Our Team
Carter Dickinson
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Carter leverages his deep analytical abilities and real estate market expertise to deliver comprehensive solutions that help clients succeed. As both a lead analyst and licensed broker specializing in the Triangle market, he taps into his background in economics, statistics, and operations research to interpret complex data, identify strategic opportunities, and ensure clients succeed. With this unique blend of analytical acumen and broker experience, Carter provides invaluable insights tailored to each client's individual needs.
Carter is an active member of the ULI Triangle. In his free time, Carter enjoys playing golf and guitar, as well as watching Tar Heel sports.
Professional/Civic Affiliations:
Active member of ULI.
Youth mentor for the Boys and Girls Club
Leadership committee for Ducks Unlimited in both Raleigh and Chapel Hill.
Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, major in Economics with minors in Statistics and Operations Research and Music
Charles Wright
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Specializing in brokering Greensboro area properties and land, Charles brings deep-rooted local knowledge with proven sales expertise to every commercial real estate transaction. A Greensboro native, he leverages his extensive business background and community connections to help clients identify optimal properties and negotiate successful deals. His earlier career in manufacturing sales and running a multi-generation family business honed his skills in relationship building, market analysis, and complex negotiations – abilities he now applies to deliver exceptional results for his commercial real estate clients.
Professional Background:
Former Owner/Operator of Mastercolor Labs, a successful family business serving professional clients (1993-2017)
Sales and Manufacturing Specialist at C.S. Osborne & Co, New York
Community Leadership:
Active board member and volunteer with The Barnabas Network
Director for The Salvation Army
Volunteer leader with Boy Scouts of America
Supporter of various local youth and community initiatives
Education:
Bachelor's Degrees in Communications, University of Georgia
Chris Melvin
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As an analyst, Chris brings a unique blend of analytical acumen, market knowledge, and client-facing skills. As a recent graduate, Chris has already garnered valuable experience through internships at leading firms like Cushman & Wakefield and Brown Investment Properties. Chris’s ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling presentations make him an invaluable asset in communicating market insights to current and prospective clients.
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC
BA Economics, Minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Lauten Crow
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Lauten joined Simpson Commercial in 2014 and manages development for related entity projects as well as third-party clients. Lauten has participated in over 1,000,000 SF of development, managing all aspects from due diligence of prospective properties, to securing financing, coordination of engineering and construction activities onsite in order to deliver the finished product.
Career/Professional Accomplishments
Leadership Greensboro Class of 2015
Education:
Wofford College
Richard Montana
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Richard brings over 23 years of commercial real estate expertise and well over a billion dollars in transaction experience to serve our investment partners. His deep understanding of the multifamily markets, particularly in the Carolinas, provides our investors with valuable insights into market dynamics and emerging opportunities.
Prior to joining Simpson Commercial, Richard served as a Senior Director with Cushman & Wakefield’s Multifamily Advisory Group and Vice President of CBRE's Carolinas Multi Housing Private Capital Group, where he cultivated lasting relationships with institutional and private investors. His experience in these roles uniquely positions him to:
Guide investors through complex investment strategies while maintaining clear communication channels between our operational teams and stakeholder groups
Leverage his extensive market knowledge to help investors understand development opportunities and portfolio optimization across diverse market cycles
Provide detailed market intelligence and performance analytics to support informed investment decisions
Richard is passionate about giving back to the community through his roles as Chairman/ Founder of Reelin’ for Research, Chairman of Greensboro Future Fund, Search Ministries Board Member, and the Greensboro Sports Council.
Education
Richard holds a BBA from the College of Charleston.
Sam Simpson
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A native of Raleigh, NC, Sam is a proud graduate of UNC - Chapel Hill, where he later returned to earn his MBA from The Kenan Flagler School of Business.
Sam began his career in commercial real estate working with Property Resources, which was acquired by CBRE in 1997. Later that year he co-founded Simpson & Schulman Commercial Real Estate as a predecessor to Simpson Commercial 2014 with offices in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Sam has extensive real estate brokerage, development, and private real estate fund management experience.
Developed over 300 million in office, industrial, retail and multifamily projects
Managed seven real estate funds that have yielded a combined IRR of 27% since 2014
Brokered over 1 billion in commercial real estate sales and leasing representing landlords, tenants, as well as investors
Sam has, and continues to serve numerous local and state charities as a director, including:
UNC Health Foundation - Executive Committee
First Presbyterian Church Greensboro - Elder
Piedmont Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Chair
Downtown Greensboro Incorporated - Chair
Greensboro Country Club - Treasurer
Children's Home Society of NC - Treasurer
Greensboro Historical Museum
Susan Calvert
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Susan brings 10+ years of leadership experience to her role as Director of Business Operations. Having managed large teams and complex IT and Innovation projects across different organizations Susan oversees our daily operations and IT systems. Her priority is adding just enough structure to support our growth while preserving the speed and flexibility that makes our team successful. Susan works to keep our back-office processes running smoothly, so we can concentrate on serving clients.
Professional/Civic Affiliations:
Certified Scrum Master
Certified SAFe Lean Portfolio Manager
Education:
Miami University, BS Marketing
Susy Wrenn
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A native of Greensboro, Susy graduated from UNC Greensboro with a degree in education. After teaching for 8 years and raising a family she reentered the work force as Executive Director of Greensboro Opera Company where she developed accounting, marketing and development skills. She then moved on to Johnston Properties Inc. where she was Executive Vice President of Finance and Lease Management for 16 years. Susy has joined Simpson Commercial to assist with accounting and cash management.
Wells Herndon
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Wells joined Simpson Commercial in 2016 and focuses on growing the firm’s brokerage and development business across North Carolina. Wells provides landlord and owner representation as well as buyer and tenant representation; specializing in retail, land, and office product types. He also supports Simpson Commercial’s internal development team by discovering new properties for development and coordinating due diligence, underwriting, and the marketing for the team’s projects. He is an active member of ICSC, CRCBR, and ULI. Prior to joining Simpson Commercial, Wells was a national sales manager for an international textile company.
Professional/Civic Affiliations:
Active member of ICSC, CRCBR, and ULI.
Wesley Fricks
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With a diverse background spanning real estate, government, and finance, Wesley brings a unique perspective and wealth of experience to his role as a development partner at Simpson Commercial, where he oversees the Raleigh office.
Wesley's real estate expertise is concentrated in commercial and multifamily finance. Prior to joining Simpson Commercial, he held senior positions at United Community Bank and Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, where he demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex lending landscapes and deliver exceptional results for his clients.
Wesley's combination of private sector experience and public service has given him a well-rounded understanding of the needs and challenges facing today's commercial real estate market. His time working in federal and state government has provided him with invaluable insights into the intricacies of zoning, permitting, and government relations. Wesley leverages this knowledge to guide his clients through the complexities of the development process, ensuring they can successfully navigate regulatory hurdles and bring their projects to fruition.
Civic Involvement:
Served in federal and state government, including roles at the North Carolina Department of Transportation, running operations for former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, and in the administration of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush.
Education:
Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University
William Hatcher
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William specializes in identifying and connecting clients with strategic opportunities in retail, industrial, multifamily, and industrial outdoor storage assets. His expertise spans acquisitions, dispositions, and property development, serving a diverse client base that includes developers, institutional investors, family offices, and private investors.
A Morganton, NC native, William combines his deep roots in North Carolina with a broad perspective gained from his education to deliver exceptional value to his clients. Whether identifying undervalued assets or navigating complex transactions, William’s direct yet approachable style fosters strong relationships and results.
Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, playing golf, running, and traveling, always seeking new adventures with the same energy he brings to his professional pursuits.
Career/Professional Accomplishments:
Successfully closed over $41.4 million in commercial real estate transactions
Education:
University of Colorado at Boulder with a BSBA in Finance and Real Estate Development