H. Stephen Evans joined High Real Estate Group LLC in December 2002 as managing director – retail division. He led the development of the strategic business plan for incorporating a retail division within High Real Estate Group and is responsible for guiding High’s retail development efforts. Several retail shopping center projects are already in development with others in initial exploration. Its first shopping center, High Pointe Commons, a 325,000-square-foot community center anchored by Target and JCPenney, recently opened in Swatara Township on the "East Shore" of Harrisburg, PA. York Town Center, a 300,000-square-foot power center to be anchored by Best Buy, Dick's, and Bed Bath & Beyond, among others, is under construction in York (Springettsbury Township), PA and scheduled to open in fall 2007. Last year High announced The Crossings at Conestoga Creek, a 650,000-square-foot lifestyle center planned for Lancaster, PA, which is scheduled for a 2009 opening.

Prior to High Real Estate Group, Mr. Evans served as senior vice president – real estate, legal and governmental affairs for York, PA-based The Bon-Ton Department Stores, Inc., a $3.4 billion publicly traded, leading fashion department store company. In addition, he served on the operating committee of the company. During his tenure at The Bon-Ton, Mr. Evans established its real estate division and was responsible for the development and implementation of its strategic real estate expansion plan. Buoyed by an initial public offering, Mr. Evans lead the real estate effort to grow what was a small privately owned and operated regional department store company of 27 stores and $250 million in volume operating in four states to 73 stores and $750 million in volume operating in nine states. During an eleven-year period, under Mr. Evans’ guidance, the real estate assets of the company, the management of which he oversaw, grew to over 6 million square feet. Today, largely through acquisitions, The Bon-Ton has become one of the nation's largest regional department store companies.

An experienced retail real estate specialist, prior to The Bon-Ton, Mr. Evans spent 12 years with the real estate department of JCPenney Company, Inc., serving in various positions in New York, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. While at JCPenney, Mr. Evans was responsible for regional market strategy development, site selection, and the negotiation and documentation of various retail real estate transactions.

A member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Evans holds a B.A. in Political Science from Drew University and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. Mr. Evans is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is vice president and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Janus School in Mount Joy, PA.

phone: 717-209-4069
E-mail: sevans@high.net