About Us
Building places for life.
True North Companies is a commercial construction and development company specializing in building communities with lasting impact. With 60 years of combined experience in the commercial real estate industry – ranging from design to general contracting – True North has the knowledge and know-how to provide our clients with innovative solutions that will positively change how they design, build, and finance their projects. Our team's dedication to customer satisfaction is evident through every step of each project we lead.
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Comprised of a diverse group of industry professionals with backgrounds in architecture, construction, consulting, development, education, hospitality, and finance, our team specializes in development projects for education, mixed-use developments, multifamily, and senior living market segments.
Meet our team
Walt Gill
CEO
Walt Gill has over 30 years of experience in construction, development, and investments. He has a heart for the community and for building places where people belong. Through his leadership, True North Companies expanded its real estate footprint across education, mixed-use, multifamily, retail, hospitality, and office segments. Over the years, Walt has successfully completed a variety of construction, development, and investment projects, delivering quality outcomes for clients on time and on budget.
Mike Locklear
President
As President of True North Companies, Mike oversees the client experience and all facets of True North projects from inception to closeout. He provides strategic leadership and vision by managing day-to-day operations, business development, financial oversight, team development, client relations, and construction and development oversight, ensuring the company’s continued growth and success.
Marc Davis
Chief Financial Officer
Marc is responsible for directing and managing all aspects of the company’s financial strategy, planning, and operations. He works closely with investors and the executive team to position the company for continued growth.​​​
Tom Underwood
Vice President, Construction
As VP of Construction, Tom brings an innovative approach and strong leadership that have driven significant advancements in the company’s projects. He is responsible for leading and aligning construction operations in accordance with the company’s strategic goals. He oversees the execution of construction projects, ensuring quality and efficiency while developing and managing construction budgets and financial performance. ​
Evan Thomas
Senior Project Manager
As a Senior Project Manager at True North Companies, Evan oversees a diverse range of projects to ensure their successful completion. He is responsible for leading project teams and providing mentorship and guidance to foster professional growth and effective collaboration. Evan manages project budgets, timelines, and quality control to meet company standards and client expectations. ​
Jerry Kenny
Director of Construction
As the Director of Construction at True North Companies, Jerry is responsible for leading the construction division and ensuring operational efficiency. He develops and implements effective construction strategies and processes to streamline operations. Jerry oversees project managers and superintendents, ensuring that project delivery meets established standards. Additionally, he manages client relations, focusing on maintaining high levels of client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
Sonny Schwab
Chief Estimator
Sonny manages True North’s estimating strategy and planning, including pre-selection of subcontractors and pricing. Sonny’s experience has run the gamut in his 30+ years in the construction industry, from working in the field to project management to estimating. Sonny served as Vice President of Osborne Construction Co. Inc. before joining True North Companies in 2006 as Chief Estimator.​​
Jeff Fincher
Director of Design Services
Jeff is a registered architect responsible for financing, approvals, and design of infrastructure, multi-family, townhouse, education, and mixed-use development markets. He also oversees all third-party relationships, including consultants, public funders, private lenders/equity providers, community organizations, architects, construction managers, and government liaisons.​​​​​​​
Stephaine Croff
Senior Project Accountant
Stephaine brings over 23 years of experience in accounting to True North and its partners. Her early career in the banking industry led to her gaining invaluable experience in freight forwarding and construction. She attended Kaplan University and is recognized for her talents in project accounting and customer service.​​​​​​​​​
Pat Burgess
Project Accountant
Pat leads multiple accounting roles across True North’s portfolio, including budgeting, supplier contracts, production pricing and general accounting. He recently held the role of Staff Accountant with EFACEC, USA and Workshop Advisor with RBM of Atlanta.
Patrick Nesbitt
Project Manager
A dynamic and experienced professional in the commercial construction industry, Patrick is responsible for the overall delivery and successful execution of True North projects. He brings a wealth of experience in project management, working for major general contractors such as Winter Construction and Batson-Cook Construction.
Jody Waddell
Project Engineer
With a strong background in project management and a keen eye for detail, Jody plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless planning, coordination, and execution of our designated projects and delivering exceptional projects that align with True North’s mission and values. Jody comes alongside our project team in planning, directing, and coordinating activities of a designated project to ensure that goals or objectives of each project are accomplished.
Evin Patten
Assistant Project Manager
​Evin serves as an Assistant Project Manager at True North Companies, where he plays a vital role in the planning, coordination, and execution of construction projects. He supports project managers to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget while enhancing client relations and ensuring customer satisfaction. Evin also facilitates communication between team members and stakeholders, contributing to the seamless progression of each project.​
Grace Mask
Project Engineer
As a Project Engineer, Grace brings a degree in Construction Management from Kennesaw State University. With a solid foundation in project planning and execution, paired with a passion for problem-solving, she is a natural fit with True North’s mission, values, and vision. Grace will collaborate closely with our project team, playing a key role in planning and coordinating project activities to ensure that each project’s goals and objectives are successfully achieved.​​​​​​​​​
Jake Locklear
Preconstruction Engineer
Jake joins the True North team as a graduate of Oglethorpe University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is on track to complete his master's in Administration by August 2025. Growing up in a family rooted in the construction industry—thanks to his father's career—Jake developed a strong interest in the field from an early age. His passion for building and his dedication to creating valuable communities make him a strong addition to the True North team.
Richard Hilton
Senior Project Superintendent
Richard leads True North’s dedicated efforts to project design and delivery for Charter Schools in South Carolina. He brings over 21 years of experience in the construction industry from conception to completion in residential, multi-family, education, commercial, and nuclear plants. He is known for exceptional project management skills in the delivery of client goals and results.​​​​​​​​​​​
Mike Kiker
Superintendent
Mike has 30 years of expertise in the construction industry, including retail shopping centers, medical buildings, multifamily, condominium, townhomes, schools, and churches, into our growing portfolio. He has worked on notable retail projects for Kroger, Publix, and JCPenney. Mike oversees teams in the design and delivery of on-site account construction projects, including planning, scheduling, budgets, supplier contracts, evaluating production costs, participating in pre-construction strategy sessions, coordinating subcontractor work, and providing technical expertise to ensure the quality and timely completion of the project.
Bryce Northrop
Assistant Superintendent
Bryce brings three years of experience in high-end custom residential construction in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He holds a degree in Construction Management from Georgia Southern University. In his role at True North, Bryce will support the planning, coordination, and supervision of onsite activities under the guidance of the superintendent. Additionally, he will assist the project management team with scheduling and technical inquiries to ensure the successful delivery of each project.​​​
Richard Harrison
Superintendent
Richard brings experience to True North in the specialty fields of electrical contractors, welding, and structural steel project management, as well as working with multifamily apartment renovations. Richard attended West Georgia Technical College with a focus on welding and iron works. He holds responsibility for supervising on-site construction projects ensuring each project is constructed according to design, budget and schedule, while interfacing with clients, officials, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.​​​​​​​
Matt Slay
Superintendent
Matt brings over 30 years of experience to True North Companies from multiple fields in the construction industry. He holds responsibility for managing on-site account construction projects, planning, scheduling, budgets, supplier contracts, evaluating production costs, participating in pre-construction strategy sessions, coordinating subcontractor work and providing leadership in managing schedules.​​​​​​​​
Tim Kiker
Superintendent
Tim has over thirty years of experience in construction and has been a part of medical, multi-family, office, and commercial builds. Tim manages on-site account construction projects including planning, scheduling, budgets, supplier contracts, evaluating production costs, participating in pre-construction strategy sessions, coordinating subcontractor work, and providing technical expertise to ensure the quality and timely completion of the project.
Justin Echols
Project Manager
Justin brings over $300M in completed construction projects to the team, including a recently delivered $105M high-rise. He began his career in the field at age 14, welding and framing houses, and later transitioned into project management, where he combines hands-on experience with technical leadership. Justin holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Southern University and excels at managing complex builds with precision and efficiency.
A company built on values.
Safety
We believe that putting safety first prioritizes what we value most – people.
Gratitude
Gratitude – in both our successes and challenges – helps us appreciate where we are and maintain a grounded perspective on growth.
Respect
We recognize that all people have value and should be treated with dignity and professionalism.
Integrity
Doing the right thing requires unflinching commitment. We are honest, transparent, and dedicated to what’s best for our customers and our company, regardless of challenges or circumstances.
People
We believe that creating spaces and opportunities for our team, our partners, and ultimately the patrons of the places we build to live their best lives is the touchstone of our business.
Fun
The most fun aspects of our culture are the joy, humor, and camaraderie we share as we drive the growth of our business.