SOUTHERN PINES — A Richmond County business leader has been honored for his achievements by a publication in a neighboring county.
Neil Robinette, CEO of C.F. Smith Property Group, was recently named in The Pilot of Southern Pines’ People of the Pines 20 Under 40.
Robinette, 34, lives in Pinehurst, but has been head of the Rockingham-based real estate development business started by his grandfather for nearly a decade.
During his time at the helm, Robinette has led the company through a rebranding to honor the family patriarch, and a multi-million-dollar remodel of Richmond Plaza, the flagship development in the home county.
Since early 2020, C.F. Smith has brought several new businesses to Richmond Plaza, including Black’s Tire, Firehouse Subs, Planet Fitness, Aspen Dental and Burke’s Outlet, the latter of which now occupies part of the retail space left by the corporate closing of J.C. Penney.
Headlines hair salon recently moved to the shopping center, and a Tesla charging station has been installed in the parking lot.
Late last month, the company revealed that Tropical Smoothie Cafe would be filling the space formerly occupied by GNC.
This year, C.F. Smith announced a new development, Broad Station Commons, which will be at the site of the former Mi Casita’s Mexican restaurant, between the Chiba Japanese drive-thru, and Dieffenbach G.M. Superstore.
The company has also announced the three tenants: Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s Subs and T-Mobile.
But the company’s reach extends beyond the Sandhills. According to the corporate website, C.F. Smith has holdings in 23 states.
The recognition in Moore County is the latest accolade for the young executive.
Robinette was named one of the 19 2020 Trailblazers by Business North Carolina and last year was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the N.C. Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities.
