Dawna was raised in a “real estate family” in Southern California, but that wasn’t how her story began. Her mother passed away when Dawna was just ten years old, and from that moment on, she was “in charge.” Her father was a cross-country truck driver, which meant that Dawna and her younger sister spent days—sometimes weeks—alone. She kept the house clean, mowed the lawn, got them both to school o
n time, and made sure their homework was done. Though these were challenging times, they taught her how to schedule, plan, and execute—skills that would later serve her well as a military spouse and mother. Her father remarried when she was 15, and it was her stepmother who introduced real estate into her life. Dawna recalls standing on front porches, watching her stepmother chat with virtual strangers and turn them into family friends—a talent Dawna would later master herself. When she became an Air Force commander’s wife, those early life lessons kept her grounded, and the families under her husband Tom’s command knew they could count on her to help keep things running smoothly during deployments. Since then, Dawna has raised four children across three continents and bought and sold homes in three different countries. Each move required finesse and strong negotiation skills due to language barriers and cultural differences. It’s safe to say she has learned a thing or two about relocation and diverse lifestyles. When the family landed in Pensacola, Florida, Dawna fell in love with the white sand beaches and the Gulf Life. Today, her focus is on providing first-class service to active adults and empty nesters looking to relocate to or market a waterfront or near-water lifestyle—so they can live the Gulf Life every day. Dawna is a strong advocate for her clients, earning their trust through exceptional personal attention and consistent communication. She guides clients through every step of the process with confidence and ease. In addition, she spent 25 years as a copywriter and is the author of the marketing book Work With Your Copywriter…And You Both Win! Her negotiation skills began early, shaped by her independence and reinforced by learning the real estate trade from her family. Dawna is immensely proud of her four children—Krista, Tom, Mykala, and Patrick—and her nine grandchildren, and she spends as much time with them as possible. She lives in Gulf Breeze with her husband, Tom, and cherishes waking up each day near the water and the lifestyle they both love. She and Tom are also passionate advocates for rescue animals. They currently share their home with two dogs and two ferrets, all of whom bring equal parts joy and mischief. While her childhood began a bit rocky, Dawna credits it for setting her on a path of resourcefulness and independence—qualities that shaped the woman she is today. And there’s certainly nothing rocky about white sand beaches, no alarm clock, and helping others find and live the Gulf Life every day.
