Saunders Conference Honors Top Real Estate Advisors & Achievements

Saunders Real Estate hosted its annual Saunders Conference, gathering team members from across the Southeast to celebrate achievements from the past year.

LAKELAND, FL, February 4, 2025 - Saunders Real Estate recently hosted their annual Saunders Conference, bringing together team members from across the Southeast. The event reflects the authentic culture and community that is fostered by the firm, creating an environment for fellowship, company updates, and recognition of the firm’s top performers.

Held in River Ranch, Florida, the conference featured a year-end review, discussion on goals for the next year, sales training, team-building activities, and networking opportunities. The event also hosted an awards dinner, where outstanding advisors and team members were honored for their contributions to the firm’s continued success.

“At Saunders Real Estate, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of excellence and camaraderie, and our annual conference is a testament to that sentiment," said Tyler Davis, ALC, President of Saunders Real Estate. “This event serves as a celebration of the dedication, expertise, and passion that drive our team forward, and I couldn’t be more proud of our advisors, staff, and their accomplishments from the past year.”

Honoring Excellence in Real Estate

Saunders Real Estate recognized outstanding team members through various prestigious awards, celebrating those who achieved remarkable milestones in 2024.

The Dean’s List

Based on annual transaction volume, “The Dean’s List” recognizes Saunders Real Estate’s top ten advisors from the past year. The top producers represented over $578 million in transactions for 2024 alone. Saunders Real Estate’s top ten advisors for 2024 rank as:

1. 

   Trent Saunders, ALC
2. Dusty Calderon
3. Jeremiah Thompson, ALC
4. Clay Taylor, ALC
5. Keat Waldron, ALC
6. Jeff Cusson, CCIM
7. Tony Wallace, CF
8. Marvin Puryear
9. David Hungerford, CCIM, SIOR
10. Steve Toner

Elite Award

• Dusty Calderon
• Jeremiah Thompson, ALC
• Trent Saunders, ALC

Pinnacle Award

• Clay Taylor, ALC
• Keat Waldron, ALC
• Jeff Cusson, CCIM
• Tony Wallace, CF
• Steve Toner
• Marvin Puryear
• Paul Meador
• David Hungerford, CCIM, SIOR

Champion Award

• Richard Dempsey, ALC, CIPS
• Craig Morby
• Jim Allen
• Daniel Lanier
• Eric Ammon, CCIM
• Benjamin Gibson
• Mike Matre, ALC, RF, ACF
• Liz Menendez, CCIM
• Ali Manekia, CCIM, SIOR
• Lauren Ralston Smith, CCIM, CPM 

Producer Award

• Shea Booster
• Todd Davis
• Greg Driskell
• Jim Edwards, AICP
• Austin Fisher
• Carson Futch
• David Goffe, CCIM
• David Hitchcock, ALC
• Mike Lansdell, ALC
• Ken Rembert
• Augie Schmidt, SIOR
• Linda Schultz
• Chap Shuman
• Matt Simpson, CF
• Tom Tuggle, ALC

Deal of the Year

The Deal of the Year Award recognizes the largest transaction completed within the past year, based on total sales price. The 2024 award went to Dean Saunders and Dusty Calderon for their representation of the South Lake Toho Development Tract, a 3,229-acre commercial development property in Osceola County, Florida, which sold for an impressive $110,000,000 in December 2024.

Saunders-to-Saunders Deal of the Year

This award highlights a transaction in which both the buyer and seller were represented by Saunders Real Estate advisors, showcasing the firm’s internal collaboration and market expertise. The 2024 Saunders-to-Saunders Deal of the Year was awarded to Trent Saunders, ALC and Keat Waldron, ALC who closed on 1,929 farmland acres in Martin County, Florida, for a total of $40,000,000. Both Saunders and Waldron handled this deal with utmost care and professionalism, from initial contact to closing.

Saunders Team Member of the Year

The Saunders Team Member of the Year Award honors an individual who exemplifies exceptional dedication, professionalism, and contributions to the success of the Saunders Real Estate team. The award was granted to Jennifer Williamson, Marketing Director of Saunders Real Estate, who has been with the firm since August 2021. Over the past year, Williamson successfully led the company through a full re-brand while strategically growing the firm’s marketing impact across the Southeast.

Saunders Ambassador of the Year

This award celebrates the team member who best represents the firm’s values, fosters strong relationships, and champions the Saunders Real Estate brand. The 2024 Saunders Ambassador of the Year was David Hungerford, CCIM, SIOR, a commercial real estate advisor based in Central Florida. In addition to being one of the top producers at the firm, Hungerford is well-regarded by his clients and peers as a man of hard work, integrity, and high ethical standards.

Saunders Hall of Fame

The Saunders Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals whose long-term contributions, achievements, and commitment have left a lasting legacy at Saunders Real Estate. This award is recognized within the firm’s headquarters and on the company website. The Saunders Hall of Fame inductee award was David Hitchcock, ALC, a land advisor who has been with the company since 2006. Since joining Saunders Real Estate, Hitchcock has been one of the firm’s top-producing advisors, and he is well-respected by his clients and fellow Saunders associates.

Family, Legacy, and Excellence

Saunders Real Estate hosts the Saunders Conference to demonstrate the firm’s unwavering commitment to fostering a collaborative, high-performing team while upholding its core values of family, legacy, and excellence. The event not only celebrated past successes but also set the stage for continued growth and innovation for Saunders Real Estate as it expands throughout the Southeast real estate market.

About Saunders Real Estate

Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers,
sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for nearly 30 years. With over 125 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia, the firm specializes in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.

To reflect its legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions—Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. The firm's expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.

Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering
exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused
approach.