ABOUT US

Real Estate Development with a Mission

At Orchestra Partners, we approach real estate with a purpose. Unlike traditional real estate firms, we take an innovative, community-first approach to redevelopment by giving a leading role to existing properties, buildings and assets that are closing the gap between potential and prosperity in our neighborhoods. We target walkable urban communities with existing functional, historic buildings and properties located in markets that have intrinsic value.

Proudly headquartered in downtown Birmingham, we compose a symphony of purposeful partnerships for livable, thriving neighborhoods. Our co-founders Hunter Renfroe and John Boone moved back to Birmingham and founded Orchestra Partners, their own unique contribution to the city’s revitalization. With a shared vision to preserve history while creating a brighter future, Hunter and John set their sights on redevelopment that would positively impact Birmingham.

Orchestra Partners focuses on leveraging real estate opportunities that restore the past, strengthen the present, and ensure a sustainable future. We bring entities together to work in concert to create a lasting impact on the place we call home. This redevelopment approach allows us to think outside the box, take risks and create initiatives that help achieve our goal of building a better Birmingham.

Interested in working here? Check out our Careers page openings and opportunities.

OUR TEAM

Hunter Renfroe

Principal

Hunter focuses on organizational strategy, finance, construction management and project management. He’s had a passion for real estate and construction all of his life, earning his real estate agent’s license at the age of 21. Hunter worked through college as a laborer and later an engineer for a large Birmingham construction company, Hunter spent several years managing the growth and leadership of his family’s staffing business, where he also led the development and construction of its new headquarters. After studying in Boston for two years, Hunter returned to Birmingham where he and his wife, Whitney, became proud parents of their first daughter, Marley.

Hunter is a LEED Accredited Professional and a licensed real estate agent.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Birmingham-Southern College
B.S. in Business Administration & Management, 2007
B.S. in Physics, 2008

University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.S. in Civil Engineering, 2010

Boston University
M.B.A. in Strategy & Finance, 2015 (High Honors)

John Boone

Principal

John specializes in organizational strategy, market analysis, community development and project management. After flirting with a Ph.D. in History, he decided his skill set was better suited for the business world. He joined a capital markets firm in Washington D.C., where he also interned at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Two years later, he left to pursue a real estate development career in South Florida, where he directed site selection and inception-stage planning of charter schools.

John is a member of the Five Points Alliance, the economic development council for Five Points South. He also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, and is actively engaged in community development throughout the city.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Birmingham-Southern College
B.A. in History, 2006

University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.A. in History, 2010

Mary Claire Weeks

Managing Director

Mary Claire Weeks manages Orchestra’s financial infrastructure and general business operations. Mary Claire joined us from Atlanta, GA where she most recently spent time as a Corporate Accountant for a publicly traded REIT. Previously, she worked for a public accounting firm as part of the financial services audit team. Mary Claire is a Certified Public Accountant (active).

Mary Claire lives in Birmingham with her husband, Andy, and two dogs, Daisy-Mae and Milo. She enjoys running, weekend trips to the lake, and spending time with her family.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

University of Alabama

B.A. in Accounting, 2012

Georgia State University

M.S. in Accounting, 2014

Paula Comunelli

Director of People & Culture

Paula is responsible for supporting leadership development and forwarding a positive culture. She has a passion for accessing and unleashing the power of people and does this by seeking out the positive in any situation. Paula joins us from Northern California where she worked in a variety of Human Resources roles in corporations and not-for-profit organizations.

Paula enjoys exploring her new hometown in Birmingham, meeting new people, trying new restaurants, tasting wine and craft beer, and being walked by her four-legged buddy, Camille.

Contact

pcomunelli @orchestra-partners.com
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

California State University, East Bay

B.S. in Business Administration

Pepperdine University

M.S. in Organization Development

Henry Costa

Director of Experiences

Henry leads The Experience division, which encompasses all in-house hospitality, retail and lifestyle projects (e.g. Unplugged, McFly’s, etc). Prior to joining Orchestra Partners, Henry was most recently the co-founder and President of two Los Angeles based restaurant groups: J. Fall Group and LINK Restaurant Group, the former having been purchased by a large restaurant group in 2019. Henry began his career on Wall Street for 9 years as an Investment Banker.

In addition to enjoying time with his wife Lauren and their rescue pup Alfie, Henry likes to explore hiking trails, try new restaurants/bars, and travel the world (44 countries and counting!).

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Georgetown University

B.S. in Business Administration

Howard McKay

Director of Project Management

Howard is responsible for the management of projects from pre-development through execution.

Prior to joining Orchestra Partners, he was involved in a variety of brokerage and project management capacities, including 2 years in development in Linz, Austria. Howard is a registered real estate broker.

Howard, his wife Julia (a native of Austria), and their three children enjoy traveling and spending weekends exploring all that Birmingham and the region have to offer.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Auburn University

B.S. in Civil Engineering

LaBrandon Dates

Communications Manager

aBrandon is responsible for marketing, external communications, social media and digital strategy. Prior to joining Orchestra Partners, LaBrandon led global marketing and communications programs for companies in finance, health insurance and travel and tourism.

LaBrandon enjoys microblogging and content creation about his love of travel, style and pop culture. He has been featured in Forbes and has executed influencer collaborations with brands including Warby Parker, Reebok, Nordstrom, Papa John’s and Roku.

In 2017, LaBrandon self-published a coffee table book that showcases his wanderlust and personal style.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Lambuth University

B.A. in Communications

University of Denver

M.P.S. in Marketing

Perry Hilyer, CPA

Controller

Perry is responsible for organizing, leading, and executing all accounting processes and transactions at Orchestra Partners. He is from Birmingham, AL with a background in public accounting at a Big 4 firm. His experiences range from traditional audit and assurance services to more complex services, including business planning, financial budgets and projections, market analysis, internal controls assessment, and development of data analytics for both public and private companies. Perry is an active licensed CPA and a Young Cabinet member of the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants.

In addition to spending time with his wife, Katie, and his daughter, Amelia, Perry enjoys exploring everything from parks and trails to new restaurants in Birmingham with his twin brother.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

University of Montevallo

B.A. in Accounting

University of Montevallo

M.B.A.

Eric White

Asset Manager

Eric is responsible for the company assets through management of property managers, reviewing financial statements, and business activity. In addition, studying market trends and setting benchmarks to maximize profits and identify new investment opportunities.

Previously, Eric spent his career of over 20 years in Multifamily Operations and Apartment Management where he held numerous titles such as Regional Marketing Manager and Regional Vice President. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his husband, family and his dogs (Farley, Fierce, and Fiona). Eric is also the Commissioner of the New South Softball League in Birmingham and has attended multiple regional tournaments and even the NAGAAA Softball World Series.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Jacksonville State University

B.S. in Marketing

To revitalize communities, we collaborate with local property owners and community partners to identify real estate preservation opportunities in our neighborhoods. Through community partnerships, intentional design, strategic construction, and transparency, we lay the foundation for communities to thrive. By becoming immersed in neighborhoods as a true community partner, we help create sustainable growth and long-term impact.

WORK WITH THE BEST PEOPLE IN BIRMINGHAM

“We have a shared vision around creating a more vibrant Birmingham and bringing people together by producing great places. It’s inspiring to work here.”

– Hunter Renfroe, Principal