Robert F. Krause
President / CEO

Mr. Krause is the founder, managing member and President / CEO of Newport Development, LLC.   He oversees all aspects of the companies operations. Over the past thirty years, he has specialized in the development of luxury condominiums, apartments, and commercial real estate developments throughout the Southeast. He began his career with Glenridge Properties developing luxury condominiums later becoming Vice President of the firm. Glenridge Properties was acquired by Post Properties in the early 1980’s and Mr. Krause served as Senior Vice President for Post Properties being intimately involved in their initial expansion outside of Atlanta. Mr. Krause later served as co-owner and President of Paces Development. Mr. Krause’s previous involvement with Post Properties led to his partnership with its founder, John Williams, in the formation of Newport Development in 2003. Mr. Krause graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management and Real Estate Studies.  He holds a real estate license in the State of Georgia; is a Licensed “Certified General Contractor” in the State of Florida; is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Atlanta Apartment Association, the National Apartment Association, and Sigma Lambda Chi – National Construction Honorary Society. Mr. Krause is an initial organizer and currently serves on the board of directors of First Landmark Bank.  He resides in Atlanta.

J. Richard “Richy” Stephens, Jr.
Partner / COO

Mr. Stephens is a founding member of Newport Development and participates in all areas of the Company’s day to day activities and development operations.  His responsibilities include land acquisition, feasibility analysis, design coordination, management of General Contractors and overall development coordination of the properties from inception through completion as well as managing all financial aspects of the firm.

Prior to the formation of Newport, Mr. Stephens was a part of Paces Properties, Inc. and Paces Development where he was actively involved in the company’s development operations.  During that period, the group developed several Class A apartment communities; over 300 for-sale condominium units within 5 communities; office and specialty retail space; as well as single family lots throughout metro Atlanta.

Mr. Stephens is a 1997 graduate of Kennesaw State University where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Atlanta Apartment Association.  He and is family reside in Marietta, Georgia.

John A. Williams
Advisor / Member

Mr. Williams is an icon in the multifamily industry as the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Post Properties, Inc., one of the most successful apartment Developers in the history of the industry. Mr. Williams is an original member of Newport Development, LLC and he provides equity investments to Newport through his Williams Realty Funds while playing a significant advisory role in the company’s ongoing business endeavors. He has also recently formed PAC (Preferred Apartment Communities) REIT which will give Newport an opportunity to develop new product for the REIT to acquire.