ROBERT POPPLETON

VICE PRESIDENT | DEVELOPMENT

RESPONSIBILITIES

Robert Poppleton serves as Vice President for Furman Development. Robert’s responsibilities include the coordination of development activity from acquisition due diligence through to delivery for the division’s office, retail, and mixed-use projects. In this position Robert leverages both public and private sector experience in commercial real estate investment advisory, finance and portfolio management.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Prior to joining The Furman Co., Robert worked in commercial real estate in both the private and public sectors. Before moving to Greenville, SC in 2012, he spent three years as a Portfolio Manager for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations—Office of Planning and Real Estate where he led a team overseeing more than 16,000 leases in 250 international markets. Before working at the Department of State, Robert worked for Costar Group as a Property Marketing Specialist providing real estate professionals across the United States internet-based marketing solutions for their commercial properties.

EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL COURSES, AFFILIATIONS

Robert completed his graduate studies at Georgetown University where he received a master’s degree in real estate finance. Prior to pursing commercial real estate studies, Robert completed a graduate certification in Advanced Social, Economic, and Political Studies at the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor of arts in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America.

Robert is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He started as a student member in 2010 and has been a young leader since 2012. Robert participates regularly in local and regional ULI events and has attended the national Fall meetings in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA in recent years. In 2015, Robert was appointed chair for the ULI Carolinas’ Young Leader Regional Initiative Council (RIC).

In addition to working professionally in office, retail, and mixed-use development, Robert’s interests include agricultural urbanism, multi-century buildings, and exploring trails and greenways around Greenville, SC with his wife and six children.

STEPHEN P. NAVARRO, CCIM, CRE

President and CEO

864-242-5151
snavarro@furmanco.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Steve Navarro is President and CEO of The Furman Co., Inc. based in Greenville, South Carolina. Steve oversees Furman’s two operating companies that specialize in Development and Investment Advisory Services. Founded in 1888, Furman has a long history of being instrumental in the recruitment and development of new business and industry to the region. Through Steve’s leadership, and collaboration in both the public and private sectors, Furman has help facilitate major changes to the real estate landscape across the state. In recognition he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Greenville’s 50 Most Influential People by Greenville Business Magazine.

Steve represents and advises corporate, institutional, and high net worth individuals as well as investing side by side. His advisory services extend to over twenty-three states and four countries, ranging from development projects, built-to-suit transactions, and acquisition and disposition of both leasehold and fee title. Public sector experience includes advisory services for multiple municipalities, state, and federal governments. Previously, Steve was owner and president of CBRE | The Furman Co., the leading brokerage and management firm in the state of South Carolina until its acquisition by CBRE, Inc.

EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL COURSES, AFFILIATIONS 

Steve holds several designations, including Counselor of Real Estate® (CRE). The Counselors of Real Estate isa professional membership organization established in 1953 exclusively for leading real property advisors. The organization consists of 1,100 members worldwide, whose members act as consultants to a majority of the U.S. based Fortune 500 corporations. Members are awarded the CRE designation which is bestowed by invitation only. He has previously served as Trustee on the Counselors of Real Estate Foundation, is a past member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Board and is past Vice Chair of the CRE External Affairs Committee. Steve has previously served as a member of the International Committee and Nominating Committee and is also a past Chair of the CRE Education Committee and Business Issues Committee.

Steve was named a Fellow in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) based in London, England. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is one of the most respected and high profile global ‘standards and membership’ organizations for professionals in land, property, construction, and environmental issues. Less than one percent of all RICS members have been awarded the prestigious distinction of becoming a Fellow. The designation of fellowship is a badge of achievement, exemplifying the highest level of accomplishment during one’ s career in professional experience, managerial responsibilities, and structured and planned professional development.

Steve's passion is the sustainable development of land and is involved at the leadership level with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), both at the national and state levels. Steve became a Trustee in 2008, and a member of the Board of Directors in 2013 for the global organization, now counting over 40,000 members strong. He currently serves as a Governor for the ULI Foundation. He is past Chair for the ULI Global Awards for Excellence. He is past chair of the Small-Scale Development Council and past chair of the Community Action Grant (CAG) Committee. As a Council Counselor, Steve was one of twelve leaders appointed by the national Chair to oversee 44 ULI Product Councils, consisting of almost 2,500 real estate professionals. He has served on the national Operating Committee as the Chair presiding over national programs. On a statewide level, he was instrumental in establishing the first District Council in South Carolina and is a past member of the Governance Committee presiding over the ULI South Carolina District Council.

In 2013 Steve was appointed to Clemson University's Advancement Board for Real Estate Development (ABRED). Steve joins a blue-ribbon group of leaders who promote the advancement of the real estate development profession and related fields through the earnest support of the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program by providing committed financial, intellectual, and professional resources to maximize the impact of the center. The Real Estate Development Board is action-oriented and entrepreneurial in spirit.

Steve is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He is past Chair and co-founder of the Board of Directors of Ten At The Top (TATT), a non-profit organization created to foster a spirit of cooperation and collaboration among public, private, and non-profit leaders from across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina region. Steve is also a past member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Furman University’s Board of Advisors.

Leaders