Crescent Communities today announced two appointments in its land and commercial business groups. Whit Duncan has been named Land Sales president and Brian Leary has been named president, Commercial and Mixed-Use, adding to a deep senior leadership team.

“Brian has a wealth of experience in large and small scale mixed-use developments that aligns well with our existing communities, land holdings, and where we see opportunities for new acquisitions and development. We see real potential to build on our legacy of distinguished mixed-use developments, and Brian will help us do that,” said Todd Mansfield, president and chief executive officer of Crescent Communities.

Leary comes to Crescent from Jacoby Development, a national developer of corporate, mixed-use and retail projects. He oversaw the design and development of Atlantic Station, the largest urban brownfield redevelopment in the nation at the time, and its 13.5 million square-foot master plan. Previously Leary served as president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., the organization planning and executing the implements of the BeltLine, one of the country’s largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment projects.

In addition to Leary’s appointment, the company announced a new set of responsibilities for Whit Duncan.

“A longstanding part of our strategy has been to leverage the over 40,000 acres of land holdings that we don’t envision developing ourselves,” Mansfield said. “I am excited that bringing Brian on board will enable Whit, one of our most experienced and talented leaders, to shift his focus to this portion of our long-term business plan.”

Duncan, a proven sales leader who joined Crescent more than 15 years ago, previously led Crescent’s Commercial group. During his tenure Crescent developed and leased more than 15 million square feet of commercial properties throughout the southeast, including Gateway Altamonte Springs, an Orlando, Florida suburb. Duncan was instrumental in recruiting Adventist Health System Southeast to build its new headquarters in Gateway and helping the company envision and create a signature 345,000 square-foot office space best which best suited its culture and employees.

Duncan takes the helm of the Land Sales group from Jim Short, who is winding down his Crescent involvement after 32 years of service.

“It is extraordinary in today’s business environment to find a person who has both the loyalty and talent to stay and grow with a single organization over that period of time,” Mansfield said. “Jim has been a central part of our leadership team and will continue to be a valued resource for the organization. We thank him for all that he has accomplished.”

About Crescent Communities
Founded in 1969 in Charlotte, Crescent Communities is a diversified real estate investment, development and operating company dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people through sustainable multifamily, residential and commercial communities and responsible land management. Crescent’s portfolio today includes 21 master-planned communities, including its signature Palmetto Bluff, as well as 20 multifamily projects with over 4,500 units under construction/lease-up or in planning/pre-development. The company owns and manages nearly 70,000 acres of land company-wide. www.crescentcommunities.com.