Historic Renovations |  Protecting Charlotte’s History

MODERATOR | Curt Walton - Vice President | Real Estate & Facilities Management for the Foundation for the Carolinas

Curt Walton recently joined the staff of the Foundation for the Carolinas as a Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities Management. In joining the foundation, Walton is now part of an institution that is credited with launching some of the most aggressive nonprofit arts and social service programs in the city’s history. This includes Project LIFT, to help struggling students on the city’s westside, and the Social Impact Housing Endowment for Homeless Families and Veterans, which is tackling homelessness among families.

Walton served as city manager from 2007 until his recent retirement. Before he became city manager, Walton was an assistant city manager and deputy city manager for internal operations from 2002 to 2007. He started working in Charlotte in 1986. 

Walton, who retired from his city post at the end of 2012, served in recent months as an interim director for the University City Partners, which promotes the area of northeast Charlotte surrounding UNC Charlotte. He also recently served as interim executive director of the Council for Children’s Rights, a nonprofit that works on behalf of children in the community.  

PANELIST | Laura Harmon - Assistant Director of Development Services with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department

Laura is the Assistant Director for Development Services at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the department’s Historic District Commission activities, as well as the rezoning, subdivision and zoning administration processes. She has been involved in a number of projects in Charlotte’s historic intown neighborhoods such as South End, Dilworth and Plaza Central. A long-time resident of Plaza Midwood, she has restored two older homes in the neighborhood.   

PANELIST | Heather Carpini - Architectural Historian with S&ME

Heather Carpini is the Senior Historian / Architectural Historian for S&ME’s Cultural Resources Division. She has been working in the historic preservation field for ten years, previously holding positions at the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office, Historic Columbia Foundation, and with the City of Independence, Missouri. Ms. Carpini has experience conducting large architectural surveys, including in the towns of Windham and Trumbull, Connecticut; identifying historic preservation planning issues and priorities; and presenting historic preservation concepts and research to the public. As a former Historic Preservation Manager for a City, overseeing a large historic district, National Historic Landmark District, and numerous individually designated historic properties, she has worked with design guidelines, rehabilitation projects, tax credit projects, historic preservation commissions, reviewing compatible new construction in historic districts, and zoning and redevelopment within cities.

PANELIST | John Shurley - Associate with Weber Murphy Fox (WMF)

John graduated from Oklahoma State University with his Bachelor of Architecture degree. Upon graduating he worked for Beck Associates, a prominent design firm in Oklahoma, specializing in renovation projects, many of which were historic restorations and adaptive reuse projects. Since moving to Charlotte in 1994, John has worked for design firms that have specialized in renovation and adaptive reuse projects throughout the Southeast. He co-founded Insight Architects in 2003 to specialize in educational design and finding creative solutions for existing buildings. He recently left Insight Architects to join Weber Murphy Fox in their charlotte office to further build upon his experience in cultural, educational and recreational projects throughout the East.

In addition, John shares his experience with community and historic projects by being involved with community and historic organizations. He has been on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina downtown Development Association and is currently a commissioner with the Historic Landmarks Commission and chair of the Design Review Committee for the Historic Landmarks Commission. John has lectured on adaptive reuse, downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts regionally and has facilitated community meetings for educational, historic and downtown revitalization efforts along the east coast.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Weaver at 704.941.2103 or [email protected].

Cancellation/Refund Policy
Cancellations made 72-hours prior to the event will receive a refund. Due to our commitment with the meeting facility for food and beverage quantities, all other cancellations or no-shows will be invoiced for the full cost of the event.