David Hutson is CEO of The Hutson Companies

David Hutson is well known for his achievements as a builder, creating new home communities throughout northeast Florida. During his extensive career as a builder, his passion for land development led to a natural transition from homebuilder to land developer. The Hutson Companies’ operations have also expanded to include a timber and cattle ranch, utility and earthwork operations, a thoroughbred horse farm and rental properties and office buildings. David personally directs the operations of The Hutson Companies.

In 1973, David formed his first homebuilding company and since that time has developed hundreds of communities in the Jacksonville area. In the late 1980s, the company was sold to the Tompkins Heritage Homes. Subsequently, the rising demand in regional housing gave birth to another Hutson homebuilding firm that was later sold to Fortress Homes, a national builder.

In 1991, David became more actively involved in land development and diversified his business interests. In addition to his development activities, David has always been a student of thoroughbred horseracing and breeding. The Hutson’s Ocala thoroughbred operation, Silverleaf Farms, gained international attention for its home stallion, Silver Buck, sire of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Silver Charm.

David has won numerous awards, including a Pillar of the Industry Award and Florida Entrepreneur of the Year. His company has been a regular on The Business Journal 50 (fastest growing companies) and the First Coast 50 (Largest Privately Held Companies). Hutson’s OakLeaf Plantation received the Large Scale Master Planning Award from the First Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association. Additionally, the OakLeaf Plantation Athletic Center garnered honors for Excellence in Construction from the regional chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

Nancy Hutson is Executive Vice President of The Hutson Companies

A seasoned professional, Nancy Hutson is well known for her achievements in the new home market throughout northeast Florida. Nancy oversees the strategic marketing for all of the Hutson interests and monitors its real estate operations.

Nancy contributes many years of marketing acumen to The Hutson Companies. Her vast experience spans a career that started at The Walt Disney Company and includes stints as a top producing sales agent with both Century Construction and D.W. Hutson. Beyond that, she rose to demanding executive leadership positions with D.W. Hutson, Tompkins Heritage Group and Fortress Homes. Nancy has won design awards from Builder and Professional Builder magazines and an Energy Efficiency Award from the Northeast Florida Builder’s Association.

Nancy spearheads the family’s charitable and civic activities, providing countless hours of support for many local non-profit organizations. The Hutsons have been active in fundraising activities for HabiJax, the Boy Scouts, Baptist Medical Center and other groups and causes, particularly in the medical field. They divide their time between their home in Jacksonville and their ranch in St. Johns County with four of their six children, the two eldest of whom are involved in the family business. David and Nancy also have six grandchildren.

Don Hinson is President of The Hutson Companies

With numerous projects in northeast Florida completed under his direction, Don Hinson brings to The Hutson Companies vast experience in land development. In addition to his multi-faceted managerial talents, Don’s contributions as a licensed Professional Engineer, a Certified General Contractor and a Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor, have been instrumental in the growth of The Hutson Companies.

Don began his career as a field engineer with Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, where he supervised design and construction. In 1984, Don joined The Hutson Companies as a project manager. Rapidly promoted to Director of Land Development, Don nurtured all aspects of the evolving Hutson Companies’ operations, from land acquisition through sales. In 1991, he was named President of the Hutson group of companies, adding finance, legal, governmental relations and administrative authority under his supervision. During the last decade, Don has guided the creation of hundreds of residential communities in Jacksonville.

Don’s extensive planning and design experience have led to numerous community service appointments. He served on the City’s Subdivision Standards and Policy Advisory Committee for many years. He also served as a member of former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney’s Growth Management Task Force and on current Mayor John Peyton’s Transition Team. Don presently serves on the Board of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

Don has been instrumental in supporting Hutson’s outreach to various charitable organizations, including the Jacksonville Zoo expansion project and Rodeheaver Boys Ranch.

Bob Cromartie is Senior Vice President of The Hutson Companies

Bob Cromartie has worked with Hutson in several different capacities during the past fifteen years. A Tampa native, Bob grew up a competitive equestrian and polo player and since that time has enjoyed a life-long career with horses. After graduating from Lenoir-Rhyne College with a B.A. in Business Management, Bob spent nearly ten years as president and general manager of SilverLeaf Farms, The Hutson Companies’ Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation in Ocala, Florida. Bob’s management and construction background now add a unique blend of skills to Hutson’s successful land development team. His marketing acumen and judgment have influenced Hutson products from the firm’s corporate logo to its distinctive community architecture.

Bob has also been influential in the operation and strategic development of the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in Florida. From guiding the careers of some of the state’s most successful commercial stallions to the planning, design and construction of many of its world-class farm operations, Bob’s has set new industry standards. He has served two terms on the board and as an officer of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owner’s Association. During his tenure there, Bob designed and managed construction of the Association’s headquarters in Marion County. Bob is a former President of “Florida Equine Publications” and co-author of “Prominent Sire Lines In America” one of the most comprehensive studies of Thoroughbred pedigrees ever published. His Ocala-based Briggs & Cromartie Bloodstock Agency, of which Cromartie is a founding partner and its President, is one of the largest and most comprehensive equine brokerage agencies in North America. Most recently, Bob was elected to the 13-member Board of Directors for the Breeders’ Cup.

Bob divides his time between his two children, the Hutson offices in Jacksonville and Ardmore Stud, his Ocala farm.

Bob Cromartie is Vice President of The Hutson Companies

Bob Cromartie has worked with The Hutson Companies in several different capacities during the past fifteen years. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Lenoir-Rhyne College, Bob spent nearly ten of those years as president and general manager of Silverleaf Farms, Hutson’s Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation in Ocala Florida. He now brings those management skills to The Hutson Companies’ successful land development team.

As Vice President of The Hutson Companies, Bob manages the architectural planning and design process of each Hutson development, personally directing a team of the region’s most accomplished land planners, engineers, architects and landscape designers. His acute judgment and keen eye for detail can be seen in each of the Hutson products, from the most elaborate amenity centers to the smallest shrubs carefully selected to line meandering sidewalks.

Bob has also been influential in the Hutson marketing initiatives, providing insight in the development of such things as the firm’s corporate logo and the advertising campaigns which promote its developments.

Bob is also heavily involved in the operation and strategic development of the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in Florida. From guiding the careers of some of the state’s most successful commercial stallions to the planning, design and construction of many of its world-class farm operations, Bob has set new industry standards. His Ocala-based Briggs & Cromartie Bloodstock Agency, of which Cromartie is a founding partner and President, is one of the largest and most comprehensive equine brokerage agencies in North America. Most recently, Bob was elected to the 13-member Board of Directors for the Breeders’ Cup.

Bob divides his time between his two children, the Hutson offices in Jacksonville and Ardmore Stud, his Ocala farm.

Deanna Cope is Vice President of The Hutson Companies

Bringing years of experience in promoting well-known brands in substantial markets, Deanna Cope oversees all marketing initiatives for The Hutson Companies and its respective developments. As such, she spearheads the firm’s advertising and public relations, special events and community affairs at both the corporate and field levels. Deanna also supervises the architectural control process for commercial properties within all Hutson communities.

Prior to joining The Hutson Companies, Deanna was a Senior Advertising Manager for Virgin Atlantic Airways and Japan Airlines, major hotel and resort brands, including Westin and Marriott Resorts and Shiseido Cosmetics. Her past experience across a host of product categories enables Deanna to bring a fresh perspective and innovative approach to marketing the developments brought forth by The Hutson Companies. As a result of her work, Deanna has received several prestigious awards and accolades from her peers in the marketing and advertising industries.

Deanna graduated with honors from Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, with an emphasis in advertising and marketing. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons at their home in OakLeaf Plantation.

Robert Hahn is the Vice President of Finance and Controller for The Hutson Companies

Robert Hahn manages the daily accounting operations of The Hutson Companies and contributes to the company’s strategic objectives by providing modeling and analytical support.

Robert came to Hutson from the St. Joe Company, where he worked in its commercial division. Preceding that, he oversaw project accounting and reporting for capital and building projects throughout the state of Florida for Barnett Bank, now Bank of America. Prior to moving to Florida, Robert spent many years in the non-profit sector across several states, including California and Montana.

Robert graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Methods and Business Management. He earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of North Florida and is a Florida Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He lives in Jacksonville with his wife and daughter.

Rachael Bennett is Senior Vice President of The Hutson Companies

Rachael Bennett, who began her career with The Hutson Companies as a Land Planner is now Senior Vice President of the firm. As such, she is responsible for the coordination of the land development and entitlement process for the company’s many projects in northeast Florida.

Rachael brings tremendous acumen in the development industry, with wide range of experience spanning a career that includes, most recently, a role as a planner, at one of the region’s leading engineering firms, England, Thims & Miller. Prior to that, Rachael served as a member of the St. Johns County Development Services Division where she gained an invaluable understanding of the land development regulation process.

Rachael’s career in land development began in the 1980’s after receiving her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida and relocating to Atlanta. As a landscape architect and later as principal of her Landscape Architectural consulting firm she had the opportunity to work with some of the preeminent commercial and office park developers.

Rachael currently lives in St. Augustine, and is a member and supporter of the Jacksonville Symphony, the Cummer Museum, the St. Augustine Arts Association, and the St. Johns County Friends of the Library.

Travis Hutson is Vice President of Sales & Acquisitions for The Hutson Companies

Having spent a number of years immersed in the development industry, Travis Hutson joins The Hutson Companies as Vice President of Sales & Acquisitions. In this capacity, Travis spearheads all real estate transactions for the firm, as the company continues to refine and build its real estate portfolio to include strategic sites for family-friendly developments in northeast Florida.

With a keen eye for opportunity and proficiency in navigating the real estate transaction process, Travis is paving the way for the future of Hutson developments.

Travis graduated from Lafayette College, with a degree in Economics and Business. There he excelled both academically and athletically, earning collegiate championships in both track and field and football and was named to the Dean’s List.