Moss Withers ‘10, CEO and Founding Principal, Lee & Associates, Raleigh-Durham
While completing his Jenkins MBA degree, Moss Withers entered the Raleigh-area commercial real estate market as a broker – and quickly became one of the area’s industry leaders. Today, he has completed more than 1,600 transactions totaling more than $1 billion, including large land assemblages, office sales and leasing, and investment properties.
Get to know Moss
Current role: Chief Executive Officer and Founding Principal
Current field: Finance and Real Estate
Current industry: Commercial Real Estate
Current location: Cary, NC
Program start date: August 2008
Graduation date: May 2010
Life before Jenkins
Undergraduate studies: B.S. in Business Administration in Finance and Banking, B.S. in Economics, and B.S. in Risk and Insurance, Appalachian State University
Pre-program work experience: Development and Operations (2 years)
Pre-program role: Waterfront Operations Manager
Pre-program industry: Real Estate Development
Why an MBA?
For Withers, the choice to pursue an MBA was simple. He wanted to deepen his understanding of the many moving parts of running a business – from strategy and marketing to operations and finance. “I wanted to learn how to think differently, approach challenges creatively and build a strong foundation for launching a business. The program’s well-rounded curriculum gave me the tools, confidence and perspective I needed to turn big ideas into action.”
“The program’s well-rounded curriculum gave me the tools, confidence and perspective I needed to turn big ideas into action.”
Why Jenkins?
The combination of academic opportunities, his personal connection to NC State and the program’s location in the Triangle solidified the Jenkins MBA program as his top choice. “The entrepreneurship concentration was also a major draw for me, as it allowed me to explore all facets of business and provided the tools to think strategically about building and running a company. I have had an entrepreneurial spirit from the beginning and knew starting a business was in my future. Additionally, the program’s proximity to the new home my wife and I had recently purchased made it an ideal fit. Most importantly, I’ve been a passionate NC State fan my entire life, and becoming an alumnus of a university I’ve always cherished was a dream come true.”
What made it great
Withers found that the program’s small class sizes created a dynamic learning environment where students had exceptional access to professors – allowing for meaningful discussions, personalized mentorship and a deeper understanding of the material. Additionally, beginning in Withers’ second year, he had the opportunity to select a technology developed at NC State and, together with his team, create a business plan around it. “Over the course of 12 months, we refined our plan, received feedback from venture capital investors, and ultimately pitched it to potential backers. This hands-on learning experience was invaluable, and it led to an exciting outcome – our chosen technology and business plan attracted funding, and I became a minority owner of a nanofiber production company, Xanofi.”
Beyond the academics, Withers also appreciated how the program brought together a diverse group of individuals from around the world. “The friendships and professional connections I built during my time at Jenkins have been lasting and continue to enhance my personal and professional life.”
“The friendships and professional connections I built during my time at Jenkins have been lasting and continue to enhance my personal and professional life.”
Career impact
The Jenkins MBA program had a significant impact on Withers’ career, both during his time in the program and in the years that followed. As part of the full-time program, he completed a required summer internship with NAI Carolantic, a prominent commercial real estate company, under the leadership of Steve Stroud, who Withers calls “a true legend in the industry.” That internship not only gave him invaluable hands-on experience but also led to his first opportunity as a commercial real estate broker. “Through the mentorship and friendship I developed with Steve, I gained a deep understanding of the business and built a strong foundation for my career. After spending a decade with NAI Carolantic, I was able to apply even more of what I learned during the MBA program when I took the leap to start a new venture. Today, I lead and run Lee & Associates Raleigh-Durham, an office I co-founded, leveraging both the knowledge and connections gained from my time at Jenkins. The program truly set the stage for me to grow and succeed in my career.”
Final thoughts
Withers found the Jenkins MBA program transformational – giving him the skills and confidence to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions, introducing him to lifelong friends and mentors, and even helping launch his career in commercial real estate. “It wasn’t just an academic experience—it was a launching pad for personal and professional growth, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything I gained during my time in the program.”
Get in touch
Connect with Moss on LinkedIn, or by email at mwithers@lee-associates.com.
Learn more
To learn more about the Jenkins MBA program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.
This post was originally published in Jenkins MBA News.
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