Recognizing a deeper calling
I always believed there would come a time when I’d do something bigger than just work. For years, my career in commercial real estate was thriving. I loved the business I was in—seeing challenges, finding properties that were problems, and turning them into solutions by being creative. In 2010, amid the aftermath of the real estate crisis, I was hired to redevelop two struggling shopping centers in Savannah. Against the odds, we turned them around, celebrating with a grand opening alongside the mayor.
But that day, something shifted. Normally, I would have loved those events. This time, walking through the parking
lot, I realized that this used to give me life—and I wasn’t feeling it.
That moment sparked a deeper question. I wanted to do something that would last longer than 20 or 30 years. I
didn’t know what that meant yet, but it was the beginning of a new journey: wondering, “What else is out there?”
Opening doors to new possibilities
As our kids left the nest, I began exploring opportunities I’d never considered before. Conversations with friends, mentors, and strangers widened my view of the world. I didn’t know where the door would open, but I stayed alert.
Through serving on a board, I met someone from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). They needed a leader to build and grow in three markets, including my hometown of Charlotte, NC. Driving past my old high school after that meeting, I felt it clearly: God was calling me to step into this.
Building with purpose
I’ve always built things—buildings, organizations. That didn’t scare me, but all the other unknowns were frightening. So in July 2011, I joined FCA. I started small. I met people and shared the vision. Excitement grew. The favor God brought was incredible. A fire lit, and it just spread.
By 2013, I had closed my business and moved to Charlotte. What began with five staff members grew to 35 over the next five years. Casting vision came naturally, but I knew this was more than leadership—it was preparation. God was getting me ready for what was next.
Facing life’s hard seasons
Then came a period of loss and weariness. My brother passed away, then my father, and my own health struggles followed. I felt like I had completed my assignment at FCA. I needed a break. But I wasn’t finished giving.
Then people in my network introduced me to Freedom Communities—a Charlotte nonprofit aspiring to build affordable housing and provide economic opportunity for low-income families. It was a perfect intersection of my experience and my heart. We started from scratch, and God brought the right people to us.
Using a lifetime of experience
Today, Freedom Communities has developed five apartment buildings, rehabbed 28 homes, launched a small business incubator, and built partnerships that transform lives. Everything I’ve ever learned—strategy, vision, leadership, problem-solving—I get to use now. It’s fun. It’s meaningful. The changes we’re making will impact generations.
Start small
Was it scary to leave the known for the unknown? Absolutely. I didn’t make big plans—just took the next step. You don’t have to jump off a cliff. God will reveal the next thing.
My advice for others? Start small. Maybe it’s just a conversation. Listen to that little voice inside and take one step. You probably already have what you need—skills you learned 30 years ago. Use what you know, right where you are.
And don’t do it alone. Relationships remain central—old friends, new partners, and a circle of trusted advisors who share the journey. Journeys are lonely if you go them yourself. Having those people around makes taking the next step less intimidating and far more rewarding.
Lasting legacy
Today, with seven grandchildren and a mission that energizes me, I’m living out the calling I always sensed: something bigger than work—something that lasts.