Kevin Adams CEO CB Richard Ellis Memphis In charge of Memphis' largest commercial real estate brokerage firm. Recently lured back Patrick Burke, who departed to open the Staubach office in 2006. Through his Locally Global Investments, engaged with Henry Turley in reconstruction effort in Gulfport, Miss. Adams is also behind H2O Properties, which works in the Florida Panhandle.

Al Andrews Memphis Area Partner Panattoni Development Co. Memphis Since 1996, responsible for all company development in Shelby County and North Mississippi. Among biggest projects are 400-acre Southpoint Distribution Center, East Park Distribution Center and DeSoto Center Business Park.

Charles Ausburn President New Horizons Communities Port Royal, S.C. After forming Ausper Construction in 1993, Ausburn found a knack for building bucolic communities in South Carolina. Last year, purchased candy mogul Frank Mars' 1,100-acre farm near Lynnville for $10 million to create an upscale residential community with a golf course, equestrian facilities and retail. (See story, page 12.)

Joseph Barker Chairman of the Executive Committee MarketStreet Enterprises Nashville With all of his businesses running profitably, Barker should have enough steam to develop the still-vacant 25 acres in the vibrant Gulch area. The 22-story, mixed-use Icon project, developed in partnership with Bristol Development Group of Franklin, is sold out, while Velocity readies for groundbreaking. Managing director Jay Turner now handles day-to-day responsibilities, while Barker focuses on long-range strategy and civic commitments.

Bill Barkley President Crosland-Tennessee Nashville Building Terrazo condos in the Gulch, where he has invested much of his energy since 1993 along with partner Steve Armistead, having built Mercury View Lofts there. In charge of all of Crosland's investments in the state. Long-time advocate of historic preservation (evidenced by the treatment of the BMG-Little Sisters and the Castner Knott buildings).

Rob Barrick President & CEO Smith Seckman Reid Nashville Runs engineering design and facility consulting firm with 480 employees in 10 offices across the United States. Recently handled project management and engineering work for the $25.3 million Alcoa water treatment plant, which processes 16 million gallons of water a day, making it the largest membrane filtration facility in the state.

James Bearden CEO Gresham, Smith and Partners Nashville Started in 1967 as primary architect for HCA. The firm now has five divisions, including aviation and environmental compliance, as well as 16 offices across the country. Recently designed the Saturn V Center for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Jack A. Belz Chairman & CEO Belz Enterprises Memphis Legendary developer who changed the face of downtown Memphis oversees more than 30 million square feet of developed property holdings in Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge, other states and Puerto Rico. Recently lured Nike to acquire a 125-acre parcel at his Northridge Industrial Park. Behind Uptown Partnership, a Memphis public-private revitalization effort.

C. Dorman Blaine Founder & President Blaine Construction Knoxville Retained to perform $35 million worth of construction for the Spallation Neutron Source, an 80-acre, $1.4 billion research facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Since founding the firm 37 years ago, Blaine became a definite force among East Tennessee builders. The company is now fully owned by Yates Co. of Mississippi.

Rusty Bloodworth Executive VP Boyle Investment Co. Memphis Studied community development in Scandinavia where he became enamored with European ideas of New Urbanism, then brought his passion to America. Builds large-scale multi-use communities he calls "new towns." Firm built Farmington, one of the earliest new urban communities.

Bruce Bosse President Merit Construction Knoxville Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this large commercial and industrial construction firm is on track to top $100 million in revenue. Currently involved in building Knoxville's new $40 million high school, the DeBusk College of Medicine in Harrogate, as well as the Lakeside Center. Clients include Scripps Networks, Walgreens, South College, the City of Maryville and Regions Bank.

Michael Bourn President Bourne Holdings Memphis Having gone into real estate three years ago, the Alabama transplant is busy developing 500 acres of commercial and residential property in Shelby County. Also in the offing are a 2,500-acre community near Oxford, Miss., and a 160-acre project in Blue Springs, Miss., near the Toyota assembly plant.

Paul Bower President & CEO Education Realty Trust Memphis Bower runs one of America's three publicly traded student housing REITs, which capitalize on outsourcing of student housing by colleges to third parties as college enrollments grow. Company's predecessor, Allen & O'Hara, was the first to introduce the student hotel concept in 1964.

Mike Brewer Executive VP Linkous Construction Memphis Now part of Merit Shop Contractor, the firm has worked on the Renaissance Center, Christ the Rock Metro Church, and a Medtronic Sofamor Danek research and development facility. With 33 years of experience, Brewer is the right-hand man to President R.E. Linkous.

Clay Bright Vice President Brasfield & Gorrie Nashville Boasts an impressive portfolio of high-profile Nashville projects, including the BellSouth Tower, Corner Realty's Adelicia and Tony Giarratana's Encore. Last year, received the Excellence in Construction award from Associated Builders and Contractors for its work on St. Vincent's Hospital.

Fletcher Bright Founder Fletcher Bright Co. Chattanooga Established in 1927, the firm has 140 shopping centers in 16 states across the Southeast. Key properties are Cherry Plaza in Gastonia, N.C. Company also has strong residential and commercial units.

Danny Buring Partner The Shopping Center Group Memphis Based in Atlanta, the firm that has 23 offices across the country has been making noise here with Buring at the helm since he dropped his affiliation with developer Weston Companies. In May, SCG-Memphis was chosen to handle leasing of $1 million square feet of retail space for Weingarten Realty Investors, one of the largest Class A retail holders in Memphis.

Jim Bush Chairman Johnson & Galyon General Contractors Knoxville Having finished the $24 million renovation of the Neyland Stadium, the firm is building the new Pratt Pavilion at the University of Tennessee. Also continues work on St. Mary's North Medical Center Powell. With the help of Doug Kennedy, Bush runs the oldest general contracting business in the state, dating back to 1914.

Jim Campbell President & COO H+M Co. Jackson Handles construction and engineering jobs across the globe, bringing in over $300 million in sales. Clients include Macy's, Adidas, QVC Home, General Electric and Ross stores.

Gene Carlisle Founder & Chairman Carlisle Corp. Memphis The owner of 90 Wendy's eateries struck a deal with Global Hyatt Corp. in May to build a $55 million hotel as part of his $175 million One Beale project downtown, which includes luxury condos and retail. In October considered bidding for Wendy's International, worth at least $2.5 billion, in partnership with an unnamed private equity firm.

Andy Cates Vice President Colliers Wilkinson & Snowden Memphis Has represented corporations, landlords and investors in the Memphis area since 1998. Partner since 2005, Cates focuses on industrial tenants and landlords, having closed over 300 deals. Clients include Conair, DSC Logistics, Robert Patillo Properties, Herbalife and ProLogis.

Nick Cazana President Commercial & Investment Properties Knoxville Top projects are Knoxville's Northshore Medical Plaza, the Gallery Shopping Center in Huntsville, Ala., and two similar galleries in Knoxville and Nashville. Firm specializes in build-to-suit work, including complicated projects for high-tech clients, but also handles warehouse construction and redevelopment.

Pace Cooper President & CEO Cooper Companies Memphis Active developer of hotel projects in Florida and Michigan totaling $90 million. Specializes in building and management of hotel properties in eastern U.S., with 21 properties grossing well over $100 million.