"On the foundational items, I couldn't have found a better group." shares David Howard, Chair of the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority, as he discussed the process of aligning the purpose and power of the 27-member group. He's spent a lot of time making sure the job at hand begins with an important pause so that everything in front of the group can be accurately, intentionally, and effectively approached. "You need to go slow so you can go fast." He insists. REBIC agrees. But then he said if he could make a new rule for the world, he'd insist we put 'ketchup on everything.' That one might be a personal preference. But it emphasizes how Rob works to make human the people and the issues shaping our region.

Charlotte is doing something not many cities get the chance to do. Control their OWN mobility future. There is much to do to consolidate and refocus, but the future will be fueled by many voices that care. The Authority will oversee the investing of billions of dollars in Mecklenburg County sales tax revenue, and David has a solid grasp on the process, and the vision. Howard is a former Charlotte city councilor who has been chief deputy secretary of the NCDOT and was associate administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Giving him a broad perspective.

"The work ahead will be serious, demanding, and consequential," Howard said in a LinkedIn post. "The impact of this organization — and this transit investment — will be generational. How we start matters. How we lead matters. And who we serve must always remain at the center of every decision."

As we moved comfortably from subject to subject during the interview, David stated that he's proud of all the members of the authority. And that little by little they're finding common ground and acceptance as they move past individual positioning, to becoming one cooperative voice.

With a strategic mindset and a robust professional network at local, state, and national levels, David excels at driving continuous improvement and crafting innovative solutions to complex challenges. As the Principal of DL Howard Consulting Group, LLC, based in Charlotte, NC, David provides strategic guidance in smart cities, transportation equity, innovation, development, and public policy. Known for his analytical prowess, he is a trusted visionary and thought leader in both the public and private sectors. He shares with us that, "If we can get it right with this body, we can probably get it right for Charlotte, too."

He closed with some powerful beliefs that would prove we did this right. "We're not ready to just commit to a new transportation system, we're going to commit to having a new industry…a successful reinvention of a transportation eco system."

"Big, hairy, audacious goals." That's what Stuart Hair calls the things he sets in motion that deserve to be executed with greatness. This is also a man who loves interreacting with people, and revels in the part of his job where he can connect and respond to the community. So, it's surprising that his idea of a day of pampering is sitting on the front porch of a cabin, deep in the woods and reading a book, while soaking in the quiet of nature.

He also loves Dungeons and Dragons.

Maybe it's that juxtaposition of passions, obsessions, and talents that makes him so agile and so good at his job. We know it made him awfully fun to interview.

Stuart Hair, Director of Commercial and Community Engagement for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, says he's found his happy place in this position. Calling himself a Visionary Economic Developer, he spends his days making the most of his Masters in economic geography – with an emphasis on urban and regional land use and planning.

As he works to balance the fiscal interests of the airport's economic footprint, especially with a growing city like Charlotte, he reminds us that remembering how to prioritize what is achievable with what is aspirational, keeps the strong financial model of CLT stable and growing.

The airport owns thousands of acres of land besides the runway, terminal, and the parking lots that passengers use. And Stuart has been tasked with developing and implementing a development strategy for how to use that land. In an article from the Observer, Stuart says that beyond the land the airport owns, Charlotte Douglas' zone of influence covers more than 20 square miles, stretching roughly from the Catawba River to Billy Graham Parkway, and from Interstate 85 to Shopton Road.

We all see and feel the excitement of their expansion plans, whether entering the airport as a passenger or driving by it. New runways. Exciting new developments. So much on the horizon. And although Stuart answers to the Charlotte City Manager, he tells us that the airport functions like a private entity, which is very different than a city run department. This allows CLT to take advantage of new opportunities to embrace new infrastructure requests, reflecting the high demand for warehouse industries that bring in many, many new jobs and careers to the region.

His question to himself is, "How do we take this idea of putting transportation, logistics, distribution facilities together, and make it happen?" Somehow, we know Stuart, who is always evolving, will help our airport evolve as well.

Listen to this episode and learn everything you need to know and other great facts that you should know about our own Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Additional Info:

He has worked in economic development since 2006 throughout the Charlotte region with local and state organizations, following a career in private sector administrative operations. Hair is a graduate of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute (OUEDI) and a Certified Member (CM) of American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)

He holds a BA from Queens University of Charlotte and a MA from UNC Charlotte. Along with his wife and child, Hair lives in Uptown Charlotte.

Affiliations:

North Carolina Airports Association (NCAA) – Board Member

American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)

Charlotte Rotary Club – Past Board Member

Brenda Hayden, REALTOR®, industry leader, and housing advocate with more than two decades of experience serving consumers and communities throughout North Carolina and South Carolina, is the 2026 President of North Carolina REALTORS®, representing thousands of real estate professionals across the state.

As our current podcast guest, Brenda gets to work sharing the heart of her commitment to the real estate industry emphasizing that truly listening to the broker community is the only way to form a strategy around leadership and purpose. She also urges us to remember that REALTORS® need to build their communities by not just advocating for each other, but by engaging IN the community. She encourages her charge to attend municipal planning meetings, to learn how to advocate for the things that bring prosperity, to volunteer for municipal leadership positions, and to understand that growth should be embraced with collaborative and cooperative agendas.

Brenda is a Broker/Owner of BDH Realty Advisors and is known for her expertise in residential real estate, leadership development, advocacy, fair housing, and community engagement. Throughout her career, she has held numerous leadership positions, including President of Canopy REALTOR® Association and Canopy MLS in 2019, Chair of DreamKey Partners, and Executive Committee Chair of the Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition (REBIC).

A passionate advocate for housing opportunity, Brenda has served on local, state, and national committees focused on housing affordability, community development, and public policy. Her leadership extends beyond real estate through service with organizations including the Canopy Housing Foundation, Builders of Hope, and numerous community initiatives.

Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University and an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte. She is a recipient of the 2022 Canopy REALTOR® of the Year Award and is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to professional excellence, and dedication to expanding access to homeownership and housing opportunities.

When she is not serving clients or leading industry initiatives, Brenda enjoys fitness, bodybuilding, mentoring emerging leaders, and spending time with her family.

Dave Boliek, our guest on Getting Real with Rob, became the 21st State Auditor of North Carolina in January of 2025. Now, almost 18 months into his term, he's focused and alert about what it means to ensure your tax money is being spent with accountability. When you first meet him, the wireframe glasses and classic attire might keep you from seeing that little bit of Elliot Ness in his eyes. Animated, articulate, and very well educated on the political landscape of the State Auditors position, he's almost like a kid in the outfield who can't wait for you to throw him the ball. And when it hits his glove, you get more than a solid catch. You have someone who tells you exactly what they plan to do next, and then he does it.

It's that kind of energy that brings a refreshing take to a subject that some would believe incredibly dry. Auditing. But he sees it as the best job ever. Part statistician, part strategist, part psychologist and part detective, it's all good for Dave Boliek.

Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, Dave has lived in Fayetteville, Durham, Eden, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Thomasville, Hickory, Boone, and Raleigh. He is a former prosecutor, small business owner, and most recently worked as an attorney and served as Chairman of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.

Dave's legal career includes being an Assistant District Attorney in Cumberland County, where he prosecuted crimes in District and Superior Courts, and as a litigator practicing in State and Federal Courts. As Chairman of UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, Dave led the effort to eliminate the university's operating deficit and created the Board of Trustees' first Audit and Risk Committee.

He and his wife Haden live in the Durham/Chapel Hill area and have four children. He is a proud Eagle Scout, and a Christian who serves as an elder in his church. Dave earned an undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and has a law degree and master's degree in business administration from Campbell University.

About the Office of the State Auditor:

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is your fiscal watchdog. We audit more than $100 billion in state assets and liabilities each year, bringing transparency to local, state, and federal government. Our reports and findings include recommendations that result in good government reforms. OSA thoroughly investigates alleged cases of fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, working with law enforcement on prosecution when warranted. We encourage all members of the public with information on improper government conduct to inform OSA through the safe and secure Tipline.)

"UNC is all about Charlotte" shares Blaine Brownell, during our recent recording. As the Director of the Raven's School of Architecture, UNC Charlotte, he emphasizes that Charlotte is poised for amazing success and is highly optimistic about the future, our talent, and our ability to adapt, but cautions us about the danger of assumptions.

REBIC has been working on adding peripheral opinions to our podcast, working to share information about the entire landscape of disciplines needed to maintain our cities and our success. In advocacy we talk a lot about the size of home and the size of the lot, and the size of the price tag. But Professor Brownell puts it all in perspective when he tells us we must get out of our own way to continue to thrive. And shares that learning how to become a great architect is as much about collaboration as it is design.

Pointing to his years in studying and living in Japan, he shared freely his fascination with their culture. And admires their efficient, clean, and innovative approach to design and to renewal. It's a theme he refers to throughout the episode, and frankly, it's the best reason to listen to our latest episode of Getting Real with Rob.

Blaine Brownell is an architect, author, and leading thinker on how emerging materials are reshaping the built environment. His work focuses on the intersection of material innovation, environmental performance, and design—exploring how buildings can move beyond static systems to become dynamic participants in ecological processes. He is the author of ten books, including the forthcoming Radical Green, which advances new material strategies for regenerative and net-positive architecture. Since 2009, he has written the "Mind & Matter" column for Architect magazine, contributing over 800 articles on the frontiers of material innovation. In addition to his academic work as Professor and Director of the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Brownell advises leading organizations—including 3M, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mayo Clinic, and the Danish Architecture Center—on material futures, sustainability, and design innovation. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Nature, and other international publications. He speaks globally on the future of materials, climate-responsive design, and the evolving role of architecture in a rapidly changing world.

Brownell earned a B.A. in architecture with a Certificate in East Asian Studies at Princeton University in 1992, and a Master of Architecture from Rice University in 1998. He practiced for seven years at NBBJ in Seattle, Washington. In 2006 he became a Fulbright Scholar to Japan with a focus on emergent materials and applications in architecture and design. After a visiting professorship at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Brownell taught at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture, Minneapolis starting in 2008, eventually serving as director of graduate studies and interim department head. In 2020 he became the Director of the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Mark Jerrell, chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and the representative for District 4, which comprises the eastern part of Mecklenburg County. And we have to say, this podcast episode is one we've been looking forward to for a long time. His leadership qualities are complemented by his easy-going demeanor, and a quick wit. But the building of a leader happened early in his life, he shared. Because of his upbringing, and the loud voice of a strong momma in his head, Mark is committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that resources are accessible for our most vulnerable residents.

He is passionate about issues of equity, education, affordable housing, access to social services, environment, social and environmental justice, connectivity, parks and open space, and ensuring that we have relevant programming for all residents. He is also focused on ensuring that minority-owned businesses, seniors, working families and students have the opportunity and resources needed to experience a high quality of life. But he also understands that you cannot have prosperity without keeping businesses strong and welcoming the growth that makes opportunity possible.

Mark is an entrepreneur and proud veteran, having served in the United States Army Reserve. He also holds a bachelor's degree in political science as well as an MBA.  We discovered, in an interview with the Charlotte Observer, how he collaborates, so successfully, with other local and state elected officials.

"…I believe we must work together to create comprehensive strategies to improve the lives of all residents in Mecklenburg County. Our issues are inter-connected, and we cannot work in silos or in isolation to change outcomes for our most vulnerable. I will continue to convene elected, community, business leaders, and other key stakeholders to work together on solutions for our most critical issues."

Among the many subjects we broached during his interview, we were keen on his reasons for supporting so completely the recently passed Transportation Referendum.

Yes, he represents the eastern part of Mecklenburg County, which some in that district will say isn't a priority area for the close to $30 billion that will be raised over the next few decades, he disagrees, knowing that mobility is like a rising tide that lifts all ships.

He also says that elected leaders "don't have the luxury" to isolate specific groups that might not benefit as much from the plan but rather must balance the overall needs of the county's 1.2 million residents.

He told us that Charlotte area's growth reflects the idea that this is an area where everyone wants to live so making innovative investments in infrastructure is imperative.

One of his best-known triumphs is that he's been able to galvanize cooperative efforts of the Commission. But he does so with the humility and strong purpose of someone who knows who he is. Where he came from. And that people need to feel they're a part of creating something good.

When Ed Driggs, Charlotte City Councilperson for District 7, sat down for our interview, he elaborated on many civic issues. But woven in between the answers, we heard him speak of two important principles that he uses to facilitate the positive outcomes he's known for. One. Make sure the people in the room feel comfortable. And two, never stop learning. These words offer sage advice to not only anyone reading this but stands as a key to his results-driven municipal leadership that has stood the test of time. Representing Charlotte's District 7 since 2013, we may think his task has grown easy. But he represents an engaged, vocal, and passionate segment of the city. It is in the crosshairs of the nudge of growth that is demanding big neighborhood changes. Many of those changes feel uncomfortable and are accelerating. That being said, District 7 is almost a test zone for the way our region is learning to balance tradition with revision. No one has a better view of those changes and their impact than Councilperson Edmond Driggs.

With the experience needed to inform outcomes across all segments of policy making, he serves as the Chair of Transportation, Planning and Development Committee and serves on the newly stand-alone Safety Committee. With the ease of a man who offsets the stress of his leadership job with his love for music and playing his guitars, (He has a lot of them. Many are classics!), he explains in detail how delicately balanced we are in regulating our current prosperity and how little it would take to throw us off our envious status as a vibrant and economically growing city. Always in flux, city councils often bring new members with strong opinions and sometimes no perspective or experience. The goal is to keep real needs in focus, so all citizens are served and nurtured.

This podcast is one you sit and listen to with eagerness and curiosity. You'll learn a lot.

In his professional life, Ed was a banker and analyst at Bankers Trust Company in New York, Frankfurt, and London, and then worked at Goldman Sachs and Company in New York until his retirement in 2001.

Since retiring, Ed has been active in various community roles and has served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the Mecklenburg County Boy Scouts of America, WTVI, The Association of Public Television Stations well as on the Central Piedmont Community College President's Council.

Ed received an AB degree cum laude in Economics from Princeton University and pursued graduate studies in mathematical economics at Berlin University and the University of Oxford. In 1971, he received a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve, from which he retired in 1987. He and his wife Caroline live in South Charlotte and have two adult children.

It's been 2 years since Danté Anderson, City Councilperson for District 1, joined us for an episode of Getting Real with Rob. And although the sitting Council looks a little different, Danté still brings her signature gravitas to the podcast booth, just as she does to any interview. Appointed as the Chair to the newly independent Charlotte City Safety Committee, she clarified what she sees as an effort to connect all the relevant safety-minded entities within the City with Uptown residents and business owners, to ensure they support and uphold the work of our dedicated police force.

"60% of our budget is dedicated to safety, covering police and fire protection," she shares, and then transitions into a narrative around her intention to lean into agendas that support safe, affordable housing in Charlotte. She calls home ownership, "…the second most important step to increasing safety in our community…" The first being a sustainable plan to bring in good paying jobs and provide a way for people to get educated so they can access these jobs, better equipping them to buy a home.

Councilperson Anderson brings a wealth of experience in the private sector to her work in the policy making realm. However, she remembers Charlotte before we became one of the fastest growing cities in the Nation. "I'm a native daughter of South Charlotte, raised during an era of the Queen City when Eastland Mall was a gem, Saturday afternoons at Queens Park were a treat and the possibilities were abundant." She continues, "As a poor African American girl reared in public and low-income housing, I've experienced housing instability and food insecurity throughout my childhood. Yet, if one were to tell me the possibility of improving my desired outcomes barely existed based on my location in the city, I would have rebuked that notion. I was hopeful, encouraged to reach higher, and keenly believed possibility could become reality."

Her CMS education armed me with the appropriate knowledge and skillset to successfully navigate through a dual BS Degree in Electrical Engineering and Cinema Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Fine Arts in Cinema Studies from New York University's The Tisch School and acquire an MBA from Harvard Business School. She desperately wanted the concept of achievement to resonate for all Charlotte residents, regardless of what side of the city they called home, and regardless of their location on the economic mobility ladder.

"I firmly believe my professional skills & experience, insight, civic engagement, and tribal knowledge of being a native Queen City resident can uniquely help to advance City Council's key focal objectives."