Founding partner Mike Underwood is responsible for acquisitions, development, and asset management of projects in the Raleigh, NC region. Along with other partners, he guides the strategic direction of Woodfield Investments. Before Woodfield, Mike held progressive roles with Summit Properties, a listed REIT subsequently acquired by Camden Property Trust, and he had responsibility for Summit’s Mid-Atlantic development portfolio with a specific focus on the Washington metro region. He had previously opened an office and managed development operations in Raleigh, and he first joined Summit in 1985 in their Richmond office to develop Class A projects in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Mike received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina.

"He and his wife, Leslie, have been married for over 30 years and have two grown children, Scott and Katie."

Founding partner Greg Bonifield has a lead role in financing, portfolio management, and strategic direction for Woodfield Development. He sources and negotiates debt and equity, oversees portfolio operations, and is directly involved in all project development. Prior to Woodfield, Greg worked with the other founding partners at Summit Properties as the Mid-Atlantic Vice President. Before Summit, he was the President of a private multi-family management company in Texas. Greg earned his BBA degree from Southern Methodist University and his MBA from Georgia State University, Atlanta. He and his wife, Karen have been married for 30 years and have three grown daughters.

Mike Schwarz is responsible for sourcing and developing assets in South Carolina, including Morrison Yard, The Port House and Newbrook, currently underway and the recently completed Bellary Flats in Summerville. Prior to joining Woodfield, Mike worked with the Woodfield founding partners while he was COO of Summit Properties Inc, a NYSE-listed apartment owner and developer. Originally from Chicago, he earned his Master of Accountancy (and met his wife!) at the University of South Carolina.

“After spending much of my career in a more corporate culture, the creative, entrepreneurial spirit at Woodfield is so much fun to be around. Our design teams are among the best in the country, and each consistently brings fresh ideas to the business. But what’s most rewarding is creating value for our investors and client partners. That’s what motivates us all.”

Founding partner Todd Jacobus is responsible for all facets of the firm’s class-A apartment development in the metro DC market and points north, which currently includes Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA; and he’s also jointly overseeing the company’s expansion into South Florida. Prior to Woodfield, Todd was Vice President for Real Estate Investments in the mid-Atlantic region while working with Summit Properties from 1999 through the merger of Summit into Camden Property Trust in early 2005. Todd began his real estate career in 1992 as a project manager in Miami after earning a BA in International Affairs from George Washington University. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School in 1999, and he and his wife, Shana, are the proud parents of three boys, Andrew, William and Nathan.

“Woodfield is very special to me. Beyond the incredible track record we have achieved, I most cherish the close relationships I have developed with my partners here. Woodfield is just an incredible group of talented, dedicated and solid people. I am fortunate to be a part of this very special team.”

Margaret Smith Ford is responsible for finding opportunities in the DC-metro area and Nashville, Tennessee. She is responsible for taking a project from beginning to end—sourcing sites, taking them through the entitlement process, working with the design team to develop a vision for the project and then with the general contractor to deliver it. Originally from Houston, Margaret formerly worked with Summit Properties in the DC and Philadelphia markets. She earned a Masters in Public Policy at the University of Texas and lives with her husband, John, in Chevy Chase. They have two children.

“Development is an incredibly challenging business that takes an extraordinary amount of persistence and hard work. It is an honor to be part of such a talented, professional and well-respected team as Woodfield.”

Chad Hagler is responsible for development activities in the metro Charlotte market. Prior to joining Woodfield, he was a Director of Real Estate Investments for Camden Property Trust and its predecessor Summit Properties and managed development activities in North Carolina. He also previously worked in the development of multifamily properties under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit programs. Chad earned his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, where he majored in Finance and graduated Cum Laude. An active member of the Board of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association from 2009-2014, Chad served as President (2013) and Vice President (2012). A native Charlottean, he and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Charlotte with their four sons.

“I love the process of taking raw land (or underutilized property in the case of infill projects) and creating unique, customized communities that stand out in the marketplace. It’s very rewarding to see all the hard work pay off and to see the final product—a community our residents are proud to call home, and a successful income-producing asset for our investors.”

In his role as Development Partner, Brian is focused primarily in the Upstate of South Carolina.

Brian has participated in multiple Urban Land Institute panels, and annually presents at Clemson University’s Masters in Real Estate Development program. Prior to joining Woodfield in 2012, he spent eight years with Turner Construction Company, and ten with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Brian received his B.S. in Business Administration from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina with majors in Finance and Business Economics.

“I feel honored to be associated with my partners at Woodfield. The multi-faceted aspect of our business excites me—from site selection, entitlement, financing, design and construction to leasing, marketing and asset sales—it is a remarkably rewarding experience with equally remarkable partners.”

Rick Rowland’s responsibilities in the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan regions include development acquisitions, entitlement, design development, construction management, and asset management. Before joining Woodfield, Rick’s career included brokerage production and commercial real estate consulting in Durango, Colorado; mixed-use projects and capital brokerage in the Washington, DC region; and commercial real estate appraisal and consulting in San Francisco. Rick graduated with a BA in Economics and Business Administration from George Washington University, and earned his MBA with a specialization in Real Estate at the University of Denver.

Scott Underwood focuses on North Carolina in the Triangle and Wilmington markets, and his work includes site selection, due diligence, pre-development planning, and oversight of consultants, and ultimately disposition. Prior to joining Woodfield, Scott had a successful career in the consumer-packaged goods industry with both Roll Global and Coca-Cola North America, and his duties included the development and implementation of national & international strategy. Scott completed his MBA at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), and he earned his Real Estate Certification, and Certified Specialist of Wine Certification at the same time. Ultimately, his passion for real estate led him to Woodfield. Scott and his wife, Asheley, live in Raleigh-Durham, and he serves on the board of the Triangle Community Coalition and sits on several Urban Land Institute national and district councils.

“The biggest highlight of working with Woodfield is our people; the talent of my peers is unmatched, and it’s a blast working with each one of them. We also get to make an impact in our communities and develop housing for people every day. There is a challenge at every turn which makes this career so unique and fulfilling.”

Patrick is primarily focused on sourcing new development opportunities in the Georgia market. His responsibilities include: site selection, due diligence, pre-development planning, and oversight of consultants. Prior to joining Woodfield, Patrick worked in development with Gables Residential. He earned a BBA in Marketing from Valdosta State University and a Masters of Science in Real Estate from the University of Washington. Patrick is an active member of the Urban Land Institute Atlanta District Council and currently serves as Co-Chair for the Programs Committee.