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At Polias, we’re a team of committed, creative, and hard-working individuals who love our city.

We strive to bring Athens’ unique characteristics to life by reimagining the traditional retail customer experience. Learn more about us below.

Principal

Dave Mulkey

Originally drawn to Athens for the music scene, Dave loves the diverse community offered in the Classic City. As Founder and visionary of Polias, Dave’s professional life is dedicated to making the city and community better through reimagining, renovating, and redeveloping existing places and spaces. His favorite thing about working at Polias, though, is being a part of such an amazing team. When Dave is not in the office, he’s likely to be found traveling, exploring in the great outdoors, or at Chuck’s Fish.

Fun fact: In college, Dave was Beechwood’s Chick-Fil-A mascot, Doodles the Chicken (the CFA mascot before the cows).

Director of Community Curation

Paul Taylor Smith

As our Director of Community Curation, Paul’s favorite thing about being a part of the Polias team is the ability to curate the city with the best restaurants, retailers, and shops from around the nation. Paul is a visionary at heart and works to bring to life the future he imagines for his children. In Paul’s free time, you can find him with his family at one of Athens’ many incredible restaurants, on a tractor at his farm, or writing music.

Fun fact: Paul doesn’t have just one favorite restaurant. He loves Chucks Fish, Cali-N-Tito's, Taqueria del Sol, Maepole, Donna Changs, Seabear, The National, The World Famous, The Place, Trapeze, South Kitchen, Royal Peasant, and Last Resort -- they're all my favorite. And plenty more.

Director of Operations

DeeDee Risher

If you are a current tenant, potential tenant, or friend of Polias, you’ve likely met DeeDee. Serving as our Director of Operations, DeeDee works hard to ensure that everything is running smoothly for both our team and everyone we work with. DeeDee enjoys being part of the Polias team, whose vision is to bring unique dining and retail experiences to the Athens community. In her spare time DeeDee enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Fun fact: DeeDee used to be a scuba diver, and she hopes to do it again one day.

Director of Construction

Mike Risher

Mike serves the Polias vision as Director of Construction. As an Athens native, Mike’s roots run deep in The Classic City and he loves experiencing the excitement around the premium businesses at Polias properties. Mike is an outdoorsman and enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends and traveling to Alaska.

Fun fact: Mike has summited Mt. Rainier.

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

Rob Orihuela

Rob has over 15 yrs experience in design direction on multifamily, retail, and commercial projects across the U.S. He coordinates and directs all design aspects at Polias working with a select group of designers, craftsmen, and architects.
Director of Accounting Operations

Howard Guest

Howard serves as the Director of Accounting Operations for Polias.
As a native Athenian, Howard is passionate about the betterment of the city and considers it an honor to be able to contribute to the vision of Polias through his skillset. As a lifelong Dawgs fan, Howard enjoys attending UGA sporting events with his family.

Fun fact: Howard is a high school national champion in Mock Trial.

Property Manager

Lisa Phillips

Lisa is passionate about revitalizing Athens-area properties, and enjoys her role supporting the many wonderful tenants we currently have and others we hope to bring to Athens one day. A native of Watkinsville, her favorite thing about the Athens-area is the easy access to many amazing restaurants. She especially loves Groove Burger.

Fun fact: As an avid gardener, Lisa has transplanted more than 30 varieties of daffodils into her yard, many from family members.

Property Management Assistant

Emily Logan

A southern girl at heart, Emily is passionate about hospitality and loves serving the mission of Polias in her role as Property Management Assistant. Emily’s attention to detail each day makes sure everyone is set up for success! Emily loves spending time in the mountains sipping a fresh Flat White, or reading and gardening when at home.

Fun fact: Emily was on the field with the Greek Olympic Team at the 1996 Olympics Closing Ceremonies.

Facilities Manager

Adam Taylor

Adam hails from the midwest, but is proud to now call Athens home. At Polias, he serves as the Facilities Manager for all of our properties. He is passionate about family and community, which makes being a part of the Polias team and working with our tenants a perfect fit. Adam loves spending time with his family, watching movies, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

Fun fact: Adam was a part of the 1999 Oconee County High School football team.

Carpenter

Bobby Drewery

Bobby is part of a small and dedicated team of makers at Polias. He has long been relied on for high end fabrication and carpentry in multifamily and commercial build-outs. At Polias, his team is responsible for bringing craftsmanship and creativity to our projects that truly set them apart. Their touch is seen in almost every project in the Polias portfolio.
Carpenter

Blaine Holder

Blaine is part of a small and dedicated team of makers at Polias. He got his start working with a group of timber frame specialists and then played a central conceptual fabrication role at Sons of Sawdust before joining Polias. His fingerprints are on the unique builds and finishes found throughout the Polias portfolio.

Ready to lease or have questions?

Connect

T: 706-521-4066

E: leasing@polias.co

Press Inquiries: press@polias.co

 

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Information on this site is for identification purposes only and does not constitute any covenant, representations, or warranty by Landlord that any existing or future conditions exists, or that, if they do exist, will continue to exist through out all or any part of a lease term, except to the extent such covenant, representation or warranty is expressly set forth in a lease.