OUR LEADERSHIP
WHO WE ARE
Our team is more than a group of folks driven by developing memorable real estate projects - we dream big and love bringing partners along with us. While our work may be specific at times to the redevelopment of one building or even an entire city block, our goal is to create something that expands beyond those parameters and impacts the entire community.
​
The Cotton Companies cultivates community through impactful and compelling real estate development. And we're just getting started.
Chris Woodruff
FOUNDER & CEO
With 25+ years of real estate experience, Chris has worked in every facet of both residential and commercial real estate from property management and marketing to business development, investment, and asset acquisition. He has a passion for development that goes beyond his profession. His ancestors arrived in Columbus in the late 1840s and have long-standing real estate development and entrepreneurial roots that reflect a love and commitment to the community. To date, his cumulative development, construction, management, sales, leasing, and investment is associated with over $190 million in developmental investments in the Columbus, Georgia region.
​
Chris has made a substantial impact in his hometown and region through development and community service and has been recognized as one of Georgia’s Most Influential Leaders in Georgia Trend’s 2023 Georgia 500. Additionally, he has earned the 2025 Scouting America Distinguished Citizens Service Award, the 2017 Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2014 Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce J.R. Allen Young Person of the Year Award and was awarded the 2013 Mayoral Service Award for Columbus, Georgia. In 2014, Christopher was also recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as the “Top 40 Under 40” – an award given to those recognized in the state’s business community as the best and brightest under the age of Forty.
His present community involvement includes service on the Board of Trustees for Columbus State University Foundation, Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation, Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc. and is Chairman of The J.W. & Ethel Woodruff Foundation.​ He also serves on the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley.
​
Chris has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado-Boulder, Master's in Real Estate Development from Auburn University, Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Clemson University. He is a licensed Georgia Real Estate Sales Person and holds the Commercial Real Estate Industry’s coveted designation as a CCIM Member.
​
Chris is also the CEO and owner of Woodruff Brokerage Company. Woodruff Brokerage Company is a leading real estate brokerage firm based in Columbus, Georgia. Specializing in commercial property development and leasing, the firm is dedicated to helping clients and communities thrive by connecting them with strategic property solutions. Through expertise and a deep understanding of the local market, Woodruff Brokerage Company continually supports the growth and vitality of Columbus and its surrounding areas as it has since it’s establishing in 1988.