Principal Biographies
Roger Blair Keeling
Founder, President and CEO
Roger attended the University of Kentucky, studied Architecture and Accounting, and was co-captain of his varsity baseball team. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Louisville. Roger has more than twenty years of financial and business experience. He has served as Controller of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta–Scottish Rite, Executive Vice President of Hillard Development Corporation, and Chief Financial Officer of Vencor – Atlanta, and for all of these organizations was responsible for fiscal operations, including construction and renovation projects. Active in church and community service, Roger is a member of Rotary International and also served on the Construction Committee of Habitat for Humanity North Fulton, the Construction Committee for Covenant Christian Academy and the board of directors for the Alpharetta Youth Softball Association. He coached youth softball, youth basketball, and men's baseball in Atlanta and Louisville. Roger is now based in Nicaragua, and travels to Atlanta monthly to meet with homebuyers and maintain contact with Hunter Blair's stateside operations. Roger is a member of the Board of Directors of The Association of Nicaraguan Investors and Developers (ANID), an organization founded for the purpose of instilling ethics and professionalism in the Nicaraguan development profession through communication, organization and education of its members. He is also involved in NYBSA, Helping Hands Nicaragua and other community projects.
Carolyn Hunter Keeling
Vice President - Operations
Carolyn, an Atlanta native, received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Cum Laude, from Wake Forest University and a Masters Degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has held management positions in various businesses for over sixteen years, including Director of Piedmont Craftsmen, one of the Southeast's largest galleries and renowned as a source of art and home decoration. Carolyn has lived in Georgia, North Carolina, California, Europe and Central America, all contributing to her ability to develop and refine the architectural style, detail, and function of every Hunter Blair home. In 2007, the Keelings moved themselves, daughter Claire, three dogs, three cats and a bird to Nicaragua and now base their operations there. Carolyn is a founding partner of NicaBella, an interior design company, and is actively involved in NYBSA, Helping Hands Nicaragua and other community projects.
Greg Elam
Partner - Milagro del Mar
Greg comes to Milagro del Mar with more than 25 years of financial and small business experience. He is a vital part of the sales and marketing strategies at Milagro del Mar, providing sound leadership and direction for the community's ongoing business development. He is also founder of Trinity Millworks, which provides handcrafted cabinetry to enhance Milagro del Mar homes. Prior to moving to Nicaragua, Greg worked independently as a home remodeler in Atlanta, specializing in kitchens and baths. Before that he lived in Tampa, where he served as Controller for Alfonso Architects, a prominent architectural firm. Greg is always active in his community, serving on the Construction Committee for Covenant Christian Academy, and coaching youth soccer and softball during his years in Atlanta. In Nicaragua, he is involved in Helping Hands Nicaragua and serves on the board of NYBSA. A native of Ohio, Greg attended the Florida Metropolitan University and received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, Summa Cum Laude.
Michael Elmer
Project Manager
Mike Elmer studied Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, where he developed an acute analytical approach to challenges. He studied Spanish stateside, expanded his vocabulary in Mexico, learned Castilian in Spain, and put his experience to use in Costa Rica. The better part of 2006 he spent working on land acquisitions and setting up a horizontal development firm in Guanacaste's booming tourism market. In 2007, he moved with his wife, Esther, to Nicaragua and now lives in their new home of Managua, spending time developing relations with the locals, embracing the customs of Nicaragua's vibrant culture and enjoying every moment. Through his technical background and varied experience in diverse fields (including the development of triage solutions for emergency rooms and cost-saving logistics strategies for a veterinary products manufacturer), Mike offers a valuable perspective in his role as part of incountry operations. As a proud member of Hunter Blair's team, Mike works to ensure compliance with governmental regulations, handles logistics issues, advances project timelines and all the while works to improve business processes and increase the excellence of customer service. Most of all, he is a visionary for whom there is no limit to what can be done.
