ONE NATION: Chris Nations, standing, addresses his colleagues in Scottsdale, Arizona, where The Nations Group is headquartered. (Courtesy vendor)

The Nations Group, an owner’s representation firm specializing in college sports venues, has expanded its operation to Charlotte, North Carolina, another sign of the building boom across the arena and stadium industry.

Chris Nations, president of the 17-year-old company in Scottsdale, Arizona that bears his name, said the firm has a lot of work going on in the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences, so it made sense to open an office in the Southeast region.

Nations said he also considered Atlanta and Nashville before selecting Charlotte due to its affordable cost of living, the city’s airport serving as a hub for American Airlines, and basically, it’s a desirable place to live. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is about a 15-minute drive from uptown Charlotte, where Nations Group’s second office is situated.

“We needed a hub in that part of the country,” he said. “We want to support our existing clients and be there for the new ones. It makes sense for us to be present out there.”

Zack Savitz, recently hired as project director, will head the Charlotte office. His role will consist of business development, and his background in construction management is the right fit for being first on the ground there, according to Nations.

Eventually, Nations Group expects to have 15 to 20 people working in the Charlotte branch, supporting the few dozen employees based in Scottsdale.

Chris Nations has seen his company steadily grow since he went on his own after spending 11 years in athletic administration at the University of Maryland.

Over the past 14 months, Darryl Dunn, former general manager of Rose Bowl Stadium, has joined The Nations Group, along with sports architect Michael Harvey, previously with Perkins & Will; Jeff Shoultz, an ex-Learfield executive; and Mike Schelstad, formerly with AECOM Hunt, a leading builder of sports facilities.

As it stands now, The Nations Group serves as owner’s rep for the estimated $240 million renovation of Florida State’s Doak Campbell Stadium, as well as $700 million in upgrades to Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

Nations said the company has been selected for a few other projects, but could not discuss them because contracts have not been signed.

In Tallahassee, the project includes replacing the entire west side seating structure, which will introduce a new field level club space for about 2,000 fans; two loge clubs at each end; and a Founder’s Club, tied to eight suites with capacity of 30 to 40 people. New restrooms and concessions on the west side are also part of the project.

Populous is designing the improvements and Manhattan Construction is the general contractor. The project is expected to be completed by the start of the 2025 college football season.

FSU plays Alabama in its home opener that year, scheduled for Aug. 30.

Editor’s Note: This story has been revised.