Our People

A Dedicated Team of Professionals

Stephen H. Whisenant

Managing Member, Chief Executive Officer

As Managing Member and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen H. Whisenant is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, the overall, strategic direction as well as development. As a founding member, he also facilitates several real estate partnerships with domestic and international partners.

Since 1969, Whisenant has been involved in more than 4 million square feet of retail development, primarily through his ownerships in Tri-Kell Investments, Inc. and Madison Retail, LLC.

Whisenant earned a bachelor's and master's degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). he has been an active member of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association and is a former International Business Fellow. He has served as a guest lecturer at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

John A. Williams

Partner

John A.Williams is a Partner of Madison Retail, LLC and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Holdings, LLC, the umbrella organization for Madison.

An Atlanta real estate veteran, Williams is most recognized as the founder of Post Properties, Inc., a multi-family real estate investment trust. He has directed and coordinated the development, construction and management of real estate developments since 1966.

Williams graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial management and ins a member of the Management College Hall of Fame. In addition to past public and private board positions, he currently serves on the boards of the Atlanta Falcons as a minority owner as well as FCA Venture Partners, IV.

William E. (Ed) Allen

Principal, Vice President of Development

Ed Allen is a Principal and Vice President of Development and is responsible for the oversight of retail and residential development as well as all aspects of construction.

Prior to joining Madison Retail, LLC, Allen was Vice President of Development for Post Properties, Inc., a multifamily Real Estate Investment Trust where he was involved in various mixed-use developments in major metropolitan markets throughout the United States. He has also worked with large commercial general contractors throughout the eastern United States where he was directly responsible for the construction of an excess of three million square feet of retail space in markets from Florida to Pennsylvania. Allen is a graduate of Auburn University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction.

Charles N. Worthen

Principal

Charles N. Worthen is a Principal and is involved with the development of high-end neighborhood and regional shopping centers as well as mixed-use projects.

Prior to joining Madison, Worthen was President of Noro Capitol Development where he directed their grocery anchored development program. Before Noro, he was with the Trammell Crow Company as a Vice- President overseeing various departments of retail leasing, brokerage and development. Throughout Worthen's retail development career, he has initiated and supervised the development of 18 retail projects totaling more than 2,000,000. sq. ft. He has been recognized by the Atlanta Board of Realtors as a Top 5 Producer, a Phoenix Award recipient and a Lifetime Member of the Atlanta Million Dollar Club. Worthen is a native of Atlanta and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Georgia.

Brett M. Lesley

Vice President of Leasing

As Vice President of Leasing, Brett Lesley oversees all leasing activities for the retail portfolios of Madison Retail, LLC and Tri-Kell Investments, Inc. With nearly a million square feet of retail space leased throughout his career, Lesley is proficient at lease negotiation and execution with virtually all types of tenants, including anchor, lifestyle and small shop tenants, in power centers, mixed-used developments and neighborhood centers throughout the Southeast. He has established trusted relationships with local, regional and national tenants as well as brokerage companies that support the development and leasing plans for Madison's retail portfolio. Prior to joining Madison, Lesley served in various leasing positions with The Sembler Company,Thomas Enterprises and IRT Property Company where he was responsible for the leasing plans of 14 million square feet of retail development. Lesley earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi.

Joseph A. Ashkouti

Leasing Executive

Joseph A. Ashkouti is a Leasing Executive and is responsible for the leasing and out parcel sales of high end neighborhood and regional shopping centers as well as mixed-use projects.  He stays very active in the tenant and brokerage community, where he continues to build tenant relations.

Prior to Madison, Joe was involved in Land Planning/Development at First Guaranty Realty Corporation, where he assisted with delivering Developments according to pro forma commitments to the investing partners.

Joe graduated with honors from Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.  He has been an active member and volunteer at Shepherd Spinal Center, ICSC, Medically Fragile Children Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.

Lee Rosser

Leasing Executive

Lee Rosser has over 25 years of leasing experience throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.  She is a veteran Leasing Executive and has excelled in leasing numerous property types including neighborhood, "lifestlyle" and regional shopping centers.  Prior to joining Madison Retail, LLC in 2006 Lee groomed her skills with Ewing Southeast Realty, Faison, Trammell Crow and Noro Management Company.  Since joining Madison, Lee has thrived in her leasing role and continues to outpace the industry with her work ethic and vast relationships.

Jeffrey G. East, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Jeff East is the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for overseeing the daily financial operations, preparing project feasibilities, structuring project financing and assisting with property dispositions.

Prior to joining Madison Retail, LLC, East was Vice President of Finance for a division of a large publicly-traded national homebuilder where he structured one of the largest residential real estate transactions in Georgia. His professional experience also includes enterprise mergers, acquisitions and divestitures and deal finance structuring.

East graduated from the University of Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a specialization in accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant in Georgia.

John M. Foley

Director of Construction & Development

With over 18 years of construction, design / build and development experience, John Foley serves as Director of Construction & Development and is responsible for all aspects of the design and engineering coordination, pre-construction, construction and delivery processes of each project.

Foley is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction and served as President of the School of Architecture. Foley also graduated cum laude from Georgia State University where he earned a secondary Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Real Estate and a Certificate in Hospitality Administration. John holds a Georgia Real Estate license, is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

W.J. Blane

Director of Special Projects

W.J. Blane is Director of Special Projects with a primary focus on the evaluation of prospective development ventures. He has over 35 years of experience in the development and construction of various real estate projects. Prior to joining Madison Retail, LLC, Blane held executive positions with Cousins Properties, Carter and Associates, Trammell Crow Company and Holder Corporation, where he was involved with all aspects of real estate development.

He has also served as a development consultant for many leading real estate companies. Blane earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in business administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he currently serves as a faculty member for the College of Architecture teaching courses on real estate finance and development. Blane currently serves on the Board of Directors for Sheltering Arms and is a member of the American Arbitration Association serving as arbitrator and mediator.

Chase Jerol

Director of Property Management

Chase Jerol is Director of Property Management where he is responsible for overseeing the operations of Madison Retail's current portfolio, along with the centers managed by Tri-Kell investments. He also works closely with the leasing and construction staff to manage tenant build-out and capital improvements.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Chase has diverse experiences in retail marketing, development and management. Jerol began his commercial real estate career with Tri-Kell Investments, Inc. in 1988.