Our Team
Leadership
Michael Aide joined Watkins Real Estate Group in August of 2023. Michael oversees strategic initiatives, directing the deployment of capital for new developments, overall company and portfolio performance, and providing leadership to the Watkins team.
Previously, Michael served as President of New Market and led the company’s portfolio expansion from 700,000 SF and 10 grocery-anchored shopping centers to more than 6.2M SF and over 50 centers with a total value of over $1.3B. Before joining New Market, Michael served as Managing Vice President for AmREIT, a $1B publicly-traded retail REIT (formerly NYSE:AMY). He spent eight years at AmREIT’s Texas corporate headquarters in retail development, acquisitions, dispositions and asset management before moving to Atlanta to open the company’s southeast regional office.
Michael has over 25 years of commercial real estate experience in all facets of real estate having led acquisitions, dispositions, development, construction/project management, leasing, asset management, finance and property management. Michael earned his B.A. in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and is a graduate of the Woodberry Forest School. He holds his real estate broker’s licenses in Texas and is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
Michael Aide
President
Michael Aide joined Watkins Real Estate Group in August of 2023. Michael oversees strategic initiatives, directing the deployment of capital for new developments, overall company and portfolio performance, and providing leadership to the Watkins team.
Previously, Michael served as President of New Market and led the company’s portfolio expansion from 700,000 SF and 10 grocery-anchored shopping centers to more than 6.2M SF and over 50 centers with a total value of over $1.3B. Before joining New Market, Michael served as Managing Vice President for AmREIT, a $1B publicly-traded retail REIT (formerly NYSE:AMY). He spent eight years at AmREIT’s Texas corporate headquarters in retail development, acquisitions, dispositions and asset management before moving to Atlanta to open the company’s southeast regional office.
Michael has over 25 years of commercial real estate experience in all facets of real estate having led acquisitions, dispositions, development, construction/project management, leasing, asset management, finance and property management. Michael earned his B.A. in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and is a graduate of the Woodberry Forest School. He holds his real estate broker’s licenses in Texas and is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
Diane Roberts joined Watkins Real Estate Group in March 2020 to manage the company’s day-to-day operations. Diane brings over 25 years of experience as an owner/asset manager and client advisor to the role. She oversees asset management, investment sales, financial reporting, debt procurement, marketing and administration for the company.
Prior to joining Watkins, Diane was an active member of Brixmor Property Group’s regional leadership team, serving as Vice President of Acquisitions & Dispositions for the 140+ asset Southeast Region. Prior to that, she was a Vice President, Capital Markets for Jones Lang Lasalle. At JLL, she served on the Southeast retail investment sales team and managed operations for a substantial land disposition program. Prior to JLL, Diane was one of the first employees of Atlanta Property Group, supporting the two founding partners in a variety of transactions, asset management, marketing and accounting functions.
Diane received her Bachelor’s degree in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Diane Roberts
Chief Operating Officer
Diane Roberts joined Watkins Real Estate Group in March 2020 to manage the company’s day-to-day operations. Diane brings over 25 years of experience as an owner/asset manager and client advisor to the role. She oversees asset management, investment sales, financial reporting, debt procurement, marketing and administration for the company.
Prior to joining Watkins, Diane was an active member of Brixmor Property Group’s regional leadership team, serving as Vice President of Acquisitions & Dispositions for the 140+ asset Southeast Region. Prior to that, she was a Vice President, Capital Markets for Jones Lang Lasalle. At JLL, she served on the Southeast retail investment sales team and managed operations for a substantial land disposition program. Prior to JLL, Diane was one of the first employees of Atlanta Property Group, supporting the two founding partners in a variety of transactions, asset management, marketing and accounting functions.
Diane received her Bachelor’s degree in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Development
Lee Freeman is responsible for site acquisition and development for both retail and multi-family projects. He has over twenty-eight years of commercial real estate experience specializing in retail development, leasing and management. During his career with Watkins he has been responsible for multiple grocery-anchored shopping center developments and multi-family community developments all over the southeast.
Lee serves on the Executive Board of Watkins’ parent company, Watkins Associated Industries, Inc. He is also a Trustee for Greater Atlanta Christian School. Lee received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his MBA from Georgia State University.
Lee Freeman
Vice President Multifamily Development
Lee Freeman is responsible for site acquisition and development for both retail and multi-family projects. He has over twenty-eight years of commercial real estate experience specializing in retail development, leasing and management. During his career with Watkins he has been responsible for multiple grocery-anchored shopping center developments and multi-family community developments all over the southeast.
Lee serves on the Executive Board of Watkins’ parent company, Watkins Associated Industries, Inc. He is also a Trustee for Greater Atlanta Christian School. Lee received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his MBA from Georgia State University.
Bob Peck has more than 30 years of real estate experience. As Vice President of Development, Bob is responsible for identifying markets and properties for retail development, acquiring and entitling the land, securing anchor store approval, negotiating anchor store leases, creating design, and overseeing the development of the project.
He joined Watkins Real Estate Group as Director of Property Management in July 1989. In this role, Bob was responsible for developing and implementing Watkins retail asset management policies. Prior to Watkins, Bob served as Market Analyst for The Landmark Group, an Atlanta based developer of office properties.
Bob is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). He holds a MBA from the Rollins Crummer School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
Robert Peck
Vice President Retail Development
Bob Peck has more than 30 years of real estate experience. As Vice President of Development, Bob is responsible for identifying markets and properties for retail development, acquiring and entitling the land, securing anchor store approval, negotiating anchor store leases, creating design, and overseeing the development of the project.
He joined Watkins Real Estate Group as Director of Property Management in July 1989. In this role, Bob was responsible for developing and implementing Watkins retail asset management policies. Prior to Watkins, Bob served as Market Analyst for The Landmark Group, an Atlanta based developer of office properties.
Bob is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). He holds a MBA from the Rollins Crummer School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
Nat Barganier is Vice President responsible for new multi-family construction throughout Florida including land acquisition, financial underwriting, entitlement, product design, pre-construction, development funding, management oversight, lease up and disposition. He brings more than 30 years of experience to the Watkins organization.
Prior to joining Watkins, Mr. Barganier developed over 8,000 apartment residences and several hundred thousand square feet of multi-project commercial space throughout Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia with a value of over $2.0 Billion. Nat has a broad background beginning his career as an appraiser, underwriter and relationship manager handling real estate loan origination and valuation activities for Citigroup (NYSE: C). Having developed an interest in structuring successful deals, Nat bridged the gap to apartment development with the Altman Development Corporation serving as Vice President responsible for the Florida Central Region and Texas, Camden Property Trust (NYSE: CPT) as Vice President of the Eastern US, and Cumberland Allegiance Company as COO, Director of Development and Finance for Texas and the Southeast.
He received his undergraduate degree from Texas State University and currently holds a Florida Broker’s License. Community activities include Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and Water.Org. He is a member/affiliate of the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and the Real Estate Investment Council (REIC).
Nat Barganier
Vice President Multifamily Development (Florida)
Nat Barganier is Vice President responsible for new multi-family construction throughout Florida including land acquisition, financial underwriting, entitlement, product design, pre-construction, development funding, management oversight, lease up and disposition. He brings more than 30 years of experience to the Watkins organization.
Prior to joining Watkins, Mr. Barganier developed over 8,000 apartment residences and several hundred thousand square feet of multi-project commercial space throughout Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia with a value of over $2.0 Billion. Nat has a broad background beginning his career as an appraiser, underwriter and relationship manager handling real estate loan origination and valuation activities for Citigroup (NYSE: C). Having developed an interest in structuring successful deals, Nat bridged the gap to apartment development with the Altman Development Corporation serving as Vice President responsible for the Florida Central Region and Texas, Camden Property Trust (NYSE: CPT) as Vice President of the Eastern US, and Cumberland Allegiance Company as COO, Director of Development and Finance for Texas and the Southeast.
He received his undergraduate degree from Texas State University and currently holds a Florida Broker’s License. Community activities include Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and Water.Org. He is a member/affiliate of the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and the Real Estate Investment Council (REIC).
Robbie Swan has been with Watkins Real Estate Group for 10 years and is responsible for all aspects of his pipeline of retail development projects with a focus on markets in Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. His responsibilities include site selection, zoning and entitlements, securing internal and retail anchor approvals, lease negotiations, financial modeling and budgeting, oversight of engineering, design and construction, and assisting in securing debt and equity and asset disposition.
Robbie Swan joined Watkins in 2014 working closely with a Vice President of Development learning all aspects of multifamily and retail development and he remains a valuable team member on many of Watkins’ multifamily projects and mixed-use projects outside of Florida.
Robbie is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an economics minor from Florida Southern College.
Robbie Swan
Vice President Retail Development
Robbie Swan has been with Watkins Real Estate Group for 10 years and is responsible for all aspects of his pipeline of retail development projects with a focus on markets in Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. His responsibilities include site selection, zoning and entitlements, securing internal and retail anchor approvals, lease negotiations, financial modeling and budgeting, oversight of engineering, design and construction, and assisting in securing debt and equity and asset disposition.
Robbie Swan joined Watkins in 2014 working closely with a Vice President of Development learning all aspects of multifamily and retail development and he remains a valuable team member on many of Watkins’ multifamily projects and mixed-use projects outside of Florida.
Robbie is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an economics minor from Florida Southern College.
Mason Logue
Development Associate
- 407-803-2183
- mlogue@watkinsreg.com
Mason Logue joined Watkins in June of 2022 as a Development Associate. In his role, Mason assists in all aspects of the development process including site selection, underwriting, due-diligence, design, lease-up, asset management and disposition.
Mason is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and Atlanta Young Real Estate Professionals (AYREP). He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida State University with a double major in Finance and Real Estate.
Mason Logue
Development Associate
Mason Logue
Development Associate
- 407-803-2183
- mlogue@watkinsreg.com
Mason Logue joined Watkins in June of 2022 as a Development Associate. In his role, Mason assists in all aspects of the development process including site selection, underwriting, due-diligence, design, lease-up, asset management and disposition.
Mason is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and Atlanta Young Real Estate Professionals (AYREP). He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida State University with a double major in Finance and Real Estate.
Construction
Greg Everett directs all aspects of the construction of Watkins’ neighborhood shopping centers and apartment communities. Prior to his role as Vice President of Construction, he was an owner’s representative for construction in the retail division.
Greg joined Watkins in 1994 as an Estimator/Project Manager in the apartment division, responsible for procuring and writing all subcontractor agreements and purchase orders. In addition, he acted as the general contractor in the renovation of Watkins Associated Industries’ headquarters office and several other retail projects.
Greg graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Building Science.
Greg Everett
Vice President Construction
Greg Everett directs all aspects of the construction of Watkins’ neighborhood shopping centers and apartment communities. Prior to his role as Vice President of Construction, he was an owner’s representative for construction in the retail division.
Greg joined Watkins in 1994 as an Estimator/Project Manager in the apartment division, responsible for procuring and writing all subcontractor agreements and purchase orders. In addition, he acted as the general contractor in the renovation of Watkins Associated Industries’ headquarters office and several other retail projects.
Greg graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Building Science.
Matthew has joined the Watkins Real Estate Group construction team to assist with all retail and multi-family projects.
Matthew brings significant experience to the team, having worked as a project manager for Walton Construction Services, and for Hathaway Construction Services, both multifamily construction companies. He also worked for residential construction company KB Homes.
Matthew holds a BS in Building Science from Auburn University.
Matthew Cawthon
Construction Manager
Matthew has joined the Watkins Real Estate Group construction team to assist with all retail and multi-family projects.
Matthew brings significant experience to the team, having worked as a project manager for Walton Construction Services, and for Hathaway Construction Services, both multifamily construction companies. He also worked for residential construction company KB Homes.
Matthew holds a BS in Building Science from Auburn University.
Jefferson joined the Watkins Real Estate Group construction team in 2019 to assist with all retail and multi-family projects.
Prior to joining Watkins, Jefferson worked as a project manager in a wide range of markets including mixed-use retail, government, senior living, and environmental projects for Winter Construction as well as healthcare for M.J. Harris Construction.
Jefferson holds a BS in Building Science and a BS in Business Administration, both from Auburn University.
Jefferson Dean
Construction Manager
Jefferson joined the Watkins Real Estate Group construction team in 2019 to assist with all retail and multi-family projects.
Prior to joining Watkins, Jefferson worked as a project manager in a wide range of markets including mixed-use retail, government, senior living, and environmental projects for Winter Construction as well as healthcare for M.J. Harris Construction.
Jefferson holds a BS in Building Science and a BS in Business Administration, both from Auburn University.
Zach supports the construction and execution of all retail and multifamily projects. Zach graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Business Administration and earned a construction management certification from Florida Atlantic University.
During college, Zach completed internships with Hensel Phelps Construction Company and Stiles Construction Company where he worked on a variety of projects including federal government buildings, high-rise multifamily, and mixed-use projects. Prior to joining Watkins Real Estate Group in 2022, Zach was a Construction Analyst with LIDL US in the Southeast region.
Zach Wolf
Assistant Construction Manager
Zach supports the construction and execution of all retail and multifamily projects. Zach graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Business Administration and earned a construction management certification from Florida Atlantic University.
During college, Zach completed internships with Hensel Phelps Construction Company and Stiles Construction Company where he worked on a variety of projects including federal government buildings, high-rise multifamily, and mixed-use projects. Prior to joining Watkins Real Estate Group in 2022, Zach was a Construction Analyst with LIDL US in the Southeast region.
Operations
Robert Stumpe joined Watkins in August 2016. He oversees and directs the multi-family portfolio’s operations team to ensure optimal property performance from lease-up through disposition.
He is responsible for the overall management of asset sales including underwriting, marketing, contract negotiations, and closing. He helps drive strategy on new developments, analyzes new investment decisions, and assists with due diligence.
Prior to joining Watkins, Robert acted as a consultant for a number of real estate firms in the Atlanta area. He is formerly the Vice President of Investments for the Carroll Organization. His experience includes positions at both Morgan Stanley and Deloitte.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University and a MBA from the University of Georgia. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
Robert Stumpe
Asset Manager
Robert Stumpe joined Watkins in August 2016. He oversees and directs the multi-family portfolio’s operations team to ensure optimal property performance from lease-up through disposition.
He is responsible for the overall management of asset sales including underwriting, marketing, contract negotiations, and closing. He helps drive strategy on new developments, analyzes new investment decisions, and assists with due diligence.
Prior to joining Watkins, Robert acted as a consultant for a number of real estate firms in the Atlanta area. He is formerly the Vice President of Investments for the Carroll Organization. His experience includes positions at both Morgan Stanley and Deloitte.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University and a MBA from the University of Georgia. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
Bio coming soon.
Lisa Williams
Retail Property Manager
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Kim Higgins
Florida Operations
Bio coming soon.