Buddy Gadams

One of Virginia’s premier residential and commercial developers, Buddy Gadams has devoted his career to excellence in business. A dedicated runner who has competed in more than 25 marathons and long-distance runs of up to 150 miles, Buddy Gadams has integrated the principles he learned as an athlete into his professional ethos, with outstanding results. For more than a decade, Buddy Gadams has served as President of Marathon Development Group Inc., a Norfolk-based corporation that builds apartments, townhouses, and condominiums as well as regional cultural centers and mixed-use developments. Since establishing his company in 2000, Gadams has directed the construction of major projects in the area, including the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, a 100,000 square foot arts center that hosts world-class performers while serving the community through ongoing arts-related courses. Buddy Gadams has completed an array of residential developments throughout Virginia. Two recent projects include the renovation of the former Ghent Arms into luxury condominiums, and the restoration of the Ames and Brownley Department Store into 49 loft-style apartments atop two street-level retail establishments. He recently completed the construction of the single-family Manteo Townhomes, a prestigious local residential development. Under Gadams’ supervision, Marathon Development Group, Inc., has recently proposed a $30 million Virginia Housing Development Authority project comprising 210 residential units and a six-story parking garage. Dedicated to family and fitness as well as business, Buddy Gadams enjoys working out, skiing, and traveling with his loved ones. Deeply invested in his community, he gives regularly to area arts and commerce organizations such as the Suffolk Cultural Art Center, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and the Downtown Norfolk Council. He studied Finance at James Madison University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree.