Gregory K. Voight

Garcia Edgerton Williams is the principal and current owner of Stellar Communications, a public relations company founded by her late husband, Sidney Williams, Jr. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Garcia relocated to Charleston from Washington, D.C., in 2000. A natural communicator, her expertise lies in building strong relationships both traditionally and through social and traditional media, enhancing business and networking opportunities.

Community service is a core value in Garcia’s life, a legacy she carries forward from her mother, Georgine Edgerton. Georgine’s passion and commitment to the Baltimore community set a standard of service that Garcia continues to model in her own contributions.

In May 2022, Garcia was honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. recognized her significant contributions through volunteer service over her lifetime. She currently serves as a Commissioner for the City of Charleston Housing Authority and contributes to the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation Programming Effort. Through the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Garcia has served as both a Committee Member and a Planning Committee Coordinator for the MOJA Arts Festival.

Garcia is a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she was honored as Soror of the Year in 2011 by the Charleston Alumnae Chapter. She is also a member of the Charleston (SC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the NCNW Bethune Leonard Section. In 2018, Garcia received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Picture Award for Outstanding Community Service and Keeping the Dream Alive.

Garcia is deeply committed to her community, devoting her time and energy to being an active part of the village. A faithful and active member of Morris Street Baptist Church in Charleston, SC, she was honored in 2018 during the church’s 154th Anniversary as a recipient of the 30th Community Service Award. Garcia is passionate about the arts, building community, promoting health equity and wellness, and is a staunch advocate for women’s rights.

Kathy E. Nelson was born and raised in the heart of Charleston, SC, where she spent over 40 years as a resident of public housing, gaining a deep understanding of her community’s needs and experiences. A proud mother of three and devoted grandmother to two wonderful grandsons, Kathy has dedicated herself to serving others.
Since 2021, she has been a committed member of the Board of Commissioners, using her voice and leadership to advocate for her community. Kathy is also a graduate of C.A. Brown High School, Class of 1976, and her lifelong dedication to her roots continues to inspire and uplift those around her.

Carol Jackson is a dedicated community leader and a former Charleston City Council member representing District 12. With over 15 years of executive experience in the non-profit sector, including her tenure at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Jackson has built a distinguished career focused on preserving and enriching communities.

Jackson’s professional journey reflects her unwavering commitment to community development and outreach. As the Executive Director of several non-profit affordable housing organizations for 15 years, she honed her expertise in providing housing solutions and fostering vibrant neighborhoods. Her work in church administration and neighborhood engagement further underscores her lifelong dedication to preserving cities like Charleston’s unique character and heritage.

Currently, Jackson contributes her leadership and vision through various roles, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Palmetto Community Land Trust, Climb Fund and as a member of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee for the Historic Charleston Foundation, and as an active supporter of Lowcountry Local First. In May 2024, she was appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, reinforcing her commitment to improving the quality of life for residents across the region.

A proud College of William and Mary graduate, Jackson continues to leverage her skills and experience to advocate for sustainable development, historic preservation, and community well-being.

Alvin T. Johnson, Jr., P.E., is a highly respected Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in civil engineering, land development, and infrastructure planning. Throughout his career, Alvin has led a broad portfolio of projects across the public and private sectors, consistently focusing on delivering efficient, sustainable, and community-enhancing solutions.

Specializing in land development and site engineering, Alvin brings a deep understanding of zoning, permitting, stormwater management, utility coordination, and roadway design. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding complex projects from preliminary planning through final construction, always with a commitment to quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Alvin is known for his collaborative leadership style, technical acumen, and ability to build strong relationships with clients, regulatory agencies, and multidisciplinary teams. His approach blends big-picture vision with hands-on project execution, making him a trusted advisor and project lead.

Alvin is actively engaged in both professional and civic life. He has served as a board member for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, where he supported efforts to attract investment and grow the regional economy, and he is a long-standing member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), contributing to the advancement of the engineering profession. His community involvement is equally distinguished. He served on the board of the Teacher Supply Closet, helping provide essential resources to local educators, and was appointed Co-Chair of the City of Charleston’s Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion, and Conciliation. He has also served as a commissioner for both the City of Charleston Housing Authority and the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission, demonstrating his deep commitment to equity and community well-being. Additionally, Alvin leads efforts to engage and support Citadel alumni as President of The Citadel Football Association.

In addition to his professional achievements and civic involvement, Alvin is a proud graduate of The Citadel, where he not only earned his degree in Civil Engineering but also excelled as a dual-sport athlete. He played football and ran track at the collegiate level, earning All-Conference and All-American honors for his outstanding performance and leadership on the gridiron. In recognition of his athletic excellence and impact, Alvin was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor that speaks to his dedication, discipline, and team-first mentality.

William “Bill” Hecht

Real Estate Executive | Urban Development Strategist | Mixed-Use & Infrastructure Leader

William “Bill” Hecht is a highly accomplished real estate executive with over 30 years of experience leading large-scale, mixed-use, retail, and infrastructure developments across the United States. Known for his strategic vision and operational excellence, Bill has held senior leadership roles in both public and private real estate firms, consistently delivering multi-billion-dollar projects that shape communities and drive long-term value.

As former Chief Executive Officer of Stronach Properties, Bill led multidisciplinary teams across California, Florida, and Maryland, overseeing the master planning and development of over 1,000 acres, integrating entertainment, residential, and commercial uses often while preserving live thoroughbred racing operations.

Previously, Bill served as Chief Operating Officer of Westfield U.S., where he managed $1.1 billion in NOI and led over $10 billion in development. He directed operations for 1,300 employees nationwide, spearheaded airport retail programs in eight major U.S. airports, launched a luxury residential pipeline of over 6,000 units, and founded the company’s Entertainment Group. His leadership was instrumental in landmark projects, including the World Trade Center and Century City.

Earlier in his career at Westfield, Bill served as Senior Executive Vice President of both Development and Leasing, entitling and executing more than $5 billion in projects and overseeing the acquisition and redevelopment of over 40 department store locations. He also held senior positions at The Rouse Company and Shopco Management, with early experience as a commercial broker in New York City.

In addition to his corporate roles, Bill currently serves as a Commissioner on the Board of the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, helping to shape affordable housing strategies and community development in the region.

He was also Co-Chair of the Cristo Rey Charleston Launch Committee, a member of the Executive Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the LA 2028 Olympic Committee. Bill was active in several industry organizations, including ICSC and NAIOP, and was a former leader of the Westfield Veterans Group.

He holds a B.S. in Economics from Colgate University and completed advanced real estate studies at NYU.