WHO WE ARE

Bob Leak, Jr.

Bob Leak, Jr. | Broker | Consultant

Economic Development | Strategic Real Estate | Industry and Govt Relationships

Robert E. (Bob) Leak, Jr. is the President and CEO of Whitaker Park Development Authority. In this role he is responsible for the sale and re-development of the RJ Reynolds Whitaker Park manufacturing complex. This 125 acre, 12 building complex located in Northern Winston-Salem, has over 1.7 million square feet of space and 20 acres to be developed all of which have been sold. This mixed use project is adding new jobs and expanding the tax base for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

Mr. Leak recently joined NAI Ready as a consult and broker. In that role he will be part of a team that will assist land and building owners with all of their real estate needs.

Areas of Expertise:

Unmatched Economic Development Expertise – With decades of experience in economic development, including leadership roles in Winston-Salem Business Inc. and the Whitaker Park Development Authority, Bob brings deep industry knowledge and a proven track record of attracting investment, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities. His expertise enhances NAI READY’s ability to guide land and building owners through complex redevelopment projects and strategic site selection.
Strategic Real Estate & Site Development Leadership – As a former commercial real estate broker and economic development strategist, Bob has been instrumental in large-scale redevelopment projects, industrial site selection, and commercial transactions. His ability to assess market trends, infrastructure, and site potential ensures clients receive strategic insights that maximize their real estate investments.
Strong Industry & Government Relationships – Having worked with government agencies, economic development organizations, and corporate investors, Bob leverages his extensive network of industry connections to help clients navigate incentives, regulatory requirements, and growth opportunities. His leadership in state and regional economic development councils makes him a trusted partner in site selection, business attraction, and community growth strategies.

Prior to joining WPDA, Inc. Mr. Leak served as President of Winston-Salem Business Inc. (WSBI), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit economic development corporation serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina. Mr. Leak joined WSBI in May of 1989.

Mr. Leak has also held positions as a commercial real estate broker with Carolantic Realty in Raleigh, NC, Vice President/Director of Economic Development for First Union National Bank in Raleigh, Executive Director of the Rome/Floyd County Georgia Industrial Development Commission and Assistant Manager of Economic Development for the Greater Greenville, SC Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Leak earned his Certified Economic and Community Developer (CEcD) designation in October of 1990. He is a member and past President of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association (NCEDA), member and past chairman and Honorary Life Member of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), and a past member and past board member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Mr. Leak served on the North Carolina Economic Development Board in 2000-2001, appointed to that position by Governor Jim Hunt. He has served as an adjunct professor of real estate in the Wake Forest University Schools of Business. Mr. Leak was named the Economic Development Practitioner of the year by the North Carolina Economic Developers Association in 2006.

Mr. Leak holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MBA from Wake Forest University and is a graduate of the Basic Economic Development Course in Chapel Hill and the Economic Development Institute in Norman, Oklahoma. Mr. Leak is also a licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker.

Clients

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MBA, Wake Forest University