Walton Communities

a lakefront area with picnic tables and walk paths

Our History

In 1989, Lynda Ausburn and Barry Teague transformed their vision into a reality with the first Walton community. The pair had a passion to provide more than just a place for residents to live. They had a passion to serve the community by providing homes and neighborhoods where people would truly thrive. Since that time Walton Communities has grown to over 30 communities throughout Georgia and remains locally owned and managed by the team of Barry Teague, Lynda Ausburn, Keith Davidson, and Tom Wilkes. Learn more about our leadership team.

Who We Are

Walton Communities is a privately held company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Our Company develops, owns and manages apartment communities throughout Georgia. With a heartfelt mission to serve our residents, Walton Communities is committed to providing exceptional housing at a great value in a friendly neighborhood environment. Our Purpose is to glorify God by being a positive influence on everyone we encounter, and by being a good steward of all that has been entrusted to us. Learn more about our community partners and philanthropy.

How We Serve

At Walton Communities, our goal is to provide a superior living experience. We are committed to supporting the needs of residents through exceptionally maintained communities and unique service programs. Because each of our neighborhoods is different, we provide a wide range of educational, cultural and recreational programs that are tailored to the hobbies, interests and needs of the people who live in our neighborhoods. Among the activities and programs we offer are book clubs, after-school enrichment activities for children and excursions to local events for singles, seniors and families, just to name a few. Learn more about our resident & team member programs.

Our Leadership Team

Barry Teague

Executive Chairman

Barry Teague is Executive Chairman of Walton Communities, which develops, owns and manages apartment communities throughout the metro-Atlanta area and Augusta. Under Teague’s leadership, Walton Communities continues to grow in its excellent service to residents and communities. Teague graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in accounting and served in the U.S. Army. Post graduation, Teague began working with Arthur Anderson & Co. before joining Post Properties in 1972, where he served for 15 years. Teague left Post in 1987 to join with his sister, Lynda Ausburn, to create Teague-Ausburn Properties (TAP). TAP was originally created to provide affordable rental housing for families with children. In 2000 TAP merged with Knight-Davidson Properties to create Walton Communities. Teague now serves on the board of Cumberland Community Improvement District, Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Cobb County and The Church of the Apostles Foundation. He has previously served on the boards of The Campbell Foundation, Atlanta Apartment Association, Atlanta Mission, Gwinnett Foundation, Westminster Schools, Trinity School, PATH, and The Salvation Army.

Tom Wilkes

President

Tom Wilkes is President of Walton Communities, a for-profit business that develops, owns and manages apartment communities throughout the metro-Atlanta, Augusta and Gainesville areas. At Walton Communities, Wilkes is responsible for operations of the company. Wilkes is a distinguished military graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. He has served as a senior executive and business leader in apartment operations since 1990. From 2001 through 2009, he was president of Post Apartment Management. His experience spans a wide range of property styles and types, from high-rise to garden style and affordable to conventional. Wilkes has operated apartments and mixed-use developments in 15 different markets from New York to Los Angeles. Wilkes served as Chair of the Atlanta Apartment Association in 2008 and the Georgia Apartment Association in 2014. He served on the board of Directors for the Atlanta Mission from 2011 through 2013 and is currently serving as Board Chair until mid 2024.

Lynda Ausburn

Principal

Lynda T. Ausburn is Principal at Walton Communities, a for-profit business which develops, owns and manages apartment communities throughout the metro-Atlanta area and Augusta. Ausburn mentors the corporate culture that defines Walton Communities with a strong emphasis on managing program services teams, engagement with residents and mission outreach. Ausburn offers over 30 years of experience in property management and development focusing on human resources, training and development and community relations. Ausburn’ s journey to founding Walton began with her work as a human resource manager at Post Properties. During her time at Post, she worked alongside her brother, Barry Teague, who had a vision to develop real estate in a way that builds strong communities and improves quality of life. Today, Ausburn continues to serve Walton with innovative ideas and new opportunities for the needs of residents and community members. She also serves on the boards of Good Samaritan Health Clinic and the Center for Family Resources and is active with Marietta Mentoring and First Baptist Church of Marietta.

Keith Davidson

Principal

Keith A. Davidson is a partner and chief financial officer at Walton Communities, a for-profit business which develops, owns and manages apartment communities throughout the metro-Atlanta area and Augusta. Davidson is responsible for the financial management of the organization. Davidson graduated cum laude from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. As a certified public accountant, he began his career with Arthur Andersen in Tampa, Florida. Prior to co-founding Walton Communities, Davidson left his career as a CPA and joined David Knight to begin Knight-Davidson Company, a Cobb County-based residential developer. The company focused on building residential lots and multifamily apartment homes. Davidson continues the tradition Walton Communities exemplifies by giving back to his community. He has served as Commissioner for the Marietta Housing Authority and on the Advisory Board of Student Venture of Cobb County. Davidson is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Atlanta Apartment Association and served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Affordable Housing Coalition.