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Derek Copeland - Longtime Charlotte, North Carolina Entrepreneur

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Derek Copeland - Longtime Charlotte, North Carolina Entrepreneur

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Derek Copeland is an active presence in the Charlotte, North Carolina community who serves as a principal at MCM Partners. He works with accredited investors in pursuing long-term commercial real estate strategies. Focused on innovation, Derek Copeland identifies opportunities spanning fixed income instruments and equity investments for national credit investment grade companies such as Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A and Publix

An honors graduate of the University of Florida with a BS in Finance and minor in Economics, Mr. Copeland was selected as the “Outstanding Male Graduate” in 1996 (the school's top honor) and held leadership roles while a student at the school’s Speaker's Bureau and student assistant to the President of the University of Florida. He also served as chairman of the Florida Blue Key Honorary Tapping Committee, the school's oldest and most prestigious leadership society. He ran for public office at the age of 18 in the 1992 general election and was elected by the voters to a position with the Hillsborough County Soil and Water Conservation District. In this capacity, he worked with an elected supervisory board in coordinating efforts to implement and sustain best conservation practices for residential, institutional, business, and agricultural water use.

In the late 1990s, Mr. Copeland served as a consultant with Accenture, where his business process consulting included the research and analysis of client business processes and systems. Providing practical recommendations, he developed processes for integrating new client interfaces and technologies into operations The solutions Derek Copeland delivered boosted clients’ efficiency and profitability, as well as their responsiveness to the needs of customers.

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Residing in forested swamps, rivers, and ponds, the wood duck prefers shady spots where larger trees hang over the water. Prevalent in the eastern United States in the 19th century, the wood duck was threatened with extinction as mature trees were cut down. Its recovery represented an early success story in US wildlife management, with legal protection and the construction of thousands of nesting boxes that helped ensure a robust recovery.

With no close relatives except for eastern Asia's mandarin duck, the wood duck has unique
courtship rituals that involve the display of its many-hued plumage. The species tends to maintain nest sites in sizable, down-lined tree cavities next to water, as high as 65 feet above the ground. The duck also makes use of artificial nest boxes, even when they're placed in open marsh and at a low height. Its diet is a combination of insects and crustaceans, as well as aquatic plants and seeds, including those that fall into the water. When such food sources are unavailable, it feeds on dry land, foraging for nuts, acorns, and waste grain in fields.

Wood duck hunting season falls in autumn, as trees shed their leaves and days grow colder. Experienced hunters initially scout out sites, observing the ducks' feeding patterns and preferred habitats throughout the day. "Woodies" usually take flight at daybreak to seek out meals in preferred locations. They forage in denser foliage, such as the parts of creeks and ponds that have downed branches and trees. They also seek out thick cover over flooded timber, particular when nut-bearing trees such as oaks and beeches are present. They may also often be found perching on or foraging around backwater beaver dams and sloughs.

Compared with mallards, which sometimes flock in the hundreds, wood ducks remain in small, discrete groups of two to 12 members. In practical terms, this means that hunters only need to set out a minimal number of decoys, typically between five and 10. Even with only a couple of decoys in place, wood ducks will often fly in to feed if they are familiar with the foraging spot. Unlike with mallards, which usually refuse to budge from the water, a simple call that creates gentle sounds such as "sw-eet sw-eet," "woo-eek woo-eek," and "too-wheet" can be effective in attracting wood ducks. They may even chatter with the hunter as they make their way toward a decoy.

One proven method of tracking wood ducks is with a kayak that navigates creeks and other narrow bodies of water. Stealth is of the utmost importance, with the kayak padded with soft materials such as grass to prevent loud noises. The gun is often positioned between (or on) the legs, such that the oars can be dropped and the gun picked up at a moment's notice. Similar to the ruffed grouse, wood ducks may kick up and burst from their roost just in front of the vessel, making quick reaction time essential. Without a kayak, hunters can quietly navigate the body of water on foot, gun at the ready, listening for any chattering sounds.

The typical wood duck hunting weapon is the 12-gauge shotgun, utilizing a three-inch load of No. 4 cartridges. The ducks are extremely fast wing flyers and can be difficult to track as they dart amidst heavy foliage, which makes accuracy essential. When shooting, be aware that a follow up shot may be necessary as the duck falls. They often dive to escape, as well as when wounded. Once they are within vegetation, they can be extremely challenging to recover, as they will make every effort to get away. The only recourse for many hunters is to bring a hunting dog along, with a nose that is able to accurately track the fallen duck.

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Hunting Wood Ducks around Ponds and Creeks

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Residing in forested swamps, rivers, and ponds, the wood duck prefers shady spots where larger trees hang over the water. Prevalent in the eastern United States in the 19th century, the wood duck was...

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Triple net leases (NNN) leave commercial and retail renters with the responsibility of not only paying monthly rent, but also other operating expenses, leaving some to wonder why anyone would ever enter into this type of rental arrangement. However, NNN leases do provide renters with a few advantages.

Before discussing its advantages, the "N" in NNN stands for one of the operating expenses in this lease category, which include insurance fees, operating expenses, and property taxes. In a single net lease, the renter pays one of these expenses; in a double net lease, they pay two out of the three net expenses; and in a NNN lease, they pay all three.

One of the immediate benefits of NNN leases is that they offer renters more control over operating costs and the properties' appearance. They also have more control over water, electricity, and other utility costs, and have freedom over how the property is maintained. They also can choose the insurance company they want to work with.

By paying these various costs, renters can also potentially reduce their overhead. Alternatively, these costs can also be used to bargain with the landlord to lower the rent. While triple NNN leases place more responsibility on the renter's shoulders, they also provide more leeway in negotiating operating expenses to lower the total overhead.

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Triple net leases (NNN) leave commercial and retail renters with the responsibility of not only paying monthly rent, but also other operating expenses, leaving some to wonder why anyone would ever...

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Trey Morgan and Derek Copeland of Sentinel Grove Partners offer an inside look at the high-stakes world of restaurant real estate and private equity. They break down why the landlord-tenant relationship works best as a long-term partnership rather than a one-off deal, and how high-growth regions like the Sunbelt have shifted the balance into a clear landlord’s market. Looking beyond the numbers, Trey and Derek stress that smart investing comes down to betting on people, not just concepts, pointing to strong leadership, employee retention, and thoughtful succession planning as the real signals of long-term success in an unpredictable economy.

Humanize 105 words

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Episode 648: Betting the Jockey: Why the Operator Matters More Than the Menu

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Listen to this episode from Restaurant Owners Uncorked on Spotify. Trey Morgan and Derek Copeland of Sentinel Grove Partners pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of restaurant real estate and private equity.

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Sentinel Grove Partners Facilitates Successful Debt Repayment of New Walgreens Development in Ramseur, North Carolina

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RAMSEUR, NC - December 9, 2025 - Sentinel Grove Partners, a leading real estate investment and finance firm, announced today that it successfully closed on the debt financing for the sale of a single-tenant Walgreens property located in Ramseur, North Carolina. The investment has concluded with the successful sale of the property and investors have been fully repaid. The transaction represents continued strong investment interest in high-quality, essential retail assets with long-term lease commitments.

The Walgreens store is strategically situated in the Ramseur community, offering essential pharmacy and retail services. The successful closing underscores Sentinel Grove Partners' expertise in structuring tailored debt solutions for properties anchored by nationally recognized, investment-grade tenants.

Derek Copeland, Principal of Sentinel Grove Partners, commented on the deal: "We are pleased to have successfully executed the debt financing for this Walgreens transaction. This deal highlights the enduring stability and investor demand for well-located, net-leased assets in the essential retail sector. Our ability to provide reliable and efficient capital solutions continues to be a key differentiator for our partners."

The terms of the sale and the identity of the buyer were not disclosed. Sentinel Grove Partners continues to actively pursue opportunities to finance and invest in stable, income-producing commercial real estate assets across the Southeast and nationally.

About Sentinel Grove Partners Sentinel Grove Partners is a private real estate finance and investment firm focused on providing customized debt and equity solutions for commercial properties. With a focus on strategic assets and strong sponsorship, the firm is committed to delivering exceptional value and fostering long-term relationships with its clients and partners.

Media Contact:

Amanda Parrish Director of Investor Relations aparrish@sentinelgrovepartners.com

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Sentinel Grove Partners Facilitates Successful Debt Repayment of New Walgreens Development in Ramseur, North Carolina

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Sentinel Grove Partners is a private real estate finance and investment firm focused on providing customized debt and equity solutions for commercial properties. With a focus on strategic assets and strong sponsorship, the firm is committed to delivering exceptional value and fostering long-term relationships with its clients and partners.

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MCM Partners Rebrands as Sentinel Grove Partners, Signaling Next Chapter in Growth-Protected Investment Strategy

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MCM Partners Rebrands as Sentinel Grove Partners, Signaling Next Chapter in Growth-Protected Investment Strategy

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MCM Partners is proud to announce that it is rebranding as Sentinel Grove Partners, marking a significant evolution in the firm’s journey and a renewed focus on delivering a growth-protected investment experience for investors.