A powerhouse of experience and vision
for the Charlotte region

Rob Nanfelt

Rob Nanfelt is the Executive Director for REBIC (The Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition) whose mission is to provide tactile advocacy for the real estate industry. REBIC represents the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Charlotte, NAIOP, CRCBR, Canopy Real Estate and the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association. REBIC’s advocacy represents real estate professionals in 5 counties within the Charlotte region: Iredell, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Gaston, and Union. He is also the Executive Director for PPPI, The Piedmont Public Policy Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization chartered to bring important new authoritative research to critical public policy debates shaping the Charlotte region.

By way of background, Rob boasts over 25 years public policy experience in Washington DC and in the western US, and displays a unique ability to quickly understand complex challenges and identify the appropriate solution. He has been a resident of Charlotte for 15 years and is known for easily guiding diverse parties with opposing goals toward common objectives. Rob lives in Charlotte with his wife and daughter and is a competitive long-distance runner.

Larry Shaheen

Larry Shaheen, Jr. has worked in politics, property, and development his entire life. From 2012 to 2018 Larry served as contract Chief of Staff to NC State Senator Jeff Tarte while also founding Carolina Political Consulting to consult elected officials across the region. During his time working within politics Larry assisted in multiple campaigns and advocated successfully for a number of real estate legislative issues. Practicing law since 2013, Larry comes from a family business background developing and managing commercial property all across the Southeast, where he has served as General Counsel with his family firm since his admission. Now Larry’s practice at McIntosh Law Firm includes the same level of personal service to residential and commercial property clients faced with property tax revaluations, real estate challenges, and public policy issues. Having helped develop, manage, and sell more than a million square feet of office, industrial, and commercial space, Larry is the perfect advocate for our commercial and residential real estate businesses. 

Awards:
Business North Carolina Legal Elite – Real Estate 2019-2022
Business North Carolina Legal Elite Young Gun Award – 2016
Finalist – Corporate Counsel Awards; Charlotte Business Journal 2016

Bar Admissions, Board Service, & Membership:
North Carolina Bar
Mecklenburg County Bar – Real Estate Section – Chairman 2020-2022
Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors – Corporate Associate and Legislative Committee Member
NAIOP – Board Member

Education:
University of South Carolina, J.D.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A.P.S.

David H. Coble

David Coble serves REBIC as a strong leader, creating relationships with state and local elected officials, and has consulted on winning campaigns as well as building working relationships with General Assembly leadership. With a financial pedigree that includes 15 years at Bank of America as a Program and Project Manager, he began his professional career in 1999 with First Union after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in Marketing. In 2013 David was elected as Commissioner at Large for the Town of Mooresville, NC and served until 2017. During that time David served on various committees including the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nominating Committee and as the Board of Commissioner’s liaison to the Mooresville Graded and Iredell-Statesville School Systems. In 2014 David Co-Chaired the bond committee Our Schools First that successfully worked for voter approval of school bonds for new school construction and building upgrades for Mooresville Graded and Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Since 2017 David has maintained a Land Development consulting firm, guiding his clients in the development community through zoning and other land related requirements across North and South Carolina. He has helped facilitate governmental approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial and residential projects as well consulted on land acquisition for multiple developers.

Zachary Almond

Zach Almond was elected to the Stanly County Commission at age 23, one of the youngest in the state of North Carolina. He has been heavily involved politically since the young age of 14. In high school he served as Chairman of the State Teenage Republicans. While in College, at Wingate University, he was Chairman of the North Carolina College Republicans, where he oversaw over 30 chapters across the state. Directly after graduating from college, he worked for the College Republican National Committee.

While in College Zach developed an innovative voter contact program and has had great success working with over 75 candidates in both North and South Carolina; including successful United States Senate campaigns and several incumbent members of Congress a few of which are from North Carolina. Zach has also worked with many members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

Madeline Keeter

Madeline Keeter, representing the greater Gaston region as an area manager, comes to us with a varied and valuable background and is no stranger to politics and advocacy work. Madeline started early by founding a Teenage Republicans group at her high school, Salem Academy, at the age of 16. Since then, she’s been politically active in varying capacities. She has managed or contributed to several successful candidate campaigns, including US Congressman Patrick McHenry and former NC Governor Pat McCrory. In addition to campaign experience, she has served as the NCGOP 5th District Chairman, North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans Vice Chairman and as the Gaston County GOP Vice Chairman. Additionally, she served as the President of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association from 2017-2019 where she was also a board member from 2011-2021 and was a national volunteer for Sigma Kappa Sorority as a Collegiate Coordinator for the Southeast.

Besides her political experience, her passion is moving public policy forward. A recovering registered lobbyist in healthcare, she has also advocated on behalf of charter school education, real estate and development, and higher education. She also represents other clients across North Carolina and the United States on policies ranging from clean energy, innovation in technology, national and cyber security, and the recruitment of young, common-sense, business friendly lawmakers.

Matt Allen

Matt Allen is the Director of Professional Development and Government Affairs at Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS® (LOTSAR). He works on behalf of over 2,000 Realtor® members in Buncombe, Madison, and Transylvania counties handling all things related to education, policy, and advocacy. Beginning in September 2025, Matt joined REBIC as an Area Advocate Manager, overseeing governmental affairs efforts in Haywood County. In his government affairs role, Matt tracks local laws of import to the real estate industry and maintains relationships with local elected officials, ensuring that LOTSAR has had a seat at the table on a variety of industry issues, from consideration of rental regulations, permitting changes, and text amendments to zoning. This kind of activity also falls under the purview of his advocacy representation on behalf of REBIC.

Matt holds a B.A. from Brigham Young University (2008) and a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law (2011). Before joining LOTSAR in March 2019, Matt practiced law for nearly 7 years. He also serves on the NAR GAD Advisory Group and boasts previous work experience in higher education, including working as an adjunct professor for his law school alma mater. His law degree is pivotal in interpreting proposed laws/ordinances and in communicating with members, elected officials, and other stakeholders, and admits this all flows into his passion for problem-solving. He shares that he is a true believer in the importance of the REALTORS® association.

Raised in SLC, UT, Matt also lived in Japan and NYC before moving to Asheville in 2014. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, pickleball, and spending time with his wife, Haley, and their pet Dachshund, Sigmund.

Camine Pappas

Camine Pappas, Brand Therapist and owner of C & Company Consulting, has worked to coordinate the development of corporate wide branding strategies for her customers throughout the US in both senior level management and corporate operational consulting. Her approach is one that leverages the core strength of her clients by creating message clarity that aligns with organizational truths, all overlaid with a professional and tactical approach to design. Her passion is to help businesses uncover their own powerful voice, increase their emotional and transactional market share, and encourage an ever evolving and transparent operational culture. To connect with her visit caminepappas.com

Michael Foess

Michael Foess (pronounced FESS) is currently on the Board of Directors for the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte and the 2025 President for REBIC’s Executive Committee. He is also a subcommittee member for the National Home Builders Association’s Subcommittee on Land Use Policy and the past Chair, Land Development Council for the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte.

Mr. Foess is the Founding Executive of Montrose LLC, a real estate development consulting firm providing tailored portfolio management, program management, and project management services to developers, builders, investors, and family offices. Montrose is currently managing the entitlement and development of 2,761 residential lots, 3 commercial projects, and a beach front resort community in Central America.

Theresa Burnett

Theresa Burnett is the Executive Officer for CRCBR & NAIOP and REBIC Board Member. She serves as Executive Vice President of the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of REALTORS® (CRCBR) and Executive Director of NAIOP Charlotte, the commercial development association. In addition to her leadership in real estate, Theresa is president of THM, an accredited association management company representing over 10 professional and trade associations. Theresa’s accolades include being recognized as a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum (ALF) and named one of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Top Women in Business.

Allen Dargins

As a REALTOR®/Broker and current Executive Secretary for Canopy Association/MLS/Foundation, Allen Dargins shoulders the responsibility of keeping one of the largest REALTOR® Associations in the region running smoothly and effectively. He holds the following designations to boot: Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist Designation (CRS), At Home With Diversity Certified (AHWD), C2EX, Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Military Relocation Professional Designation (MRP), not to mention a B.S. In Chemistry from Johnson C Smith University. A 2008 Canopy Leadership Academy graduate, and past Canopy Diversity Council Chair, he is also the RPAC Chair, RPAC Major Investor (Sterling R) giving him a global point of view rarely seen in our industry.

Jen Schuster

Jen Schuster is the Executive Officer of the Homebuilder’s Association of Greater Charlotte, taking the position in February of 2024 to follow her passion for advocacy in the home building industry. Prior to this role, Jen was the Director of Land Acquisition for Mattamy Homes. It was there she learned just how difficult it is to find developable land in the Charlotte market, especially in areas that want growth. An important perspective. Her pedigree in the industry is vast and includes the position of Regional Director for Metrostudy, covering Charlotte, Greenville, and Charleston where she honed her public speaking and real estate data analysis skills. Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development and Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Anne Marie DeCatsye

Anne Marie DeCatsye, Esq., has served as chief executive officer of Canopy Realtor® Association since February 1, 2001. Canopy Realtor® Association operates and manages Canopy MLS, Canopy Real Estate Institute and Canopy Housing Foundation. The Association is instrumental in advancing the mission and vision of Canopy Housing Foundation, the charitable arm of the Association. Prior to her appointment as CEO, she was general counsel for the Association for seven months. From 1995-2000, she served as deputy executive director for our own Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, known as REBIC, helping to elevate our voice across multiple shareholder groups.

Maren Brisson Kuester

Maren is the COO|Broker at The Maren Brisson Kuester Team & 2024 Chair of REBIC Executive Committee. She served as a two-term president for the Charlotte Regional Realtors® Association in 2015 and 2016 and served as the president of the NC Realtors® in 2020. She was named the Charlotte Regional Realtors’ Realtor® of the Year in 2016 for outstanding contributions to her industry and the community, which is the organization’s highest honor. She has been recognized by the NC Realtors Association with an Outstanding Service Award and won the Chairman’s Award three years in a row (2015-2017) for outstanding fundraising and advocacy efforts. She received the Hall of Fame award in 2018 from the National Association of Realtors® for her extraordinary commitment to the Realtors Political Action Committee. She has also been recognized by the Charlotte business community as one of the Charlotte Business Journals “40 under 40” in 2016 and one of the “Top 25 Women in Business” in 2017.

Mark C. Cramer

Mark Cramer is an attorney and for over 42 years has had a career encompassing legal representation and executive leadership of private, nonprofit, and governmental organizations at the local, state, and federal levels. He served in the Reagan Administration as General Counsel of the U.S. Government Printing Office, and after moving to Charlotte, NC, as Vice President of a real estate development firm and Executive Director of the Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition. He later served as Secretary, Counsel and Federal Liaison for the N.C. Global TransPark Authority. He was a co-founder and served for seven years as President of the Institute for Defense and Business and the Center of Excellence in Logistics and Technology (LOGTECH) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, during which time he also was an adjunct faculty member of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dan Kelly

As A graduate of N.C. State with a degree in civil engineering, Dan Kelly is the owner of Kelly McArdle Construction, a full-service general contracting firm with an unlimited building license. He is certified as a Building Analyst, an Envelope Professional, and a Certified Green Professional. He built one of only three houses in the state to be certified LEED-H Platinum and the first house in the state to be certified Gold to the National Green Building Standard. He has been named or awarded Remodeler of the Year, the Best Green Built Home, and the Best of Houzz.

Marty MacLaughlin

Marty McLaughlin brings 30 years of extensive real estate and political affairs experience concentrating on Industrial Real Estate to Park Commercial. During his time in the Commercial Real Estate industry, he has lobbied for the industry at the national, state and local levels. Marty’s clients include a wide array of National, Regional and local companies which utilize his networking and expertise of the industry to help them successfully with their real estate needs. During his career Marty has received the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtor (CRCBR) Multi-Million Dollar award from 2015 through present. He received the CRCBR Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the CRCBR President’s Award in 2014. Currently he is President of the CRCBR. Since 2012, Marty is the NCAR State Director/CRCBR. Marty has a BS in Business/Management from West Chester University, West Chester, PA. He is on the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors (CRCBR), and he was President of the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors (CRCBR) in 2021.

Andi Dirkschneider Bliss

Andi Dirkschneider Bliss brings over 15 years of comprehensive experience in the homebuilding industry and has held leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels within the Home Builders Association. She currently serves as the President of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Charlotte, representing Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus, Anson, and Union Counties. She also serves on the Executive Board of NCHBA as Vice President Region VI, and NAHB Professional Women in Building Second Vice Chair. In 2023, she was recognized with the Inaugural Woman of the Year award by the Greater Charlotte HBA.

As a second-generation homebuilder and third-generation construction professional, Andi pursued a double major in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology and Behavioral Economics at Emory University, where she developed an interest in consumer behavior. Following graduation, Andi worked in Investor Relations for a hedge fund focused on distressed real estate, before moving into asset management on a portfolio of 1,000 REO properties.

In 2016, Andi joined her father’s company, Brookline Homes, to help grow the business. She took over as President of Brookline Homes in 2022, following the completion of her Master of Science in Real Estate and MBA from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Under her leadership, Brookline Homes is poised for growth, primarily focusing on first-time and move-down buyers.

Tom Pearson

President at Pearson Land Corp.