President and CEO

John L. Knott, Jr.

President and co-founder of the Noisette Company, LLC, John Knott leads the Noisette Project development team, which is collaborating in a public-private partnership with the City of North Charleston to restore 3,000 acres of the city's historic urban core. Knott has 38 years of experience in the urban redevelopment, historic preservation and community rehabilitation fields. He is an internationally recognized leader in the redevelopment of cities, and has served as an advisor to municipalities throughout the United States and Canada, in addition to cities in China and Russia.

Mr. Knott is a third generation builder and developer, with extensive experience in the holistic development of planned communities, sustainable development, Green Buildings, commercial offices, hotels, and renovation and restoration of historic properties and urban revitalization. He also specializes in ecologically sound and efficient energy design, and ranks among the nation's leading advocates of development that preserves, protects and enhances the natural environment.

As the Noisette Company's visionary, Knott guides the Company's master planning process with the local community in North Charleston, emphasizing the balance between business and residential uses with the restoration of the region's ecosystem. Recently, John served as CEO and Managing Director of the 1,206-acre Dewees Island, community near Charleston, South Carolina, an oceanfront island retreat dedicated to environmental preservation and recognized as one of the leading eco-friendly residential developments in the world. In 2001, Dewees won the Urban Land Institute's prestigious Award for Excellence.

A few of his many appointments include Eisenhower Foundation and the Heinz Center Design Committee, both in Washington, DC; Chairman of the ULI South Carolina District Council; Chairman for Charleston County's 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Transportation Advisory Board; and Board Member of Melaver, Inc., a southeast green development company headquartered in Savannah, Georgia.

Natives of Baltimore, Maryland, John and his wife Diane have lived in Charleston for the past 15 years. The Knotts have three children, and five grandchildren.

Co-Founder & Director of Community Revitalization

James H. "Jim" Augustin, Jr.

In 1997, Navy Captain Jim Augustin retired from the Navy Civil Engineer Corps after 26 years and co-founded with John Knott what has become Noisette. Councilman Kurt Taylor invited John and Jim to apply their redevelopment vision in North Charleston. From early 1998 there evolved a collaboration with the City based common goals and on detailed research of all aspects of the area. In the Navy, Jim's responsibilities included Base Closure Officer for the Charleston Navy Base, and Executive Officer at the regional facilities engineering command based in North Charleston. Jim worked to focus the Navy on sustainability issues. A Professional Engineer, Jim has extensive experience in master planning, facility planning and design, facility service and construction contract management, environmental compliance/cleanup, utilities installation/management and sustainable design/construction. Today, Jim spearheads a continuous conversation with the residents and Community Advisors centered on community revitalization. He leads implementation of the Noisette Creek Preserve, other initiatives, and research.

Chief Operating Officer

Arthur L. "Art" Titus

As Director of Operations, Art manages properties within The Noisette Company's portfolio that are in the construction phase of development. Titus is the executive in charge of Oak Terrace Preserve, a 400-unit residential community being developed by Noisette for the City of North Charleston. Titus is a senior executive with more than 20 years experience in the homebuilding and community development field. He has been an industry leader in a diverse group of national and regional companies, including Ryan Homes, Inc., and John Wieland Homes. A native of western Pennsylvania, Titus served as an officers in the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Director of Development

Roger E. Noyes

Roger Noyes is the Director of Development for the Noisette Company, responsible for planning and development, property management, leasing, and land sales for The Navy Yard at Noisette. Roger is a native of London, England and a Chartered Surveyor with over 30 years experience in commercial real estate development in England, Australia, and the United States. He has been based in the southeastern US since 1978, initially representing the US interests of the Taylor Woodrow Property Company and later as the regional partner for Realco International. He has been responsible for all aspects of many office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use developments and restorations.

Chief Financial Officer

James Haley

Jim directs the company's accounting, budget, treasury and finance functions. As a member of the senior leadership team, he is involved in all aspects of the planning, financing, and implementation of the sustainable redevelopment project. Jim has twenty years of experience in the accounting and finance field including eight years in the real estate development industry. Previously, Jim was the CFO and Island Manager for the Dewees Island development project near Charleston. The Dewees project is a successful barrier island residential community widely recognized for its dedication to environmental and sustainable development practices. A native of Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, Jim earned an accounting degree from Bentley College. He and his family have lived in Charleston since 1994.

Director of Marketing

Melissa Titus

Melissa Titus is the Director of Marketing for The Noisette Company. Melissa is the Director of Marketing for EQA Landmark Communities, LP, a development partner of the Noisette Company. For Noisette, Melissa is responsible for overseeing all marketing, communications and promotions. Melissa also oversees the consumer research, project positioning, and marketing strategies for EQA's Western Pennsylvania projects including Summerset at Frick Park, Newbury Market, Edgewater, and 151 First Side. A graduate of Syracuse University, Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design. Melissa is a resident of Pittsburgh, PA and enjoys the opportunity to regularly be in the Charleston area working on Noisette.

General Counsel

W. Andrew Gowder, Jr.

Andy Gowder is General Counsel for The Noisette Company. A shareholder in the law firm of Pratt-Thomas, Epting & Walker, P.A. in Charleston, S.C., Andy's practice has an emphasis in land use, natural resources and corporate representation. He holds leadership positions in the American Bar Association, State & Local Government Section, and the South Carolina Bar, as a member of its House of Delegates. He is a founding member and general counsel for the Congress for New Urbanism, Carolinas Chapter and is a full member of the Urban Land Institute, sitting on its Sustainable Development Council. Andy was born and raised in the Charleston area and remains active in the community, serving as Chairman of The Sustainability Institute, as chair-elect of Crisis Ministries, as legal counsel to the Noisette Foundation, the Coastal Conservation League, the I'On Assembly and other local nonprofits. Andy graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wofford College, and earned his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Project Manager

Jeff Baxter

Jeff Baxter is a Project Manager with the Noisette Company and focuses on planning and development efforts within The Navy Yard at Noisette. Most recently, Jeff has been a project manager for the 10 Storehouse Row Rehabilitation. Currently, he is involved with the rehabilitation of 8 and 9 Storehouse Row into residential lofts. In an ongoing role, Jeff has managed Noisette's planning and historic preservation efforts. Jeff is a member of the Urban Land Institute, and the American Society of Landscape Architects. Jeff received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Honors from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University.

Project Manager

Elias Deeb

Elias Deeb is a Project Manager for the Noisette Co. who focuses on construction operations. He interfaces with architects, engineers and construction managers on a regular basis. The Noisette Company manages its construction performance based on schedule, budget, quality, and sustainability. Prior to joining Noisette, Elias was the General Manager for a local sustainable home builder and implemented the first 100% Energy Star approved home building program in the Lowcountry. Originally from Tallahassee, FL, Elias received a BS from Florida State University in 1998 and a MBA from The Citadel in 2005.

Project Manager

Shawn McKay

As Project Manager, Shawn McKay establishes and directs in-house Property Management at The Navy Yard with an emphasis on sustainable operations. She is also responsible for leasing in combination with the Development team. Shawn started in commercial real estate as a Certified Public Accountant for one of the "Big 8," then worked in corporate real estate in several capacities, including controller and a leasing representative for nationally based companies' office locations. After being introduced to environmentally sustainable development, she pursued this niche as a project manager with the Cleveland Environmental Center, one of the first sustainable redevelopment/historic preservation projects in the country.

Noisette Urban Alliance Manager

Karen Thrower

As Manager of the Noisette Urban Alliance, Karen works with fifteen manufacturers who all provide sustainable building products for commercial and residential applications. Her primary responsibility is to interface with each manufacturer on a local, regional and national level, introducing them to project opportunities within the 3000-acre Noisette footprint and throughout Charleston. She is also responsible for coordinating customized training programs for builders, designers, architects and contractors. A native Charlestonian, Karen attended the College of Charleston, and previously worked for SunCom and Pratt-Thomas Gumb & Co. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and is a member of the US Green Building Council.

Director of Accounting, Human Resources

Brice Hall

Accountant

Meghan Cloud

Office Manager

Leslie Anderson

Executive Assistant

Shannon Deeb

Shannon joined the Noisette team in September 2004. As Executive Assistant to John L. Knott, Jr., Shannon's main responsibility is to coordinate the numerous speaking engagements and board meetings in which Mr. Knott participates. For five years prior to Noisette, Shannon was with The Beach Company working in the Commercial Brokerage Division.

Executive Assistant

Rochelle Johnson

Rochelle is the Executive Assistant to Jim Augustin, Roger Noyes and Art Titus. Rochelle is responsible for the HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Academy and works extensively with the Noisette Project Manager Team on special projects such as Oak Terrace Preserve and The Navy Yard. Rochelle comes to us from LS3P and graduated from South Carolina State University with a BA in Marketing.

Executive Director of The Navy Yard

Jenny Wiedower

Jenny Wiedower is Executive Director of The Navy Yard at Noisette Community Association and Business District Association. In this role, she is responsible for implementing the governance structure of the residents and business owners of The Navy Yard, serving as the community contact person, and promoting The Navy Yard and surrounding areas as a socially durable community. Prior to this position, Jenny served as the first Coordinator for the South Carolina District Council of the Urban Land Institute, and Program Coordinator for Cumberland Region Tomorrow in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Jenny received a BA in English Literature from Rhodes College and a Masters of Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston

Noisette Company Board of Investors

James M. “Jim” Ramich

James Ramich, Managing Director of Noisette Investors LLC, serves as Co-Chairman of the Noisette Company.  From 1999-2003 Ramich was Venture Partner of Gabriel Venture Partners, a venture capital firm that has raised in excess of $250 million in capital for investment in early stage technology companies.  A resident of Charleston, Ramich spent 25 years with Corning, Inc, holding positions such as Vice President Business Development, President of Corning Japan in Tokyo, and Executive Vice President of the Corporation.  Currently he specializes in funding investments in early stage companies that will have a transformational impact, where he can add value.  A graduate of Union College, Ramich holds an MBA degree from Columbia.

John Barter

A resident of Charleston, John Barter is a director of SRA International, a NYSE company, and Bottomline Technologies, a NASDAQ company. Mr. Barter also serves on the board of BMC Software, Inc., listed on the NYSE. Retired from Allied Signal, now Honeywell, he was that Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1988 to 1994. In Charleston, Mr. Barter is active in community affairs, serving as a director and Vice President of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and as a director of Darkness to Light and the Charleston Education Network.

Van C. Campbell

Van Campbell joined Corning Incorporated of New York in 1964 as a financial analyst, rising through the company ranks as an executive, finally becoming Vice Chairman for Finance and Administration, and a member of Corning’s Board of Directors. After his retirement from Corning in 1994, Campbell served on the Board of Directors for Armstrong World Industries, Inc., and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. A graduate of Cornell University, he holds a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.

Robert Lurie

Robert Lurie is a national pioneer in quality childcare for working families throughout the United States. During his 25-year career in childcare, he was director of the non-profit community agency in Summit, New Jersey, and founder and CEO of Resources for Child Care Management (RCCM). Currently, Lurie is involved with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Trident United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Cardiovascular Institute for Research and Prevention at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Brett Malky

Brett Malky is the President of EQA Landmark Communities, LP, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of the Noisette Company’s strategic business partners. Malky co-founded EQA in 1998, to help develop a new generation of American homes and communities. Currently, he oversees the business operations and development end of EQA, with responsibilities including forming business partnerships with developers.

Wilbur J. “Bill” Prezzano, Jr.

Bill Prezzanao held a number of high level managerial positions with Eastman Kodak Company, ultimately retiring in January 1997 as Kodak’s Vice Chairman and member of the Board of Directors. His accomplishments at Kodak led to record sales and earnings for the company in the 1980s. Today, Prezzano serves on corporate boards like Toronto Dominion Bank. His list of non-profit boards includes a position as chairman of the Health Sciences Foundation at the Medical University of South Carolina, and the executive committee at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston.

P. Richard “Dick” Rittlemann, FAIA

Dick Rittlemann serves as the vice chairman of Burt Hill Kosar Rittlemann Associates, a 350-plus employee architectural and engineering firm headquartered in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rittlemann’s career with Burt Hill began in 1997, after he served in the US Navy Pacific Fleet. Internationally recognized as an expert on energy conservation in architectural design, he is a frequent speaker at universities throughout the US. Rittlemann also serves on the board of IBACOS and the Pittsburgh Council of International Visitors.