Alyssa Ammons
Superintendent

Alyssa Ammons received her bachelor’s degree in history from Coker University, but despite her major, she realized her true passion was in construction. She moved back to Charlotte, NC, where she was born and raised, and began her career in purchasing & estimating. Realizing she wanted to gain more experience in the field, she switched paths and began working for a custom home builder as a superintendent. Alyssa’s skill set in purchasing and in the field has enabled her to understand every aspect of the industry. At Hopper Communities, Alyssa is responsible for managing community job sites, coordinating schedules with trades, and making sure each community is up to standard for our customers. When she isn’t working, you can catch her at the beach, traveling, or going to an OrangeTheory class.

Jordan Burns
Jordan Burns
Superintendent

Jordan Burns joined Hopper Communities in the Spring of 2021 as a Superintendent. From a young age, Jordan has always had an interest in construction. He grew up helping his father renovate their family home, which further fueled his interest in construction management. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and worked for a custom home builder, specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations. From this job, he gained valuable knowledge in managing a construction project from start to end, coordinating schedules, and keeping an organized and well-run job site. Outside of Hopper, Jordan enjoys motorsports, fishing, and spending time with his friends, family, and his Pug, Simba.

Michael Henning
Michael Henning
Superintendent

A proud Charlotte Native, Michael has watched the Queen City grow into a major financial hub and moving destination. Going to his grandparent’s house in the mountains every summer as a kid, it only felt right to pursue an education at Appalachian State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in finance. There he learned the importance of leaving a lasting impact on your community. Michael is excited for the transition into the construction industry and honored to be a part of the Hopper Communities family. Outside of work, Michael enjoys golfing with friends, watching football, and hiking and spending time in the mountains.

Craig Noble
Craig Noble
Superintendent

Craig Noble is from Farmer City, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. With his racing background and engineering degree NASCAR just made sense. He was an engineer for multiple race teams over a 13-year career – including Roush Fenway Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Team Penske. Craig knows what it takes to be part of a team, and work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. After racing, Craig started his Own business (The Noble Craftsman), where he specialized in custom cabinetry and carpentry projects. All of these led Craig be a vital part of Hopper Communities success. In his spare time, he can be found on the softball field with his two daughters, Bella and Bristol, or on the golf course with his wife, Gina.

Warren Layne
Warren Layne
Superintendent

Warren Layne, a Charlotte native, attended Appalachian State University where he graduated in 2020 with a major in Construction Management. Working in construction management since graduating, Warren joined Hopper Communities early 2023. Construction continues to be a large part of Warren’s interest saying “there is always something new to learn”. In his free time he enjoys working out, hanging out with friends, and supporting the local sports teams in Charlotte, especially the Carolina Panthers.

Jacob Bedoya
Jacob Bedoya
Superintendent

Jacob Bedoya, origionally from Brooklyn NY, moved to Charlotte in 1999. Over the past 20 years, he has been actively involved in the construction industry, specializing in home building for the last 12 years. With his extensive experience in purchasing, semi-custom, and custom builds, Jacob brings valuable expertise to the Hopper Communities’ team. Jacob’s meticulous attention to detail, exceptional trade relations, and consistent delivery of high customer service ratings have made him a valuable asset to previous builders. When he’s not working, you can find Jacob enjoying the outdoors, whether it be at the beach, camping, or traveling abroad. He also enjoys playing golf and spending quality time with his family, friends, his French Bulldog, Moose, and his Chinese Sharpei, Taco.