About Sierra Development
For over 40 years, Sierra Development has specialized in the planning, design, execution, and long-term asset management of exceptional mixed-use, student housing, and Class A multifamily communities throughout the Southeast. Anchored by a collaborative team with more than a century of combined industry expertise, the firm oversees every phase of the development lifecycle, from site acquisition and entitlements through construction closeout, operational turnover and beyond. Driven by a hand on approach and a commitment to architectural innovation and meticulous craftsmanship, Sierra Development takes pride delivering best-in-class, amenity-rich properties that consistently redefine premium living.
Central to the company's development philosophy is a hyper-focused attention to location, premium livability, and strategic community partnerships. By aligning closely with municipal leaders, financial stakeholders, and institutions across the higher education and healthcare sectors, Sierra Development engineers high-impact projects tailored to the shifting economic landscape. Whether revitalizing historic urban cores or expanding its extensive footprint across Middle Georgia, the firm focuses on the entire picture, creating cohesive, walkable "communities within communities" that stimulate local retail economies, enrich the lives of residents, and stand as lasting generational assets.
“Working with (Sierra) has proven to be a benchmark for a good and trusting relationship. Partnership is a dance; it is either performed with synchrony or it will be a disaster.”
— Ninfa Saunders, CEO, Navicent Healthcare
"They do what they say they are going to do, and they do it well. We know we can count on them, even when the development is complete."
— Bill Underwood, President, Mercer University
Our team
JAMES DAWS
Macon resident and developer Jim Daws is the president of Sierra Development. The firm specializes in lifestyle-rich, mixed-use developments throughout the Southeast, including Atlanta, Athens, Dalton, Macon, Valdosta, Warner Robins, Jacksonville, FL, Nashville, TN, Mobile, AL, and most recently in Opelika, AL.
Daws earned his Bachelor’s from Georgia Tech in Management and a Master’s from the University of Georgia in Forest Resources. Starting with his first commercial development in 1988, the Allstate Building on Macon’s Riverside Drive, he has since developed shopping centers, condos, townhomes, and over 7,500 multi-family units.
JAY COCHRAN
Macon resident Jay Cochran is the Director of Construction for Sierra Development. Cochran has significant experience in the construction and real estate industry including development, construction and asset management. He has been involved in projects in excess of $700 million including multifamily, student housing, senior housing, mixed-use and single family residential.
He holds a Master of Engineering, Construction Engineering Management from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Bachelor of Science from Valdosta State University.
LORI MITCHELL
Macon resident Lori Mitchell is a principal at Sierra Development. Mitchell has a broad range of experience across the development lifecycle, specializing in equity capital raises, highly transparent investor communications, and executing ownership business plans through asset management oversight.
She holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia.