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Clark Hipp-Hipp Architecture & Development
Hipp Architecture & Development is a full service architectural design firm which has provided design services throughout southeastern North Carolina since 1991. Originally founded by J. Clark Hipp, the firm has made a specialty in renovation projects.
The firm has completed many renovation and new construction projects for a variety of clients and users. Recent professional office projects include a new 9,000 sf, two story office building for multi-tenants on Peachtree Avenue, a new 25,000 sf, two story office structure for federal governmental offices, and a new five story structure located in downtown Wilmington. HA&D has also completed many building renovation designs that house professional offices, including an award winning historic 15,000 sf, three story structure in downtown Wilmington. Other projects include work with the Universities of Wilmington and Pembroke, and other developers clients in the Cape Fear region. HA&D also works closely with developers and property owners as they evaluate the re-develop potential of existing structures.
Ed Wolverton- Wilmington Downtown Inc.
Ed Wolverton is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilmington Downtown Incorporated (WDI). As the leader of this economic development organization since November 2013, Ed is responsible for developing programs and initiatives to stimulate new investment and activity in Downtown Wilmington including retail, office, residential, hospitality, educational and other similar projects.
Mr. Wolverton has twenty-eight years of downtown and economic development experience. Prior to joining WDI, Ed was President and CEO of Downtown Greensboro Incorporated where he led efforts that helped stimulate over $290 million in new investment over his tenure. Successful projects included growing the Downtown residential base by 75%, recruiting a new grocery store and sustaining a commercial lease occupancy rate of 90% or better. He also operated a 2-acre public park, enhanced public safety levels and services for the nighttime economy, directed a cleanliness program that eliminated of 150 tons of litter and debris on an annual basis and directed a marketing and branding campaign to better define public perceptions and attitudes about Downtown.
His organizations have won six International Downtown Association (IDA) Achievement Awards, two Downtown Development awards from Kansas and three Governor’s Award for Excellence in Downtown Development from the State of Georgia. He also earned the prestigious Art Advocate award from the Wichita Arts Council in 2006. Ed was elected to serve two terms on the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association from 2006 through 2012 and he has chaired the organization’s Awards Committee for the past three years. He is currently serving as the Immediate Past Chairman of North Carolina Downtown Development Association.
Mr. Wolverton also worked with Downtown organizations in Wichita, Kansas, Charlotte, North Carolina and Savannah. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Mississippi State University. Ed was also a President’s Scholar, a Dean Scholar, a member of Pi Alpha Alpha Honorary Fraternity, Sigma Chi Fraternity and a trainer for the Mississippi State football team. He resides in Wilmington with his wife, Melissa.
