The Retreat at Harbor Pointe Apartments, a riverfront affordable housing community developed and managed by Lawson, has been awarded the distinguished Model Level recognition in the Elizabeth River Project’s River Star Business program. This honor celebrates the community’s achievements in environmental stewardship.

The Retreat at Harbor Pointe was first accepted to the River Star Business Program at Achievement Level in 2020. The Model Level distinction is the highest recognition in the River Star Business program, reflecting Lawson and The Retreat at Harbor Pointe's dedication to protecting and revitalizing the Elizabeth River, a vital natural resource in the region. The community's ongoing efforts include participation in the Elizabeth River Project’s oyster gardening program, which supports the restoration of local oyster populations and promotes water quality improvement.

“Our core purpose at Lawson is to positively impact people.”, said Carl Hardee, President and CEO at Lawson. “That can mean a lot of different things, including participation in programs like River Star Business. We’re thrilled to be a part of it and to help improve the health of the river and our ecosystem.”

The Elizabeth River Project’s River Restoration Advisory Committee, comprising River Star peers and technical experts, unanimously approved The Retreat at Harbor Pointe for advancement to Model Level status. The committee noted the community’s significant contributions to reducing pollution and enhancing local wildlife habitats.

Lawson is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Chrisan as Regional Property Manager. Katie brings a wealth of experience in property management, particularly in affordable multifamily housing.

Before joining Lawson, Katie served as District Manager with HNN Communities in Washington state, overseeing a portfolio of over 1,000 affordable multifamily units. She successfully managed the lease-up of a new affordable community and supervised a team of more than 30 employees. Katie holds professional certifications as a Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) and Specialist in Housing Credit Management (SHCM), and she is a licensed REALTOR.

Katie recently relocated to Virginia with her fiancé, who serves in the Navy, along with their two children and their Sheepadoodle, Ruby. Settling in Norfolk, Katie has embraced the Hampton Roads area, enjoying the region's beaches and vibrant community.

"We are excited to welcome Katie to the Lawson team," said Tanita Davis, Lawson Director of Property Management. "Her attitude and experience align perfectly with our commitment to providing high-quality housing and exceptional service to our residents."

Lawson is excited to announce the groundbreaking of Smith Ridge Commons, a new multifamily apartment community in Roanoke, Virginia. This Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development will bring 216 new affordable apartment homes to the area, providing high-quality housing for individuals and families earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI).

Smith Ridge Commons represents Lawson’s first development in the Roanoke market and is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to addressing the supply shortage of affordable housing across Virginia.

Situated on 12 acres at the intersection of Cove Rd. and Peter’s Creek Rd., Smith Ridge Commons will feature a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in seven residential buildings. Eleven of these homes will be UFAS-accessible units, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for residents.

Smith Ridge Commons will exceed energy-efficiency standards, earning Earthcraft Gold and Energy Star certifications. This reflects Lawson’s dedication to sustainability and providing residents with comfortable, cost-effective living options.

“We are thrilled to bring Smith Ridge Commons to the Roanoke community,” said Carl Hardee, President and CEO of Lawson. “This project embodies our mission to positively impact people and reflects our belief to provide all Virginians with a high-quality place to call home.”

The first apartments are expected to welcome residents in late Summer 2025. Smith Ridge Commons marks an important milestone for Lawson as the company continues to grow its portfolio, which currently includes over 5,000 managed apartments and over 800 apartments under construction across Virginia.

Lawson, a leading real estate firm specializing in the development, construction, and management of multifamily housing, has announced the planned retirement of president and chief executive officer, Carl Hardee, effective at the end of 2025. Following Hardee’s retirement, the company expects to appoint Aaron Phipps, current senior vice president and chief financial officer, to that position.

Hardee began at Lawson in 1991 as a regional property manager at Lawson Realty Corporation, Lawson’s property management subsidiary organization. His leadership earned him promotions, including president of Lawson Realty Corporation in 1996, vice president and COO of The Lawson Companies in 1999, and finally president and CEO in 2016.

During Hardee’s tenure, the company grew from a 2,500-unit property management firm to a development, construction, and management one with over 5,100 units in its portfolio. In that time the company bought and sold multiple properties, developed more than 30 new Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) communities totaling more than 3,200 affordable apartments, and currently has new developments in its pipeline.

"It has been an incredible journey growing alongside Lawson. I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together as a team, and I have the utmost confidence in Aaron to lead Lawson into the next phase of its growth,” said Hardee. “Aaron’s leadership and financial acumen have already strengthened our position, and I know he will continue to drive the company forward."

Aaron Phipps joined Lawson as SVP and CFO in 2013 and has over 25 years of investment real estate experience including acquisition, disposition, equity offering, debt financing, debt and equity structuring, underwriting, and recapitalization along with oversight of accounting and financial reporting for both private and publicly traded companies. Phipps holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Purdue University and has been instrumental in managing Lawson's financial strategy and operations over the past decade.

Hardee will remain with Lawson through the end of 2025 to assist with a seamless transition.

Lawson is proud to announce that Chairman Steve Lawson and President and CEO Carl Hardee have again been named to the Virginia Business Power 500 list. The Power 500 list recognizes the most influential leaders in Virginia across multiple industries, underscoring Lawson’s commitment to community development and growth throughout the state.

“This recognition is truly a reflection of the incredible people at Lawson.”, said Carl Hardee, President and CEO. “Our success is a direct result of our team’s commitment to building safe, affordable, quality housing for the communities in which we live and work, which directly aligns with our mission to positively impact people.”

Lawson manages nearly 5,000 apartment units in Virginia including Market Heights; an award-winning 164-unit affordable housing development completed last year in Norfolk’s St. Paul’s District. Continued growth includes 342 new affordable units currently leasing up in Prince William County and 115 new affordable units leasing up in Lynchburg. The company also has over 1,000 affordable housing units in development or under construction in Richmond, Roanoke, and Woodbridge.

"It’s an honor to be included among such a distinguished group of leaders," said Steve Lawson, Chairman. "Our focus at Lawson has always been to build quality communities that provide lasting value, and this recognition is a reflection of the dedication and expertise of our entire team."

Lawson, a leading developer, builder, and manager of multifamily housing in Virginia, is thrilled to announce the promotion of Julie Richardson to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In her new role she will oversee day-to-day operations, strategic initiatives, and continue to evolve Lawson’s core focus of positively impacting people.

Richardson joined Lawson five years ago as Director of Human Resources. She was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources in 2023 where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic thinking and played a pivotal role in aligning Lawson’s people strategy with business objectives. Richardson will also maintain her role as VP of Human Resources.

"Julie's dedication, strategic mindset, and commitment to excellence make her the perfect fit for the role of Chief Operating Officer.”, said Lawson President and CEO, Carl Hardee. “Throughout her tenure at Lawson, Julie has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive results and lead with integrity."

Before joining Lawson, Julie earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She worked for several organizations in the capacity of Operations, Marketing and ultimately HR overseeing multiple teams and multimillion-dollar revenue budgets along her journey.  She is a distinguished HR professional holding the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation from the HR Certification Institute and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential from the Society for Human Resource Management. Her expertise in talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational effectiveness has been instrumental in driving Lawson's talent management initiatives forward.