About Us

Man in western attire squatting on grass in front of a white management vehicle with a logo reading 'Hilliard Land Management'.

Carter’s lifelong passion for the outdoors and rural properties, combined with his extensive real estate knowledge, led him to create HELM in late 2009. As an avid outdoorsman who spends his free time hunting, fishing, and working on his own farm, Carter has an intuitive understanding of the complexities of improving and managing land. Among other roles, Carter remains the Director of Operations and is actively involved in all aspects of HELM from project inception to implementation to day-to-day management.

Carter Hilliard

Meet the Team

  • A woman with blonde hair wearing a blue top standing outdoors near a black fence, smiling with trees in the background.

    Laura Hilliard

    Laura Hilliard plays a vital role at Hilliard Estate and Land Management (HELM), keeping a trusted and careful eye on the company's finances. With a background in economics from Washington College, Laura brings her passion and expertise to the behind the scenes operations at HELM.

    In addition to her professional contributions, Laura is married to HELM owner Carter Hilliard, and together they are raising their two daughters, Bea and Annie. Outside of work, Laura is an avid equestrian and competitive eventer, spending much of her free time riding, training and teaching their two daughters. She finds great joy in balancing family life, her passion for horses, and her work with HELM’s exciting land management ventures.

  • A man smiling outdoors, standing in front of a black wooden fence with greenery, trees with budding leaves, and a house in the background on a bright day.

    Josh Cowden

    Josh Cowden joined our team in January 2025, bringing 15 years of experience in business operations and management. A Bath County, VA native, Josh grew up working at his family’s Fort Lewis Lodge & Farm, gaining a strong foundation in land and farm management. He earned a BA in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia and began his career at Dewberry in Fairfax, VA. Later, his passion for sustainable agriculture led him to Stemple Creek Ranch in Tomales, CA, where he spent eight years expanding the business and driving growth in the grass-fed beef and lamb industry. Josh and his family relocated to Charlottesville in 2024, and we’re excited to have him on our team, where his leadership and expertise will be invaluable.

  • A woman sitting in a black outdoor chair with a pink floral dress, using a laptop. There is a ceramic mug on a small side table to her left, a decorative metal fox figurine on another small table, and a metal fox wall sculpture on the white paneled wall behind her.

    Ann Garland

    Ann Garland joined the Hilliard Management team in April 2019 as the Business Manager, in charge of accounts receivable, assisting with proposals, project management and client relations.  Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Ann moved to Charlottesville in 2001 to work for Dave Matthews Band where she served as director of the fan association and charity ticket auctions for 14 years. Before and after the position with DMB, she served as a director for  two non-profits. Ann is a Master Gardener with a degree in Natural Resources from The University of the South (Sewanee), which often brings added value to her work with HELM.

    Ann and her husband Johnny and three pups live on a farm in Free Union. When Ann is not keeping things running smoothly at HELM, she spends time volunteering with a local women’s organization and Australian Shepherd Rescue of the Mid Atlantic.

  • A smiling man in work clothes standing outdoors in front of a utility truck.

    Chase Campbell

    Chase Campbell is an Operations and Project Manager at HELM, where he plays a key role in overseeing day-to-day operations, project management, and job estimating. Joining the company in 2020, Chase brings a wealth of hands-on experience in land and wildlife management, having been immersed in the industry from a young age.

    A 2021 graduate of Bridgewater College with a degree in Business Administration, Chase combines his academic background with practical knowledge to drive efficiency and success across projects. His passion for land management, coupled with his attention to detail and strong leadership skills, ensures projects are executed smoothly and effectively.

    Outside of work, Chase enjoys spending time with his wife, Abby, and church family as well as spending time in the outdoors and hunting. 

  • A man with short dark hair and a beard smiling and standing with his hands in his pockets in a workshop or garage. He is wearing a beige work shirt and gray pants. The background has shelves with tools and supplies.

    Chris Sutton

    Chris joined the HELM team in 2019, and his dynamic abilities have allowed him to take on a multitude of roles since that time.  His area of focus has ranged from administration and operations to project manager, and he is currently working in his most fulfilling roll as our special projects director.  Drawing on his experience in both the shooting and maritime industries, Chris spends his time designing and constructing shooting and sporting clays ranges, building floating docks, and enhancing the fisheries potential of our client’s ponds.  As special projects director, Chris also handles the coordination of automatic gate system installations, running power and data infrastructure, and tackling any project that falls outside the scope of HELM’s traditional area of expertise. 

Sunrise over sunflower fields with a partly cloudy sky and trees in the distance.

Mission

We combine our clients' vision for their property with a practical, cost-effective plan to achieve a long-term management strategy that improves efficiency and adds financial and recreational value.