The Essence of
Leaf River Group

Where Vision Meets Precision in Development

About Us

Leaf River Group works to uncover uncommon opportunities for value creation in the Gulf South. Founded by Stewart Speed in 2014, LRG benefits from Mr. Speed’s experience gained over nearly forty years in various aspects of the real estate business. We’re not just another real estate development firm. What sets us apart is our ability to tackle complex projects with significant barriers to entry that might prove too daunting to many. We’re not afraid of challenges; in fact, we see them as opportunities to create lasting value. We specialize in Class A multi-family and industrial projects in the Gulf South, with a strong presence in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.

As of 2024, we’re proud to say that our development projects are valued at over $400 million, and we’re not stopping there. Take, for example, our most recent projects: Emerald Coast Logistics Center (500,000 square foot multi-building, industrial park) in DeFuniak Springs, FL and Jewel at Santa Rosa Beach (408 unit multifamily development) in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. We’ve been fortunate to partner with like-minded financial backers who understand the potential rewards that come with these sometimes-demanding ventures. Our plan is straightforward: keep growing, keep finding those opportunities and keep making them a reality with our valued partners by our side.

Stewart Speed

Mr. Speed, our President at Leaf River Group, has been leading the way since he founded our company in 2014. As a third-generation real estate investor and developer, Mr. Speed has worked in real estate settings large, small, public and private. Speed’s formational years were spent at two publicly traded REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), Merry Land & Investment Co. (multi-family) and EastGroup Properties (industrial), leading to LRG’s specializing in these two asset categories. Mr. Speed gained critical industrial development experience during his time with EastGroup Properties (NYSE: EGP) in the late ‘90s. Mr. Speed helped launch EGP’s most prominent distribution park, World Houston Distribution Park, in Houston, TX in addition to managing EGP assets in Houston, Dallas, El Paso and Denver.


Prior to forming Leaf River, Mr. Speed was President of Colony Properties, LLC (“Colony”) from mid-2002 to mid-2014. Colony, a real estate development and services company based in Ridgeland, MS, is affiliated with the H. C. Bailey group of companies. Mr. Speed founded the company in partnership with H. C. Bailey, Jr. specializing in office and retail development along Highland Colony Parkway in Madison County. Colony completed over 650,000 square feet of Class A office space (as lead developer) and over 500,000 square feet of high-end retail space (as partner) between 2004 and 2009. These developments represent a total investment in excess of $250 million. Colony Park (the master development) is widely acclaimed as the finest commercial/mixed-use development in the state of Mississippi.



Mr. Speed’s earlier experience also included time with GE Capital (asset management and real estate finance), Cushman & Wakefield (leasing broker) and Southeast Capital Partners (equity partner in development entity) all in Atlanta, GA.


Speed, a native of Jackson, MS, graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1986 (B.A., Economics) and received his MBA from Vanderbilt University in 1991. Mr. Speed is a director of Mississippi Valley Title Insurance Co., a former trustee of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and former state chairman of Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Speed also previously served as a Director of Merry Land Properties, Inc. (publicly traded apartment developer/owner) prior to the company’s sale.
Mr. Speed lives in Fairhope, AL.


Email: stewart@leafrivergroup.com

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Jason Ellis

Mr. Ellis, a partner in Leaf River’s ventures since 2015, has over twenty years of construction management experience in project management and as an owner’s representative.  2005 to 2023 were focused on representation of the Owner’s needs and other construction and development-related consulting.  Range of services offered includes: program management, preconstruction services, value engineering, project cost projection and control, daily coordination of owner/architect/contractor communication, processing of applications for payment, procurement and implementation of Owner’s systems, furniture, fixtures, equipment and many others.

Bachelor of Business Administration, Mississippi State University

Email: jason@leafrivergroup.com

Natalie Giddings

Natalie Giddings, our Office Manager, joined the Leaf River Group team in early 2023. Natalie, with extensive experience in property management and office management, coordinates Leaf River Group’s office activities and accounting functions for our various projects. As a longtime resident of Baldwin County, Natalie is familiar with the development opportunities in the Gulf Coast region and is enthusiastic about the role Leaf River Group can have in our area growing. Natalie is a Notary Public in the State of Alabama.

Email: natalie@leafrivergroup.com

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