Meet Our Team!

Bill Godwin
Bill Godwin

Bill is the Owner and General Manager of Paper Skyscraper. He is a Charlotte native and grew up enjoying Paper Skyscraper like so many born and raised Charlotteans. In 2019, Bill purchased Paper Skyscraper from the shop's founders. The store continues to serve as a destination and gathering place. Operating a Charlotte institution is no small task and in his time away from the store, he is spending it with his daughters or crafting a game plan for their next soccer match.

Brian Simpkins

After shuffling around the northeast for years Brian landed in Charlotte in 2015 and soon after became our Merchandise Director. Over the years he’s gotten to know and understand our Dilworth neighborhood regulars and all the products that they love. With a background in visual merchandising and retail display, he takes great pride in the aesthetics of our store. In his spare time, you may find him enjoying a live show or chatting about Taylor Swift and his cat Walter. Make sure to give him a high-five when you see him!

Colette Blake

Colette is our store's Jack of All Trades! A Charlotte native, Colette has been with Paper Skyscraper for six years. When she's not doing a little of everything in the store, you can find her with her perfect pup Rocky, exploring local parks with her loved ones, modeling the latest style of Sw-eans (sweat pant jeans), or trying to start a dance party wherever she goes. She loves reading, attending concerts, and trying out new snacks in the store.

Claiborne Williams

Claiborne is a North Carolina native and grew up in Raleigh. After completing his studies in Film Production at UNC Charlotte, he worked as a touring musician and then producer in the sound design industry in and around Charlotte.

He joined the team 4 years ago, learning the store from the shipment that arrived day to day. Combine that with a background in media production and you have our Freight & Media Director.

Follow the page (@paperskyscrapergifts) send him a joke, or a cool dog video.

Away from the store, an instrument of some sort is always around. Claiborne works as a private music instructor to a handful of students. Outside of all the music, you can find him playing hockey, supporting the Carolina Hurricanes, or watching Star Wars.

Ali Mullins

Ali grew up 20 miles south in Rock Hill, South Carolina but migrated to Charlotte about 4 years ago. Initially an elementary Montessori school teacher, she happily decided to bring her creativity and laughter to Paper Skyscraper.

Ali is our Card Curator. She's the bright mind and heart behind the card wall in-store. Most of her time is spent dreaming up a vision for the cards we select. The right card could mean the world to someone you love, and Ali holds that in high regard.

Her time away from the store is spent bringing friends and loved ones together. Whether she's riding her bike around the city, disco dancing through the night or cheering on Charlotte FC in the Supporters section, Ali has never met a stranger. Only a friend she's never met before. Show her a card that made you laugh next time you're in shop.

Rhiannon Smith

Rhiannon is from the bustling metropolis of Belmont, North Carolina. She has lived close to or around Charlotte for "forever". After pursuing a degree in the Fine Arts at James Madison, she left Virginia to come back home to the Queen City.

In her time away from the store, she teaches art, loves travelling to National Parks, and baking. As a Spongebob superfan, she credits all of her success in life to what the beloved porous cartoon character once said:

"If you believe in yourself and with a tiny piece of magic, all of your dreams will come true."

Lindsey Shinkle

Lindsey was born and raised in Elkin, North Carolina and moved to Charlotte after attending school in Raleigh. She quickly connected with Paper Skyscraper and applied after her first visit. As an artistic and goofy part of the team, she's always happy to share pictures of her most recent pottery pieces or entice those behind the register into a dance break.

Ali Pyrc

Ali is our morale-boosting macaron maker all the way from Michigan. She is still relatively fresh to the Charlotte area but could tell you all the best spots for a good meal. A Ferris State alum, Ali traded being a Bulldog for an Aussiedoodle Mom to Juno. (@juno_pyrc)

In her time away from the store, she's baking up fresh treats or exploring the city with her husband. Next time you see a happy little trio Uptown, send a smile to our macaron maker.

Franco Perez

Franco joined the team in the summer of 2023. After studying Business Administration in college, he began honing his skills in the e-commerce and digital marketing sectors. Along with his intellect, Franco is a kind, friendly and passionate person to be around.

In his free time, he enjoys playing CATAN with family and friends, going to the beach in the summer, and listening to Spanish rap. Otherwise known as "Mago" (Magician in Spanish) to his friends from college, he's got all the tricks up his sleeve when it comes to Peruvian cuisine. Mago really loves cooking food and travelling the globe and trying new things. 

JJ Utley

JJ is a Charlotte native, fresh out of living in Manhattan for their dance career attending the School of American Ballet. She moved back home after deciding to take some time away from the ballet world to explore other interests like writing, art, music, and film photography. She loves nature and traveling, and prioritizes happiness above all else.

They’re a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and makes a huge effort to create a safe space for everyone. JJ grew up coming to Paper Skyscraper often and adored seeing the founder’s labradoodle, Patsy.

In her free time, you'll find JJ with her dog, Maggie Macaroni. They take walks and cuddle up together whenever they get the chance.

Mary Wilder

Meet Mary, the magic behind Paper Skyscraper's online hub since September 2023. As a key part of our online team, she keeps the website shipshape and orchestrates order prep with finesse. Hailing from Ohio, she traded the Buckeye state for the charm of Charlotte. When not fine-tuning the website, she explores the Queen City's gems and spreads joy one package at a time! 💫📦

Outside the store, Mary enjoys hiking, camping, playing tag with her cat Lenny, and all things arts and crafts!

John Goble

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, John made the move to Charlotte in 2014. After graduating high school, he pursued his passion for language and creativity, majoring in English with a focus on creative writing at Queens University of Charlotte.

Joining the team in late 2023 as a Freight Professional, John combines his sharp organizational skills with a love for detail to ensure the efficient management of logistics.

Outside of work, you'll find him immersed in Sci-Fi and Fantasy literature, conquering video game challenges, and exploring the vibrant city of Charlotte.

Will Ritchey

Will is a Charlotte native who began working at Paper Skyscraper mid-2023, after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Appalachian State University.

Will has a passion for seeing people thrive in and through systems of community, which became increasingly evident to him through his experience co-founding and leading a team of 35 under The Collective, ASU’s student-led fashion magazine, for three years.

Will has been dedicated to the practice of mindfulness for the last two years of his life. He began facilitating Zen retreats at Greatwoods Zen in Charlotte, NC.

In his free time, Will engages in discursive design, the study of literature on ontology, phenomenology, neuroscience, and systems of meaning, and simply enjoys being with people in the world.

Rebecca Romo

Rebecca is a North Carolina native, born and raised in Raleigh. She studied Communications and Hospitality/Tourism at Western Carolina University. Following college, she lived in Asheville where she spent most of her time immersed in the tourism industry and part of the management team for a ziplining company. 

She moved to Charlotte a little over three years ago and has been lucky to call NoDa her home for all of it. She joined Paper Skyscraper’s Freight Team mid-November 2023 just in time for the holiday rush. 

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, family and friends. Locally, her favorite place to escape is the Whitewater Center. In her free time, you can find her hiking, taking in a concert or cooking up Mexican cuisine from scratch.

Hope Mansfield

Meet Hope, our Charlotte native.

With a laugh that lights up the room and a perpetual coffee cup in hand, Hope brings a unique blend of craftiness and enthusiasm to the team. She joined Paper Skyscraper in 2023 after a brief stint as an assassin for a private company. Finding solace in retail, you can count on Hope for recommendations for a gift or place to explore in Charlotte.

Beyond the store, Hope's diverse hobbies include reading, spending time with her family, roller skating, and staying on the cutting edge of web design trends.