February 2023 ~ Jacksonville Real Producers

Renee Parenteau Photographer Michele Jerrell Operations Manager

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

ART

John Beard Collection (904) 860-6690

johnbeardcollection.com

ESTATE SALES

Blue Moon Estate Sales of Jacksonville

Valerie Sprague (904) 477-4871

bluemoonestatesales.com

HOME BUYER

Mac Home Development Inc (904) 887-4015 machomedevelopment.com

HOME WARRANTY

2-10 Home Warranty

(904) 652-5931

2-10.com

First American Home Warranty

(904) 718-3685

firstamrealestate.com

Old Republic Home Protection

(904) 994-6620 ORHP.com

INSPECTIONS

AmeriSpec Inspection Services (904) 448-5016 amerispec.com/locations/fl/ jacksonville

LunsPro Inspections

(904) 249-6523

LunsProFlorida.com

River City Home Inspections

(904) 654-4732

rivercityinspect.com

INSURANCE AGENCY

Brightway Insurance - The Pihl Agency

Michele Mcilmurray (904) 262-2886

BrightwayJax.com

MORTGAGE / LENDER

Atlantic Trust Mortgage

(904) 338-9356

AtlanticTrustMortgage.com

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC

(904) 829-8631

crosscountrymortgage.com/ My-CC-Team

Dan Ribler (904) 575-3290

FiberMortgage.com

First Coast Mortgage (703) 627-1775

FirstCoastMortgage Funding.com

Future Home Loans

Mary Walker (904) 494-6000 future.loans

Gaye E. Jones (Annie Mac) (904) 599-2551

GayeJones.Annie-Mac.com

Heroes First Home Loans (904) 539-3790 heroesfirst.com

Jet Home Loans (904) 479-7468

JETHL.com

Loan Depot

Tracy Hayes (904) 513-7950

Loandepot.com/branches/ jacksonville-fl

Mortgages By Linda (904) 591-3662

mortgagesbylinda.com/

Movement Mortgage

Carlos Wilcox

(904) 253-0940 movement.com/carlos.

wilcox

NEXA Mortgage (904) 614-1146

scottneeley.com

North Florida Mortgage Brokers

Timothy Newman (904) 755-0307

northfloridamortgage brokers.com

MOVING COMPANY

Jaguar Moving (904) 323-6978

JaguarMoving.com

Ocean Movers (904) 269-4430

Oceanmovers.net

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

JoyLights (904) 474-1768

WeBringTheJoy.com

PEST CONTROL SERVICES

Kingfish Pest Control (904) 595-5300 KingfishPest.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Renee Parenteau

Photography

(904) 236-5337

ReneeParenteauPhoto.com

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Collage Day School (904) 900-1439 CollageDaySchool.org

REAL ESTATE LAW

Head Moss Fulton & Griffin Law

(904) 278-8200 hmfglaw.com

REAL ESTATE

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOS

The Listing Edge (904) 994-9176 listingedge.net

REAL ESTATE SCHOOL

Eagles World Real Estate School (904) 337-1392 eaglesworldrealtyjax.com/ real-estate-school/

ROOFING

Mighty Dog RoofingJacksonville FLA (914) 543-6067 mightydogroofing.com

ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION

South Edge Construction (904) 799-8000 southedgeconstruction.com

SPORTS TEAMS

Jacksonville Jaguars (904) 633-3348 Jaguars.com

STAGING & HOME DESIGN

Simply Dwell (904) 524-9835 simplydwell.com

TITLE COMPANY Atlantic Coast Title & Escrow (904) 853-5591 atlanticcoasttitle andescrow.com

Landmark Title (904) 367-2525

LandmarkTitle.com

Milestone Title Services (904) 716-7285

milestonetitlesvcs.com

Omega National Title Agency, LLC (904) 456-0858

Omeganationaltitle.com

Sentinel Title & Trust (904)-207-7757

sentineltitletrust.com

TITLE SERVICES

Covenant Closing (386) 986-4623 covenantclosing.com

VIDEOGRAPHER

Matthew Manyak (508) 344-9417 matthewmanyak.com

FAITH, CULTURE AND COMEBACK

Jan. 14’s thrilling 27-point comeback by the Jaguars over the Chargers surpassed the Patriots-Falcons “28-3” Super Bowl game to become third-biggest comeback in postseason history.

I was at both. I liked this one’s ending better.

I’ve been to many sporting events, this game at the Bank was the most electrifying.

Although the Jaguars didn’t win the Super Bowl this past season, I’m so happy for this team and for this city. Coach Doug Pederson has quickly built an incredible culture within the Jacksonville organization. More success is coming.

On the way home from the stadium that night, I loved hearing Coach Pederson on the radio postgame show discuss his faith in God, so I pulled up the audio the next day and transcribed it:

“My faith, honestly, my relationship with Christ has really given me a platform to be humble, to be calm, to speak truth, but at the same time, never show panic, and I believe in that and I trust in that.”

By Brian Lunsford

“I think that our team resonates in the fact that if I’m calm and if I show that demeanor, they’re just going to go out and do it one play at a time. And so, for me, that’s where I get it from. That’s where I get my strength from to do that.”

“I’ve got to thank God for giving me that, kind of blessing me with that sort of demeanor, and our team to go out and play the way they did.” -Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson on staying calm and leaning on his faith in God.

So many life lessons there in his comments.

I took our kids to that playoff game last month (Kristin watched from home by the fireplace), and we had so much fun. Like Trevor Lawrence, it was also Jake and Abby’s first time attending a playoff game. And it was my first time going to a Jaguars postseason game.

It was an awesome example for our kids to have witnessed what it means to really never give up, no matter how bad things look, seem and feel. With a strong culture that is grounded in faith, this team will go a long way for years to come. Go, Jags!

Largest postseason comebacks in NFL history:

1. 1992 Bills, 32-point comeback win vs. Oilers

2. 2013 Colts, 28-point comeback win vs. Chiefs

3. 2023 Jaguars, 27-point comeback win vs. Chargers

4. 2017 Patriots, 25-point comeback win vs. Falcons (Super Bowl)

GAYE & BRITTANY

PROVIDING MORE

By Brandon Jerrell

There are basic expectations of a mortgage loan provider. Since there are many providers available, they can’t simply stop at the basics. They need to bring more.

That is what Gaye and daughter Brittany Jones of AnnieMac Home Mortgage strive to provide: “more.”

AnnieMac is “dedicated to providing our borrowers with more — in the way of loan programs, customer service, knowledge and experience,” Brittany shares.

GAYE JONES

Gaye began her employment right out of high school with her local Arc. Working with the developmentally disabled for 10 years taught her patience and empathy, which she carried forward on her career path. She earned her real estate license in Indiana in 1985, and in 1990, she moved to Atlanta, where she continued her real estate career. Gale worked as a buyer’s agent with one of the top REALTORS® in the country for six years before starting her own team. She learned so much about negotiating contracts, building and nurturing a team, and the value of hard work during that time,

ANNIEMAC HOME MORTGAGE

and credits that experience to the future success of her own team.

THE DIAGNOSIS

In 2004, Gaye was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through several surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy, and 19 years later, she is still cancer-free. Gaye recalls, “I learned a lot from cancer, mostly that it affected my entire family. It was easier on me because I had control of how I mentally dealt with the process. My family could only sit back and watch.” Her battle with cancer made her realize how quickly life as you know it can change, how important family and friends are, and that you must always stay positive, taking one day at a time.

HOME IN ST. AUGUSTINE

Eventually, Gaye and her husband purchased their first vacation home in St. Augustine and decided to make it their permanent home in 2005. “During my years as a REALTOR®, I would, many times, get involved in the financing end of the transaction. When we decided to relocate to Florida, I wanted to partner with REALTORS® instead of competing with them. The 20 years of real estate experience is a big contributor to my success as a loan originator,” Gaye says.

In total, Gaye has been a part of the industry for more than 35 years.

She and her husband, Bill, have been married for 37 years. Together, they have four children, six grandchildren and one angel granddaughter. One of those four children is her loan partner, Brittany.

BRITTANY JONES

Brittany grew up east of Atlanta, but she has called Florida home since 2005. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her master’s degree in digital entrepreneurship from Strayer University. She founded Uncorked Occasions in 2013 — a wedding and event planning company serving clients locally, nationally and internationally. Brittany continues to be the “fearless leader of her girl gang” at Uncorked Occasions, but she took a step back from planning in 2020 to expand her knowledge and talents to the real estate world. She puts those planning and organizational skills right to work in her new role at AnnieMac.

Brittany says her mom’s battle with cancer truly shaped her outlook on life at an early age. She was in 10th grade when her mother was diagnosed, and she says, “While most of my girlfriends were busy being teenagers and fighting with their parents, I was watching mine fight — and beat — cancer together.” Those tough circumstances in life remind her of what’s important, and

Brittany says that she is unapologetically doing what she loves, chasing the dreams, goals and adventures that fill her cup, and spending her time wisely with her loved ones.

“I am grateful for my past and every individual or circumstance that encouraged me, challenged me or impacted me, whether that was positively or negatively. I have been employed since I was 15, and every boss, client and experience in the workplace has strengthened my dedication to hard work, determination and finding something positive to take from every circumstance.”

Brittany’s greatest joys in life are being “Aunt B” to her six “amazing” nieces and nephews and traveling the world. She may be sometimes working in a different time zone, but she will always get the job done.

PROVIDING MORE

Gaye explains that everything they do on her team is in-house. “I can reach out to an underwriter and get an answer before I tell a customer that they are approved. We also have the ability to broker out a file for specialty programs,” she elaborates. “We believe clients deserve more from our industry. We believe people are more than their paperwork, and it is our job to take their information and present a file that makes sense and is approvable according to guidelines. I am proud to have a closing ratio of over 99%.”

“The systems AnnieMac has in place for lead capture, follow-up and REALTOR® training are the best in the business,” Gaye says. “We believe that if we can assist agents in growing their businesses, in turn,

our business will grow. As a former REALTOR®, I learned to first always be the calming factor during a transaction and second, to answer my phone and return calls. Bottom line: REALTORS® want to know that the loan will close (and close on time). That is what my team does best!”

Brittany adds, “There is no better feeling than getting a person or a family to the closing table!” Gaye continues, “The absolute best is when someone doesn’t think they can buy a home, and I can figure out how to make it happen!”

Brittany explains that they never overpromise and that they always give honest advice and resources for current or future lending decisions. “We treat every client as we would our own family with regard to the best program, rate, decision, etc., for them, not what is best for us,” Brittany concludes.

When working with Gaye and Brittany Jones, there is no doubt that you will get “more” with them on your side. gayejones.annie-mac.com

We treat every client as we would our own family with regard to the best program, rate, decision, etc., for them, not what is best for us.

There is no better feeling than getting a person or a family to the closing table!

The absolute best is when someone doesn’t think they can buy a home, and I can figure out how to make it happen!

Brittany loves traveling.

Gaye loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Brittany loves adventure.

Gaye has been married to Bill for 37 years, and they have four children.

Jennifer Sexton Wes Mock &

By Zachary Cohen

For 10 years, Jennifer Sexton and Wes Mock built businesses in parallel at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. When Wes entered the real estate industry in 2012, Jennifer was already a top producer, and the pair formed a friendship that eventually gave birth to a real estate partnership.

In December 2021, Jennifer and Wes joined their businesses and moved to Compass, the next step in the evolution of their careers.

“We’re both veterans of the industry, coming together as a partnership. There’s a yin and yang of what we bring to the table,” Jennifer explains.

“We worked together for 10 years, always having discussions about real estate and even doing deals together, but we never officially partnered together — before now.”

BEGINNINGS

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Jennifer earned a degree in management and marketing

Jennifer’s life shifted when she met her husband and started a family. She got her real estate license in 2000, following in her mom’s footsteps, and has been a top producer for over two decades.

Wes was born and raised in Jacksonville. He played soccer and earned a civil engineering degree from the University of North Florida. Wes started his professional life in a typical engineering setting before moving into the export business. While exporting building materials nationally and internationally, he had the chance to meet contractors and house flippers. Soon, he decided to try his hand at real estate investing himself.

When Wes got his real estate license in 2012, he intended to use it for personal deals. But soon, the market shifted, and flipping became less profitable. In the meantime, Wes began building a strong sales business.

top producers

Over the last 10 years, Wes has slowly climbed the local real estate rankings. He’s developed a niche in land development, which currently comprises over 60% of his business.

COMING TOGETHER

By 2020, Jennifer and Wes were the top two agents in their sales office. Their relationship had grown over the years into something of an informal business partnership and, eventually, a formal one.

“The partnership grew because we don’t have the same strengths,” Jennifer explains. “He has great builder relationships and a younger population, where I have more experience and maybe an older population. That complements both of our businesses.”

Creating an improved work/life balance is one of the primary drivers for their partnership.

Jennifer and Wes both have families, and teaming up has allowed them to be more present for their spouses and kids.

“We were doing so much volume that it does take control of your life. Having some free time is important, and knowing someone would be there to handle the business when we leave town or have things going on family-wise — the trust is a big deal,” Wes explains.

“It was all about knowing that I could take a little bit of downtime and someone would be there. And for me, personally, after 22 years in the business, it was a spark, a new direction,” Jennifer adds.

Jennifer and Wes have added a few agents to their team: Megan Tiliakos, Tatania Salazar, Bailie Hurst and Bobby Mitcham. However, their goal isn’t to become the largest team in Florida. Instead, they intend to continue serving their clients and enjoying time with their families. Jennifer and her husband, Brian, a longtime “voice” of the Jacksonville Jaguars, have three sons, Keegan (21), Rian (18) and Kolbe (17). Wes and his wife, Stephanie, have two daughters, Miller (8) and Amelia (5).

We’re both veterans of the industry, coming together as a partnership.

THERE’S A YIN AND YANG OF WHAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE.

Team Agents: Bailie Hurst, Jennifer Sexton, Wes Mock, Tatania Salazar, Bobby Mitcham

As Jennifer and Wes look ahead, they have an optimistic outlook. Although the real estate market is shifting, they understand it is cyclical. They are focused on the long game — building a stable business that serves clients and allows them to live a lifestyle they enjoy.

“What is great about us as a team is we have a vast knowledge of all things real estate,” Jennifer says. “We complement each other so well. Wes has a technical background and engineering experience, was a part of the housing industry and has flipped homes, and I’ve been in real estate my entire life. I have good experience and connections. It’s the perfect partnership … and we are excited to see how 2023 unfolds.”

We complement each other so well. ...

THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP.

rising star

By Michelle Williamson

COUTU STEVEN

A NEW TYPE OF HERO

From teen lifeguard to Naval rescue swimmer and instructor — a famed Swamp Fox — to REALTOR®, Steven Coutu is literally a jump-into-the water-from-a-hovering-helicopter lifesaver, but as this month’s rising star REALTOR®, he wants to say thank you to those who helped him reach success.

PAST IS PRESENT

Steven’s real estate roots reach back to his childhood in Pensacola. Ray Coutu, Steven’s father, has been a Pensacola real estate agent for 38 years. “I remember him taking me to showings and listing appointments as a kid,” Steven says. “I saw the passion he had for helping people, and that really resonated with me and only continued to grow as I did.

“My parents and I had a ritual that anytime I would go to a showing or help him with a contract, closing or with any part of a transaction, we would go to a Japanese restaurant and get hibachi. It always made it fun for me,” Steven fondly recalls.

Watching his parents’ work ethic made an impression on Steven. He started working at a local grocery store at 13.

Then at 15, he became a lifeguard and continued to work on the beach until he was 18, when he decided to work at various beach restaurants until he entered the Navy.

“I joined the Navy in 2009, when I was about 21.” Steven shares. In 2011, after two years of school in Pensacola and San Diego, he was stationed in Jacksonville. There he started his first tour with the Swamp Foxes of HSM-74 station in Jacksonville. In 2016, he moved “across the pond — the intercoastal,” he explains, to Naval Station Mayport, where he was a fleet replacement squadron instructor with the Air Wolves of HSM-40.

In all, Steven was on active-duty military for 10 years. Before he left, though, in 2018, he obtained his real estate license. In part, the career switch seemed a natural progression. He also credits his wife, Maria, who supported his decision “wholeheartedly while starting her own company while we raised our baby.”

Steven had returned to his real estate roots.

LEARNING A NEW ROLE

A new career comes with a knowledge gap for anyone, and Steven was no exception. Though he had an idea of the demanding schedule and hard work a REALTOR®’s lifestyle required, he had more to learn. “I had a lot of support here locally with one of my closest friends being a mortgage banker here in Jacksonville and my wife owning a local title company,” Steven says.

The assistance didn’t stop there. “So many people took time out of their busy days to answer my questions, talk through situations and come up with solutions,” he says. “They answered my phone calls every day and night.”

“They know who they are,” notes Steven, “and though I don’t call them as much as I used to, I still call them for their guidance and sound judgment. Their support and willingness to help opened the door for me to be where I am today,” he says. “I can’t thank them enough.”

AT HOME WITH FAMILY

When he’s not working or with his family, Steven loves spending time with his “beautiful wife, Maria,” and 3-year-old son, Smith, and enjoying time with either one of their large families.

The Coutu family also has two dogs, Davis (golden retriever) and Dino (plott hound). The family enjoys “anything outdoors,” which includes fishing, boating, surfing, biking, swimming … and volunteering. They also enjoy giving back to the community.

Steven looks for every opportunity to take his son, Smith, surfing. “My goal is to teach him to have as much love and respect for the environment as I do,” he shares. “Smith is very comfortable in the water, and I want him to spend as much time in and around the water as I do. If history repeats itself, he will follow in my footsteps as I have followed my dad’s.”

LOOKING AHEAD

In the future, Steven plans to continue to grow his business while simultaneously striving to make sure each client feels as if they are his only client. “I received most of my business from current and past customers,” he shares, “and I want to continue to develop and grow relationships with each client.” Personally, he simply wants to “continue to be a good father and a loving husband.”

Triplett Paul Wagner

Steven and his wife, Maria, and their son, Smith Steven served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years.

How/where did you meet your significant other?

ERIC HINOJOS

First Coast Heroes

Real Estate

Katie and I met at work. We were both stationed together at DESRON-23 in San Diego (2014). She was the training officer and I was the air operations officer. We became really good friends while working at DESRON-23 — we ate lunch together, shared recipes and deployed together! Thankful for that duty station!

LISA BENEDICT

Engel & Völkers Jacksonville

I met my husband on a plane.

DUNIA TAYLOR

Remi Realty

I was working at an ad agency in downtown Jax and we had a break-in over the weekend in our building. We had to call the police to report it, and he was the police officer on duty that day.

MURRAY BEARD

Watson Realty Corp.

Elise and I met on the pool deck at The Bolles School in 1976. I was a swim coach there, and Elise was on the diving team. We dated through college and married on Valentine’s Day in 1981 — 42 years ago.

MARK BEAMENDERFER

Sellstate Jax Realty

In the St. Louis airport. We were both flying to Minneapolis. She was flying from Tampa while I was coming from Jax.

CICI ANDERSON

Marsh Landing Country Club Realty LLC

I always say if I hadn’t taken a position at Marsh Landing Country Club Realty I would’ve never met my significant other. We met at Marsh Landing Country Club. I came in to order my lunch to go, and he was having lunch with a client at the country club. He stopped me when I walked by, and it’s been history ever since 11-plus years later.

SARAH SCHWARTZ

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

We swiped right.

JASON COLLINS

Century 21 Miller Elite

At the Watson Office in Fernandina Beach!

LAURA BISHOP

Compass

I was working at John Hancock Financial Services in Boston and met my husband there. I was lucky enough to hire him and become his manager. We were friends at first, but when we both transitioned into other jobs, we finally started dating!

MARILYN GILMAN

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Florida Network Realty

We met via a blind date at TPC Easter Sunday 1997.

NIKKE-LYN HOLM

Herron Real Estate LLC

Facebook .... I was friends with my husband’s first wife, Mary, who had passed from breast cancer. He posted a bittersweet pic of his three kids under 5 with Santa and a precious note to his wife in heaven. ... Well, I liked the photo ... and the rest is history. (Short version.)

SOFIE GORDON

Keller Williams Realty

Tinder! Back in 2014 when Tinder was the only dating app!

STEPHANIE TUFTS STEIN

Keller Williams, Atlantic Partners

Jacksonville Southside

Kurt and I met on Tinder! Without planning it though, we met for the first time in person at The Pier Cantina in Jax Beach and later that night he tied it together we had already been Tinder matches. We played cornhole, and if he won, he got to take me on a date; if I won, he got my phone number. I won but agreed to go on a date anyways.

DENISE DEMICO

Fair Realty Inc

I have been dating another REALTOR® from RE/ MAX Signature in Ormond Beach who I have known for 40 years (we dated in the ‘80s). I knew Greg’s mother and always admired her as one of the first female commercial brokers in Florida, one of the first owners of a RE/MAX franchise and Betty also trained MY mother in real estate in the ‘70s. ... We reconnected when I bought a second home in Ormond Beach by the beach near his three years ago. We have so much in common, such as our love of travel, auto racing, boating and real estate.

DORIS ARNOLD

Walson Realty Corp

I was living and working in Nashville, TN, for a large insurance company and he also worked there. We started dating and have been married for 42 years.

BEVERLY HECHT

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

I met my boyfriend when I started showing him

houses in October 2020! He was in town from Indiana for his best friend’s birthday party. I sold him a beautiful house in Atlantic Beach. He closed in June 2021!

DAVID LANE

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside

I met my significant other through a mutual friend who just happened to be another Keller Williams agent.

KENDRA PECK

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty

I met my husband on a blind date in St. Cloud, MN, on Feb. 27, 1993. He had just returned from active duty and my college roommate thought we would be a match. Thirty years and four kids, and we just became empty nesters! Hard to believe.

NANCY BASS

Bass Professional Realty Inc.

We grew up across the street from one another! We’ve been married 36 years! Love thy neighbor had a whole new meaning.

CARA FERREIRA

Keller Williams Jacksonville

I met my boyfriend, CJ, on a dating app called Bumble!

GAYE JONES

AnnieMac Home Mortgage

Forty years ago, I hired my husband to DJ a party. I actually didn’t like him much at that first meeting, but he was (and still is) a fabulous disc jockey! It obviously has worked for us!

TRACY HAYES

loanDepot

At work!

TRISH SPIVEY

2-10 Home Warranty

Rich and I met at Ragtime following a preseason Jaguars game. Neither of us was supposed to be there that night … it was meant to be.

KAY CHAFTON

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty

I met my husband, David, in a mobile home community in Brandon, MS. This was in 1992. We were next-door neighbors!

LINDA WHITE

United Real Estate Gallery

Office Depot (how romantic)! We were both teachers at the time, shopping for school supplies for our classrooms!

BOBBI BRENNAN

Hover Girl Properties

I met my husband at a Rugby game. I was there to watch another guy play, but my husband made sure I noticed him! He came over after the game and introduced himself. He was a pretty persistent guy, and I finally agreed to go out with him. Twenty-five years later and I still think he’s cute and charming!

SHELLEY MORGAN

Keller Williams

I met my husband, Jerry, on a blind date. I knew from the minute we met that he was special. Within five minutes, we were holding hands. I am a lucky girl.

TOBY ELKINS

eXp Realty

We met through mutual friends at a pool party in Arizona. She kicked my butt in water pong, and that’s when I knew!

TERRI BENNETT

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners

Gary and I met 42 years ago at the Le Chateau Restaurant in Atlantic Beach (long gone now); we were best friends back then. When I moved to St. Augustine, we lost touch as the years went on. Both of us married others, had children and then divorced. Two and a half years ago, during the pandemic, we met again at the Lemon Bar (with masks on). We have been together ever since!

AMBER STRONG

eXp Realty

Matthew and I met at Keller Williams, Honolulu, Hawaii, as agents in 2016!

ROBERT ADAMS

Service Realty

I met my wife on a blind date at a friend’s house, and after a couple of beers and rounds of “truth or dare,” we exchanged numbers, and the rest is history. We have been together for over 20 years now and have two amazing kids, who would have known ...

WINDY KEENE

Round Table Realty

At a crawfish boil in a barn in Southern Mississippi.

JENNA FISHER

Marsh Landing Country Club Realty

We met when I was 22 years old. I just graduated college at Florida State University, and my first job out of college was working for a beer distributor. One of my potential customers I called on at the time is now my husband, Tom Fisher. He owned Plush, Rain, Leopard Lounge, Roxy and Soho at the time. My boss told me that I would be a star if I got our products into his business, and not only was I able to achieve that, but we ended up getting married a few years down the road. My husband no longer owns the club, and I am now a real estate agent. He owns Whiskey Jax, and we have two kids.

BILL IRWIN

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Florida Network Realty

In a bowling alley in Tucson, AZ!

COLE AND LAURA SLATE

Slate Real Estate

Cole and Laura Slate met May 20, 2015, playing in the NEFAR YPN Battle of the Brokers. The two played against each other and battled it out. Although Cole’s team won the game, Laura is truly the winner for meeting Cole that afternoon. The two were inseparable after that and tied the knot on May 17, 2019. Cole and Laura have grown together in business too, from Laura joining The Cole Slate Team at EXIT Real Estate Gallery to opening a brokerage together, Slate Real Estate, which just celebrated its two-year anniversary.

DAWN X. HUMPHREY

Keller Williams Realty St. Augustine

My husband, Jason, and I met at Citibank, where we were both contractors working in the IT department. I am now in real estate and he is a permanent employee with Citibank.

LISA VERNON

Imagine Real Estate LLC

I must admit we “met” on Match.com and our first date took place at, as Deadpool describes it, “a wonderful TGI Fridays!”

local programs that provided support services to their children with IDD.

For the past four years, Christie has served as a Pine Castle board member, but her support began years earlier when she learned about the nonprofit through a friend. “I tell everyone about them,” she laughs, and her support is multi-dimensional. Not only is she a strong advocate for the organization, she also donates a portion of every transaction closed to help further its mission and goals. On top of Christie’s generosity, Better Homes and Gardens Lifestyles Realty matches a portion of her donations and the donations of the other Better Homes and Gardens agents.

When asked where her love for special needs developed, she says, “Every family is affected in some way, whether it’s a family member or a friend.” Christie has a cousin whose child is IDD. “I am always talking about Pine Castle, and I find a lot of people can relate. Several clients have had children with IDD,

that IDD affects.” It takes a community of support to help individuals and families with an IDD member to come alongside them, to help them live whole, healthy lives, and Christie is doing just that.

“When you visit Pine Castle, you find the participants are some of the most genuinely happy and loving people you will ever meet. They’re happy with a hug … all the normal daily worries just disappear when I go there. I’m honored to be a member of their board,” Christie says. She is serving her second board term now. “But when that is over, I’ll continue helping them,” she affirms.

THEN AND NOW

Some of Christie’s desire to help others stems from her early years as a single mom with two young boys, working two jobs. “Being a single mom means you are everything to them,” she remembers. “It is hard. You have to be strong as a single parent because it pushes every one of your limits.” As a result, though, Christie has “a strong

work ethic and a lot of gratitude” for where she is today.

Christie has been married to “an amazing man” for 21 years, and their blended family of four children and five grandchildren is very close. Still, Christie remembers her early years and understands the value of assistance and community for individuals and families facing extraordinary circumstances.

TIME TO RELAX

When Christie isn’t working, she loves to travel — she and her husband enjoy visiting their two children who live in other states. She also enjoys making soap. “Making soap makes me feel good,” she chuckles. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes people ask if they can buy some, but then it becomes a chore.”

Her favorite quote is: “The life in front of you is way more important than the life behind you.” The perfect reflection of her own journey and her commitment to helping individuals with IDD achieve their best lives.

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