Forty Under 40: Sterling Hamilton

Sterling Hamilton’s career path has consisted of him following the things that make him curious.

The Eagle Scout and bass guitarist studied studio art at the University of Arkansas and interned at a law firm. After graduation, he moved to Chicago to bunk with some international friends from college.

He took a temporary job with an affordable housing developer, working in mortgage lending. Hamilton found himself deeply impacted by the culture in South Chicago and the rehabilitation of its neighborhoods — and he met his wife, Anne.

The couple moved to Seattle, where he pursued a master’s degree in urban planning and real estate at the University of Washington.

Halfway through the program, Hamilton knew he wanted to be a real estate developer. After graduation, he worked in real estate consulting and was recruited by CBRE, where he had the opportunity be a financial consultant for several Fortune 500 companies.

In 2014, Hamilton returned to Fayetteville and now works for Sage Partners. He has also immersed himself in issues of affordable housing and urban redevelopment in the region.

“I think of affordable housing as a holistic approach to economic progress,” he said.

Hamilton said his dream project is a residential public-private partnership that reflects good design and delivers affordability to underserved populations.

Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce President Steve Clark described Hamilton as a strong resource in tax-credit utilization, particularly for affordable housing.

“He’s refreshingly honest with complete commitment,” Clark said.

Hamilton is a board member of Partners of Better Housing and the Fayetteville Roots Festival. He supports local agriculture, sustainable food systems and loves to hunt and fish.