McGuire, Wood & Bissette president Louis Bissette possesses broad experience in many areas of business and real-estate development, as well as mergers, acquisitions and wealth creation. His client list includes some of the region's biggest players, including Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Progress Energy, Target Corporation, Western Carolina Industries, Colton Groome & Company, Pulliam Properites and Home Depot.

Lou provided legal and political advice and implementation for the Grove Park Inn as the resort sought approval of a 10-year, $200 million master development plan that also focused on downtown development opportunities. The plan faced political and community obstacles, but the result included city council approval of the master plan and a finalized downtown development agreement.

He served as general counsel for St. Josephs Hospital for 10 years prior to the $100 million merger of the organization with Memorial Mission Hospital, assisting in all phases of the merger including negotiations and preparation of documents, as well as tackling antitrust issues. He continues to represent the parent of St. Josephs Sister of Mercy Services Corporation.

For Target Corporation, he negotiated with city planners and local government to secure approval of a new $15 million development, and he managed the rezoning process of a large commercial tract for Progress Energy, with several million dollars in development at stake.

Lou's extensive community service includes mayor of the city of Asheville from 1985 to 1989. He also has served as chairman of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the I-26 Corridor Association, trustee of Wake Forest University and Western Carolina University, chairman of the N.C. Arboretum Society and the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation and vice chairman of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Buncombe County Economic Development Commission. His numerous accolades include the J.D. Cooley Award from the Western North Carolina Community Development Association, the Citizenship Award from the Land of Sky Regional Council, the Big A and Chairman's awards from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Centennial Award from the North Carolina Bar Association.