our team
The Blue Heel team is highly skilled in managing all aspects of the development and construction process, including acquisition, entitlement, infrastructure development, vertical construction, sales and marketing. Because of the wide-ranging experience of our team, Blue Heel can be opportunistic and adaptable in its response to each project with the unique approach each site deserves. Our focus is on commercial, multi-family, and residential development projects in the Charlotte and Raleigh regional markets.
We are a close-knit team of very honest and trustworthy folks who take pride in their work and always try to do the right thing. We custom design our homes for our individual projects to meet the needs of the community, the homeowner, and the surrounding neighborhoods. We believe this differentiates us from merely having a stock of plans that we use up and down the East Coast. We believe the customization of the elevation, the thoughtfulness of the streetscape, the front elevation colors, the walkability of the neighborhoods can all make a difference.
We strive to have our neighborhoods look and feel more people-friendly and give more attention to the curb appeal and the use of the community as a whole. We all live in this community and want to continue to be part of it for years to come. We're not interested in being a franchise and just setting up a model and going all over the country. Our goal is to do a nice job in the community in which we live and where we grew up, and hopefully leave a nice legacy for future generations.
our leadership
Blue Heel is led by an entrepreneurial, highly experienced team of real estate development and finance professionals with over 75 years of combined real estate development and finance experience in multiple asset classes (office, medical office, industrial, multifamily, and residential). We are experienced in managing all aspects of the development and construction process, including acquisition, entitlement, infrastructure development, vertical construction, leasing, sales and marketing. Because of the wide-ranging experience of our team, Blue Heel can be opportunistic and adaptable in its response to each project with the unique approach each site deserves.
KYLE GROVES
CEO
Kyle is the co-founder of Blue Heel Development and is responsible for investment strategy and capital relationships. His diverse finance background extends across multiple asset classes in real estate and across various disciplines as an investor, developer, lender, and lender to lenders.
Over his career, Kyle has underwritten over $1 billion in real estate projects and has developed relationships with a diverse group of equity and debt sources. This has positioned Blue Heel to capitalize on opportunities and creatively structure projects that align the interests of all stakeholders.
Prior to forming Blue Heel Development, Kyle was involved as a partner and investor in multiple real estate finance companies, including Carolina Private Lending, the American Association of Private Lending, and RBA Capital, a lender finance company in partnership with a Philadelphia based bank.
Kyle received his BSBA from Georgetown University and his MBA from Duke University, and resides in Raleigh with his wife and four sons.
JULIE GAVAGHAN
Partner
Julie Gavaghan is a highly regarded real estate professional who brings significant experience in commercial, industrial, and residential development, as well as years of brokerage and property management experience to the Blue Heel team.
She is the Lead Developer for the Blue Heel Raleigh Office and also leads the Commercial Development efforts for the company. Julie previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Keystone Corporation for 16 years. Julie was responsible for managing and coordinating the efforts of the entire Development and Construction Team, including design, construction, financing, property management, and leasing.
She has supervised the completion of +/- 2.1 million SF of Class “A” Office, Single-Story R&D, and Warehouse commercial properties and +/-1.3 million SF of residential developments in the Triangle area.
Julie graduated Summa Cum Laude from NC State with degrees in business management and finance.
JACK ROLLINS
CFO
Jack Rollins is a seasoned real estate finance professional with experience in all phases of real estate investment, development, finance, and accounting. Over his career, Jack has served as CFO for multiple real estate development companies with developments across the country including in Florida, Missouri, Hawaii, Tennessee, and North Carlina. In this capacity, Jack had the ultimate responsibilities for overseeing all finance and accounting functions for real estate development activities. This included land development as well as single and multi-family construction.
In addition, he has also served as a financial due diligence auditor for a real estate finance company and an audit manager for a national public accounting firm specializing in the financial statement audits of real estate development clients. Jack was also involved as a partner and founding member of the American Association of Private Lenders.
Jack is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BSBA from The University of Florida in Business Administration and a BSBA from The University of Central Florida in Accounting.
MATT GALLAGHER
Lead Development, Charlotte
Matt Gallagher is a seasoned expert in residential development and new home construction with over twenty years of real estate experience in the greater Charlotte area. Matt has worked on projects ranging from large master planned single family, townhome and condominium communities, to traditional neighborhood developments with mixed use components. Matt has expertise in strategic infill construction in high growth areas.
Previously, Matt worked for Gandy Communities managing their sales and marketing and was responsible for 15 neighborhoods in four counties, with sales of over 1500 units. With longevity in the marketplace Matt continues to build relationships to find new opportunities, creating value with entitlements and development, and in the sales and marketing of new homes and communities.
Matt has an undergraduate degree from Liberty University in Virginia and a MBA from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
TRIPP MCDUFFIE
COO
Tripp McDuffie serves as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Construction for Blue Heel, leading operations and construction across Blue Heel Development and Blue Heel Construction. He brings more than 27 years of experience in residential and commercial construction, land acquisition, and development operations, with a focus on operational efficiency, team development, and long-term growth.
Since joining Blue Heel, Tripp has helped build and expand the company’s construction and operational capabilities, establishing teams, processes, and trade relationships that support continued growth. His portfolio includes production communities, custom homes, townhomes, and commercial developments, with experience spanning land acquisition and entitlement through construction and final delivery.
A three-time Parade of Homes award recipient, Tripp is recognized for building strong teams, developing systems that support growth, and cultivating lasting relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and industry professionals.
Tripp is a graduate of Appalachian State University and a licensed North Carolina General Contractor. He lives in Raleigh with his wife, two sons, and two dogs.
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GRAHAM FISHER
Vice President of Land Acquisition
Charlotte
Graham Fisher joined Blue Heel Development in 2026 as Vice President of Land Acquisition. He leads site selection, off-market prospecting, landowner and broker relationships, preliminary feasibility analysis, and product strategy, with a focus on expanding the company’s residential development pipeline throughout the Charlotte market.
Before joining Blue Heel, Graham worked in land acquisition with a national homebuilder and served as a Senior Associate at HomeFed, a master-planned community developer based in Carlsbad, California. At HomeFed, he supported development, acquisitions, underwriting, and strategic planning, including the delivery of more than 2,000 luxury apartment units across seven multifamily projects.
Graham began his career as a commercial real estate banker in New York City, advising institutional investors, private equity funds, family offices, and developers and closing more than $2 billion in real estate financings.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking from Appalachian State University.
JOSH CHENERY
Vice President of Land Acquisition
Raleigh
Josh Chenery brings more than 27 years of experience in commercial real estate and development to Blue Heel. His background spans commercial brokerage, land acquisition, and development, with experience guiding projects from site evaluation and feasibility through due diligence, entitlement, and development.
At Blue Heel, Josh focuses on land acquisition and entitlement, drawing on his market knowledge and longstanding industry relationships to identify opportunities and support the company’s growth. A lifelong Raleigh resident, he brings a deep understanding of the Triangle and surrounding markets. Josh previously served as President of the Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors and has been active in organizations supporting thoughtful, responsible growth across the region.
Josh and his wife have two teenage children and enjoy spending time with family and friends at Topsail Beach. An avid outdoorsman and lifelong NC State Wolfpack fan, he enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and camping. He is also a member of The Summit Church and participates in men’s groups and faith-based nonprofits locally and internationally.
RAINY KOLAR
Business Operations Manager
Rainy Kolar joined Blue Heel in 2021, bringing more than 20 years of experience in business operations, financial administration, customer service, and sales and marketing. As Business Operations Manager, she works closely with company leadership to keep teams aligned and translate strategic priorities into day-to-day results. She oversees operational processes and coordinates support across development, construction, finance, and sales, drawing on her background in streamlining workflows and managing special projects.
Rainy is a North Carolina real estate broker and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She lives in Pittsboro and has two grown children.