MEET THE TEAM
The Builders Behind the Vision
At Tackle Box Development, we believe that great projects start with a great team. Our leadership brings together diverse expertise across real estate, construction, law, and project management—delivering hands-on execution and strategic insight at every stage of development.
Justin Nifong
Co-Founder | President & Chief Legal Officer
Justin brings a strong legal background and a deep understanding of land use, entitlements, and project feasibility. With a portfolio of over 286 residential lots developed independently and more than a decade of experience in real estate transactions, Justin plays a key role in site selection, due diligence, and navigating regulatory approvals. His ability to evaluate opportunities through both legal and economic lenses gives Tackle Box a distinct advantage at the acquisition and planning stages. Justin completed his undergraduate work at UNC-Charlotte in engineering and received his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University. He loves coaching his children's softball teams, fishing off the Carolina coast and spending time at the beach with his wife.
Brian Lucas
Co-Founder | Chief Executive Officer
Brian leads the vertical and horizontal construction management across all projects. Over the last 12 years his real estate experience includes over $30 million in residential and commercial development projects and more than 331,000 square feet of commercial space delivered. Brian attended UNC-Charlotte where he studied Fire Safety Engineering and is a NC licensed general contractor and real estate broker. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, their three children and their two labradoodle's.
Sam King
Project Manager | Field & Site Operations
Sam plays a critical role in coordinating day-to-day construction operations, ensuring quality, scheduling, and budget adherence across multiple developments. His strength lies in hands-on project oversight, on-site coordination, and bringing efficiency to the field. Sam’s ability to manage contractors, timelines, and logistics makes him a cornerstone of Tackle Box’s site-level success.
Alex Runyan
Project Coordinator | Digital & Strategic Integration
Alex brings a background in project coordination and digital management systems, helping bridge communication between the field and office. A graduate of UNC-Greensboro, he focuses on streamlining internal systems, optimizing workflows, and supporting the team with real-time data to drive execution. His attention to detail and tech-forward mindset ensure every project stays on track and aligned.