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Westervelt Real Estate is part of The Westervelt Company, a privately-owned land stewardship company founded in 1884. Each of our five businesses are focused on sustainability, and we manage our lands according to that commitment.
Ray Colvin, R.F., is the Director of Mergers & Acquisitions and Real Estate with The Westervelt Company, joining what was then Gulf States Paper in 1997. He has held numerous roles with the Company, including Senior Portfolio Manager; Manager, Westervelt Land Company; and Director of Real Estate and Forest Recreation. In his current role, he has oversight for all merger and acquisition activities, as well as the identification and development of the company’s real estate portfolio. Ray is actively involved with numerous forestry and real estate associations. He most currently serves as a Board Member and Past Chairman of the Alabama Forestry Association. Ray is a Registered Forester, having earned a Master’s Degree in Forestry from Auburn University in 1997. He was a four year member of the baseball team at Faulkner University, where he earned a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration. He also is a Licensed Real Estate Agent. Throughout his career, Ray has focused on building relationships with multiple stakeholders, and has focused on real estate, marketing, financial analysis and operations. He is skilled in multi-faceted acquisitions with publicly traded companies, government agencies and private landowners. Ray is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time with his family and friends at his recreational farm or on Lake Tuscaloosa.
Veronica Cook serves as the Real Estate Coordinator and Paralegal at The Westervelt Company, where she supports property asset management and oversees real estate closings for both acquisitions and disposals. With over 14 years of paralegal experience—including a decade focused specifically on legal and real estate matters—Veronica brings a strong foundation of legal knowledge, attention to detail, and organizational expertise to her role. A Notary Public and a trusted resource for all things documentation, Veronica is known for her practical approach and her personal motto: “But did you document it?” Originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, she is married to her high school sweetheart. Together, they have two children. With a big family, she enjoy spending time outdoors or out of town.
Alex Vick serves as the Senior Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst for The Westervelt Company. His main responsibilities are supporting the company's timberland acquisition process, developing financial models for M&A opportunities, and assisting with other strategic projects. Alex has been with Westervelt since 2022. He earned a BS in business from The Ohio State University, specializing in finance & logistics management, and a Master in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia. Alex is a registered forester in Alabama. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he enjoys getting outdoors as much as possible and serving at his local church. Hiking, fishing, and kayaking are his favorite outdoor activities.
Austin Parrish serves as the Senior Real Estate Portfolio Manager at The Westervelt Company, a role he began in 2025. In this capacity, Austin leads the strategic vision and execution for Westervelt’s diverse real estate portfolio, focusing on acquisitions, dispositions, development initiatives, and joint ventures that maximize long-term value. Austin also drives strategic partnerships, evaluates high-impact investment opportunities, and implements business plans designed to enhance portfolio performance and align with corporate growth objectives. His work ensures that every venture aligns with Westervelt’s long-term vision for growth, sustainability, and community stewardship. Prior to joining Westervelt, Austin served as Development Acquisition Manager for North Alabama with one of the Gulf Coast’s leading community and master-planned community developers. Before that, he worked as a land broker and Investment Associate in Dallas, TX, successfully facilitating $100MM+ in land transactions across Texas. In his role, Austin managed the full spectrum of the commercial and residential land investment platform from acquisitions and front-end development processes to contract negotiations, site feasibility studies, and formulation of investment disposition strategies. Austin graduated with honors from The University of Alabama, earning his bachelor’s degree from The Culverhouse College of Business. He is a licensed real estate professional and an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). In addition, Austin serves as a Teaching Team Lead for CRE Analyst, an industry-leading commercial real estate network and training program. Outside of work, Austin enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. An avid outdoorsman, he loves hunting, fishing, and exploring new destinations. He is also actively involved in his local church, Grace Fellowship, where he values opportunities to serve and connect with his community.
Josh Thompson serves as the Real Estate Portfolio Manager at The Westervelt Company. In this role, Josh focuses on strategic planning to strengthen the company’s real estate portfolio through acquisitions and dispositions, ensuring that each decision aligns with long-term organizational objectives. Prior to joining Westervelt, Josh spent 22 years working in real estate throughout the Tuscaloosa area. Over the course of his career, he managed a diverse portfolio and cultivated strong professional relationships with clients, partners, and community investors. These relationships, along with his extensive market knowledge, continue to shape his approach to portfolio management and support his commitment to responsible, sustainable growth. Josh graduated from The University of Alabama in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree from the Culverhouse College of Business. He also obtained his real estate license in 2003. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Josh enjoys spending time outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, or hiking with his family. He is committed to serving at his local church and volunteering with community charities.
