A&C DEVELOPMENT - Key Persons


AARON POPPE

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager

AMY SEARS

Job Titles:
  • Founders
  • President, PMI

B.J. KELLY

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager, Commercial - Director of Procurement for Special Projects
With more than 14 years of extensive experience in the construction and development industry, B.J. is one of A&C's project managers on all commercial projects. B.J. is a graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He is responsible for all commercial project plant material submittals, as well as locating, tagging and purchasing all green goods. He is accountable for scheduling all plant material deliveries and maintaining project timelines. "My favorite A&C project to date is the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Center for Advanced Pediatrics. Children's in an amazing institution and I'm honored to have been a part of bringing that campus to life."

BRIAN ELLIOTT

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Brian is a graduate of Auburn University and has over 17 years of experience in the Commercial Landscape/Hardscape industry. His responsibilities include management of the entire scope of Commercial Projects from start up to completion. He strives to ensure each and every project is completed on time, on budget and at the level of exceptional quality that A&C is known for. He values efficient communication and organization as these are integral components of a successful project management role, and can handle stressful and challenging situations with the utmost professionalism.

Chris Sears - COO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer, LEED AP, ASLA Georgia Registered Landscape Architect GA LA001340, Commercial General Contractor GC QA005078, GSWCC Level II Certified Designer
  • Founder of a & C Development
Chris Sears, founder of A&C Development, has over 20 years of industry experience in the Atlanta market and holds a Commercial General Contractor's license (unlimited tier). Chris is also a Registered Landscape Architect, and owner of Sears, Smith and Associates, Inc., a full-service, Atlanta-based Landscape Architecture firm. He has a passion for building client relationships, and strives to build unique and memorable places across Atlanta. His earliest industry experiences include humble beginnings working on landscape construction crews, as a nurseryman, working in forestry and even as a survey technician. Chris began his career in Atlanta with a small firm where he gained experience working on projects for developers, homebuilders, and large residential estates. In 2001, Chris moved to a Project Management role for ValleyCrest, the largest landscape contractor in the nation. This move allowed him to gain valuable management and construction experience on large multimillion-dollar commercial projects. With continued success at the firm, he was promoted to a business development role, then ultimately went on to create and lead their Design-Build Department. While exceeding all corporate goals and expectations, Chris had a vision to provide superior service to his clients and decided to devote all of his efforts to establishing a company that would do just that. In 2005, Chris established Sears, Smith and Associates, Inc. (SS&A), which has since provided clients across the metro Atlanta area with analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environments. SS&A has created memorable designs for its clients' outdoor spaces ranging from mixed-use and commercial landscaping, to stunning private, residential backyard makeovers and golf course communities. Understanding the need for a seamless option for the implementation and installation of these designs, Chris and his wife, Amy, then established A&C Development, Inc., as a general landscape contractor in 2005. Since then, A&C has delivered many visions into realities. We continue to strive to build memorable places, whether designed by SS&A or in partnership with any of the other great Landscape Architecture firms, General Contractors, Developers, or Property Owners in Atlanta! "I love to work on projects where the client appreciates our expertise and talents, and is ultimately amazed by our process and deliverables. Being able to enjoy a project after completion with a client is what makes us enjoy continuing what we do!"

DAVID TOWNSON

Job Titles:
  • Operations Manager
  • Senior Development Manager
With more than 33 years of construction experience, David is A&C's Development Manager for all commercial projects. David oversees the management of the entire project from preconstruction bidding to project turnover. His day-to-day responsibilities include the field management of all subcontractors including landscape, hardscape, irrigation, fence, electricians, plumbers, concrete flatwork contractors and more. David's extensive experience will ensure your project is delivered on time and on budget. "My favorite projects are those where the entire construction team and I work with a team approach to ensure a high-quality project within the budget. One such project was Skyland Trails Young Adult Center in Brookhaven. It was a beautiful blend of creating a structure with very intriguing hardscapes that was softened and enhanced by the landscape surrounding it. As a construction team, we had to work together closely with everyone to ensure all the elements of the project were added at the right time all the while respecting each other's work. It was also one I was happy to do because I knew the need for a place that these young adults could be comfortable in and develop in a very safe environment."

ELLIOTT STOCKARD

Job Titles:
  • Development Manager, Residential Developers and Commercial Clients
  • Senior Development Manager, Residential Developers and Commercial Clients
Elliott serves as the main Point of Contact for all residential projects or projects for residential developers, builders, and residential property managers. His responsibilities include management of the entire scope of the project from start up to completion. Elliott's role is to ensure A&C client satisfaction, managing the process to ensure the end product meets or exceeds all expectations. He is not only the client's primary point of contact, but is instrumental in coordinating the many valuable trade partners that handle landscape, irrigation, fencing, concrete, pavers, etc. He is Instrumental during permitting and coordination with local municipalities to ensure project compliance.

GINGER ECHOLS

Job Titles:
  • Office Manager
As the Office Manager, Ginger handles all of the invoicing, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable for A&C Development, Inc. Ginger does whatever she can to help make everything run smoothly and keep A&C's clients happy! "I enjoy doing something different every day. I love working with A&C because each day has its own unique challenges and responsibilities."

HECTOR SANDOVAL

Job Titles:
  • Site Supervisor

JASON VOIGHT

Job Titles:
  • Site Supervisor

jOE PETIT

Job Titles:
  • Chief
  • Estimator
Joe brings over 15 years experience in estimating for Hemma Concrete, and we are excited to have him leading our Preconstruction and estimating efforts.

JORDAN ECTON

Job Titles:
  • Site Supervisor
  • Superintendent

MATT MCCLURE

Job Titles:
  • General Superintendent
With almost 20 years in the construction industry, Matt supervises the on-site operations for A&C. Matt oversees on-site subcontractors for scope and quality of work, and that budgets and schedules are met or exceeded. Matt will work directly with the owner to ensure satisfaction. "My more memorable project was a bandstand behind a local municipality's City Hall. Due to its location and the approaching Memorial Day holiday, a large televised celebration and unveiling was scheduled for that weekend - all eyes were on this project and me. With the team's hard work and dedication, the project was completed the Wednesday before with no punch out needed. And since, the bandstand and celebration are still seen on TV every Memorial Day weekend. People call every time to say they saw the bandstand on TV, and I'm proud to have been a part of that."

MEGAN WASNIEWSKI

Job Titles:
  • Project Administrator

PEGGY BARBER

Job Titles:
  • Project Coordinator

ROBIN ECHOLS

Job Titles:
  • Business Development and Project Manager
Robin brings 15+ successful years of construction experience to our company. She has worked extensively in multi-family housing as well as in various related subcontractor fields. Her devotion and drive to complete projects efficiently with superb results can be seen whether in the capacity of Business Development, Purchasing, or Project Management related duties. With her outgoing disposition and ability to relate with clients, contractors, or subcontractors, she has proven a great asset to our team.

TYLER TOWNSON

Job Titles:
  • Superintendent
Tyler is a United States Veteran with high drive and strong work ethic. He has experience in project and resource management, as well as the motivation to accomplish a project beyond expectations and ahead of schedule. Tyler is eager and willing to tackle any task A&C places in front of him.

XAVI SANDOVAL

Job Titles:
  • Site Superintendent and Safety Officer
Xavi has spent most of his life involved in various aspects of the construction industry. A background in hardscape sales and masonry installations, a degree In management, and being bilingual, have all contributed greatly to the diverse skillset of A&C. Building on his experience as an onsite superintendent, and being promoted to Safety Officer, his can-do attitude, team approach, and willingness to complete projects as efficiently and safely as possible has helped strengthen the A&C team. "My favorite project I've been on has been Peachtree Hills in Buckhead. With such an expansive site and a very wide scope, it really taught me a lot. Seeing a project on such a large scale come together is super gratifying!"