The Year In Review 2023
Brought To You By
Rodrigo Afanador
From Bogota, Colombia, to Asheville, Rodrigo’s journey is about more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about stories, community, and squeezing the most out of life. With over a decade of experience, including being a landlord and completing more than 300 transactions, Rodrigo has a deep understanding of real estate – the wins, the losses, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with owning rentals. Dig deeper, and you’ll find Rodrigo’s not your average property manager.
He’s served as the President of CREIA, co-founded AVL Meetup, and is rolling up his sleeves with Homeward Bound to tackle homelessness head-on. It’s about more than just business; it’s about making a real difference. Off the clock? Rodrigo’s world is all about family and the great outdoors. His two boys, his “tornados of chaos,” keep him on his toes. And with his incredible wife by his side, they’re navigating the wild ride of parenthood! Whether solo or with family, Rodrigo always enjoys exploring the trails and the mountains surrounding Asheville.
For Rodrigo and the Vesta PM team, true success is measured when a house transforms into a home, and an investment yields returns. They’re not just in the property management business; they’re in the business of creating value and lasting impact..
Craig Peters
Craig, a native of Philadelphia, PA, is a 1991 graduate of LaSalle University and moved to Asheville in 2000 following a career as a casino marketing executive with Harrah’s Entertainment.
A seasoned business operator and sales professional, he has spent much of his time managing and consulting in the hospitality industry.
As investor relations specialist and loan originator, Craig is responsible for expanding ALFIE's reach between the Asheville and Upstate SC markets.
When he isn't working, Craig, the father of two wonderful teenagers, Kayla and Eric, can be found mountain biking, running, and hiking the trails of WNC.
Zacory Ruiz
Zacory Ruiz is a business operator, Marine Corps veteran, and relentless entrepreneur. He acquires founder-led service businesses and scales them through systems, strategy, and strong leadership, while preserving the legacy that made them successful.
After leading Marines as an Infantry Sergeant, Zac joined JPMorgan’s investment bank in NYC, where he honed his skills in data, execution, and cross-functional business strategy.
A lifelong entrepreneur and real estate investor, Zac’s ventures range from gold foil tattoos with Miami Ink artists, to manufacturing patented products, and startup advisory. He currently serves as Director of Technology and Strategic Growth at Asheville-based 2020 Builders, where he’s bringing scalable systems and operational clarity to the construction industry.
His tech journey began with a simple problem: real estate professionals needed better data. So he taught himself full-stack software engineering and launched the Ruiz Report and remc that deliver modern reporting and market intelligence to Realtors® across North Carolina (he also built this site, and always welcomes feedback!).
Today, Zac is building a portfolio of essential service businesses, taking over the reins from owners ready to step back, and leading teams through the next chapter with clarity, culture, and a scalable playbook. He’s known for saying what needs to be said, aligning people fast, and building businesses that run without heroics.
Jon Sarver
Jon arrived in Asheville in 1989 to attend Warren Wilson College. Jon is the Principal Broker and Owner of Sarver Realty Group LLC, established in 2005 as a vibrant boutique firm dedicated to client satisfaction and integrity.
Jon has brokered over $75 Million in commercial and residential real estate in his career. Recently, Jon assembled a series of historic buildings with an eye to preserving the character of traditional Asheville.
Jon is an avid cyclist and runner and he and his wife Amanda, who works as a property manager, have three children.