Joseph Barnes, former town architect at Disney’s Celebration,

Joseph Barnes, former town architect at Disney’s Celebration, was hired as vice president and general manager overseeing day-to-day operations at I’On, a 243-acre traditional neighborhood development (TND) in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Barnes was instrumental in overseeing the creation and implementation of The Celebration Pattern Book. As a classically trained architect with a masters in business administration who has been involved with a high-volume TND, Barnes brings a rare combination of skills to I’On. In related news, The St. Joe Company recently purchased a 13 percent share in The I’On Company, and plans to act as a passive development partner. The St. Joe Company, the largest landowner in Florida, has proposed several TNDs, and will gain experience from I’On. The St. Joe Company cites I’On’s high design and quality standards and the strong sales activity at the project as significant factors in their investment. The I’On Company has also been the recipient of several recent awards from the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association, notably “Developer of the Year.” In its first year to be considered for the award, I’On replaced the previous five time winner, a suburban-style developer.