2024 Speaker Lineup

President, Tiny Home Industry Association
Director of Government Relations for the American Tiny House Association

Dan has presented to cities and counties though out the nation on the opportunities for tiny houses and moveable tiny houses as a means to meet the ever-growing need for affordable and sustainable housing. Just recently he conducted a series of workshops: “Tiny Houses: A Sustainable, Eco-Friendly and Affordable Housing Solution” and training sessions for “Legalizing Tiny Living” and workshops on “How to Develop a Tiny Home Community.”

Dan has over forty-nine years of broad executive level management and administrative leadership experience in both public and private sector. Because of his government and developer experience, he has been working with local governments to amend their planning and zoning codes to permit moveable tiny houses as ADUs.

Dan has been instrumental in assisting a number of cities and counties in development of new tiny friendly ordinances, especially in California. He has also worked with NH, WA, ME, CO, OR, MA and FL on statutes and regulation for movable tiny homes. Recently he presented to the Board of Directors of ICC and was a principal in the 2023 ICC expo and training program for tiny homes and the new ICC publication: “The Tiny House Building It Right.”

Dan has presented to Planning Commissions, City Councils, Boards of Supervisors and state legislative committees throughout the United States. He is also working with several municipalities for demonstration infill and cluster tiny home projects.

Dan has served in the public sector as the:

• Director of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fresno

• Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the County of Fresno

• Assistant City Manager and Assistant County Administrator in Las Vegas (Clark County), Nevada overseeing the departments involved in Nevada’s phenomenal growth.

Mr. Fitzpatrick holds a Masters in Government from Lehigh University and has lectured on government and planning issues at various colleges and universities.

Real Estate Developer
Founder & CEO, Techie Homes, Inc. & South Park Cottages

Booker T. Washington stands at the helm of Techie Homes, an embodiment of visionary entrepreneurship and strategic development. With an unwavering commitment, he has devoted years to crafting South Park Cottages and various other properties across Atlanta. His mission is clear: to cultivate innovative, affordable communities while safeguarding their core integrity, elevating value, and nurturing a sense of belonging.

In his role as both investor and real estate developer over the past half-decade, Booker has independently spearheaded the creation of over $5 million in real estate assets. His astute vision and dedication have been pivotal in reshaping Atlanta's landscape. Rooted in his hometown, Booker's focus remains steadfast on developing properties within the very neighborhoods that shaped his upbringing, emphasizing South and Southwest Atlanta as the ideal canvas for projects like South Park Cottages, along with upcoming ventures.

Beyond the structures he erects, Booker T. Washington's ethos resonates with community empowerment. He envisions spaces that not only enrich but also sustainably uplift the lives of their inhabitants. His approach underscores a harmonious blend of modern innovation and traditional values, ensuring that progress is synonymous with community enhancement.

Booker's legacy extends beyond real estate; it's etched in the lives he impacts and the communities he elevates, a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and societal betterment. His ongoing dedication continues to shape Atlanta, setting a new standard for community-oriented development in the ever-evolving urban landscape.

Owner, The Bohemian Brand, LLC. and Founder, Tiny House Trailblazers

After downsizing her homes and lifestyle over the course of ten years, Jewel designed and built a beautiful tiny house in May of 2015 that she calls home. Her home represents a desire that many have to reduce their ecological footprint to focus more on practices of less and sustainability.

Jewel is a tiny house dweller, educator, advocate and community leader sharing her experiences, offering consulting services and workshops throughout the country to assist others in achieving their tiny living dreams. Jewel sees her work as liberation work; working to disrupt the status quo to create and build safe and equitable communities, using movable housing and businesses as the infrastructure for change. She sees this work as the next step of moving the tiny house movement forward from individual solutions for affordable housing into the building of resilient communities that address collective needs.

Founder, HaZi Enterprises and Executive Director, Tiny House Big Movement

Kim started her entrepreneurship journey in 2017 in Concord, NC and in 2019, she created the first major hemp industry event based in Charlotte. In Spring 2021, expanding their event footprint, the company partnered with local hemp farmers to produce an outdoor festival in Rowan county incorporating onsite camping with hemp greenhouse tours, entertainment, speakers and vendors.

In 2021, Kim founded HaZi Enterprises to encompass the holistic scope of the company. The first project for 2022 broadened the scope of the company by looking at industrial hemp’s sustainability and use in building materials. In creating a path for equality and equity within the housing market, Tiny House Big Movement was developed to address affordable and missing middle housing. By collaborating with community leaders and green companies, the vision is to develop an eco friendly and sustainable community.

President, Braveheart Properties

Jinkie Echols is an affordable housing advocate, sought after speaker and tiny house consultant. She is also the founder/President of Braveheart Properties of Brevard, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for tiny homes and affordable housing in Cocoa, Florida and the owner and developer of Peacewind, a thirty-five acre tiny home community of homes on wheels and on foundation. Peacewind is a legally zoned and code-compliant tiny home and small cottage community, which Jinkie wrote the code and zoning for in order to create the community as a planned urban development for permanent long-term living. The community has eighty-four home sites, with the development nearing completion in the next few months after eight long years.

Jinkie owns Tiny Casa Consulting and is a world-wide consultant for many municipalities, individuals and investors for tiny communities across the US and overseas, utilizing her background as a multimillion-dollar real estate broker and experience in property management. She is also a senior advisor for Tiny House Alliance USA and an invaluable asset to the ASTM International’s subcommittee (E06.26), contributing to the development of standards for tiny houses and tiny house communities.

Founder, Coram Houses

Topher Thomas is Haitian-American born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He started his career as a high school chemistry teacher in Ft. Lauderdale teaching for three years before relocating to Wake Forest, North Carolina to obtain his Master’s in Education and Counseling from Southeastern Seminary. While in seminary, Topher continued his teaching career at the middle school level, teaching English online to Chinese students. After completing his master’s degree, he began teaching Theology and Servant Leadership at Trinity School of Durham.

While still teaching at Trinity School, Topher founded an equitable housing company, Coram Houses, which is committed to creating both creative housing solutions for vulnerable peoples and capital assets for underinvested groups, primarily through building backyard tiny homes as ADUs. Topher is motivated by breaking cycles of injustice and continues to teach high school, while also advocating for restorative affordable housing development. He and his wife Abbi have two daughters, Violet and Margot.

CEO/Broker-in-Charge, Renewed Realty International LLC

Melanie is a respected and influential power player in the real estate industry. With a robust background as a licensed Realtor since 2015, specializing in the real estate markets of North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC), Melanie brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the community she serves. Her commitment to excellence awarded her the opportunity to be named one of The Charlotte Observer's 2018 Rising Stars in Real Estate. Melanie’s distinction as a Certified International Real Estate Agent underscores her commitment to a comprehensive and global perspective.

As an active member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), and the United Developers Council (NAREB), Melanie aligns her professional prowess with a dedication to community service. Her strategic insights and proficiency in real estate contribute significantly to creating generational wealth building strategies for everyone. Melanie Mills Johnson's leadership and commitment to making a positive impact in both local and international spheres make her an invaluable asset.

Chief Operating Officer, She Built This City

LaToya Faustin is the transformative Executive Director of She Built This City (SBTC), known for her strategic acumen and influential leadership. Since assuming her role in 2020, LaToya has driven significant growth and steered the organization into a new era of community development. Her recognition in the Charlotte Business Journal's Power 100 for 2023 is a testament to her dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across Charlotte.

Armed with a BA in Corporate Communications and Spanish, an MBA from Elon University, and a DEI certification from Cornell University, LaToya's career is marked by her passion for advocacy and education. At SBTC, she has launched key initiatives, including Adult Workforce Development and Critical Home Repair, and extended the youth program through strategic partnerships with local government and community organizations.

Equally committed to community service beyond the scope of her work, LaToya serves on the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee for Habitat for Humanity Charlotte. She was a board member for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance - Central Chapter and involved in WestEnd revitalization efforts with the City of Charlotte’s economic development team. She is currently a member of the Elon Alumni Board and previously served on the Young Alumni Council and is a 2023 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Service Award for her 20+ years of service in the nonprofit sector.

LaToya lives in Charlotte, NC where she spends most of her free time with her precocious little boy.

Director, Chatham Habitat for Humanity

Harvey is a green builder, licensed plumber, conservation-oriented land developer, organic farmer, teacher and writer. Harvey is influenced by his experiences of living in various community settings, including a remote retreat center in the cascade mountains in Washington state and five years in a traditional, rural village in Southern Africa. Harvey initiated and helped develop the Sustainable Farming Program at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) in Pittsboro, NC and has taught many classes there in the past 25 years in Sustainable Agriculture, Permaculture, Green Building and Construction/Plumbing. Harvey was the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Farmer of the Year in 1998.

Presently Harvey is the Director of Construction and Land Acquisition/Development at Chatham Habitat for Humanity and one of his passions is designing and building small and tiny houses. Harvey is equally passionate about developing self-sufficient homesites that produce their own energy, capture rainwater, grow food, and minimize their environmental impact. Additionally, Harvey is one of the founders of Living Well Ecovillage, which is a small and tiny house friendly, sustainable community in central North Carolina. He also helped start and teaches workshops on “How to Build Your Own Small or Tiny House” at the Deep River Folk School, which holds workshops the third Saturday of the month from March through November in Franklinville, North Carolina.

Tiny House Advocate

Nadia Giordani is a driven and accomplished woman who wears many hats. As a single mom to a 23-year-old college student, she has balanced the demands of parenthood with pursuing her passions and achieving her goals. Nadia is a proud owner of a tiny house in the vibrant city of Atlanta, which she rents out on Airbnb to travelers seeking a unique and cozy experience.

Nadia's impressive educational background includes not one, but two Master's degrees. She holds a Master's in Finance and a Master's in Nutrition, reflecting her diverse interests and commitment to lifelong learning. With her expertise in both finance and nutrition, Nadia is well-equipped to offer advice on healthy eating habits and financial planning to those around her.

Despite the many responsibilities she juggles, Nadia remains committed to living life to the fullest. She is an avid traveler, always seeking new experiences and cultures to immerse herself in. Whether she's exploring local farmer's markets or trekking through the mountains, Nadia approaches life with a sense of curiosity and adventure. Above all, Nadia is a loving and devoted mother who takes pride in watching her daughter pursue her dreams. Her dedication to her family, combined with her impressive accomplishments and zest for life, make her a truly inspiring individual.

Developer, Acony Bell Tiny Home Community

Mark is the President and Senior Civil/Environmental Engineer at Brooks Engineering Associates and his partner John Monroe and John has complementary experience in real estate and property management. Together they are the founders of Acony Bell Tiny Home Community, which was founded in 2017 and is located in Mills River, NC, near Asheville. The community is spread out over 58 acres and offers permanent, long term sites for Tiny homes home on wheels and Park Model Tiny Homes.

President/CEO of Prosperity Unlimited, Inc.

Louise Mack has been the President/CEO of Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. since June 1995. Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. is a nonprofit community development corporation that is also approved as a housing counseling agency by the Department of HUD. Not only is a HUD Certified Housing Counselor she is a training of counselor across North & South Carolina.

Prosperity has four (4) employees and historically work with approximately 1,200 families a year in the area of home buying, pre-purchase and down payment assistance counseling, foreclosure counseling and financial literacy. They also partner with the administration of several down payment assistance programs. The organization has built or rehabilitated 70 units of single-family homes and developed 326 units of affordable apartments mainly for seniors in Cabarrus and Rowan counties.

Ms. Mack is also an advocate for housing and fair lending practices in North Carolina in which she has received several state and national awards. She is a graduate of S. C. State University will a B. S. Degree in Business Administration.

Ms. Mack also holds certifications as anHousing Counselor, Homebuyer’s Educator, Financial Capability Coach, Housing Development Financial Professional, Economic Development Financial Professional and is licensed as a Realtor in North Carolina. Prior to Prosperity she worked for 19 years for several major companies in the accounting field ranging from Cost Accountant to Division Controller.

Tiny House Advocate

Bonnie “Yakini” Davis, MS, MBA, CAPS, CSA®, is driven by her passion for helping older adults live in positive, supportive, uplifting environments—homes and communities. Ms. Davis espouses tiny houses as ideal for achieving these goals. She is a 15-year Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and 15-year Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®. She holds a Gerontology Graduate Certificate in Leadership & Aging, an MS in Journalism and an MBA in Management. Her research on aging spans 20 years, with recent work focusing on aging in place and tiny house communities.

Before making aging her vocation, Ms. Davis worked in technical communication as a consultant or contractor for companies that included (but were not limited to) ADP, Aflac, AT&T, Ceridian, Cox Communications, Glint (a LinkedIn company), The Home Depot, IBM, and P&G. Now she applies her tech acumen and skills researching tech that supports aging in place.

Available on Amazon, Getting Old and Getting Over It ~ Sort Of is her first book about aging. Spiced with dashes of humor and sarcasm, the book is a light-hearted yet informative reflection on aging.

Corporate and Governments Relations, Development Operations. OFFSITEK

OFFSITEK is an offsite technology company offering end-to-end solutions for industrialized residential and commercial construction that integrates land development, advanced digital design, supply chain optimization, and construction. OFFSITEK’s integrated technology utilizes automation. Robotic assembly, and cutting-edge software to transform traditional, fragmented construction into advanced manufacturing.

Chris specializes in strategic partnerships and government relations, site selection and acquisition, project management and planning, funding, and incentives negotiation. Chris leads projects resulting in land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, capital infusion, financial incentives, and grants.

Chris Younger’s role with the organization is multifaceted and includes:

• Create partnerships and collaboration with local governments to utilize municipal and county owned properties for affordable housing, to seek additional properties well-suited for affordable housing and community development and obtain such properties, creation and expansion of housing initiatives and zoning to enable more new housing.

• Create partnerships and collaboration with local non-profits and community development organizations to advance their affordable and specialized housing initiatives, often done through development and construction partnerships.

Chris Younger has 23 years’ experience, managing over $1.4 billion and 1,500+ acres of residential, commercial, and industrial land acquisition, development, construction, and redevelopment, including industrial parks, commercial, market-rate and affordable housing projects. He is a Business and Government Strategist and former Economic Developer, and an expert in Housing Development.

Co-Founders, Victory Gardens International

Jonathan and Crystal Nazeer are the Co-Founders of Victory Gardens International a 501(c)(3) community development corporation whose mission is to spearhead community redevelopment through urban farming, food access, food production and workforce development in historically marginalized communities. They are also the main subjects of the upcoming YouTube Originals docuseries The Cultivators - a community agriculture project.

Throughout their marriage the pair and their children always enjoyed and prioritized gardening. What started as a beloved hobby for The Nazeers blossomed into something much bigger at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2021, the pair left their corporate positions to focus full-time on their new venture. With Jonathan's 25+ years of experience in marketing, radio and television and Crystal's background in banking and accounting, Victory Gardens International was born. They started with a hand built mobile produce cart in 2021 and today, Victory Gardens seeks to help the ongoing issue of food apartheid by offering fresh produce to low-wealth residents. Victory Gardens opened FARMacy Community Farmstop that brings local farmers and their goods to South Rock Hill where there is currently no anchor grocery store. Beyond that, FARMacy offers fresh produce, dairy, artisan goods, books, records, gardening supplies, and everything in between. With indoor-outdoor seating, the cafe provides the perfect atmosphere to connect, unwind, or attend one of Victory Gardens' monthly events. Their Innovation Gardens project produces nearly 2000 heads of aeroponically grown leafy greens and herbs for local restaurants and distributors. The organizations programs include community gardens, nutrition education and workforce development.

The Nazeers recently launched The Cultivators Consulting Group a strategic planning, development and research firm offering services to solve the systemic urban economic challenges such as food access, affordable housing, and workforce development to non-profits and municipalities. The two continue to be advocates for upper mobility through agriculture and food sovereignty in urban communities throughout the south. They are members of several civic and non-profit organizations including the South Carolina Food Policy Council, SC Black Farmers Coalition, York County Ag + Art Planning Committee and SC Master Gardeners and a recent nominee for USDA Urban Farming and Innovation Production Federal Advisory Committee. They are the parents of 6 children and 3 grandchildren and reside in Rock Hill, SC.

Tiny Estates

Abby gained the foundation of her business background at University of Delaware with degrees in International Business, Marketing, Spanish and Chinese. She worked for several years as a forensic investigator for KPMG, specializing in languages, Abby worked in the advisory and audit fields.

After working for several major clients, Abby pursued her entrepreneurial side and moved back to Lancaster where she obtained her real estate license in an effort to better understand zoning regulations and pursue the tiny home field.

After nearly a decade in the industry, Abby now manages the Tiny Estates team and oversees new home developments with Atomic Homes team as well as pursues new property development nationwide.

Industry Roles:

Board member for the Tiny Home Industry Association as well as director of communications. One of 18 primary members appointed to the International Code Council's 1215 Tiny Home Standards Committee

CEO, Habitat for Humanity

William “Bill” Shelton is a “Community Servant” who partners with staff, volunteers, business and community stakeholders to impact productively people’s lives one human at a time. He has two decades of experience working in the nonprofit arena on the frontline and in leadership positions for multi-million dollar successful organizations. He is a manager that moves through leadership styles as needed. Bill knows how asset mapping, mutually beneficial relationships, and innovation truly moves organizational success, partnership development and network building. Bill also demonstrates the ability to create financial development to sustain current and future organizational budget growth.

Bill has been recognized for community service and leadership locally and nationally by Presidents, Mayors, organizational leaders, grass-roots leaders, celebrities and business leaders. Bill’s networking and communication skills have made this organizational and personal recognition attainable. The ability to lead with a strong business acumen and maintain the heart of a servant has led to his success and professional opportunities as an Executive.

Commercial Real Estate Advisor

John is one of the developers of Acony Bell Tiny Home Community in Mills River, NC. John comes from a Commercial Real Estate background and also supervised office and retail property management in downtown Asheville. John has always been a fan of micro housing and realized early on the need for it in our community. With the help of his partner Mark, John assisted with the construction management and ran the day-to-day property management of the community for six years. He is now focussed on helping others create similar communities.

Eric Hawkins' remarkable journey in reshaping his family's lifestyle and financial future began with a bold step: moving out of a spacious family home and into a modest 24 ft travel trailer. This significant lifestyle change marked the start of an unexpected adventure into the world of short-term rentals. Eric's initial venture rapidly evolved into an impressive portfolio of 19 short-term rental listings, a testament to his acumen and the growing demand for unique lodging experiences.

The success of these rental properties enabled Eric and his wife, Sylvia, to embark on an even more ambitious project – the creation of their own Tiny House Hotel. This venture wasn't just a business opportunity; it was a rescue mission. Under Eric and Sylvia's stewardship, these forgotten structures were lovingly restored, transforming them into a charming retreat that combines historical allure with modern comforts.

Today, Eric is a visionary and a mentor. He is passionate about sharing his insights and experiences, teaching others how short-term rentals and tiny homes can be transformative, both personally and financially. Through his workshops, talks, and consultations, Eric aims to introduce more people to the concept of financial freedom through real estate innovation.

"Join me on this incredible journey," Eric says, "and discover how rethinking your approach to living and investing can open doors to new possibilities and greater freedom."

Co-Director, BeLoved Asheville

Amy is one of BeLoved Asheville’s co-leaders and brings her passion for people power in making the community better. She founded BeLoved Asheville to be a place where people of all walks of life could come together to create powerful solutions to common struggles and a WNC where everyone thrives. She has spent three decades working on the ground building intersectional community, creating mutual aid networks and creating social change. She has been a leader in human rights and anti-racism movements. She holds a Masters degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and is ordained clergy in the Presbyterian Church, USA.

Prior to founding BeLoved Asheville, she was the Director of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Volunteer Center and adjunct faculty at AB Tech. Recently, she passed the NASCLA licensing exam and obtained her general contractors license to support BeLoved's affordable housing efforts through the BeLoved Village project. She helps to coordinate efforts for families with kids, BeLoved’s Street Medic team, and other health and well-being projects.

Co-Director, BeLoved Asheville

Ponkho is one of the co-leaders of BeLoved Asheville, a non-profit organization focused on community building and bringing impacted people together to create health equity, racial equity, housing equity, rapid response to large-scale community crises. He spearheads BeLoved’s BeLoved Village project of deeply affordable homes, Asheville en Espanol, BeLoved’s Street Medic Program, Rise Up Arts Studio, our Neighbor to Neighbor and Community Leadership Network.

Ponkho is a strong indigenous/Latinx community organizer who is brilliant at innovation and is also BeLoved’s media expert. He loves supporting the community in expressing cultural pride, honoring ancestors, and teaching our youth their cultural roots. He loves photography, art, music, and creativity and he uses these gifts to celebrate culture and work for racial equity and social justice. He has been given awards for his work by the Asheville Area Arts Council, Co-Thinnk, and was named WNC Peacemaker of the year. He is trailblazer in culturally relevant services and resources in the areas of health equity, food equity, and access for BIPOC and low wealth communities

Social Entrepreneur & Thought Leader

Dr. Jackson Drumgoole II, a distinguished social entrepreneur, thought leader, and community change agent with a profound commitment to transforming lives. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Drumgoole has tirelessly impacted the lives of fathers through his extensive repertoire of articles, conferences, books, and coaching sessions.

As the founder and executive director of the Bridge Builder Communities, Dr. Drumgoole spearheads Augusta’s pioneering venture into tiny home communities for youth aging out of foster care. Committed to providing safe, affordable housing, and essential life skills training, Bridge Builder Communities aims to facilitate a seamless transition into adulthood for its residents.

Co-Founder and Chief Manufacturing Officer, OFFSITEK

OFFSITEK is an offsite technology company offering end-to-end solutions for industrialized residential and commercial construction that integrates land development, advanced digital design, supply chain optimization, and construction. OFFSITEK’s integrated technology utilizes automation. Robotic assembly, and cutting-edge software to transform traditional, fragmented construction into advanced manufacturing.

Dwight oversees the integration of architectural, engineering, construction (AEC) engineering with manufacturing operations for OFFSITEK‘s automated offsite industrialized construction facility in Charlotte, N.C. Dwight manages production operations, safety, and quality assurance teams within the manufacturing and engineering departments that develop shop drawings and detailed construction documents for both flat pack modular and volumetric construction projects.

Dwight has over 30 years’ experience, managing over $2 billion in robotics and automation projects for a variety industries and customers such as Amazon, Foxconn, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Volvo Car, Tyson Foods, Apple, Microsoft, Autodesk, and Boeing.

Dwight is a US and UK patent holder; recipient of the highly coveted Manufacturing Engineer of the Year Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and holds a B.S. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University and is a General Motors Scholar.