Ross Pope

Ross Pope is an undeniable history buff. He has a degree in American history. He loves to explore Civil War battle sites. His all-time favorite book is George Washington’s Secret Six: the Spy Ring that Saved American History. Ross’s love for American history is woven into his work as a Development Associate for KDC. Knowing that the projects he’s involved in will leave their mark on our country’s history fills him with a sense of responsibility and satisfaction. Based in KDC’s Charlotte office, Ross splits his time between cultivating new business opportunities and supporting projects in the southeast. Currently, he’s involved in Hub RTP, a 43-acre multi-use urban district in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, and Aureum, a 22-acre multi-use development in suburban Nashville. I enjoy real estate development because it allows me to see tangible, physical results of our hard work. It’s exciting and rewarding to see an idea all the way to fruition. Ross joined KDC after completing his Master of Science degree in Real Estate from The University of North Carolina (UNC-Chapel Hill). During the graduate program, he worked on a 1.1-million-square-foot redevelopment project just south of downtown Atlanta. The experience reinforced Ross’s decision to pursue a career in commercial real estate development. A native of Atlanta, Ross moved to New York City to work in financial sales after earning his undergraduate degree from UNC. He then relocated to Washington D.C., where he worked for United Bank as a credit analyst with a focus on underwriting commercial real estate loans before advancing to a portfolio manager role for construction loans. “My underwriting and portfolio management experience taught me the dos and don’ts of the industry and what it takes for a project to succeed,” Ross says. “It also clued me in to the fact that I wanted to work on the development side of the business rather than the lending side.” After learning about KDC while working on his Master’s degree, Ross decided to seek out an opportunity with the firm after he and his wife, Caroline, decided to make their home in Charlotte. “I liked KDC’s reputation of excellence and quality,” Ross says. “At KDC, I’m surrounded by like-minded, driven individuals who are committed to serving our clients and building communities.” Ross is a member of NAIOP Charlotte and serves on the organization’s Programs Committee, which helps coordinate and plan events and programs. Ross spends most of his free time with his wife, exploring Charlotte’s unique neighborhoods. He also enjoys golf and is an avid football fan who supports the Atlanta Falcons as well as the UNC Tar Heels.