CarterBlog

Carter Interiors Team Volunteers to Support U.S. Troops

By Sarah Peddar, Business Development Manager, Carter

ATLANTA (Jan. 9, 2011) - Last week, the Carter Interior Project Management Team rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to support the USO on one of the nonprofit’s busiest days. 

Nearly 7,000 troops traveled through the Atlanta airport on Jan. 4 as they returned from holiday leave with their families. Buses picked up troops at the airport and headed to Georgia’s Fort Benning and Fort Gordon for training.

Furman Wood, long-time USO supporter and Managing Partner at Commercial Property Professionals, organized a 24-hour event where volunteers welcomed service men and women to Atlanta and helped support the USO’s mission. Jennie Rusciano, Allison Cummins and I staffed the event from 8 p.m. to midnight by checking-in troops and handing out meals.

Earlier in the day the entire Interiors Team met at Nan Loudon’s house to prepare 200 of these meals that included a turkey or ham sandwich, chips, a cookie and of course some Carter mints! The team even used their design background to decorate the bags.

That evening Nan Loudon and Amy Hunt both flew out of the Atlanta airport to attend meetings for a project Carter is working on with Starwood Vacation Ownership in Orlando, Fla.

“There were troops everywhere and I was so proud of our group for getting involved in the cause,” said Loudon. “Not only did we do a small piece to thank our troops for their service, we also had an opportunity to draw closer as a team.”

From left: Carey Poole, Nan Loudon, Diana Bradley, Shannon Kitzrow, Jennie Rusciano, Amy Hunt, Allison Cummins, Donna West, Sarah Peddar

More about the Interior Project Management Team

The Carter Interior Project Management team actively manages every aspect of our clients’ interior projects, including build-outs and renovations. Delivering over one million square feet of space each year, our team has a broad range of experience in a variety of product types and client situations. Our services include: strategic planning, work letter negotiations, budget and schedule development, design and construction management, bid and procurement services, furniture and equipment management, and relocation services. With several LEED- and Green Globe-certified interior projects, we are experts in creating sustainable interior environments. The team recently completed projects for: 22squared, King & Spalding, Starwood Vacation Ownership and Windham Brannon.

 

I.C.E. Program Enjoys Successful First Fall

By Dorris Hollingsworth, vice president of human resources, Carter

ATLANTA (Dec. 21, 2011) - Since Carter’s foundation in 1958, community involvement has been at the core of our mission, and this fall we added an exciting and successful component to our public outreach. Spearheaded by former Atlanta Falcon Floyd Hodge, now a community relations manager at Carter, the I.C.E. program visits Atlanta-area high schools and presents speeches by former professional athletes that urge students to demonstrate integrity, commitment and excellence while they pursue their education and careers.

Floyd, who did not have an easy road to the NFL, begins each event with a recap of how he was able to achieve a successful career with the Falcons through hard work and commitment. He then yields the microphone to a guest speaker.

In September, the I.C.E. program visited Therrell High School, and former Atlanta Falcon Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle spoke to the students. Later that month, Floyd and former Harlem Globetrotter Michael Douglas visited Mays High School, and Buddy Curry, a former Atlanta Falcon who is the co-founder of Kids and Pros, traveled with Floyd to Carver High School. In October, former Falcon Bobby Butler spoke at Cross Keys High School.

November featured three I.C.E. events. Early in the month, Floyd and former Falcon Billy “White Shoes” Johnson visited McNair High School, and on the 17th, 55 students from Tucker High School visited Carter’s offices to hear Floyd and former Falcon Stacey Bailey speak. Lunch was provided by Chik-fil-A. The final event of the year took place when Floyd and former Falcon Mike Haynes traveled to Mundy’s Mill High School. (Picture from left: Mike Haynes, Mundy's Mill High School Principal William Greene and Floyd Hodge)

The program will start the new year off strong: Floyd and former Falcon and Georgia Bulldog D.J. Shockley will visit North Clayton High School on Jan. 12. Events at Lovejoy High School and Forest Park High School are slated for later in the month.

The effect that Floyd and his fellow speakers have on their audiences is obvious. An email from Romello Swain, a senior at Tucker High, to Floyd demonstrates the positive effect the I.C.E. program is having.

“I really appreciate how you took time out of the day to come and talk with me and my fellow peers,” Swain wrote. “I understood every word you said and learned a lot from your speech. You are a positive role model for me because I too want to be a manager or own a business or corporation. When I go to college, I want to major in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business Administration. I really want to be a successful black man in this world, and I will do whatever it takes to climb to the top. I really hope we can stay in touch. Again, thanks a lot taking time out of your day to come and talk with me and my fellow peers.”

For more than 50 years, Carter has been committed to serving the communities were we live and work. Every year we volunteer thousands ofhours, including company-sponsored time, to support causes that move us. The I.C.E. program promotes education and encourages students in Atlanta-area high schools to exemplify integrity, commitment and excellence in everything they do. These are values at the core of Carter’s corporate mission and we believe it is our responsibility to share these ideals with our youth.

If you are interested in finding out more about the I.C.E. program and Carter’s involvement in the community, contact Floyd Hodge at [email protected]. 

 

Carter Launches I.C.E. Program for Atlanta Youth

By Dorris Hollingsworth, vice president of human resources, Carter

ATLANTA (Sept. 29, 2011) - Integrity. Commitment. Excellence. These are values Carter has instilled in its associates and promoted in the community since the firm was founded in 1958.

Carter’s Floyd Hodge, a former Atlanta Falcon, is working to expand these efforts by spearheading the launch of the I.C.E. program targeting Atlanta high school students. Carter is hosting the I.C.E. series of speeches at Atlanta-area high schools.

Floyd did not have an easy road to the NFL. However, his persistence and commitment helped him achieve a successful career as a Falcon. Floyd opens each I.C.E. event with his personal story followed by a featured guest speaker who has impacted the Atlanta community through integrity, commitment and excellence.  

Carter launched the program on Sept. 15 at Therrell High School in southwest Atlanta.  At the first event, former Atlanta Falcon, Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle, spoke to more than 100 high school students about the importance of setting and reaching goals. Tuggle did not have an easy road, but he worked diligently to bring his professional football goals into fruition.  He shared the inspiring story of his transformation from an average college athlete into a NFL powerhouse. (From left: Jessie Tuggle, Dorris Hollingsworth, Floyd Hodge)

Tuggle closed his message with a call to action. Once you achieve success, no matter how big or small, you must remember to give back to your community. This message resonates with us at Carter because we believe community involvement is our obligation as a corporate citizen of the city of Atlanta.

Carter hosted the second speaker event at Mays High School last Thursday with featured speaker Michael Douglas, a former Harlem Globetrotter. In his speech that stressed the importance of education he reminded students, “Luck only happens when preparation and opportunity meet.” His interactive approach got students on their feet and motivated to reach their goals.

There will be a third event today at Carver High School featuring Kids and Pros Co-founder, Buddy Curry.  Carter associates are excited about the success and positive reception from the speaker series. The team is looking forward to continuing the momentum with bimonthly engagements.  

 

Carter Donates Printers to Charity

Holly Hughes, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Carter

ATLANTA (July 13, 2011) - When it was time to upgrade the entire printer fleet at Carter’s corporate headquarters, we wanted to make sure the machines did not end up in a landfill. The Atlanta office had 30 printers worth more than $7,000 still in great condition. We decided to divide the machines among the following three organizations that are meaningful to Carter associates. See below for picture of Carter’s IT Department on pick-up day! (From left: Joe Terrell, Lauren Cantrell, Derek Davis)

1) Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia, Alabama and Central and Northern Florida. In 2007, we chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia & Alabama and Central & Northern Florida to be our primary charity partners by committing to help make wishes come true for children battling life-threatening illnesses. Since then, more than 95 percent of our associates have participated in granting wishes for 28 children in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, contributing hundreds of hours and donating hundreds of thousands of dollars. These included trips to Disney World, room makeovers, new play sets, and life-size trains, among others.

2) Capitol View Elementary School. In 1993, Carter kicked-off a partnership that still thrives today with Capitol View Elementary, a public school in downtown Atlanta. Carter implemented a mentoring program for at-risk children, which encourages our associates to mentor children on company time for four hours a month throughout the school year. Carter associates have provided over 10,000 hours of tutoring and mentoring and participate in special events, including job shadowing, Principal-for-a-Day, and Career Day.

3) The YWCA of Greater Atlanta. Carter continues to support the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The printers will not only be used for the YWCA staff, but also available for the children to use in classrooms.

Carter’s Tampa office also donated machines to Metropolitan Ministries, a Tampa-based non-profit focused on preventing homelessness, easing hunger and helping people develop self-sufficiency in order to transition back into the community.

 

Wills Allen Receives SIOR Leadership Award

By: Wills Allen, broker at Carter

At the Georgia Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors’ (SIOR) 2010 Fall Leadership Breakfast, I was selected as one of three real estate professionals to be awarded the SIOR Scholarship Award. The scholarships are given to professionals currently enrolled in masters programs and were established to encourage graduate students contemplating or pursuing a career in commercial real estate brokerage.  Additionally, the chapter has established awards for licensed commercial real estate professionals who are contemplating application or pursuit of the SIOR designation.

It was an honor being recognized in front of 500-plus of the industry’s most reputable professionals, each of whom average of 20 years of industry experience, at the Loews Hotel in Midtown.

The annual leadership breakfast provides an opportunity for SIOR members to meet with industry leaders from all areas of real estate, while listening to an interesting and insightful speaker who raises funds for charity. This year’s keynote speaker, Mayor Kasim Reed, chose to donate the proceeds from this year’s event to Bright Futures, Centers of Hope and The Study Hall.

The SIOR scholarship positively promotes and represents the real estate industry and SIOR while helping to foster relationships amongst colleagues. SIOR is a very well respected society and demands the highest standards of its members and applicants of scholarships.

I was originally interested in pursuing my M.B.A. because I wanted to further develop my financial analysis skills and to broaden my education on the complexities of today’s business world.  An M.B.A. will round-out my skill set to the benefit of my clients. It is important to know that I am doing all I can to enhance and progress my career.

Carter has been especially supportive and helpful while I have pursed higher education. Successful mentorships have enabled me to efficiently execute at a high-level. Moving forward, I hope to lead by example, inspiring confidence that as a full-time commercial real estate broker and student, one can successfully balance his or her career and recognize immediate benefits from the application of new knowledge. 

I plan to use the visibility from this generous award as a way to extend my leadership skills from the workplace into the community. I am able to continue to support the Georgia Chapter of SIOR through employment at Carter, a community-focused company, which gives me the flexibility to volunteer my time to real estate organizations as well as philanthropic charities.

Finally, I'd like to thank the SIOR organization for this honorable, SIOR Leadership Scholarship.  Thank you for your generosity in supporting me in my pursuit of my M.B.A. 

Wills Allen has worked as a Licensed Industrial Broker at Carter since 2006. Prior to Carter, he worked as a Licensed Sales Associate at Prudential Montana Real Estate in Bozeman, Montana. Wills has closed over 100 transactions valued at over $21.3M in a 48-month period and is currently pursuing his M.B.A through Georgia State and will graduate from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business in December 2011. Wills was awarded Rookie of the Year 2007 and Carter Top Ten Producer 2009. In addition to joining ACBR’s Million Dollar Club, he also has a CCIM.

Bob Peterson Guest Lectures for UGA Students

Carter CEO Bob Peterson recently participated as a guest lecturer for a University of Georgia MBA class which focuses on leadership in business. Two students did a presentation about Bob in which they spoke about his background and the career path which led him to Carter.

Below you will find three video clips of the lecture. In the first clip, Bob explains what brought him to Carter and his role today. The second clips shows Bob explaining the four principles one must have in order to be a great business leader. In the final clip, two students talk about what they learned from Bob, such as dealing with personal weaknesses and risk taking.

Bob Peterson joined Carter in May 2001 as a partner and executive vice president. In October 2002, he assumed the role of Chairman and CEO of Carter.  Prior to joining Carter, Bob served as CEO of Peterson Properties, a full-service commercial real estate company, which he founded in 1979 and sold to CarrAmerica in 1996. Peterson Properties developed more than 30 office and industrial projects totaling four million square feet, and handled more than $1 billion in investment transactions over a 17-year period. Prior to joining Carter, Mr. Peterson was managing director of CarrAmerica Realty Company (NYSE: CRE) and president of CarrAmerica Development Inc. He also served on CarrAmerica's investment and operating committees.

Georgia Ranked in Top Five States in U.S. for Film and Television Productions

By: Ward Entrekin, senior associate at Carter

Georgia has recently, and very apparently, become a hot spot for the film industry. Over the past couple of months, celebrities have been spotted all over metro-Atlanta deeming the area a new hub for the industry.

A recent press release from the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), stated 16 Georgia counties have been named “Camera Ready Communities” as part of the new program.

In the state's ongoing efforts to bolster Georgia's growing film and television industry, the first 16 counties were designated Camera Ready at a special ceremony at one of Georgia's newest production facilities, EUE/Screen Gems Studio in Atlanta.

According to Heidi Green, GDEcD commissioner, "More than 50 Georgia counties hosted a film and/or TV production this year, making this a banner year for the industry in our state. Hollywood A-listers including Robert Duvall, Katherine Heigl, Sandra Bullock, and Jennifer Aniston have all experienced our unique locations, talented crew base and world-class southern hospitality, helping make Georgia the top filming location in the south."

The industry's economic impact in the state in FY10 came in at $1.33 billion, up from $1.1 billion the previous year. Georgia is now ranked number one in the Southeast, and among the top five states in the nation for film and TV productions.  Atlanta has been a welcome target for filmmakers and studios over the past few years due to statewide tax breaks and a low cost environment.

Another recent article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and one by CoStar suggest that legislature is closely examining the actual success of these incentives as it reviews the budget in light of cuts that will need to be made in 2011 to deal with the struggling economy.

Jennifer Brett, writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Peach Buzz has been keeping the city informed with her filming updates and celebrity sightings. Some movies Brett has mentioned in her blogs include: The Fast and the Furious V starring Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson; Wanderlust starring Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd; Footloose starring Julianne Hough and Dennis Quaid; The Lost Valentine starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White; Marry Me starring Lucy Liu and The Change Up starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman.

In May, EUE/Screen Gems signed a 50-year lease with the City of Atlanta for the former Lakewood Fairgound property, which consists of 30 acres of land as well as the fairground’s Spanish Mission Revival Exhibition Halls, which will be converted into sound studios. EUE/Screen Gems chose the site because of its location between Downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which is easily accessible to those travelling from out of state. Capital improvements of at least $6 million are required in the first two years, which will include the addition of approximately 40,000 square feet of new sound stages to accommodate TV, commercial, digital and film productions. This landmark deal is expected to generate up to 1,000 new jobs for the community, and should provide a boost to existing businesses in related industries.

This is good news for the West Midtown area of Atlanta, which is home to numerous recording and post production studios. The conversion of aging industrial/warehouse buildings has proven to be an attractive formula for a couple of reasons. First, the creation of sound studios in any building is expensive (it nearly always requires the demolition of any pre-existing build-out/improvements), so a less expensive building assists in keeping the overall costs at a manageable level. Second, due to the high profile nature of the industry and those that utilize the facilities, locations that are “below the radar” are preferred. Third, West Midtown provides a central location that provides easy access to the interstate highways and a short commute to the airport. 

At Carter, we have several active listings in the area, with many that could be optimized as facilities for this industry. For example, 348 14th Street which is pictured here.

Well-known recording artists and producers like Outcast, Dallas Austin, TI, and Ludacris have paved the way by establishing recording locations in West Midtown. While this industry has felt the impact of the recession, expect the trend to continue as the economy improves, and to accelerate as the impact of new film production on a grand scale begins to take shape at the former Lakewood Fairgrounds. As Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told the AJC, “This transaction will move Atlanta into the top 5 cities in the U.S in motion picture production…..once the Lakewood Studio is up and running, every TV and movie sound stage in the city will be in use.”

Since joining Carter in 2007, Ward Entrekin has specialized in urban land and investment sales. With nine years of commercial real estate experience, he provides an expert understanding of the in-town Atlanta real estate market to his clients. Ward primarily focuses on the procurement of owner-occupied real estate for his clients, as well as the disposition of a number of bank owned properties throughout Metro Area.

Carter Gives Back with Trees Atlanta

By Jonathon Barge, vice president at Carter

Recently, a group of Carter associates joined Trees Atlanta in its efforts to help protect and improve Atlanta’s urban forest by planting 18 trees along Central Park Place in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward.

Carter’s Green Team organized the volunteer day in which Carter associates dug holes and planted 17 black gum trees and one river cypress tree with the help and guidance of Trees Atlanta. This was Carter’s second volunteer day with Trees Atlanta this year and we are proud to have so many dedicated volunteers.

Trees Atlanta was founded in 1985 by Central Atlanta Progress, the Junior League of Atlanta and the Atlanta Parks Commissioner, with a mission of not only planting trees, but also educating and conserving.

To find out more about Trees Atlanta, visit www.treesatlanta.org and sign up for the organization’s weekly newsletter.

Jonathon Barge is a vice president in the Program Development Services group with a focus on corporate and mission critical development. He also leads Carter’s Green Team and sustainable programs.

 

 

Carter Evolving through Carter EQ

By Sandy and Jamie MacIver, K.A. MacIver and Associates

“Manage your boss.” “BIF your co-worker.” “Leverage your strengths.” “Be a corporate athlete.”  These types of phrases are becoming prevalent among associates as the made-for-Carter learning program, Carter EQ, hits its stride in its second full year. The focus of Carter EQ is to guide associates to live healthier and more fulfilling lives, provide them with skills and tools to enhance and energize their working relationships and create and reinforce a common Carter language.

The term, ‘EQ,” or Emotional Quotient, refers to one’s emotional intelligence, or the self-perceived ability to identify, assess and control the emotions of one's self, others and groups. Carter’s EQ program focuses on the relationships between our associates’ personal and professional lives, bringing new dimensions to the Carter vision of “creating value through relationships” through the application of principles from the book “Good to Great.”

Carter EQ began in spring 2009 with the Program Development Services and Marketing groups. Last week, 28 associates from these groups presented the results of long-term action learning projects that commenced in early 2010. The program has now started branching out into Accounting, Human Resources, IT, Investments and the Senior Leadership group, with more EQ programming being planned.

Carter EQ programming involves needs assessments and learning projects tailored to specific groups. Elements of Carter EQ include: profiles, books, articles, one-on-one coaching, facilitated group sessions, idea generation, personal development, team projects, movies, games, rewarding work, high energy activities and lots of fun.

We designed and customized this program for Carter with a focus on leading through relationships. We are a father-son team from Victoria, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. Sandy’s ties with Carter go back to the mid-90s when he worked closely with former CEO Billy Mitchell on a host of learning programs aimed at improving leadership and teamwork within Carter.

The current program has earned powerful feedback from participants. “I learned more through this program in the last year than I have through all other programs combined over the last 15 years,” said a relatively new Carter associate. “The people who report to me thank Carter for this program because I have become a much better boss,” admitted another participant.  “(The program has provided) a great platform for getting to know each other, establish and improve relationships and lay the foundation for trust,” said a long-time Carter senior leader.

The program is expected to assist Carter in emerging from the current realignment of the economy with a competitive advantage with internal relationships and will catalyze Carter in its ongoing evolution as a true learning organization.

Sandy MacIver succeeds in teaching leadership, learning and interpersonal skills to people in all sectors; he does so because he has lived leadership, learning and personal change as an up-front leader and manager for more than thirty-five years. Starting in 1971 as Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, through his current involvement at the University or British Colombia (UBC), Sandy has had an extraordinary career of leadership in learning institutions, the public sector, political organizations and the non-profit sector. Sandy and Jaime are a father-son team from Victoria, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. Jamie’s first exposure to experiential (i.e. hands-on) learning came in 1995 as he assisted Sandy in specific exercises in week-long leadership sessions at a university.  He incorporated learning from these sessions into his learning and work over the subsequent seven years as he traveled the world and pursued various group and team-based learning experiences. Following completion of his Bachelor of Commerce, in 2004, Jamie joined Sandy in facilitating, leading and adapting experiential exercises in two offerings of an eight month leadership program run out of Vancouver, Canada.

Two UGA Wishes Come True

On Saturday, Oct. 9, The University of Georgia had two wishes come true: Coach Richt and the Bulldogs received their first conference win, and Drew Wiese, got to see what it felt like to be a UGA football player. Drew, Carter’s Make-A-Wish child for this quarter, is 16-years-old and from Gainesville, Ga. His wish was to become a UGA football player for a day, which came true as a result of Carter and the Make-A-Wish program.

He began his day with a few gifts from Carter and Make-A-Wish including an official team jersey, UGA hat, autographed football and a bag full of Bulldog goodies. Then, off he went for a pre-game meeting with the coaches and team. Drew and his father participated in the esteemed “Dawg Walk” to the stadium where he then cheered his favorite team on from the sidelines between the hedges.

To see more pictures, view the album on Carter’s Facebook page.

Make-A-Wish Foundation was selected as Carter’s primary charity partner in 2007 and Drew’s wish is our 17th wish in 3 years. For more information about Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama, visit www.wish.org.

Carey Poole brings more than 25 years of interior design and management experience to Carter's Interiors Project Management and Relocation Services group and has designed and managed a diverse set of projects ranging in size from 3,000 square feet up to 1 million square feet. She is well-versed in programming, space planning, furniture integration and layout, budget consulting, personnel management and contract negotiations with added experience in strategic and long-term planning and forecasting with added time spent in both first and second generation space up-fitting.