About the Mills companies
Fred Mills Sr. launched the Mills companies in the mid-1960s after attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduating from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He began his career in real estate development, construction, and property management developing a variety of housing types including single- and multifamily homes, student housing, and teacher housing. The company’s first project was an affordable single-family home, and affordable housing has remained a focus throughout the life of the Mills companies.
Over the past 50+ years, the Mills companies have worked with HUD, USDA, and other conventional programs to build affordable homes across North Carolina. Since the creation of the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program in 1986, the companies have developed and built over 5,000 affordable homes through the program.
Today, Fred Mills Sr. remains involved in the development process and special projects. He is a licensed NC real estate broker and has an unlimited general contractor license in North Carolina.
Fred Mills Jr. is the CEO of the Mills construction and development ventures and responsible for day-to-day activities. He joined the family business after attending Wittenberg University and graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics. Fred Mills Jr. has served in many roles contributing to the companies’ success. He has an unlimited general contractor license in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
The Mills companies are supported by a growing team with expertise in business, property management, land use law, city planning, architecture and other specialties.
Bobby Funk serves as the Development Director, helping coordinate housing development opportunities throughout North Carolina. Bobby has over twelve years of community and economic development experience in North Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Business degree from Appalachian State as well as a Master of City and Regional Planning from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Tammy Stern joined the team in 2020 after earning a Master of City and Regional Planning from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also holds a Master of Environmental Management and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree. Tammy relies on her planning, environmental, and architectural background when pursuing opportunities for affordable housing projects.
About Southern Repair Service - Leah Bergman
Leah Bergman is the President of Southern Repair Service Incorporated and Lee Ray Bergman, LLC, commonly referred to as “Bergman Rentals.” Bergman Rentals owns and manages over a 1,000 housing units in Durham and Raleigh with a concentration on providing affordable housing in the ever expensive Raleigh/Durham area. In the recent years, Leah has expanded the business to include new development and is currently constructing the second phase of quality, affordable workforce housing in Rutherfordton, NC known as Park Crossing Apartments.
The businesses were originally started by Mitchell Bergman, Leah’s grandfather back in the late 1940’s. Leah’s father, Lee Ray Bergman grew the business significantly in his lifetime and passed in September of 2008. Ms. Bergman took over the business upon her father’s passing and has continued to grow it. Bergman Rentals is the largest private property manager in Durham that accents Housing Choice Vouchers.
In addition to running the real estate business, Leah is very active in the Durham community and works on the affordable housing initiative “Unlocking Doors.” Through this work, Bergman Rentals partners with non-profits in Durham seeking to house people who have trouble finding housing. Bergman Rentals participates in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, HUD VASH (Veterans) and Rapid Re-Housing initiatives.
Ms. Bergman graduated from New York University’s, Stern School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting and holds the CFA designation. Prior to working in the family business, she worked with JP Morgan Asset Management on the Emerging Markets Team and for Morgan Creek Capital Management. Leah is married to her husband, Ted Roach. They live locally in North Carolina with their three young children TJ, Rosie and Mitchell. Leah is also a horse enthusiast.