Robert H. Spratt, Jr.
PresidentCertified Leasing Specialist (CLS) and Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX)
RSpratt@hillpartnersinc.com
704.551.2202
Education
B.A. Washington and Lee University
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Experience
As President of Hill Partners, Inc., Mr. Spratt focuses on new business development and oversees the entire company’s portfolio including The Town Center at Levis Commons, a mixed-use lifestyle center in Perrysburg, Ohio; Specialty Shops SouthPark, a lifestyle center in Charlotte, North Carolina; Promenade at Coconut Creek, a mixed-use lifestyle center in Coconut Creek, Florida; and several other centers nationally. Mr. Spratt has spearheaded over one million square feet of national, regional, and local leases and has managed the development, redevelopment, and remerchandising/leasing of more than two dozen centers nationally.
Mr. Spratt joined the company in February 1990. At Hill Partners, he was previously the General Manager at MarketFair, a value-oriented enclosed mall in North Carolina. During its redevelopment and re-leasing efforts, which included a comprehensive renovation and the addition of Hamrick’s Department Store, Hancock Fabrics, Dress Barn Women, and numerous other retailers, the occupancy level increased from 44% to 93%.
In mid-1992, Mr. Spratt became General Manager of Worthington Mall, a 225,000 square foot community center, in Columbus, Ohio, in which he oversaw all aspects of the property’s marketing, operations, and leasing during its transformation from a community center through a multi-million dollar renovation and remerchandising into an upscale, fashion-oriented, lifestyle center. He concluded transactions with Ann Taylor, Talbots Petites, Victoria’s Secret, GAP and Polo/Ralph Lauren to start the remerchandising process, and, subsequently, concluded transactions with numerous other notable national, regional, and local specialty merchants, including Ohio’s first Talbots Accessories and Shoes and Talbots Men stores.
In mid-1994, Mr. Spratt became Vice President – Managing Director overseeing the company’s Specialty Center Division. In this capacity, he spearheaded the continuation of the redevelopment of Worthington Mall, the redevelopment of Jackson Brewery, an urban entertainment center, located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the redevelopment and remerchandising of Cotswold Village Shops in Charlotte, North Carolina; the remerchandising of Barefoot Landing, a Seaport Village in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; the remerchandising of Streets of Mayfair in Coconut Grove, Florida; and the creation of a strategic repositioning plan for the Old Post Office Pavilion, in Washington, DC.
Mr. Spratt is a noted leasing specialist, having obtained the certified leasing specialist designation from the International Council of Shopping Centers. His significant leasing transactions include Gap, Banana Republic, The Finish Line, Food Lion, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Johnny Rockets, Arhaus Furniture, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Chili’s Southwestern Grill, Talbots, Talbots Petites, Talbots Kids, Talbots Woman, Talbots Shoes & Accessories, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Planet Hollywood, Virgin Megastore, Nine West, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Chico’s, Anthropologie, Paper Source, Carmine’s Gourmet Market & La Trattoria Ristorante, J. Jill, Showcase Cinemas, Williams-Sonoma, J. Crew, Brighton Collectibles and numerous other national, regional and local retailers, restaurants, and entertainment uses.
Prior to his affiliation with Hill Partners, Inc., Mr. Spratt was associated with Great Western Mortgage, a subsidiary of Great Western Bank, as a mortgage consultant, where he was the top producing consultant in one of the suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offices.
William A. Rooney
Vice President - LeasingBRooney@hillpartnersinc.com
704.571.3774
Education
B.A. Business Administration St. Michael’s College
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Experience
Mr. Rooney rejoined Hill Partners in October 2006 as Retail Leasing Manager, having previously held the same title from 1999-2001. Mr. Rooney’s current responsibilities as Vice President – Leasing include canvassing the local, regional, and national markets. His goal is to find prospective retailers and restaurants to enhance the merchandising of Hill Partners’ projects. His specific areas of focus are The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio and Specialty Shops SouthPark in the Charlotte, North Carolina market.
While previously with Hill Partners, Mr. Rooney was responsible for leasing more than 1 million square feet of retail property and third-party management contracts, including; Worthington Mall in Columbus, Ohio; Cotswold Village Shops in Charlotte, North Carolina; Eton Collection in Cleveland, Ohio; and Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Prior to re-joining Hill Partners, Inc. Mr. Rooney served as a Director of Leasing with Sheild Properties located in Charlotte, North Carolina. As Director of Leasing with Sheild Properties, Mr. Rooney was responsible for the leasing of multiple retail properties, including Ballantyne Village, a new 300,000 square foot mixed-use lifestyle center that opened in 2006. He negotiated deals with national, regional, and local tenants as well as being responsible for all facets of deal making from canvassing to store openings.
Mr. Rooney also served as Leasing Manager for the Harris Group in Charlotte, North Carolina from 1996- 1999During his tenure there, he was responsible for leasing and managing Phillips Place and Ballantyne Commons in Charlotte, North Carolina from the ground up. Tenants included Dean & Deluca, Restoration Hardware, PF Chang’s China Bistro, The Palm Restaurant, Smith & Hawken, Harris Teeter Supermarket, Eckerd Drug and Blockbuster Video. Leasing responsibilities included prospecting, negotiating, and implementing all anchor and small shop transactions.
From 1992-1996, Mr. Rooney served as Project Manager for The Flatley Company in Boston, Massachusetts, where he leased and managed three retail properties totaling more than 900,000 square feet. Mr. Rooney also supervised the leasing, operations, and marketing of 30+ employees. Leasing consisted of new deals and renewals involving Circuit City, Blockbuster Video, Shaws Supermarket and others. In each case Mr. Rooney maintained an occupancy rate above 98%. He also developed leasing strategies for the major remodeling of the existing center for the owner, directed lease administration, operations, marketing functions, and created and implemented a specialty leasing program to increase NOI.
Mr. Rooney worked for Equity Properties and Development Company from 1989-1992 as Mall Manager for Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, New Jersey. While in charge of the 1.5 million square foot regional mall, he was responsible for managing the $2.5 million dollar operating budget. Mr. Rooney maintained a 98% occupancy rate of in-line space and oversaw the leasing of a 25-kiosk specialty-leasing program generating over $1,000,000 of additional income for the company. He also coordinated the construction of 40 new and remodeled stores and coordinated the opening of Lord & Taylor and an eight-restaurant food court.
Alyson Douglas O’Laughlin
Vice President-LeasingAOLaughlin@hillpartnersinc.com
704.488.4922
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Business
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker
CCIM Certification – in process
Experience
Alyson Douglas O’Laughlin rejoins Hill Partners as a Vice President-Leasing, having previously worked for the company as a Retail Leasing Associate and as a Marketing Coordinator. As Vice President-Leasing, Ms. O’Laughlin will handle new leases and renewals for the entire portfolio, thoughtfully curating a strategic mix of local, regional, and national tenants to drive revenue and profitability for the company.
Throughout her career, Ms. O’Laughlin has established impactful relationships with unique and in-demand retailers, restaurants, and service use tenants with the goal of seeing their long-term success. Prior to returning to the company, Ms. O’Laughlin held Sr. Leasing Representative roles at WS Development and Waterstone Properties where she was responsible for leasing the Development Portfolio and the Southeast portfolio respectively.
Ms. O’Laughlin has been a member of ICSC for 15+ years and is active in its Next Generation Carolinas and Charlotte Chapters, having served as Chair for both.
Sara Hogan
Vice President - LeasingSHogan@hillpartnersinc.com
704.571.3772
Education
Bachelor of Arts
St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY
Licensed Real Estate Professional – NC and SC
Experience
Sara Hogan is a Vice President-Leasing with Hill Partners and oversees the leasing and merchandising efforts for the Company’s portfolio. In her role, Ms. Hogan is responsible for all facets of leasing the properties, working directly with company leaders, property personnel, and the entire Hill Partners’ leasing team.
Ms. Hogan is a results-driven leasing expert with more than 20 years’ experience in commercial real estate. She successfully works with landlords and developers, delivering value by crafting tailored retail strategies for each asset and executing them efficiently.
Prior to joining Hill Partners in October 2023, Ms. Hogan held VP, Retail Brokerage roles at JLL and Lincoln Harris, in addition to regional leasing roles at Simon Properties and Macerich.
Ms. Hogan has been an ICSC member for 15+ years.
Paulette Caputo
Vice President - MarketingPCaputo@hillpartnersinc.com
216.272.1923
Education
B.S. Fashion Merchandising
Rivier University
Experience
As Vice President – Marketing with Hill Partners, Inc., Ms. Caputo is responsible for developing and maintaining the company’s branded image and directing the day-to-day marketing operations for the portfolio, focused on increasing customer loyalty and sales revenue through innovative multi-channel marketing campaigns.
Ms. Caputo is an accomplished marketing executive with more than 20 years’ experience working with a number of commercial retail and residential real estate developers. Ms. Caputo previously held the position of Vice President, Marketing for Forest City Enterprises where she oversaw all marketing initiatives for the commercial portfolio and helped launch seven new and award-winning, multi-million-dollar commercial real estate developments for the company.
Prior to joining Forest City, she was with Urban Retail Properties, Co. and its predecessor companies from 1993 until 2005 with primary responsibilities of growing the company’s third-party management portfolio and directing on-site marketing managers throughout the country. Ms. Caputo’s on-site marketing positions include marketing manager for Water Tower Place on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
Ms. Caputo has been an ICSC member for 20+ years, receiving dozens of MAXI Awards for driving high-impact marketing programs for NOI enhancement, sales promotions, cause-related marketing, public relations, and new media and emerging technology. She has also served as a MAXI judge.
Josh Watkins
Assistant Vice PresidentJWatkins@hillpartnersinc.com
704.571.3764
Education
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Miami University, Oxford OH
Licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker
Experience
Josh Watkins is an Assistant Vice President at Hill Partners, having joined the corporate team in December 2022. In his role, Mr. Watkins works closely with company leaders on new business development, new development underwriting, existing portfolio financial analysis, and other company financial functions. Mr. Watkins is also working towards his NC Real Estate Broker’s license.
Mr. Watkins is originally from the Chicago, IL suburbs and prior to joining Hill Partners, he worked in the valuation and advisory division of Jones Lang LaSalle.
M. Breece Breland MBA, CPA
Director of AccountingBBreland@hillpartnersinc.com
704.551.2202
Education
M.B.A. Kennesaw State University
B.S. University of Alabama
Experience
Mr. Breland joined Hill Partners in February 2021. As Director of Accounting for the company, he oversees all corporate and property accounting, including financial reporting, audits, payroll, and statutory compliance and returns.
Mr. Breland has more than 20 years’ experience in real estate finance and accounting. Prior to joining Hill Partners, he held portfolio analyst positions at FCA Partners, LLC (formerly Faison Capital Advisors,) and senior associate positions at PwC and CohnReznick, LLC.
Mr. Breland holds a CPA license in Georgia and North Carolina and is also a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina.
Lydia Lowe
Accounting AssistantLLowe@hillpartnersinc.com
704.551.2202
Education
A.A. Degree in Accounting, King’s College, Charlotte, NC
Experience
Lydia Lowe joined Hill Partners Inc. in January 2020 as an Accounting Assistant based at the Charlotte, NC corporate office. In this role, Ms. Lowe assists the Director of Accounting and provides accounting support to the senior management team. Ms. Lowe’s day-to-day responsibilities include AP and AR, bank reconciliations, rent rolls, creating and maintaining spreadsheet reports, providing assistance with a variety of financial reports, and regular communication with tenants.
Ms. Lowe is a native Charlottean and she has more than 30 years’ accounting experience in the real estate industry, representing residential, retail, and commercial properties in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Felisha Thompson
Property Administrator- Property Construction and Corporate ManagementFThompson@hillpartnersinc.com
704.551.2202
Education
B.S. Computer Information Systems, Strayer University
Experience
Ms. Thompson joined the Hill Partners corporate team in February 2017 as Property Administrator. Her responsibilities include property liaison for all tenant compliance and communication, maintaining current and accurate COIs for all tenants and vendors, maintenance logs, daily security/incident reports, and vendor management. Ms. Thompson also assists the leasing team with marketing materials and follow-up, in addition to overseeing a variety of office management responsibilities.
Prior to joining Hill Partners Inc., Ms. Thompson worked in Washington, D.C. as an Assistant Property Manager /Retail & Commercial Management at Jamestown Commercial Management Company where she achieved 100% retail occupancy in the upscale Georgetown/M Street N.W. area. Other roles included serving as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner of Ian Reid LLC. Government & Public Affairs Firm, and as the Executive Office Coordinator for Lucas Group Inc, in Washington, DC. where she oversaw the day-to-day operations and administrative support to the Managing Partner of Accounting and Finance.
Rita Nelson
General Manager, The Town Center at Levis CommonsCertified Retail Executive (CRX), Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM,) and Certified Marketing Director (CMD)
RNelson@hillpartnersinc.com
419.931.8888
EDUCATION
B.S. Business Administration, Stockton University
A.S. Fashion Merchandising, Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
EXPERIENCE
Ms. Nelson joined Hill Partners in 2018 as General Manager/Regional Director based in the Ohio regional office at The Town Center at Levis Commons. She brings more than 20 years of management experience, operational leadership, and management team development.
Throughout Ms. Nelson’s career, she has acquired a wide variety of skills applicable to the field of management, marketing, operations, security, finance, and leasing. She has extensive experience managing super-regional, regional, outlet, office, and mixed -use projects. In addition, her experience covers many aspects of property management that includes operations, leasing, remodeling, and construction management of capital projects within various types of shopping centers.
Ms. Nelson currently holds three designations from the International Council of Shopping Centers that include CRX (Certified Retail Executive), CSM (Certified Shopping Center Manager,) and CMD (Certified Marketing Director). In addition, she has Michigan and Ohio Brokers Licenses, serves as President of the LCOA (Levis Commons Owners Association) and holds a committee position with ARC (Architectural Review Committee of Perrysburg).
Kris Sams
Executive AssistantKSams@hillpartnersinc.com
419.931.8888
Education
The University of Toledo
Bachelor of Business Administration
Experience
Ms. Sams joined the Hill Partners team in January 2020, as an Office Administrator, and was promoted in January 2021 to Executive Assistant. As the Executive Assistant at The Town Center of Levis Commons, Kris works to assist the team of managers on property. Responsibilities include compliance and communication with current tenants, selling gift cards, answering phone inquiries from customers and tenants, as well as, accounts payable, check reconciliations, budgeting, and generating and reviewing all financial reports for monthly property reporting.
Prior to joining Hill Partners Inc., Ms. Sams worked for 32 years as the Office Manager for a multi-million-dollar company. She has a background in accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, payroll, financial review, customer service and marketing.
Kris has been a Perrysburg, OH resident for more than 20 years and has had the pleasure of seeing The Town Center at Levis Commons develop and grow into a thriving mixed-use lifestyle center.
Rodney Stanton
Facility Manager – Tenant Coordinator, The Town Center at Levis Commonsrstanton@hillpartnersinc.com
419.931.8888
Experience
Mr. Stanton joined Hill Partners in 2004 as the Facility Manager/Tenant Coordinator for The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio. Mr. Stanton’s responsibilities include all aspects of the daily operation of the retail/office lifestyle center, including all mechanical and utility systems. As Tenant Coordinator, Mr. Stanton oversees construction of new tenant spaces and renovations of existing spaces from start to finish.
Before joining Hill Partners, Mr. Stanton was employed with Michael Realty Company as the Building Superintendent of the Edison Plaza Building, a 250,000 square foot, 17-story office building in downtown Toledo. There, he was responsible for the daily operations of all mechanical and life safety systems as well as overseeing all tenant construction projects.
Prior to that, Mr. Stanton was employed for three years at the Toledo Museum of Art as the Facility Manager where he was responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of mechanical systems and oversaw the operations of the janitorial and grounds staff.
Emma Skaggs
Marketing Assistant, The Town Center at Levis CommonsESkaggs@hillpartnersinc.com
419.931.8897
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, 2023
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications, 2024
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
EXPERIENCE
Emma Skaggs joined the Hill Partners’ team in July 2023 as the Marketing Assistant for The Town Center at Levis Commons. In her role, Emma manages The Town Center’s social media program focusing on driving sales and awareness for The Town Center and its tenants, growing the audience base of the social media accounts, planning traffic-driving events, and maintaining strong tenant relationships.
Prior to joining the company, Emma headed up the marketing for Clean Juice in Perrysburg, OH, and prior to that, had advertising and marketing internships at local television and commercial real estate companies.
Emma performs in local musical theatre productions in the Perrysburg area, and she is originally from Peachtree City, GA.