Our Team
Each member of our team brings deep expertise, creative thinking, and a commitment to excellence that drives our success every day. We believe in a collaborative, hands-on approach — blending experience, innovation, and a shared passion for delivering exceptional results.
Leadership Team
Bill Stern
CEO
Bill Stern transformed the company from a construction business into a development-focused enterprise in 1984. He has served on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Ports Authority since 2001 and holds the distinction of being its longest-serving Chairman, leading with over 20 years of dedicated service.
Since 2013, Stern has been a member of the Board of Directors at Ameris Bank, where he has played a key role in the bank’s growth, with assets now exceeding $30 billion. Stern previously served on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council in Washington, D.C., helping to support its mission to preserve Holocaust history and its lessons for future generations.
Brian Stern
PRESIDENT
Brian Stern has over 20 years of commercial real estate experience and helped establish both the Atlanta and New York offices, expanding Stern Groups nationwide presence. Brian recently finished a 3 year presidential appointment as Director of General Service Administration, overseeing 43 million square feet of federally owned and leased real estate, and over $10 billion in annual procurement for goods and services for federal agencies. Additionally, Brian serves on the Board of Trustees for College of Charleston, his alma mater.
Jason Stern
PRESIDENT
Jason oversees the company’s development strategy and manages its investment portfolio. Under his leadership, Stern Group has significantly expanded its national presence. He has been responsible for the acquisition and development of over $500 million in commercial real estate across multiple sectors. Jason earned a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
Brad Smith
PARTNER
Brad joined the Stern Group in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 10 years as a Director of Real Estate with RaceTrac Petroleum, where he played a pivotal role in all aspects of new store development, from permitting and design to construction. He also managed RaceTrac’s sale-leaseback program, successfully completing over $250 million in transactions. During his tenure, Brad led a team responsible for securing over 100 new locations and $750 million in development. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance, graduating cum laude from the University of Georgia.
Trey Conway
VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT
Trey brings a proven track record leading complex retail and mixed-use developments nationwide, totaling over 5.7 million square feet and approximately $1.7 billion in development costs. Prior to joining Stern Group, he held senior leadership roles at The Home Depot, where he led new store growth, capital programs, and corporate facilities strategy across multiple U.S. markets. He holds a Master of Real Estate Development from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Collin Wisniewski
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER
Collin oversees the design, permitting, and construction of projects across Stern Group’s development pipeline. Before joining Stern Group, he spent eight years with McDonald’s Corporation on the U.S. Restaurant Development Team, where he led complex construction programs across multiple regions. At McDonald’s, Collin managed reinvestment and remodel initiatives throughout the South Central territory, overseeing hundreds of projects and millions of dollars in capital improvements. He also led ground-up restaurant development in the Northeast, directing large-scale growth efforts from site selection through opening. Over the course of his tenure, he managed $100 million in development spend and delivered new locations as part of McDonald’s high-volume growth plan. Collin is known for disciplined execution and strong cross-functional collaboration with architects, engineers, general contractors, and trade partners to deliver projects on schedule, on budget, and to quality standards.
Brock Dempsey
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Brock is responsible for aligning the company’s strategy with its financial functions, including accounting, financial planning, forecasting, and risk management. With over a decade of experience, he has worked in various areas such as accounting, audit, tax, and financial strategies. A Columbia native, Brock earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of South Carolina. He is both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Our Values
Expertise
We leverage our extensive knowledge and experience to deliver superior projects. We are committed to providing innovative and effective solutions for our clients.
Legacy
We honor the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of our founder by maintaining his commitment to hard work and community impact.
Connection
As a family-owned and operated business, we value strong relationships with our partners. Developing a genuine connection with our partners ensures that we can deliver the right solution.
Offices
COLUMBIA, SC
- HEADQUARTERS
- Located on top floor of Truist
- 8910 Two Notch Road
- Fifth Floor
- Columbia, SC 29223
CHARLESTON, SC
- 540 King Street
- Suite 201
- Charleston, SC 29403
NEW YORK, NY
- 85 W Broadway
- New York, NY 10007
ATLANTA, GA
- 800 Battery Avenue SE
- Suite 300
- Atlanta, GA 30339