STAFF
- Board of Directors management
- Leadership and planning
- Major grants and gifts
Josh Rogers leads the non-profit NewTown Macon, where he works to attract, leverage and invest in self-sustaining transformation for downtown Macon, Georgia. Over his career, Rogers has become an innovator in using real estate to spark and sustain revitalization in communities desperate for reinvestment. One of Rogers’ signature abilities is to use market forces to cause revitalization, especially by investing directly in real estate development in non-profit-owned projects. Part of these strategies include infrastructure and programming, where Rogers has led such projects as reviving Macon’s soap box derby and installing the world’s largest pop-up bike lane network. Rogers serves in several community leadership roles, including the boards for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission, the One Macon Steering Committee, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, the Mercer Innovation Center and the Grand Opera House. Rogers holds degrees from Mercer University and the University of York, England and resides in a historic home in downtown Macon with his wife, Meaghan and two young children, Jack and Ellie.
Erin Keller | Chief of Staff + Vice President for Development
erin@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 107
- Donations and pledges to give
- Grants
- Fundraising
- BID management
Erin is from LaPlace, Louisiana, and is an alumna of Mercer University, where she was a member of the women’s basketball team. After graduation, Erin received her Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from Valdosta State University. Erin is a 2015 Leadership Macon graduate, has completed a “Certificate of Nonprofit Fundraising Essentials” with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, currently serves on the Workforce Development Board, and is a member of the Downtown Macon Rotary Club. Erin enjoys hanging out with friends, working out, reading, and cheering on the Mercer Bears!
Before joining the NewTown staff, she worked for her alma mater. Erin was an admissions counselor for three years and most recently served as the Coordinator of Alumni Programs.
At NewTown, Erin is responsible for capital campaigns and annual fundraising, grant writing and management, donor relations, and special program management.
Erin enjoys the Penicillin and other craft cocktails from Dovetail and hanging out with friends at Second Sundays on Coleman Hill.
- General inquiries
- Loft and office leasing
- Commercial real estate location services
- Tenant inquires and payments
George is a Macon native and Westside High School graduate, where he was a football standout. He achieved his bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University and went on to receive his master’s from Valdosta State University. George is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and was awarded Superior Service Man of the year in 2013. Prior to NewTown, George worked with Mental Health at River Edge Behavioral Health, moving his way up through the ranks until becoming Housing Specialist, where he was responsible for coordinating the moves of over 250 tenants in the 200 plus properties owned or sub-leased by River Edge throughout the Middle Georgia area.
In his free time, George enjoys being active and exploring nature, traveling, relaxing with his family, watching sports, and rooting for his Carolina Panthers and South Carolina Gamecocks. He and his wife Martia are both from Macon and have three beautiful kids together.
At NewTown, George is responsible for leasing the lofts and coworking space, managing the office and commercial space, and general inquires.
George enjoys ordering the Juilette Burger from Ocmulgee Brewpub for lunch and trying cocktails and craft beer from downtown’s 54 bars and restaurants.
- Financial statements
- Risk management
- Accounting and audit
- Human resources
James serves as the Chief Financial Officer of NewTown Macon. James joined NTM with over 25 years of business and financial expertise and offers a broad business and leadership background with accomplishments in business services, construction materials, hospital & healthcare and not-for-profit markets including the development of growth strategies, leadership of merger and acquisition projects, sourcing capital and as an integral strategist in major cost reduction initiatives.
His career began at Charter Medical Corporation where he worked through a progression of positions with his last assignment as Hospital Administrator of Charter Lake Hospital before closing. James has owned and operated several companies.
James, a Macon native, is a graduate of Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia holding a B.B.A. in Accounting and a M.B.A degree, and is a Certified Public Accountant. James is an Eagle Scout and served as the Scoutmaster of Troop 170 for three years. He remains involved in Sigma Chi Fraternity. He and his wife Denise, a fourth generation Maconite, have two adult children, a son, a daughter and a son-in-law all living in Macon. As a family they enjoy the outdoors, listening to live music, and supporting the Georgia Bulldogs.
At NewTown, James is responsible for managing all financial aspects of NTM, including managing payments, revenues, and cash flows, developing the budget, implementing appropriate internal controls and strategic planning, and working with auditors. James also manages company liabilities, maintains financial and banking relationships, and oversees all financial obligations.
James’ favorite drink downtown is a margarita made by the Rookery’s own Travis, which you can find him drinking while enjoying live music at the Hargray Capitol Theatre.
Emily Hopkins | Director of Place + Main Street Macon Manager
emily@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 116
- Main Street Macon management and accreditation
- Public relations
- Strategic communications and strategy
- DMCA staff liaison
- Events (including First Friday, The Market, Tour of Progress, and the Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza)
Emily Hopkins hails from Pendleton, SC, a small town nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Emily graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor's in history with an emphasis in public history and attended the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Upstate New York where she completed her master's in museum studies. Looking for warmer weather, Emily moved to Macon to serve as Historic Macon Foundation's Special Events and Marketing Coordinator and continued to pursue her passion for preservation and community development by serving as the Manager of Main Street Macon before joining NewTown Macon.
In her free time, Emily enjoys attending events in downtown Macon, traveling, and cheering on the Clemson Tigers. Additionally, Emily serves as a board member of the Macon Film Festival, the Georgia Downtown Association, the Macon-Bibb Arbor Conservation Board, and is a member of the Downtown Macon Rotary Club.
At NewTown, Emily oversees Macon's Main Street program, downtown placemaking initiatives, and NewTown's strategic communication efforts including public relations, branding, and messaging.
Hands down, Emily’s favorite menu item downtown is the Sausage Ball and Chain from Lazy Susan Tapas Bar. She thinks one of Macon’s best-kept secrets is the Macon Film Guild’s Second Sunday film screenings.
- Construction Administration
- Tenant repairs and maintenance
- Landscaping and public space
Bill was born in Lansing, Michigan and moved to Lakeland, Floria at age 13. At age 16, he began working in construction as a laborer during the summers and weekends. Upon graduating high school, Bill began working in construction full time. Bill joined the maintenance department of the Polk County School Board in Florida where he served for 22 years while simultaneously operating a home repair business.
In 2008, Bill and his wife, Gail, relocated to Georgia to be closer to their grandchildren. Bill began working with Bibb County and served as the grounds supervisor of the Parks and Beautification Department after consolidation. After serving at the County for 10 years, Bill retired and joined NewTown Macon as the Construction Manager. In his spare time, Bill likes to spend time with his wife enjoying concerts and spending time with their friends and grandchildren.
Bill’s favorite downtown dish is the grouper plate from Kudzu Seafood Company. On rare days off, Bill enjoys floating down the Ocmulgee River.
- Photography
- Event assistance
- Special projects
Mark is a Macon native who has lived in Macon but all but 8 years of his life. After attending Georgia Southern for two years, Mark completed his photography degree at North Georgia Technical and Vocational School in Clarkesville, Georgia. In his free time, Mark likes to travel, camp, kayak, go to antique stores, collect local art, and assist in local art projects. Mark helped create the first graffiti wall installed by the 567 Center for Renewal and supports the continuation of the program. Additionally, Mark has assisted with two street mural projects.
At NewTown, Mark is responsible for around town photography and assists with event setup and overall logistics.
Mark’s favorite beer, the Midnight Rider, can only be found at Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen, where you can find him with his friend, Newt. Mark enjoys kayaking at Amerson River Park.
- Accounts Payable
Originally from the Washington DC area, Annette received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech with a BS in Clothing & Textiles and a minor in Business. Raised as a bilingual German speaker, she also earned her MA in German Literature from GA State University.
After a move to Macon in 1985 as a young newlywed, she pursued a career with Belk-Matthews as a management trainee and then moved into the role of group shoe buyer for all Belk-Matthews stores in the middle GA area. In subsequent years, Annette taught German as an adjunct instructor at Wesleyan College, and enjoyed part time work as a merchandiser with the Destination Maternity Corporation.
Raising two children followed, and a wide range of community involvement. A longtime resident of Intown Macon and the Vineville Historic District, Annette was active with Historic Macon, Alex 2 PTA, Bibb County Supporters for the Gifted, Hay House, Theatre Macon, and the Junior League of Macon.
After the nest was officially empty in 2013, she returned to full time work as a sales Manager at Macy’s. Several years later she assumed the role of Theatre Macon business manager, and now enjoys a part time position at NewTown Macon as the Finance Assistant.
In her free time Annette enjoys as much travel as possible, especially to NYC to visit her daughter Maxine and to Kansas City where her son Niko lives. She is an avid snow skier and lover of horses, riding as often as her schedule allows. In the past, she was very involved with community theatre in Macon, both on and off the stage.
Her most favorite things to do Downtown are (among many others!) sitting outside at Just Tap’d for a beer and enjoying fine dining at Dovetail.
- Project management for new and existing trail connections
- Staff support for Ocmulgee Heritage Trail Committee
Mike Ford is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and is a CPA. For much of his early and mid-career, Mike held leadership roles in the medical industry.. From October 1993 to September 1994, he worked as Vice President of Marketing for Meditrust Corp. and later served as Vice President of Development of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation from September 1994 to September 1997. Mike served as the Chairman of the Board of In-Home Health, Inc. from February 2000 to December 2000.
After being recruited by NewTown Macon founder, Juanita Jordan, to volunteer with the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, Mike was hired as NewTown’s Chief Financial Officer and later served as NewTown’s President and CEO for 11 years. Mike has been President of the Ocmulgee Land Trust since July 2011.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys golfing, reading, and snow skiing.
Mike regularly dines at Oliver’s Corner Bistro with his wife, Nancy, and their friends and enjoys walking the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail for pleasure and for work.
- Marketing
- Website, digital communications, and social media
Hailie Poppell comes from the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia, where she grew up attending art schools until moving to Macon to attend Mercer University. Hailie chose to attend Mercer because of the vibrant city of Macon, and she spent much of her time in college giving back to the community through internships and volunteering with her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. While in college, Hailie held internships with Aramark, Traffick Jam, and the Mercer Business school, focusing on storytelling, event management, and digital marketing. At Mercer, Hailie was also a member of the American Marketing Association, where she was able to work with the co-founder of M&R Marketing, Mathew Micheal, to create an in-house marketing firm at Mercer University and to help local businesses with their marketing. In the spring of 2021, Hailie graduated with her BBA in marketing and management.
Shortly before graduating, Hailie joined the team at B. Monroe Salon, where she served as their Marketing Strategist and Boutique Coordinator. At B. Monroe, Hailie helped grow B. Monroe’s presence on social media, maintained their website and phone app, ran text and email campaigns, and assisted in the opening of their new boutique location in Forsyth, GA.
In her free time, Hailie enjoys traveling to visit her friends and family throughout Georgia, walking on the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, throwing darts in various downtown Macon bars, and river tubing at Amerson River Park.
At NewTown Macon, Hailie is responsible for NewTown’s digital marketing efforts including strategic planning, content management, graphic design, digital and print advertising, and website management.
Hailie cannot live without the battered fries from the Rookery or the strawberry cake from Decadent. She also enjoys exploring all of Macon’s different bars and restaurants, always looking for suggestions on new drinks to try.
Newtown Loans Staff
Lauren Mauldin | Vice President of Community Development
lauren@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 121
Analyzing loan applications
Maintaining and improving our online application process
Facilitating loan closings.
Lauren has been committed to the Macon community since she moved here in 2015.
Prior to NewTown Macon, Lauren served as the Director of Communications and Marketing at Mercer University School of Law, where she was responsible for branding, enrollment marketing, graphic design, social media and the website. As the Director of Neighborhood Revitalization and Loan Fund Manager at Historic Macon Foundation (HMF), she managed the low-interest facade and energy efficiency loan program, developed the Neighborhood Leadership Institute, and supported neighborhood revitalization efforts in Beall’s Hill.
Lauren earned her degrees in Advertising and History from the University of Georgia and earned her M.A. in Conservation Studies of Historic Buildings from the University of York. She is also a certified Historic Real Estate Finance Professional through the National Development Council. In her spare time, Lauren is a calligrapher and started her side-hustle business, The Post Letters, in 2019.
Lauren serves on the Macon-Bibb County Design Review Board, is a Hay House board member, a UGA Mentor, and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Macon. Lauren and her fiance , Mac, are downtown residents and love living steps away from live music and their favorite restaurants.
You can find Lauren enjoying a cocktail and potstickers at the Kinjo Kitchen and Cocktails bar.
- First point of contact for loan clients
- Business coaching and strategy
- Group trainings (including Developers’ Academy, Entrepreneurs’ Academy, and Downtown Diversity Initiative)
Ricardo is from Fayetteville, North Carolina and is an alumnus of High Point University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Ricardo joins the NewTown Macon staff with over 12 years of sales and consulting expertise.
Ricardo is the proud father of a creative teen daughter. Both a newlywed and new to Macon, Ricardo and his family enjoy exploring their new home and are looking forward to all the adventures Macon has to offer.
At NewTown, Ricardo is responsible for one-on-one coaching services to potential and current loan applicants. He also coordinates NewTown’s support programs serving Macon-Bibb’s small business and real estate development communities.
Ricardo thinks the apple scones at Z Beans are amazing with a caramel latte. He and his wife love going to the Douglass Theatre for live jazz and plays.
Analyzing loan applications
Maintaining and improving our online application process
Facilitating loan closings.
Jolie Rowland serves as NewTown Loans’ Director of Lending, where she is responsible for analyzing loan applications, maintaining and improving our online application process, and facilitating loan closings.
Jolie lived in Dublin, Georgia until she moved to Macon to attend Mercer University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in Finance and Spanish. Jolie has worked for NewTown Macon in several different roles since 2018, giving her the opportunity to help create and become a co-founder of NewTown Loans, Middle Georgia’s first CDFI.
In her free time, Jolie enjoys acrylic painting, attending events in downtown Macon, volunteering, and visiting her family in Dublin. Jolie lives downtown and loves the community it has given her. You’ll find her shopping at 7th Street Salvage and Travis Jean Emporium or hanging out at some of her favorite restaurants: Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen, La Bella Morelia, and Oliver’s Corner Bistro.