Athens Academy was pleased to welcome Mr. James Whitley to campus as part of the Spartan Speaker Series. Whitley spoke to Upper School students on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in the Chambers Center.

Whitley shared his path through college and professional life, honing his entrepreneurial skills even during childhood. He encouraged students to figure out what they like to do and to find people they enjoy working with, both of which will make the work—and life—more enjoyable and interesting.

Since 2003, Whitley has been involved in the orchestration, design, development, construction, and management of over $4 billion worth of student housing projects across the country. As COO of Landmark Properties, he is responsible for all operational aspects associated with the company’s real estate portfolio. Whitley has built a team of industry leading professionals and has helped guide Landmark Properties to the forefront of the student housing industry, where they consistently rank as the most active student housing developer and the largest student housing general contractor in the country.

An Athens native, Whitley graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in land planning with a focus on urban design. He began his career in real estate in 1999, and in May 2004 he co-founded Landmark Properties, Inc. Whitley lives in Athens with his wife Jessica and two Spartans, Britten and Bronson.

Whitley is the seventh professional to present as part of the 2022-23 Spartan Speaker Series. Other participants have included attorney/comedian Karen Morgan; mechanical engineer Philip Kendrick; Dr. Kelly Grow, gastroenterologist, and Dr. Parker Grow, cardiologist; attorney Patrick Garrard; and public relations professional Suzanne Rutledge.