Commercial Real Estate -
DONE DIFFERENTLY
We’ve turned the world of commercial real estate on its head by something often talked about but rarely practiced: focusing on our clients. By practicing the art of centering everything we do around our clients, we’ve created unmatched results for buyers, sellers, tenants, and landlords alike.
Most importantly, it’s helped us build trust and confidence, and in our tight, competitive market, that’s the difference between average and excellent results. And when it comes to our clients, we don’t settle for less than excellence.
Carla Barnard
CEO & Broker In Charge
After graduating from the University of Oxford, Carla worked as a commercial real estate attorney for Hogan Lovells LLP in London, specializing in real estate finance, investment, and complex development work for institutional clients including Prudential, Ford Motor Company, Barclays Bank, HSBC and a number of REITs. She has advised extensively on solar farm and renewable energy producing property transactions and hotel and care home M & A.
Since moving to Asheville in 2013, Carla has used her expertise to move into commercial real estate brokerage where she works alongside investors, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to meet their goals. Carla currently serves as the Broker In Charge at Likewise Commercial Real Estate.
Carla believes strongly in giving back to the community by advancing the goals of non-profits throughout WNC such as Brother Wolf, Western North Carolina Community Health Services, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and the Moog Foundation. She also volunteers on the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment. When she is not working, Carla can be found enjoying a cup of tea, walking her dog, Frank, and spending time with her family.
Stacy Wheeler
Broker
Stacy Wheeler brings over 20 years of sales experience to Likewise CRE, having worked in hospitality throughout much of the southeast US. Her grounded and responsive approach to brokerage ensures reliable guidance and accessibility for her clients. Her depth of professional experience has resulted in successful brokerage partnerships with both national and international companies throughout her career.
As an active member of the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of REALTORS® and Asheville Chamber of Commerce, Stacy maintains a thorough understanding of the regional Commercial Real Estate market. This in-depth market knowledge, combined with her tenacity to finalize client-transactions, has resulted in numerous Costar PowerBroker designations. Stacy’s commercial real estate experience spans leasing, acquisitions, buyer representation, and development. Past clients can vouch for her reputation as a determined dealmaker and problem solver.
In her free time, Stacy and her two boys can be found exploring the region with HFC travel soccer, finding skateboard parks or taking a day at the creek to reset. She has lived in Asheville since 2012, after an extensive stint in Chattanooga, TN and originally hails from Summit, Mississippi.
Jessica Auge
Broker
Jessica started her career in Commercial Real Estate in 2015, working as the Executive Assistant to a prominent Commercial Broker/Developer in Asheville. She received her real estate license in January of 2016. As a full service Commercial Broker and Advisor serving WNC, she has gained extensive experience in all facets of the industry including commercial and residential sales, commercial leasing, investment analysis, business advisory and development services.
In representing both local and non local clients, Jessica’s work goes beyond the transaction, ensuring a high standard of care, responsiveness and market knowledge to support her clients with their specific and unique needs. She has skillfully assisted clients with navigating complicated zoning requirements and construction challenges.
Jessica graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She worked as a professional photographer for several years prior to moving to the Asheville area. In addition to photography, graphic design and marketing expertise, Jessica has over 15 years of Office Management, Administrative and Customer Service experience. She is passionate about helping others, and she goes above and beyond to help her clients and brokerage team achieve their goals.
Jessica is a member of the Hendersonville Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. She is a candidate to receive the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. She currently leads the Commercial Industrial Realtor Association of WNC and serves as the Secretary of the Board to the Woodfin Business Association. In her leisure time, Jessica enjoys music, the arts and spending time outdoors with her husband, Nathan and their pup Dilbert.
Darrell Metcalf
Broker
Darrell has been a licensed NC Real Estate Broker since 2009 with 20 years of professional experience in land development. Prior to joining Carla and Company in Q1 of 2022, Darrell worked in the civil engineering field with a focus on land development and development consultation. He has extensive knowledge of site selection and feasibility analysis for multiple uses, including retail, single and multi-family developments, and self storage.
Darrell is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. He has built professional experience working as a Survey Crew Chief for McGill Associates Engineering in Asheville, a Project Manager in private stream mitigation banking, and a Civil Engineering Technician on projects in NC, SC, TN and Arkansas. He has attained credentials in Wetland Delineation and LEED Neighborhood Development, and has detailed knowledge of development budgetary items and commercial project delivery methods.
His practical approach to site selection continues to help clients save time while making informed decisions. With a knowledge of how physical and jurisdictional site attributes affect budget thresholds, Darrell is able to identify both development potential and hurdles early in the evaluation stages of a deal.
Darrell is a native of WNC and grew up on his family’s cattle farm in NorthBuncombe County. He attends Brookstone Church and enjoys spending time with his wife and four children while working on the same farm that’s been in his family since 1918.
Abigail Farrow
Broker
Abigail joined the core team of Carla & Company in 2022. Her local area knowledge, creative problem solving skills, friendly personality, and commercial real estate training are an asset to both the company and her clients. She’s an adept negotiator and tackles the many challenges of commercial real estate with a solutions-oriented approach. She’s been the proud recipient of CoStar’s “Power Broker Awards” and prides herself on top notch service and support to clients both large and small.
Abigail moved to Asheville in 2004 from San Francisco, CA, drawn by the beauty of the mountains and Asheville’s funky vibe. She loves art, architecture, food and music. In her free time she enjoys driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking to waterfalls, and participating in Asheville’s vibrant foodie and music driven culture.
James Diaz, CCIM
Broker & Senior Advisor
Originally from New Orleans, LA, Jim moved to Asheville and became a licensed broker in 2002. Jim founded CoveStar Investment Realty Advisors where he was Principal and Broker-in-Charge. During this time he was able to master the art of commercial real estate development. Jim’s experience includes participation in strategic planning, adaptive reuse, urban infill development, new urbanist design principles, large land assemblages, assisting in the crafting of strategic plans, and property management.
In 2024 Jim decided to take a leap and merge CoveStar with the well-respected Asheville firm, Carla & Company, creating what we know today as Likewise Commercial Real Estate. It was at Likewise that he was able to find the collaborative and supportive environment that allowed him to take his brokerage business to the next level. Through Likewise, Jim offers a wide range of brokerage services for transactions of every size.
Jim still maintains CoveStar as a vehicle for his advising services. Offering aid to clients at any stage of their business, from the first conception of a business plan to established enterprises looking to mix things up. He has the ability to meet clients where they’re at and find creative ways to allow their businesses to flourish. He uses detailed market analysis, accounts for the regulatory constraints of the local market, and optimizes financial ability to find the ultimate profitability of the project. Jim doesn’t just theorize in investment and development– he practices it for himself. He has personally invested in multiple real estate ventures including Jetti Raes and Beachman’s Curve.
Jim has been awarded the highly coveted and difficult to secure Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation conferred by the CCIM Institute. Jim is an officer of the Asheville Business Achievers Association, a member of the Asheville and Hendersonville Chambers of Commerce, the Henderson Board of Realtors, the Commercial Investment Realty Association of WNC, and the Partnership for Economic Development.
Frankie Keller
Executive Assistant
Frankie joined the Likewise team as Carla’s assistant in 2022, after working as a real estate paralegal in the Asheville area. With her background in law and nonprofit administration, Frankie brings a high level of organization, clarity, and enthusiasm to the team. She earned her broker’s license in 2023 to better serve the team and understand the industry.
Frankie moved to Asheville in 2015 to attend college at UNC Asheville, where she earned a BA in History and a minor in Creative Writing. She fell in love with the mountains and has remained here ever since.
When not in the office, Frankie can be found reading, writing books, cruising the parkway with her husband, or snuggling her pets.
Jill Kennedy
Listing Coordinator
- 828-222-3685
- jill@likewisecommercial.com
Born and raised in the Bluegrass State, Jill moved to Asheville, NC in 2017. She attended the University of Kentucky where she majored in Integrated Strategic Communication with a minor in Philosophy. Living in Kentucky for the majority of her life, moving to Asheville was a dream that eventually became a reality. Having worked as an executive for 5 years in the residential real estate field, Jill is ecstatic to now be working for one of the top producing commercial Real Estate companies in Western North Carolina. Drawing upon her wealth of experience and innate dedication, Jill is committed to ensuring that every client’s journey is marked by seamless transactions and unparalleled satisfaction.
When not hard at work, Jill enjoys seeing live music, hiking, dining at the newest local restaurants, and spending time with her husband, Matt, Great Pyrenees, Hank, and orange tabby cat Alan Jackson.
Rachel Lucas
Executive Assistant
Originally from the Raleigh area, Rachel first moved to WNC to attend Appalachian State University. There she received a BA in Communications, focused in Creative Advertising and minored in English.
She began her journey into Asheville Real Estate in 2019 working as a Transaction Coordinator and Marketing Specialist for residential real estate agents. Since then, she’s immersed herself further into the real estate world, receiving her NC Real Estate License in 2022. She has worked as agent support for varying projects from low-cost fixer-uppers to large new construction developments.
Rachel loves the charm and quirk of Asheville and in her free time you can find her seeing live music, doing yoga, or snuggling with her angel cat, Remy.
Get Your FREE Strategy Session
Whether you’re buying, selling, or leasing, you need a plan for making the best decisions, adapting to changes, and maximizing your business’s potential. Fill out the form below and get your free strategy session to start working on that plan. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just valuable information and advice.
- 828-222-3685
-
22 Arlington Street,
Asheville, NC 28801
