Our Team

Meet our exceptionally talented team.

John L. Nichols, III

President

A Lake Toxaway native, John L. Nichols, III founded The Nichols Company, Inc. in 1999. With over 30 years in real estate, he has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Charlotte’s inner-city communities and restoring numerous historic buildings in North Carolina. The Nichols Company is renowned for selling and leasing unique and stylish buildings.

Known for his creativity, John harbors a profound passion for photography, drones, and filmmaking.

Inspired by the Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit,”

John’s visionary leadership has propelled The Nichols Company to receive accolades such as “Charlotte’s Best Commercial Real Estate Firm” and “Charlotte’s Best Places to Work.” Moreover, the company boasts the “Number One Independent Brokerage for a Large Firm” title, with many of its brokers frequently recognized as Top Producers by the CRCBR.

Historically, John held the helm at the Plaza Central Development Group and has served on prominent boards including the CRCBR, Johnston YMCA, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He has been a driving force behind Charlotte’s transportation initiatives, including the Gold Line StreetCar and the Independence Blvd. Citizens Advisory Committee.

He recently co-founded The Historic Toxaway Foundation and actively serves on the board of the Heart of Brevard & Transylvania Economic Alliance. In recognition of his significant contributions, John was awarded the Charlotte Business Journal’s “40 Under 40.”

On a more personal note, John and his wife Mish, a distinguished broker at the Lake Toxaway Company, cherish their moments with their two daughters and son.

President

Josh Beaver

Vice President

Josh Beaver is a native Charlottean and joined The Nichols Company in 2003 after starting his career in commercial real estate brokerage in 2000. Over his career, Josh has been involved in hundreds of transactions totaling several hundred million dollars in value with an equal emphasis on both leasing and sales.

Josh won the award of excellence at The Nichols Company in 2004, Broker of the Year numerous times, the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors (“CRCBR”) Deal Makers award for achievement in commercial brokerage annually and has been recognized perennially as a Platinum broker by CRCBR for transaction volume, placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Retail category many times. Josh was voted by his peers in the Charlotte market as the Best Tenant Rep in Retail in 2016 and won the Top Overall Producer at an independent firm across all categories in 2018. CoStar has given Josh its prestigious Power Broker award numerous times during his career for transaction volume in the Retail category.

Josh became Vice President of The Nichols Company in December of 2007 and in 2012, was selected as a recipient of the prestigious Forty Under 40 award, as recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Josh is a licensed real estate broker in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (“ICSC”), where he served on the planning committee for the Carolinas Idea Exchange, was the North Carolina/South Carolina State Retail Chair and served as its Chair for the Carolinas Idea Exchange in 2015.

Josh is an active member of the Dowd YMCA of greater Charlotte, having represented its interests during a major renovation, a member of Christ Episcopal Church, ICSC and CRCBR. He attended Charlotte Latin School and received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University.

Josh lives in Charlotte with his wife, two children and two dogs.

Vice President

Mike Wetmore

Chief Financial Officer

Mike Wetmore joined The Nichols Company in March of 2022 as Chief Financial Officer. He brings a diverse background in Financial Planning and Analysis, having worked in both retail and manufacturing industries, and has experience working with financial modeling, business valuations, capital investments, and improving operational efficiency. Mike has a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as well as a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University. Originally from Pennsylvania, Mike has lived in Charlotte for 15 years now and has enjoyed the growth and opportunity the city has experienced over that timeframe.

Chief Financial Officer

George Karres

Broker

A Charlotte native, George graduated from Presbyterian College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Business with a double major in Economics and Management. He has been serving as a real estate Broker in NC & SC since 1992. George has served with the Gaston County YMCA Board, served as President of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and serves as Chairman of the Yiasou Greek Festival. George has been engaged in helping clients identify and acquire properties to meet their needs. George joined The Nichols Company in 2019.
George is married to Kiki Karres and they have three children Demetra, Theo and Andrew. George is a member at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte and serves on the Parish Council.

Broker

John Hadley

Broker

John Hadley has been working the last fifteen years in the restaurant industry. He was previously a co-owner of Just Fresh. He started the Doc Greens Gourmet Salads and Grill franchise in Charlotte. He has extensive experience in the restaurant industry from the creation, planning and design to the operational and expansion into multi locations. John has served as committee chairman of the Carolina Golf Club food/beverage committee while helping with menu, management and operations. He serves on the advisory board for the Elizabeth Area plan and participates in the Charlotte Streetcar Project.

John is married to Wendy Hadley and they have two children Ella and Sallie. John is a member of Dilworth United Methodist Church and a basketball coach for the Dowd YMCA for six years.

Broker

Lauren Bremer

Broker

Lauren, a Charlotte native, has spent her entire career in the commercial real estate industry. She began with five years in commercial title insurance sales in Manhattan, where her love for commercial real estate flourished.

Driven by a desire to return to her roots, Lauren made the decision to come back to Charlotte, where she embarked on a new role at Bisnow, producing real estate events for Charlotte, Raleigh, and Nashville. In April 2021, she proudly joined The Nichols Company.

Lauren’s unwavering commitment to excellence sets her apart in the industry. She takes immense pride in going the extra mile in every transaction, leveraging her passion for design, extensive knowledge of commercial real estate, and creative deal structuring abilities to differentiate herself from her competitors.

With a genuine understanding of the intricacies involved in buying or selling a commercial property, Lauren excels in demonstrating empathy, motivation, and exceptional negotiation skills—attributes that define her professional strengths.

Currently, Lauren is actively pursuing her CCIM designation, she was a winner of the CRCBR 2022 Silver Award. She remains an engaged member of the Charlotte community. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication from East Carolina University and is currently licensed in NC, SC, and NY.

Broker

Matt Stankus

Broker

Matt is a licensed Broker in North Carolina, specializing in commercial property sales for owners/occupiers and investors. Matt’s education and background in finance translates to high competency in commercial property financing, feasibility, and investment analysis.

Prior to commercial real estate, Matt was a Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he managed a portfolio of institutional clients dealing in foreign currency sales and trading. Matt began his career with Morgan Stanley in New York City where he worked in Institutional Equity Sales and Research. Matt has previously held his Series 7 and 63 licenses.

Matt was born and raised in Chapel Hill and graduated from Appalachian State University where he studied Economics and Finance. Matt is a member of the Professional Associates Network of the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina and a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church. Matt lives in Myers Park with his wife and son.

Broker

Mike Sullivan

Broker

Mike Sullivan is a seasoned broker with more than a decade of experience in commercial real estate. Since joining The Nichols Company in 2007, Mike has assisted hundreds of property owners in the sale and lease of their property and aided numerous buyers and tenants in locating space for office, retail and industrial uses. A former employee of the City of Charlotte (Neighborhood and Business Services) and a two term Commissioner on the Charlotte Planning Commission (2013-2019), Mike has accumulated extensive knowledge about land use, zoning, permitting and building standards as well as government organization, operations and procedures related to development. He has an undergraduate degree from Winthrop University and a MA from UNCC. Currently Mike is co-chair of CharlotteEast, board member of Preserve Mecklenburg, board member of The Charlotte Gold District and is a part-time instructor at Central Piedmont Community College.

Broker

Mish Nichols

Broker

Mish is a native of Columbia, SC and graduated from the University of the South (Sewanee). Real estate has been a part of her life since an early age, with a mother in the industry as well as her husband who owns The Nichols Company. Mish welcomes the opportunity to work with you as she understands the importance of a prudent investment since she was a licensed financial adviser at Merrill Lynch, and also has a discerning eye which served her well when she was a buyer for a retail company with multiple locations in the southeast.

Broker

Rusty Gibbs

Broker

A North Carolina native, Rusty moved to Charlotte in 1999 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and working abroad in London, England; he has been a licensed broker since 2005. Although his focus is on land, he has represented tenants, landlords, developers, investors, and small business owners in almost every commercial real estate asset class, including office, retail and industrial. In addition, Rusty has a passion for older buildings suitable for adaptive reuse, and his previous experience in construction management allows him to better advise his clients with numerous aspects of the redevelopment process including acquisition, entitlements, leasing, and sales.

Rusty was honored to be selected to the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors (CRCBR) 2020 Leadership Committee and currently serves on CRCBR’s Education Committee. Aside from real estate, his passions include traveling, collecting vinyl records, and sports, especially the Tarheels. He currently lives in Plaza Midwood with his wife and their three sons.

Broker

Taylor Barnes

Broker

Taylor is a native Charottean and joined The Nichols Company in 2020. A graduate of Appalachian State University, Taylor’s background includes marketing for national retail clients. Taylor is a licensed real estate broker in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. Taylor specializes in retail, infill, and adaptive reuse properties within Charlotte’s urban core neighborhoods and surrounding tertiary markets. Additionally, he is a member of ICSC, CRCBR, and is currently pursuing his CCIM designation. Taylor lives in Charlotte’s historic West End with his wife, Katie, and daughter, Lucy.

Broker

Tracy Efird

Broker

Tracy Efird is a native to Charlotte. He is a graduate of Myers Park High School and North Carolina State University. He has been working the last seventeen years with a family business in the retail/service industry. He became a broker in 2007 and is actively pursuing his CCIM designation, along with being a member of CRCBR. He attends Myers Park Baptist Church and when he’s not working his interests are sports, music and travel.

Broker

Roman Voronin

Broker

Roman Voronin, a dynamic and enterprising entrepreneur, excels in real estate as a creative businessman, intelligent investor, and tenacious professional. Roman’s success lies in his hard work, resourcefulness, and devotion to God. He possesses an extensive network of contacts, ensuring options are tailored to clients’ goals. Moreover, Roman’s expertise extends to guiding clients toward profitable property ventures and good instincts on market forecasts. Acting as the sole point of contact throughout the process, he offers exceptional customer service and resolves any issues promptly. Having built his business from scratch, Roman understands the value of dedication and excellent service. Immigrating to the United States as a child, he overcame adversity and established a thriving business through perseverance. Transitioning from trucking to real estate, Roman obtained his license in 2019, a year that also marked the birth of his first child and his second year of marriage. Despite initial challenges, he achieved remarkable success, surpassing his business goals by 400%. Roman remains committed to his Ukrainian roots, actively participating in his church community and assisting Ukrainian refugees in finding emergency housing. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his wife, Mariam, and their three children, Abel, Estella, and Calvin, engaging in outdoor activities and church involvement. Roman’s future outlook revolves around progress, not perfection, as he embraces his mentor’s advice to fearlessly take the next steps in life.

Broker

Will Carlton

Broker

Williard (Will) L. Carlton began his career as a commercial real estate broker upon joining The Nichols Company in 2005 and is working toward obtaining his CCIM designation. Will moved to Charlotte from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While in Philadelphia, he worked with a prominent local Real Estate Developer, the Knauer family and Oakland’s Business Parks, Inc and with Liberty Property Trust.

Will is a CPA with extensive experience working with vairous types of companies and is experienced in leasing as a landlord representative, to investment properties, with financing, analysis, and acquisitions

Broker

AC Shull

Director of Strategic Partnerships

AC Shull has completed a successful career with the City of Charlotte after making a significant impact on Charlotte’s economic growth, affordable housing, and job creation through strategic partnerships and innovative programs. As the Director of Strategic Partnerships with the Nichols Company, he will foster new partnerships and drive real estate growth and community development.

With over 40 years in financial management and economic development, AC has been involved with many of the largest commercial projects in Charlotte, with a successful outcome. He has also managed special projects regarding stimulus funding and federal government initiatives during downturns in the economy and helped establish a diversity program. for the city.

AC’s ability to engage and organize institutional and community partners is his passion for success.

Guiding motto: “The tiger who does not prowl is a potential rug”.

Education and Experience:
University of South Carolina- BS Management
USC Darla Moore School of Business- Negotiation
Economic Development Professional
NC Licensed Broker
Primary Expertise: Organization building and resource formation

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Kase Diehl

Broker

Kase Diehl is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and joined The Nichols Company in January of 2023. After graduating from Providence Day School in 2017, Kase went on to play collegiate golf at Sewanee (University of The South) before transferring to the University of Georgia where he graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Kase has previous experience in various internship and philanthropic roles which includes working as a runner at James Mcilroy and Diehl Law Firm and volunteering at The First Tee of Greater Charlotte where he helped underprivileged children learn the game of golf and life lessons the sport encompasses. After obtaining his North Carolina real estate license, Kase is eager to start developing client relations and contribute to preserving the historical dynamic of his hometown, while also continuing to enhance Charlotte’s quickly growing infrastructure. Kase currently resides in the Southend neighborhood. In his free time, Kase enjoys playing golf with friends, attending Charlotte sporting events, and watching his beloved Georgia Bulldogs play football.

Broker

Hannah Maeda

Broker

Hannah Maeda is originally from the United Kingdom and moved to the United States to pursue her career in research. Driven by a desire to champion local businesses, Hannah shifted her focus to a career in commercial real estate. Armed with a PhD in Neuroscience, Hannah brings a distinctive perspective to the table, offering unparalleled insights when representing clients in the fields of life sciences and healthcare.

Licensed in North Carolina, Hannah specializes in a diverse array of real estate including life sciences, retail, and infill development. With an unwavering commitment to excellence alongside her analytical and scientific background, Hannah provides a distinctive level of service. She adeptly utilizes her expertise to navigate complexities and unveil innovative solutions customized to meet her client’s individual needs.
As an active member of CRCBR, Hannah is at the forefront of industry innovation. She is also a proud committee member of Charlotte CREW, where she collaborates with fellow industry leaders to shape the future of commercial real estate for women.
Driven by a passion for sustainability, Hannah is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, advocating for environmentally-conscious practices that create lasting impact.

Broker

Michelle Wellmon

Broker

Michelle is a native Charlottean. She is a graduate of Charlotte Country Day School and Queens University. She brings 20 years of knowledge and experience from her family’s business in the warehousing and logistics industry. Michelle’s love of real estate started with her father and continued throughout her participation in the sale and rezoning of her family’s historic mill property in the NoDa/Optimist Park neighborhoods. She is excited for the opportunity to help her clients reach their real estate goals and visions. Michelle attends Westminster Presbyterian Church and serves on the Alumni Board at Queens University.

Broker

Frank Jernigan

Broker

Frank Jernigan, a Charlotte native, began his journey at The Nichols Company in June 2022 as a summer intern while pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Development, with a minor in Psychology, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Graduating in December 2022, Frank’s roots in Charlotte run deep, as he was born and raised here. His passion for outdoor activities, fitness, and spending quality time with family and friends complement his role as a full-time broker at The Nichols Company. With a keen understanding of Plaza Midwood’s recent development, driven by his father’s business on Central Ave, Frank brings firsthand knowledge and professionalism to the listing process.

Broker

Kaine McAlister

Video and Marketing Director

Kaine McAlister joined The Nichols Company in August, 2020 as the video and marketing director. With a background in video production, Kaine makes it his priority to provide exceptional photo and video content for The Nichols Company. His goal is to lead the industry in digital marketing throughout the metropolitan area of Charlotte by implementing industry-leading marketing strategies.

Originally from Brevard, North Carolina, Kaine started his career as a free-lance videographer immediately after graduating high school. After obtaining his Part 107 Drone Pilot License, he launched his own business filming luxury real estate listings throughout Western North Carolina. Kaine then continued to grow his business by expanding it to include residential listings, business promotions, weddings, and events throughout the southeast.

Video and Marketing Director

Samantha Steidl

Executive Office Administrator

Originally from New Jersey, Samantha ventured south to pursue her education at Coastal Carolina University, studying sports management, marketing, and business. Since then, she has made Charlotte her home, embracing a dedication to helping others with unwavering determination and a positive attitude. Samantha firmly believes in working hard and meeting challenges head-on, always striving for excellence in everything she does.

With a natural talent for organization and a deep sense of empathy, Samantha brings warmth to every interaction. Motivated by the chance to make a positive impact, she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure those around her feel valued and supported, readily offering assistance wherever needed. Samantha is known for her infectious laughter and her commitment to spreading joy, infusing each task with enthusiasm and a sense of fun, whether she’s brightening someone’s day with a smile or tackling challenges with a can-do spirit. Her passion for her work shines through in every endeavor.

Executive Office Administrator

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© The Nichols Company – 2024

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1204 Central Avenue, Suite 201

Charlotte, NC 28204

© The Nichols Company – 2021