Smith Lane

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Kelly Mangum, Regional Vice President of the South Carolina and North Carolina division at Builders Design. Monaca, Callie, and Kelly discuss the impact of interior design, and how it can shape the spaces and communities we’re creating.

We explore how Builders Design approaches each project with a focus on collaboration, placemaking, and a deep understanding of today’s homebuyers. Kelly...

I this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Stu Henderson—Owner and Design Architect at Fawley Bryant Architecture—to explore how architecture can deepen a community’s sense of place. Stu shares how his firm works across the sports, education, and government sectors to design spaces that reflect and serve the people who use them.

The conversation follows Stu’s path from art to architecture, the importance of designing spaces that ...

What if rental communities could offer the comfort of homeownership—without the long-term commitment?

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Charles McKeag, President of the California division of BrightSky Residential, to explore how his team is reshaping the single-family rental experience. Charles began his career in land-use law, but a pivotal realization — that he wanted to build communities rather than simply represent...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Dan Grosswald, Division President of Southeast Florida at Mattamy Homes. A lifelong South Florida resident, Dan shares his passion for homebuilding and his leadership mindset — including one of his commonly used phrases, “budgets are for losers” — and why vision should guide decisions, not just the numbers.

We explore one of Mattamy’s standout projects, Newfield, built around the pillar...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we sit down with Grady Miars, the President and Chief Operating Officer of GreenPointe Holdings LLC, for a deep dive into his career journey and the GreenPointe vision behind creating authentic and successful master-planned communities.

Grady reveals how the company’s motto—be reliable, predictable, and prepared—guides their work, fostering a culture that attracts builders and a loyal workforce. Grady ...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by David Smith, President of the Active Adult Division, at Dream Finders Homes. Dream Finders, recently named Builder of the Year, is a national homebuilder head-quartered in Jacksonville, Florida, operating across various states and markets, including the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. David shares his unique journey from law enforcement to leading one of the nation’s top homebuil...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we welcome Peter Dennehy, Senior VP of Consulting at John Burns Research and Consulting, for a wide-ranging conversation on career pivots, emerging home trends, and the increasingly diverse needs of today’s homebuyers. We also explore what creates a true sense of community — and why it matters.

Peter shares the mission behind John Burns Research and Consulting: to provide high-quality, unbiased data th...

Farmers markets create a strong sense of community, making residents and prospective homebuyers feel part of something bigger — but are they the right fit for every community? In this episode, hosts Monaca Onstead and Callie Friedman break down the appeal, challenges, and key considerations of farmers markets.

Monaca and Callie discuss how, in smaller communities, challenges like a lack of vendors and attendance can make sustaining ...

In the first installment of our Q&A series, ‘Creating Community’, hosts Monaca and Callie tackle pressing questions from their LinkedIn network. Callie leads the conversation, prompting Monaca to share insights on the evolving real estate development and lifestyle landscapes.

Monaca discusses the potential impact of the National Association of Realtors settlement on the role of realtors and whether developers are rethinking life...

In this special episode of Smith Lane, we explore the impacts of technology on the world of placemaking, featuring insights from four industry leaders who are shaping the way we design, develop, and engage with communities. From streamlining architectural control, to leveraging data for real estate marketing, integrating AI in landscape architecture, and enhancing community engagement through mobile apps, these conversations highli...

Welcome to this episode of Smith Lane, where we’re joined by the influential Vaike O’Grady—a strategist and place-maker who has transitioned from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. Vaike now leads Residential Marketing Resources, serving her clients through strategic planning, market research, and more.

A key theme in our conversation is intentional place-making—creating environments that create a “community vibe” as Vaike de...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we sit down with Stephanie Darden Bennett, President and Chief Creative Officer of Prismatic.

Stephanie describes Prismatic’s mission as "place whispering"— a unique approach to uncovering the hidden potential of spaces. Her team helps developers and owners craft strategic branding, marketing, and user experience concepts to transform ordinary land into places with magnetic appeal.

Stephanie...

In this episode, we sit down with Rhett Crocker, President and CEO of LandDesign, to explore his philosophy of placemaking.

Rhett shares how his balanced approach—focusing equally on landscape architecture and civil engineering—brings projects to life. As a leader who remains passionate about staying hands-on in the work, he highlights the importance of collaboration, relationships, and client-centered design.

We dive into the sign...

In this episode of Smith Lane, Tom Woliver, founder and co-president of Oxland Group, dives into the importance of authentic placemaking. 

He shares his journey from landscape architecture to leading Oxland Group, a full-service capital investment and real estate development firm. Tom offers career insights, including the value of working with a trusted network, and adhering to a strict “no assholes” policy.

At the heart of Oxland’...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Jessica Tillyer, co-founder of Bike Bus World, a movement dedicated to "transforming communities and our planet through the simple act of riding bikes to school together."

Jessica shares how the idea of the Bike Bus was born out of her own need for a community-driven way to bike her kids to school, and how it has grown into a powerful tool for building connections and changing the way ...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we welcome David Hoppes, Vice President, Senior Principal, Studio Leader, and Professional Landscape Architect at Dix.Hite + Partners. Join us as we explore David’s deep-rooted connection to nature, tracing his journey from growing up on a farm to a career in landscape architecture.

David shares valuable insights into how landscape architecture goes beyond mere aesthetics, encompassing ecological cons...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we sit down with Brad Compton, President of ICON Management Services, Inc. Brad shares his extensive experience with golf, which he began playing at only 3 years old, and offers insights into managing golf communities.

Brad introduces the concept of bundled golf communities, where all residents enjoy membership benefits, making golf more accessible and affordable compared to traditional private equity...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we dive into all things residential land development with Mike Moser, CEO of Starwood Land — the longest-tenured joint venture partner with Starwood Capital.

Mike shares his insights on builder choice, affordability challenges, the significance of welcome centers, and innovative acquisition strategies. We also explore the success of Starwood Land’s MPC project Sunterra — the best-selling master-planne...

In this episode of Smith Lane, we explore the intersection of data-driven technology and placemaking with Deven Spear, Co-Founder and Managing Director of OA3 and Chief Innovation Officer at Overabove Marketing. Deven delves into how OA3 is transforming real estate marketing through data-driven strategies. 

Deven explains how OA3 harnesses comprehensive data on every adult in the U.S. to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers. D...