Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Ben’s professional journey to Seabrook Island feels like destiny fulfilled. Ben’s connection to Seabrook Island is deeply personal and long-standing. As a property owner on the island years ago, he grew up with a Seabrook Island backdrop alongside many cherished memories.
Throughout his career, Ben has demonstrated exemplary leadership and strategic foresight. His tenure at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Sun Real Estate proved his ability to drive significant growth and operational excellence. His ability to lead, mentor, and drive initiatives has been pivotal in his roles, shaping a career marked by meaningful impact and enduring relationships. Ben has served on the Board of Directors for several organizations: South Carolina Association of Realtors (2011-2013 & 2018-2024), Charleston Trident Association of Realtors (2011-2013 & 2023, 2024), and Incoming President (2024) Charleston Multiple Listing Service.
James Ott is a real estate industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience in development, brokerage, and community management. Currently overseeing operations at a real estate management company that manages private recreational communities and utility services, James is also the broker-in-charge for a Pennsylvania-based country club and association. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in educational administration and has served as a board member and trustee for various institutions, including lending institutions and real estate companies.
James and his wife, Debbie, became permanent residents of Seabrook Island in 2022 after first visiting in 2003. The Otts have worked with Seabrook Island Real Estate for multiple transactions, and James looks forward to contributing his knowledge and expertise to the board.
Jen Cookke is an accomplished real estate professional with over 25 years of experience in corporate real estate, development, and entrepreneurship. Having worked for Fortune 500 companies in corporate real estate and later transitioning to real estate entrepreneurship, Jen has developed and managed a significant portfolio of privately held commercial properties.
Jen holds a B.S. from Boston University, an MBA and MS in Real Estate from MIT, and a Doctorate from Vanderbilt University. She is a faculty member at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and regularly contributes to national publications, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. In addition to her work as an expert witness and corporate board member, Jen specializes in strategic planning, emerging real estate ventures, and sustainable development.
David Blackman brings over 30 years of experience in real estate asset management, banking, and corporate leadership. After retiring in 2021, David continues to lend his expertise to the Seabrook Island Real Estate Board. He previously served as CFO, President & CEO, and other senior roles within a real estate asset management firm that managed six public Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and one Mortgage REIT, overseeing a portfolio of more than $40 billion in assets. His professional experience spans a diverse range of real estate sectors, including hotels, office buildings, medical facilities, and industrial properties.
David’s banking career included roles in real estate construction lending, investment banking, and REIT corporate banking. He has also served as a director on multiple public company boards, including The Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Trust and the Church Street Condominium Trust. David and his wife became Seabrook residents in December 2023, after living in downtown Charleston, where they renovated two historic homes. Outside of real estate, David enjoys cycling, hiking, and reading.
Donna Reinbolt is a highly experienced real estate professional with a career spanning nearly four decades. Licensed as both a broker and attorney in multiple states, Donna’s expertise includes corporate law, real estate transactions, and board governance. She has served on several boards and committees in Houston and Seabrook, and is the Director Emeritus of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
Donna and her husband, Paul, have owned a home on Seabrook Island since 2017. She actively participates in the local community and joined the Seabrook Island Real Estate (SIRE) Board in 2023, where she currently serves as Secretary. In her free time, Donna enjoys dining out, wine tasting, and socializing with new people, ideally all at once.
Marc Rampulla is a commercial real estate executive with 25 years of experience in brokerage and real estate finance. Marc co-leads a national sales practice for CBRE and is based in Washington DC. His area of expertise focuses on the sale of commercial properties across the country, offering a wide range of experience across product types, markets, and transactions. Marc holds a bachelor’s degree from American University, an MBA from The George Washington University, and is a licensed real estate salesperson in three states.
Marc, his wife Jen, and two kids became property owners in Seabrook Island in 2024 and have enjoyed the community and all the activities Seabrook Island has to offer.
Marc looks forward to contributing to the community further through his work with Seabrook Island Real Estate (SIRE).
Rich holds a CPA license in South Carolina and North Carolina. After graduating from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, Rich was Assistant Director at Camp Merrie-Woode in Sapphire, NC for 2 years. After graduating from the UNC-Chapel Hill Master’s in Accounting program, he spent 25 years as a CPA and corporate tax advisor for Price Waterhouse Coopers, Wachovia Bank, and American Capital, in
Charlotte, NC, London, UK, and Bethesda, MD.
Rich and his wife, Ann-Stewart, have lived on Seabrook Island since 2017. They have 3 grown children. Rich was Chair of the Land Acquisition Committee for Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy for 4 years and Treasurer of the Exchange Club of Kiawah- Seabrook for 2 years. In his free time, Rich sea kayaks, plays tennis, plays golf, and
takes his dog, River, to the beach.
Ashley Nearby is a Charlotte, NC resident and native, and is a licensed NC and SC REALTOR with more than 20 years of experience in residential real estate. Her career has included working for national home builders and in general brokerage representing buyers and sellers across a wide range of markets and life stages. Ashley is consistently recognized as a top producer with in her Charlotte based brokerage and has also earned into her firm’s Luxury division designation. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Ashley and her husband Lyle have owned a second home on Seabrook Island since 2021, but their connection to the island dates back much further- to when they got married at the Club in 2006. In addition to her real estate career, Ashley also serves has a Trustee for her church in Weddington, NC. Outside of work she serves with her children’s high school PTO Board, in other ministries and missions of her church, and is enjoying these years with her teenagers in travel sports.
