Martha and Don, formerly long- time Orlando residents,
re-located from St. Petersburg/Clearwater area on
Florida’s "Sun Coast" to the Southeast Volusia County's "Fun
Coast". Looking to get away from the
"big city", they purchased a villa in New Smyrna
Beach’s Sugar
Mill Country Club, becoming full-time residents
Christmas 2000.
Martha is a transplanted Washingtonian where she grew
up and graduated from Westen High School, Washington DC. She
moved to Orlando in 1968 with her husband and three
children. Her first job was in retail sales. She also worked
five years for Florida Hospital where she served as
emergency room supervisor. Most of Martha’s career has
been in sales, both retail and wholesale. Martha has three
adult children and six grandchildren. Her son and youngest daughter live in
Altamonte Springs (Orlando) and the oldest daughter lives in
Lake Mary.
Don, one of the few native Floridians (AKA
"cracker"), grew up in the Lakeland highlands and
attended Bartow High School before joining the US Navy for
adventure and a technical education. Post-military education
accomplishments include a BS from Rollins College, Winter
Park, majoring in science and mathematics and post-graduate
courses in business administration, and numerous
career-related courses. He pursued a technology career. Don
has two adult daughters, and a grandson, living
near Houston Texas.
Don and Martha were married in October 1990
while both were residing and working in
Orlando - making a career re-location to St.
Petersburg/Clearwater 17 months later. Don
decided to pursue a significant career
change from Lockheed Martin Global
Telecommunications in Largo Florida
following a lengthy aerospace/defense
systems research/development and
manufacturing career in engineering and
project management; starting with Martin
Marietta in Orlando, a brief stance with
Southern Bell Telephone, followed by 20
years with Litton Laser Systems in Orlando
and 9 years in Tampa Bay. As a professional
project manager, he was accountable to his
employer and to government and prime
contractors for program technical, schedule,
and cost performance.
Martha, seizing the opportunity and following in her
son’s footsteps – a successful Realtor®
in Orlando, decided to fulfill a long-standing interest,
capitalizing on her extensive sales and customer support
background, to pursue a career as a real estate associate.
Don volunteered to support the effort and both attended the
Florida Real Estate pre-license program provided by St.
Petersburg Junior College. Both subsequently obtained their
Florida Real Estate Salesperson license and completed the
real estate post-license course.
Martha and Don interviewed several professional real
estate agencies during their selection process. Watson
Realty Corp. of New Smyrna Beach became the obvious choice providing full
and professional Legendary Quality Service
Watson Realty Corp. to clients and
exceptional support to associates. They started with Martha
as the primary
agent focusing on client development and support while Don,
as Martha’s Personal Assistant, provided office and
technology support.
Martha and Don completed
their second year (first
full year), with over 2 million in 2002
sales volume of East Volusia County Florida
properties. Martha become the Watson - New
Smyrna Beach full-time Property (rental)
Manager in May 2002, whereas Don continued
in property listings and sales focused on
giving clients the best in
Watson Realty Corp.'s “Legendary Quality Service”.
Don has been awarded Watson Realty's "Executive Club Award".
Martha left Property Management, after a full year,
returning May 1st 2003 to
property listings and sales in support of Don's growing
success in reaching and serving internet clients.
Don completed
the Real Estate Broker's course and passed
the state examination, receiving his Florida
Real Estate Broker license January 2004. He
has completed the Graduate REALTOR
Institution (GRI) Certification and has also
been trained by, and is certified by, the
Florida Association of Realtors as a Media
Spokesperson regarding real estate issues.
Don
received the 2006 REALTOR® of the Year award from the
New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors® during their annual
Christmas party - held at Sugar Mill Country Club on
December 8th. This prestigious award is
granted annually by the local Realtors®. The REALTOR® of
the year is awarded for overall spirit; Civic Affairs
Activity; Local, State and National Realtor Association
Activity; and Business Accomplishments; he served in
2006 as Chairperson of the Realtors’ Multiple Listing
Service and Association’s President-Elect; and, has been
installed as the New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors’
President for 2007. He, and wife-partner Martha, are in
their seventh year as internet savvy real estate
professionals with Watson Realty Corp., specializing in
home and condo residential listing and sales in the
SE/East Volusia market.
