Richard Severance

Biography: In his role as President of Wellen Park (formerly the West Villages) the third fastest selling master planned community in the US, Rick brings over twenty years of experience in community development, organizational utilization and financial performance to the Mattamy Corporate team. Prior to joining Mattamy, Rick was the President of Babcock Ranch for Kitson & Partners where he was hired to launch the first sustainable city in the US. Prior experience includes the role of SVP of Planning, Development and Operations for the St. Joe Company and previously he was the CEO of New Vector Limited, a highly successful consulting firm for numerous new urban and master planned resort communities and commercial town centers. Rick’s consulting career was preceded by his position as CEO of the Seaside Community Development Company, responsible for the direction and development of Seaside, Florida, the award-winning town named TIME Magazine’s ‘Development of the Decade and ULI's Award of Excellence. In prior years Rick has worked with national lodging brands, real estate development companies, and large REITs as Consulting Senior Manager in the hospitality and real estate practice of Ernst & Young, LLC. Severance has addressed the Urban Land Institute, the American Society for Training and Development, the Hospitality Asset Managers Association and the Florida State University’s MBA program. Rick is a passionate advocate for “charity water,” a non-profit organization dedicated to supplying fresh water to those in need in Africa. Rick is active in raising awareness of the critical need for safe, clean drinking water in third world countries.