Meet the Team

	William L. "Willie" Heafner President ☎ (704) 736-4331 willieh@piedcorp.com Since 1985, Willie Heafner has experienced every aspect of the real estate industry from residential home building and sales to commercial construction and development.  In 1997 Willie began to concentrate on commercial development and at the same time completed his first build to suit project for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.  Willie quickly understood and overcame the unique challenges of a development project for a non-profit organization, while realizing the opportunities and satisfaction of providing assistance to such community-centered organization like Goodwill Industries.  Since that time, Piedmont Companies has developed multiple locations for Goodwill organizations across the country.  Piedmont has aided the growth of Goodwill organizations by assisting in the development of customized growth plans using a specialized market analysis process producing retail area optimization for each particular Goodwill. With that plan as a guideline, Goodwill can proceed confidently with their expansion.  When appropriate, and commissioned, Piedmont begins the build to suit project and works with the Goodwill organization in every phase of the project. From site selection to construction plans, through completion of construction Piedmont oversees the process in full consultation with the client Goodwill organization.  With this extensive experience Willie and Piedmont Companies understand the operations and needs of Goodwill organizations and are able to use that knowledge to assist these organizations in completing development projects that increase sales revenue and profits and ultimately provide more capital for mission services.  Listening to what the client needs and working to keep their budgets and project schedules on track has made Piedmont successful with their other clients as well.  Willie and his wife, Debra, are lifelong residents of Crouse, NC.  They have two sons, Luke and Logan. In Willie's spare time, he enjoys all types of outdoor activities, including biking and hiking.
	Sandra L. (Sandy) Cashion Vice President ☎ (704) 736-4333 sandyc@piedcorp.com Sandra (Sandy) Cashion has been involved in the insurance, accounting, and construction industries since 1977.  Employed since January of 1993, Sandy serves as Corporate Vice President and Commercial Developer for Piedmont Companies, Inc. She has worked closely with the CEO's and Management teams of Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont, Goodwill of Lower South Carolina, Goodwill of North Georgia, and Southland Services serving as Project Manager to complete more than 575,000 square feet of retail space, one strip center, two regional company headquarters, a warehouse facility, several two-story administrative buildings and a commercial subdivision.  Sandy and her husband, Perry, are lifelong residents of Lincoln County.
	Bill Spurrier Broker In Charge/Developer ☎ (704) 736-4390 bills@piedcorp.com Bill Spurrier has been with Piedmont Companies, Inc. eleven years, is a Registered Housing specialist, Licensed Broker in North Carolina, Nehemiah Specialist, and N.C. Notary.  Bill is currently the Broker in Charge of Piedmont Realty Associates.  His primary duties are to oversee the daily activity of the realty office and provide assistance to the Developers and Brokers in the office.  Bill is an active member of the Lincoln Co. Board of Realtors, NCAR, NAR, holds a BA in Business Administration from UNC Charlotte. Bill worked in the finance and mortgage field for several years, then worked for a National Soft Drink Bottling Co. thirteen years before joining the Piedmont team.
	Gary Faulkenbury Construction Manager ☎ (704) 736-4335 garyf@piedcorp.com Gary Faulkenbury has served as Piedmont's construction manager since January 1998.  With more than forty years of experience in commercial construction, he works closely with the development team from the initial site visit through the warranty phase. Gary specializes in site concepts, pre-construction plan and bid review, construction management and warranty follow up.  From providing preliminary site design layouts to final Certificate of Occupancy, Gary works to insure that all projects are completed on time and to highest of quality standards.
	Craig Upshaw Commercial Developer ☎ (704) 748-6892 craigu@piedcorp.com Craig Upshaw is a developer based out of Lincolnton, North Carolina.  He has developed commercial real estate since joining Piedmont in 2005.  Mr. Upshaw also has several years of experience in multifamily development and served as a CFO for thirteen years.  His educational background includes a degree in Accounting from the University of South Carolina and a MBA from Clemson University.
	Eddie Davis Commercial Developer ☎ (704) 860-3915 eddied@piedcorp.com Eddie Davis has over twenty-five years experience in residential and commercial real estate sales, finance and construction. A four year employee of the Piedmont Companies, Eddie has developed over 100,000 square feet of commercial property for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers and Goodwill Industries of the Sun Coast.   He works in Southern Georgia, Alabama and Florida.  Eddie and his wife, Robin, live in Belmont , North Carolina.  They have one son, Ash, who is a graduate from the U. S. Naval Academy.
	Guy Long Commercial Developer ☎ (828) 228-1957 guyl@piedcorp.com Guy Long has an extensive background in both real estate and government. Long work for seven years in the administration of New York City Mayor Ed Koch in the first and second terms of his administration.  He then spent more that twenty years as the founder and owner of a real estate company in Hickory, North Carolina. In this role he was involved in land development, multifamily investments, new home construction, and real estate brokerage.  Long most recently served in the administration of NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, working as an Assistant Commissioner in the New York City Department of Small Business Services from 2009 to 2015.
	Ron Kitchton Commercial Developer ☎ (980) 222-0815 ronk@piedcorp.com Ronald Kitchton has been actively involved in the commercial real estate industry since 1979. He has experience in substantial debt arrangement in excess of $1.5 billion, and has arranged numerous joint ventures. His sales record includes a total that exceeds $1.25 billion worth of income properties. Ronald Kitchton is the Managing Partner of SUNBELT CAPITAL ADVISORS. He is responsible for representing select developers, coordinating joint ventures, arranging institutional and private equity and the financing and sale of projects. Financing options include New Markets Tax Credit equity, Credit Tenant Lease Financing (taxable bonds), Mezzanine financing, and Construction and Permanent loans. Ron served as a regional sales manager with Koll Real Estate, overseeing sales, leasing, mortgage brokerage, and development services, and served as a portfolio manager, in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Koll headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, managed in excess of 180 million square of commercial space prior to that division's sale to CB Richard Ellis. Ron also held the positions of Vice President and Regional Manager with Chemical Bank Mortgage Corporation, Manager of Mortgage Banking and Investment Property Services with Coldwell Banker Commercial URS, Vice President and Co-Director of income property sales and syndication for Ostendorf-Morris Co., and General Manager of Chelsea Moore Co., Cincinnati's oldest commercial real estate and development firm. Ron received his BS Degree from the Ohio State University and continued his advanced studies at Bowling Green State University.
	Brigitte "Gidge" Davenport GIS Specialist/ Jr. Web Designer Developer ☎ (704) 736-4120 brigitted@piedcorp.com Brigitte Davenport, better known as "Gidge" is the GIS Specialist for Piedmont Companies.   In 2001 she began her career in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she worked for major commercial real estate firms.  She has acquired several certifications through Sites USA Custom Mapping Software REGIS at conferences held in Scottsdale, Arizona.  As GIS Specialist her responsibilities include managing the software and data for the company, research, and spatial analysis, the creation of stock & custom maps, flyers and aerials.  She is concerned with supporting agents to ensure their informational needs are met.  Gidge also is responsible for all the graphic design and recently acquired two certifications from Gaston College for Web design/development and now manages and writes all the companies websites.  She began her career with Piedmont Companies in November of 2012.  Being born and raised in Germany, Gidge is fluent in German. She moved to Idaho 20 years ago and relocated to North Carolina 14 years ago.  She loves spending time with her dogs.