LEXINGTON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Director of Communications Sales Leasing Agent
Alaina is an eighth generation native of Boone County, KY. Raised in Union, KY, Alaina graduated from Ryle High School and then attended Transylvania University in Lexington. She graduated cum laude from Transylvania University with degrees in International Security and Philosophy. In 2007, Alaina was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship with the Fulbright Austria program. While in Austria, she traveled extensively throughout Europe and refined her German language skills. After a year in Austria with the Fulbright Commission, Alaina returned to Lexington to complete her Master's Degree at the University of Kentucky's Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.
Alaina began her career in real estate as a member of the Economic Development team at Commerce Lexington. She assisted new and expanding business in the Bluegrass Region, specifically with site selection. After three years of working with commercial real estate professionals in the region, Alaina joined Block + Lot Real Estate in February 2014. She specializes in the sales and leasing of industrial and office properties and the acquisition of multifamily properties. Alaina excels at the identification and underwriting of on and off market investment properties and works daily to assist her clients in meeting their investment acquisition goals. She has worked with clients to sell, purchase, or lease property in every county in the Bluegrass Region, as well as Louisville and NKY.
Alaina resides in Lexington with her husband, Zac, and their children, Hudson and Stella. She enjoys traveling, reading, and cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kentucky Wildcats!
Originally from North Carolina, Alexandra has spent the past decade carving out a dynamic and impactful presence in the heart of Kentucky. Alexandra graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from the University of Kentucky, armed with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration focusing on marketing. She not only absorbed knowledge but actively transformed it into action, and it was during this time of Alexandra's academic career that she discovered her passion for Real Estate as a member of the University of Kentucky Real Estate Club. Alexandra was also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, serving as the Human Resources Director and the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and empowering fellow students.
Alexandra's marketing niche continues to form as she uses digital marketing analytics to illuminate marketing strategies, ensuring decisions are not just intuitive but also backed by analytical rigor, while highlighting specific competitive advantages in the market. Through meticulous attention to detail and a genuine passion for the art of branding, Alexandra elevates the image and representation of properties and clients to unparalleled heights. She also works to bridge the gap between business and community, emphasizing the importance of philanthropic opportunities and community service in Lexington.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at MWM Consulting
Originally from Western Kentucky, Amy Mellinger moved to Lexington in 1984 where she studied Interior Design at the University of Kentucky.
With 22 years of experience in the Commercial Real Estate industry, her career has included management of commercial build-to-suit projects, leasing, property management and landlord/client representation. Most recently, Amy served as the Principal Broker and partner at Fortune Realty.
Through Amy's career, she has negotiated hundreds of commercial leases with regional, national and global tenants while managing a real estate portfolio of over 850,000 square feet. She strives to thoroughly understand the business models and objectives of her clients, either investors with long term financial goals or tenants with a specific space need.
Amy serves on the Board of Directors for Traditional Bank. She is a member of the Commercial Property Association of Lexington (CPAL) where she served as Past President and Vice President and currently sits on the Board of Directors. She is a member of The National Association of Realtors (NAR), Kentucky Association of Realtors (KAR), and Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors (LBAR).
In addition to her role as a partner at Block + Lot, Amy is also a partner at MWM Consulting, LLC, a business management company specializing in economic development and tax incentive negotiation. She also co-owns Paxton Home, a furniture and home décor business in Lexington, with her daughter Paige.
Ashley Greathouse was raised in Lexington, Kentucky where she attended Henry Clay High School. She received a B.A. from University of Kentucky in 2002 and a J.D. from University of Kentucky in 2006. A life-long Kentucky resident, Ashley has a passion for the Bluegrass and land conservation, as well as real estate.
In addition to working as a sales associate for Block + Lot, Ashley is an attorney serving as Counsel and Director of Conservation for Bluegrass Land Conservancy, the first nationally accredited land trust in Kentucky. She began her career at Bluegrass Conservancy in 2007 and has worked with board, staff, and professional advisors to significantly increase the pace of conservation in the Bluegrass for over a decade. She has helped more than 140 landowners permanently protect over 30,000 acres with conservation easements for future generations. Prior to joining the private, nonprofit land trust, Ashley was an associate attorney for McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie, & Kirkland in Lexington, Kentucky
Brian Luftman was raised in Lexington, KY where he attended Dunbar High School. In 2001 he obtained a B.S. in Finance from Miami of Ohio's Farmer School of Business. Immediately after college, Luftman moved to Chicago to pursue his dream of being a floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He ended up buying a seat on the exchange and trading commodity options for 10 years. During that time, he founded Luftrade, which specialized in cattle, corn, soybean and wheat options.
In 2011, Luftman founded American Farm Investors in his hometown of Lexington, KY. AFI is a full service farmland investment company in Lexington, KY, specializing in profitable farmland investments. AFI is one of the only firms in the country who syndicates farmland purchases and allows profitable agricultural assets to be held in an IRA or 401K account. Luftman currently lives in Lexington with his wife, Sara and their two young children.
A born-and-raised Lexingtonian, Clay attended Lexington Catholic High School and graduated with a B.A. from the University of Miami (FL) in 2006. While attending Miami, Clay held apprenticeships with The Miami Heat's marketing department and Ocean Drive Magazine, experiences that would prove uniquely impactful as he later transitioned into the roles that would ultimately define his real estate career. Clay's career in commercial real estate began when he founded ACRE, a full-service commercial brokerage specializing in digital trends and marketing. In 2012, Clay was selected as a "Power Broker" in leasing by the Costar Group.
Colleen Barr was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from Henry Clay High School, she attended the University of Alabama and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. Colleen continued her education by earning a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Louisville. Colleen received her Real Estate License in 1997 and began working as a commercial leasing and sales associate in 1998. Colleen has obtained her Broker's License and Certified Investment Member (CCIM) designation. She has served at Vice President and President of the Commercial Property Association of Lexington (CPAL), is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Colleen specializes in leasing and sales of office, retail and industrial properties. Colleen is married and has three active children. She is involved with the Parent Teacher Association at her children's schools and is a Member of Christ the King Church.
Elizabeth Carter is a native of Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of Lexington Christian Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental & Occupational Health from the University of Kentucky. During her time as a masters student, Elizabeth served within the NIOSH/CDC-funded Central Appalachian Regional Education Research Center (CARERC).
Before joining Block + Lot, Elizabeth worked as a federal contractor supporting the U.S Department of Homeland Security - Transportation Security Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Environment (OSHE). During her time with TSA OSHE, Elizabeth's time was spent overseeing the health and safety programs of federalized airports in the Northeast territory.
Elizabeth joined Block + Lot as a Sales and Leasing Agent in 2022. In addition to her role at Block + Lot, Elizabeth works as a Project Manager for MWM Consulting, a sister-company of Block + Lot that specializes in economic development, site selection and tax incentive negotiations for corporate clients and local Economic Development Organizations.
Greg Leveridge was raised in Lexington, Kentucky, where he attended and graduated from Sayre School. He received his B.A. from The University of the South (Sewanee) in 2002 and received additional education at Oxford University in England and the New York Real Estate Institute in New York City. Gregory spent 6 years in New York City selling real estate throughout Manhattan where he represented buyers, sellers, and developers in both residential and commercial real estate transactions.
Now a proud resident of Lexington with his wife and two children, Greg specializes in the sales and leasing of Commercial, Residential, and Investment properties throughout Kentucky. Since the inception of Block + Lot, he has brokered over 10,000,000 SF of sales and leasing transactions, with a sales and leasing volume of over $100,000,000.
In recent years he has taken an active role in downtown Lexington, and in the revitalization of The Lexington Distillery District as the listing agent since the inception of its massive redevelopment. A developer himself, he also aids in development and redevelopment strategy and leasing. Greg is co-founder and partner of Block + Lot Real Estate.
Job Titles:
- Lot Team Member
- Sales
- Sales Leasing Agent
Gresham Wilson was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from Lexington Christian Academy High School, he attended the University of Kentucky where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was actively involved in their philanthropy. In the summer of 2019, he received his real estate license and later that year graduated from the University of Kentucky.
While finishing up his Bachelor of Science in Finance, Gresham interned with Fortune Realty where he gained valuable commercial real estate experience. Following graduation, he joined Fortune Realty full time and continued to develop his knowledge of real estate in Lexington and the surrounding markets.
Job Titles:
- Sales
- Sales Leasing Agent
- Winchester First Director
Lara Early Thornbury is a true Clark County native with ancestors dating back to the founding of Winchester. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
Her love of history and historic preservation started at a young age and grew with her in her career as Executive Director, of Winchester First, a downtown redevelopment program. She served as head of downtown revitalization efforts for the City of Winchester for almost seven years and became a regional captain for the Kentucky Heritage Council, overseeing 13 central Kentucky communities.
As Winchester First Director, Lara implemented several signature events- the most popular being the Beer Cheese Festival. Since starting in the real estate business over 7 years ago, she has sold over 25 historic buildings in downtown Winchester.
Lara loves selling and leasing all types of commercial property in smaller markets around central KY and helping bridge the gap between locals and outside investors. She serves as Vice President of the Fortnightly Club of Winchester. Lara and her husband have 2 children, Robert Harris and Frances Cate.
Lauren Cambron was born and raised in Versailles, Kentucky and is a graduate of Lexington Catholic High School. She went on to attend the University of Kentucky where she focused primarily on the study of Public Relations with an emphasis on social media and promotional marketing. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Integrated Strategic Communications.
Lauren joined Block + Lot Real Estate in August 2016, and served as the Marketing Director until Fall of 2022. Her experience and knowledge of Marketing and Social Media practices enables her to pinpoint key strategies to use in ultimately selling or leasing a property. She received her Real Estate License in August 2017 and specializes in the sales and leasing of Commercial and Residential Investment Properties in Central Kentucky. Lauren is a member of the Lexington Catholic Alumni Council and the Junior Leadership Council for the Catholic Education Opportunities Foundation. She also serves on a Marketing Advisory Board for the Town Branch Trail.
Lauren has been recognized by Costar as a Quarterly Power Broker for the Lexington-Fayette Market in the Industrial and Retail Leasing categories, as well as the Top Sales Category.
Lesli Lawrence was raised in Lexington, Kentucky and attended Lexington Catholic High School. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Management. Lesli is also a graduate of the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville Executive MBA Program.
Lesli's career in commercial real estate began in 2006 as Landlord representative for Anderson Communities. She was designated a Certified Commercial Investment Member in 2010, was asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the Lexington CCIM Chapter in 2011, and later became the youngest and first female President of the Lexington CCIM Chapter in 2013. Lesli has also served on the Board of Directors for the Lexington, Kentucky CCIM Chapter. She is a Certified Property Manager with IREM and volunteers with The Hope Center.
Job Titles:
- Economic Dev. Specialist Sales Leasing Agent
Lucas Witt was born and raised in Lexington, KY, which is where he and his wife Lyndsey call home. Lucas attended Lexington Christian Academy High School and then proceeded to the University of Kentucky on a baseball scholarship. He graduated from the University of Kentucky's Gatton School of Business with a Master's in Business Administration in 2015.
Lucas brings a unique set of skills and background to the Block + Lot team. He spent two years at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development as a project manager within the Business Development department. During those two years, the Cabinet attained record years in announced capital investment and new jobs created. During his tenure, Lucas closed projects totaling more than $1 billion in capital investment and 2,000 new jobs.
At the start of 2019, Lucas began his career in commercial real estate while also establishing an economic development consulting firm. Along with Amy Mellinger, MWM Consulting was founded, a firm that represents new and expanding industries and Economic Development Authorities across the state. MWM is involved in all aspects of economic development and specializes in assisting clients in site selection, industrial related real estate, and tax incentive consulting based upon capital investment and new jobs created. Through these experiences, Lucas has specialized in industrial real estate, transactions, and leasing while bringing unique opportunities to our real estate clients at Block + Lot.
Peter Barr is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Peter attended The Lexington School, Lexington Catholic High School and Bolletierri Tennis Academy (Bradenton, FL). He graduated with a B.A. from the University of the South (Sewanee) in 2003. Peter was four year letterman for the Sewanee Tennis Team and four year participant in the NCAA Tournament.
Peter's career in commercial real estate began in 2005 as a Sales/Leasing Associate with Haymaker/Bean Commercial Real Estate in Lexington, KY. Following his tenure with Haymaker/Bean, Peter partnered with Gregory Leveridge and Clay Angelucci to form Block + Lot Real Estate, LLC in 2013. He was designated a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) in October of 2008. CCIM's are recognized as experts in commercial real estate brokerage and investment analysis. Peter was designated into the Society of Office and Industrial Realtors (SIOR) as an industrial specialist in July of 2015 and a dual specialist (office and industrial) in October of 2020. Peter is one of five central Kentucky market SIOR's and one of three dual specialist SIOR's. With approximately 3,100 members worldwide, SIOR's are recognized as most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists. Peter specializes in the sales and leasing of Industrial, Office, Retail, Land, and Investment Properties throughout the Kentucky markets. He is a member of The Lexington and Kentucky CCIM Chapters where he served as President of the Lexington Chapter in 2012. In addition, Peter is a member of The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and The Commercial Property Association of Lexington (CPAL) where he served on the Board of Directors from 2010-2014. In 2019, Peter was inducted into the Lexington Catholic High School Hall of Fame.
Since the inception of Block + Lot in 2013, Peter has brokered industrial sales/leases over 4,000,0000 square feet, office sales/leases over 1,000,000 SF, 1031 and direct investment transactions over $55,000,0000 with a total sales/leasing volume in excess of $160,000,000. In 2018 Costar began recognizing the top individual brokers in the market for the first time with individual Power Broker Awards. For the year of 2018, Peter was recognized as both the top industrial and office broker in the central Kentucky market. For the year of 2019, Peter again was recognized as the top industrial broker in the central Kentucky market. Lastly, For the year of 2020, Peter was recognized by KCREA as the top industrial broker in the state of Kentucky.
Rob Lewis was born in Danville and grew up as the son of a Naval Officer. He has also lived in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Maryland and Virginia. He received his B.A. degree in business management from the University of Kentucky in 1993. Rob spent nine years in the telecommunications industry with GTE, Verizon and Alltel. Rob's success in the telecommunications industry translated into two "Winner's Circle" trips as a top sales performer in the company. He also was nominated for the Chairman's Leadership Award while working on the University of Kentucky account team for GTE.
For the past twenty years, Rob has been with Global Advancement, a strategic fundraising & campaign counsel firm owned by him and his father. They have worked with numerous clients on capital and endowment campaigns, and feasibility studies. Rob has served as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Bluegrass Chapter, the Lexington Charity Club Board, Lexington Public Library Young Professionals Committee and as the 2012 Summer Symposium Co-Chair for The Giving Institute. He also served on the Good Shepherd Day School Board from 2016-2021.
Rob brings a wide network of relationships and connections to the Commercial Real Estate business.
Vinny Paiva was raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and is a 2013 graduate of Transylvania University. Following college, he was hired at the Lexington-based "Big Ass Fans Company" where he worked in business development and sales. Vinny's primary focus was growing the brand and expanding into various international markets. Fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish, he spent some time living in Brazil and collaborating with other brands to grow their international presence as well.
Prior to joining Block + Lot, Vinny worked for Fortune Realty as a sales agent. He volunteers as an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity in Fayette County - a nonprofit whose mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.