Making Waves

Many teens Brandon Stoneburner's age are enjoying the final years of college undergraduate life before moving into a full-time career. Not this 19 year old. Stoneburner is a full-time commercial real estate advisor for VIP Commercial in Fort Myers.

"I come from a long line of real estate investors," he says. "Growing up, I would listen to family members discuss real estate." Stoneburner's family developed Naples' Bayfront community and numerous mixed-use projects in the region.

He began his career interning for VIP's Gary Tasman. Upon graduating high school, Tasman asked him to work for him full-time. "Brandon is a natural leader. He is focused, determined, smart and sincere," says Tasman.

Stoneburner's role is to assist clients in making real-estate decisions. "We typically become part of their inner decision-making team," Stoneburner explains. "On any given day, I could be searching for sites for a restaurant, negotiating a lease or analyzing the cash flow and operating statement of an investment property."

Outside of work, Stoneburner is like any typical young adult. "I like to boat, fish, travel and spend time with family," he says. He's also continuing his education within the industry.

Why choose a career now instead of college? "People often ask that question,"

he says. "I tell them if I can wake up in the morning and know I enjoy what I do, that's reason enough for me."

And what about hiring a 19 year old? Stoneburner's boss responds, "I didn't know how the market would react to taking advice from someone so young, but that hasn't been a problem," says Tasman. "Brandon has the ability to build rapport with clients and impresses them with his in-depth knowledge of this market."

-Lauren Bernaldo