Leadership

John-David Roddy

John-David Roddy is the Chief Operating Officer as well as the primary Project Manager for Providence Commercial Real Estate.

Beginning in 1993, John-David worked with Igawaga, Inc. where he created and implemented the firm’s investment-tracking system. After receiving his Affiliate Broker’s license, John-David joined Eakin and Smith, Inc. where he was primarily involved in the sale, leasing, and development of commercial real estate. As a founder and principal in Blue Ridge Development from November 1996 until early 2009, John-David was involved in the development of office, retail, residential, and industrial projects totaling over $150 million. John-David re-joined Igawaga, Inc. in 2009 as its Director of Real Estate Development. John-David was instrumental in merging the Igawaga, Inc. Development Services division into what is now Providence Commercial Real Estate.

Actively involved in community affairs, John-David serves or has served on the Board of Directors of the Emerald Youth Foundation, Boy Scouts of America Great Smoky Mountain Council, YMCA, and Helen Ross McNabb Foundation. 

Jay Cobble

Jay Cobble, a native to Knoxville with 20+ years of experience, is the Principal Broker and a Founding Partner at Providence Commercial Real Estate. He serves clients across East Tennessee ranging from Fortune 500 companies and the Federal Government to local small business owners or investors. Jay won the 2010 CCIM Deal of the Year Award for a $20 million office lease deal, was named to the Knoxville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 in 2012 and won the CoStar Impact Awards Deal of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024 including the $35 million sale of the original HGTV/Food Network campus. Jay has earned SIOR and CCIM designations and HSPD-12 Federal Clearance.
             Focusing on the East Tennessee community Jay serves on the board of 4 Market Square, UT FCA and SIOR Middle & East TN. Jay participated in the Leadership Knoxville, UT Chancellor’s Associates, was President of both the local CCIM and SIOR chapters and has served on the Board of Directors for local organizations including The Knoxville Chamber, Nucleus, Young Professionals of Knoxville and the Dogwood Arts Festival. He is a founder and former chairman of the Knoxville Fellows Program and devotes his free time towards his family and various ministries in Knoxville.

Alex DeRusha

Alex DeRusha is a commercial real estate advisor at Providence Commercial Real Estate, where he has been delivering exceptional results since January 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from Carson-Newman University and as an alumnus of the Knoxville Fellows Program he also holds a Master of Arts in Ethics and Leadership from Johnson University.

Alex’s career has been marked by significant achievements, including representing the United States Postal Service in relocating 87,000 square feet of retail and industrial space in Johnson City, successfully leasing the Franklin Square Shopping Center to 100% occupancy in 2024, and playing a supporting role in a $35,000,000 office campus sale in 2023. His expertise spans a wide range of asset classes, including office, retail, industrial, and land, making him a trusted advisor to clients across East Tennessee.

A former collegiate soccer player at Carson-Newman University, Alex brings the same level of discipline, teamwork, and tenacity to his work in real estate. With a deep knowledge of the local market and a commitment to building long-term relationships, Alex is known for his client-focused approach and his ability to deliver tailored real estate solutions.