Brian was born in Central Indiana and spent time in his younger years living in Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina. He developed a strong work ethic early in life, watching his parents, Ernie & Pat, strive to do the absolute best they could for their family. His parents’ hard work, sacrifice and perseverance pushed them to chase every opportunity imaginable, and those same core values were naturally instilled in their four children. 

Brian’s interests in business and finance led him to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. After graduating with honors from the Cameron School of Business in 2002, Brian embarked on his career, where he enjoyed the real estate boom from 2002-2007, and subsequently sold a successful real estate portfolio to his business partner in 2007.

After the financial crash of 2007-2008, Brian knew he would need to adapt and evolve in order to grow a successful real estate business. Not missing a beat, he re-invented how he conducted his real estate business, putting more focus on buying cash flow positive investments to build his portfolio. After many years of learning and growing from mistakes made along the way, Brian founded Port City Capital, LLC, and proceeded to grow it into the full-scale development company that he continues to run and own today.

As Brian’s career continued to grow and evolve, he became an international entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses. Brian currently lives in Mexico City, Mexico, where he runs multiple global businesses that specialize in meat trading, livestock trading and real estate development.

Leslie Donathan was raised in and around Carolina Beach and Wilmington, North Carolina, and is a licensed CPA in North Carolina.

Leslie attended The University of Wilmington, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science with a focus in Accounting and Finance. After graduation, she obtained her CPA license while employed at a large CPA firm, where she specialized in federal tax for 12 years. Thereafter, she founded All-Inclusive Tax, Accounting & Consulting, Inc., where she serves as President and focuses on real estate development and various types of investments.

Although she has served many different types of clients throughout her career, Leslie primarily works with business owners and their families, including large and small real estate clients. She is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and puts her expertise to good use, serving as a trusted advisor to her clients, providing bookkeeping procedures and clean-up, preparing tax returns, and offering tax planning opportunities.

Leslie resides in Wilmington, NC with her two children, one dog and one cat. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her family and spending time on the beach. She also serves on the board of the local non-profit, Masonboro.org, which strives to protect and preserve Masonboro Island, and is currently training to obtain her Yoga Teacher certificate.

Hart Marlow is a Registered Architect in North Carolina and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Pratt Institute School of Graduate Architecture and Urban Design in Brooklyn, New York. At Pratt, Hart serves as the Core Studio Coordinator for the Graduate Master of Architecture Program.

Hart has previously taught at New York College of Technology, The University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Tulane University, and The Architectural Association Visiting Schools in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Hart received his Master’s in Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Louisiana Tech University.

Brian was born in Central Indiana and spent time in his younger years living in Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina. He developed a strong work ethic early in life, watching his parents, Ernie & Pat, strive to do the absolute best they could for their family. His parents’ hard work, sacrifice and perseverance pushed them to chase every opportunity imaginable, and those same core values were naturally instilled in their four children.

Brian’s interests in business and finance led him to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. After graduating with honors from the Cameron School of Business in 2002, Brian embarked on his career, where he enjoyed the real estate boom from 2002-2007, and subsequently sold a successful real estate portfolio to his business partner in 2007.

After the financial crash of 2007-2008, Brian knew he would need to adapt and evolve in order to grow a successful real estate business. Not missing a beat, he re-invented how he conducted his real estate business, putting more focus on buying cash flow positive investments to build his portfolio. After many years of learning and growing from mistakes made along the way, Brian founded Port City Capital, LLC, and proceeded to grow it into the full-scale development company that he continues to run and own today.

As Brian’s career continued to grow and evolve, he became an international entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses. Brian currently lives in Mexico City, Mexico, where he runs multiple global businesses that specialize in meat trading, livestock trading and real estate development.

Jillian C.S. Blanchard is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and licensed to practice law in both North and South Carolina.

She attended The University of South Carolina, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Southern Studies. Thereafter, she attended The University of South Carolina School of Law, where she served as a Production Editor for the ABA Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal, a member of the Pro Bono Board and Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, and President of the Christian Legal Society.

Jillian’s legal practice is focused on construction, development, real property and business, serving as outside general counsel for businesses in the construction, development and real estate industries. She has been recognized by the New Hanover County Bar Association and the Wilmington Office of Legal Aid North Carolina for her pro bono services, and enjoys being an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association, where she currently serves as a Council Member of the Construction Law Section, as well as the Chair of the Section’s Communications Committee.

Jillian is a lover of the great outdoors who enjoys hunting, fishing and horseback riding. In her spare time, you can usually find her at the stables with her husband and her horse Louie. She is also a diehard SEC college football fan, who never misses a South Carolina Gamecocks game.

Leslie Donathan was raised in and around Carolina Beach and Wilmington, North Carolina, and is a licensed CPA in North Carolina.

Leslie attended The University of Wilmington, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science with focuses in Accounting and Finance. After graduation, she obtained her CPA license while employed at a large CPA firm, where she specialized in federal tax for 12 years. Thereafter, she founded All-Inclusive Tax, Accounting & Consulting, Inc., where she serves as President and focuses on real estate development and various types of investments.

Although she has served many different types of clients throughout her career, Leslie primarily works with business owners and their families, including large and small real estate clients. She is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and puts her expertise to good use, serving as a trusted advisor to her clients, providing bookkeeping procedures and clean-up, preparing tax returns and offering tax planning opportunities.

Leslie resides in Wilmington, NC with her two children, one dog and one cat. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her family and spending time on the beach. She also serves on the board of the local non-profit, Masonboro.org, which strives to protect and preserve Masonboro Island, and is currently training to obtain her Yoga Teacher certificate.

Marlow Construction is a local construction company founded, owned, and managed by Quinn Marlow, who holds the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) credential and is licensed for both residential and commercial projects. Quinn is a licensed real estate agent in North Carolina with an MBA. With its primary focus on customer relationships, excellence, and doing things right the first time, Marlow Construction is comprised of experts in their fields and quality subcontractors who ensure timely delivery and an exceptional quality product. Marlow Construction works directly with Quinn’s brother, Hart Marlow, an architectural designer, who provides Marlow Construction with unique and creative approaches to design in its trademark coastal modern/contemporary homes.

Hart has previously taught at New York College of Technology, The University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Tulane University, and The Architectural Association Visiting Schools in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Hart received his Master’s in Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Louisiana Tech University.

Kevin was born and raised in Syracuse, New York, and he still bleeds orange to this day. From a young age, he always had an interest in architecture and design, which led him to obtain his AAS degree in Architectural Technology from Onondaga Community College. After graduation, Kevin migrated South to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he began his career working typical low-end-of-the-ladder construction jobs and steadily worked his way up to a construction management position with a commercial general contractor. Kevin’s career led him to work on high-end financial and retail build-outs in and around the greater New York City area and Charlotte, North Carolina. Through his experience working in these metropolitan cities, Kevin acquired a keen eye for details and a great finished look that continues to set him apart from other builders.

In the spring of 2008, Kevin founded Elevate Construction, Inc. and relocated to Carolina Beach, North Carolina, where he planted the roots of his company. Today, Elevate Construction is a North Carolina licensed general contractor, building commercial and residential projects in Southeastern North Carolina, with a focus on innovation, a passion for building, and a demand for quality. Elevate Construction places importance on being part of the community in which it builds, providing charitable contributions to local organizations.

Kevin is more than just a builder—he is also a father, a sports enthusiast, and a huge Carolina Panthers fan. When he is not building beautiful homes and commercial buildings in Southeastern North Carolina, you might spot him relaxing on Carolina Beach, playing basketball or lacrosse, or spending time with his little girl, Honor, at one of the many local playgrounds.