Team
Our team is more than a group of individuals, we are a tight-knit family with shared values and goals.
John N. Daniel, III
President, Managing Partner
Thomasville, Georgia
John Daniel is a founding Partner of Palmetto Capital Group and oversees all finance, legal and construction leadership.
John is proud of Palmetto’s success and client centric approach to business. He enjoys working alongside their team of highly committed and talented people who put clients first every day.
John holds an Education Agricultural Economics & Finance degree from the University of Kentucky and enjoys spending time with family, hunting and fishing.
John N. Daniel, III
President, Managing Partner
Thomasville, Georgia
Mike Houghton
VP of Real Estate, Managing Partner
Lakeland, Florida
Mike co-founded Palmetto Capital Group in 2008 and oversees all three Real Estate teams (Lakeland, Nashville and Atlanta), Asset Management (including dispositions) and Palmetto’s Preferred Partner Program.
Prior to Palmetto, Mike worked for 12 years in Real Estate. Since then, Mike has fostered decades of loyal clients, many who are still clients today. Mike also developed Palmetto’s Preferred Partner Program and takes great pride in how Palmetto always puts clients first.
Mike holds a Bachelors in Marketing from Florida State University and enjoys spending time with family, coaching kids’ sports, and enjoying nature.
Mike Houghton
VP of Real Estate, Managing Partner
Lakeland, Florida
Miles Watkins
Managing Partner
Thomasville, Georgia
Miles is a co-founder of Palmetto Capital Group and oversees finance, accounting, legal, insurance, construction finance and personnel.
Miles brings vast real estate experience to Palmetto, including multifamily real estate, retail real estate and shopping center development.
“The people of Palmetto are what make it great. They strive for excellence-work as a team and are focused on “doing the right thing” for clients and coworkers.”
Miles holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business and enjoys chasing his three children, running, hunting and fishing.
Miles Watkins
Managing Partner
Thomasville, Georgia
DeeDee Conley
Senior Admin Manager
Thomasville, Georgia
Years with Palmetto: 10
Role and Responsibilities: Accounting
What you love about working at Palmetto/Why you came to Palmetto/What makes Palmetto great?
Flexibility and great team members
Education
BBA Accounting Valdosta State University
When not at work, you are doing what?
Spending time with Family
DeeDee Conley
Senior Admin Manager
Thomasville, Georgia
Jeff Lazenby
Vice President of Development Florida Division
Lakeland, Florida
Jeff joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2014 and manages the feasibilities, design, permitting and construction of all Palmetto Florida sites.
Jeff is a Registered Professional Engineer, Certified Floodplain Manager and brings 20 years’ engineering & construction experience to Palmetto. His civil engineering background allows him to creatively solve customer problems and bring new solutions to every project.
Jeff holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Florida State University and enjoys spending time with family.
Jeff Lazenby
Vice President of Development Florida Division
Lakeland, Florida
Justin Wilson
Vice President of Real Estate Florida Division
Lakeland, Florida
Justin joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2012 and provides all site selection, entitlement and permitting, and construction oversight services for national tenants throughout Southeastern United States.
Justin holds a Bachelors from Florida Southern College and a Masters from American University. He enjoys spending time with family, church, exercise playing sports.
Justin Wilson
Vice President of Real Estate Florida Division
Lakeland, Florida
Clare Naponick
Director of Marketing and HR
Lakeland, Florida
Clare joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2013 and oversees all Marketing and HR initiatives. She has a passion for fostering growth of both the company and its associates.
Clare loves working at Palmetto because “the team truly cares about your personal and professional development, and there are many opportunities for new career experiences.”
Clare holds a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from University of South Florida and is a licensed real estate agent. When not at work, Clare enjoys hiking, nature, dance, biomechanics and philosophy.
Clare Naponick
Director of Marketing and HR
Lakeland, Florida
John Mark Braswell
Senior Real Estate Manager
Nashville, Tennessee
John Mark joined PCG in 2015 to help grow PCG’s clients across the southeast. Along with his incredible team members, John Mark oversees acquisitions and growth strategies for PCG’s clients out of the Nashville office.
John Mark has been a broker and investor in real estate for nearly a decade. He entered the real estate industry as a broker at Sperry Van Ness/R.M. Moore in Knoxville in the middle of the Great Recession. While an incredibly challenging market, John Mark aggressively pursued opportunities for his clients and broadened his focus to become the top sales agent two years in a row. His background in underwriting, brokering and investing in various asset classes allows him to bring a rare perspective to his current role. In a prior life, John Mark played college football and went on to be an undergraduate assistant for the Tennessee Volunteers.
John Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting/International Business from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. A wannabe golfer, pitmaster and world traveler, John Mark mainly spends his free time running errands to Costco and Target with his wife and son, Chelsea and Battle.
John Mark Braswell
Senior Real Estate Manager
Nashville, Tennessee
Blanton Cook
Real Estate Manager
Atlanta, Georgia
Blanton oversees retailer expansion and site acquisitions in Georgia and the Carolinas, focusing on creating and executing new store growth strategies uniquely tailored for each client that maximize the client’s ability to penetrate a market through PCG’s full scope of build-to-suit development services that include: site selection, land acquisition, site layout, value engineering, entitlements, and construction management.
Blanton brings over 14 years of commercial real estate experience to Palmetto that has covered: landlord representation, capital markets investment sales, joint venture equity and structured finance, shopping center ownership and development, and as an acquisition specialist for a national grocer; all of which gives Blanton a unique perspective to provide creative solutions when analyzing potential site acquisitions or negotiating with potential sellers, as well an understanding of the economics that drive each deal.
“I joined Palmetto because of their commitment to long-term needs of each client and a willingness to operate with complete transparency through each deal, creates a culture for each office and each team member, across all specializations, to work together to make sure all potential solutions have been explored, which makes it easier to develop long lasting relationships with each client we serve.”
Blanton holds a BA in Business from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX and a MBA from the Acton School of Business, Austin, TX and enjoys running after his 3 children, coaching soccer and lacrosse, playing golf and fishing.
Blanton Cook
Real Estate Manager
Atlanta, Georgia
Patrick Connor
Development Associate
Lakeland, Florida
Patrick joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2015 and oversees market analysis, site selection, site negotiation; assists Real Estate with site presentations to clients and lease negotiation; and assists the development team throughout the feasibility and permitting stages of each project
Patrick was integral to Palmetto’s growth and helped with their $7M in development and brought Palmetto to the east coast of Florida.
“Palmetto has a strong passion to help our clients’ fulfill their needs and a great entrepreneurial spirit within the company…we’re not afraid to take on challenges”
Patrick holds a BS in Business from the University of Alabama and a Master’s of Science in Real Estate from the University of Central Florida.
Patrick is also Florida Real Estate licensed, a Member of NAIOP Developing Leaders, Central Florida Chapter and enjoys time with family and friends; being outdoors, playing golf, fishing and hiking.
Patrick Connor
Development Associate
Lakeland, Florida
Marissa Walker
Real Estate Project Manager
Nashville, Tennessee
Marissa joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2016 and is responsible for organizing current and potential real estate development projects, resolving project issues, and providing support to Palmetto’s Real Estate and Development Managers to ensure that all projects are executed efficiently and in accordance with agreements.
“Palmetto is an environment that encourages all employees to better themselves has allowed me to learn more about the industry and strive for greater success.”
Marissa holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Brandman University and enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and dogs in beautiful Tennessee. Her free time is spent hiking, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and exploring new places, music and restaurants around the state.
Marissa Walker
Real Estate Project Manager
Nashville, Tennessee
John Tate
Development Manager
Lakeland, Florida
John oversees budgeting, site design, feasibility, permitting and construction management.
Prior to joining Palmetto Capital Group, John conducted preconstruction and construction activities on projects up to $70 million dollars; as well as experience as a subcontractor, general contractor, and developer.
John holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech and is OSHA 10 Certified.
John Tate
Development Manager
Lakeland, Florida
Josh Spence
Development Manager
Nashville, Tennessee
Josh joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2018 and manages the site feasibility, design, permitting and construction.
Josh holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee. He is also a Licensed Architect (AIA) and LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP BD+C).
Josh enjoys spending time with family, camping, backpacking, fishing and anything else that gets him outdoors.
Josh Spence
Development Manager
Nashville, Tennessee
Holly Smith
Real Estate Administrator
Thomasville, Georgia
Holly joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2014 and oversees office administration.
For Holly, it’s the people that make Palmetto great, “everyone helps each other and someone is always there to jump in when they are needed.”
Holly holds a degree from Valdosta State University and enjoys teaching classes at the YMCA.
Holly Smith
Real Estate Administrator
Thomasville, Georgia
Danie Smith
Real Estate Administrator
Thomasville, Georgia
Danie joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2016 and oversees all office administration and property management.
Danie holds a degree from Wiregrass Technology and loves hanging out with her two-year-old.
Danie Smith
Real Estate Administrator
Thomasville, Georgia
Krystin Olejniczak
Development Assistant
Lakeland, Florida
Krystin joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2018 and is responsible for preparing real estate documents, daily management of contract timelines, property research, event/conference coordination, special projects, and general admin duties.
“Palmetto is a place where you can build a long-term career. The culture and future of this company inspire me to take on new challenges. Everyone is truly invested in your success and willing to help you achieve your goals.”
Krystin enjoys spending time with family and friends; traveling, watching hockey, dance, and running.
Krystin Olejniczak
Development Assistant
Lakeland, Florida
Casey Herring Andrews
Real Estate Associate
Lakeland, Florida
Casey Herring Andrews joined Palmetto Capital Group in 2019 and concentrates on site selection and land acquisition for national tenants across central Florida.
Casey has specialized in commercial real estate for the past 17 years. Her experience includes: Buyer/Seller representation, Landlord/Tenant representation, site selection, land acquisition, and development management.
Casey joined Palmetto Capital Group because of the team. “I can work in any atmosphere, but I chose to work with good people who share the same career passion and integrity.”
Casey earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and currently holds a Florida Real Estate Broker’s license. She enjoys most all outdoor activities, yoga, and Gator football games.
