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.

Tara Kelley, Receptionist/Assistant Property Manager

As Receptionist for The Hutson Companies, Tara Kelley oversees the daily operations of the firm’s corporate office environment. In this position, she is also the first point of contact for the company’s valued clients and business partners. Apart from her responsibilities as Receptionist, Tara also serves as the Assistant Property Manger. In this capacity, she provides support services for Hutson Rentals, its portfolio of properties, tenants and prospective tenants.

An administrative professional for the past eight years, Tara has an eye for efficiency, quality and cost-control. In her experience, she has become highly attentive to details, adept in multitasking and an expert in organization.

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.

Trevor Hutson, Assistant Project Manager

As Assistant Project Manager for The Hutson Companies, Trevor Hutson is responsible for assisting in all facets of the land development process. In this capacity, he works with teams of surveyors, engineers and subcontractors to bring the Hutson vision to fruition in both residential and commercial developments. From concept through completion, site selection through sales, Trevor ensures quality, compliance, efficiency and cost control. Trevor is additionally responsible for the management of Hutson’s timber assets.

Trevor graduated from the Florida State University College of Business, where he excelled not only in his academic achievements, but in his endeavors beyond the classroom as well. He served as Chairman of the Education Committee for Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, where he dedicated his time to tutoring and mentoring fellow students. Trevor also contributed countless hours to philanthropic causes, most specifically, the North American Food Drive.

As Assistant Project Manager for The Hutson Companies, Trevor is carried by the outstanding characteristics that define him, including self-discipline, personal responsibility, respect and compassion.

Carmen Paxton, Property Manager

Since joining The Hutson Companies in 2008, Carmen Paxton has consistently proven herself to be a tremendous asset to the firm. Fueled by the pursuit of excellence and a job well done, she was quickly promoted to Property Manager for the organization's rental properties division, Hutson Rentals. As such, Carmen oversees a large real estate portfolio including more than 100 single-family homes. In this capacity, she maintains both the aesthetic and functional integrity of all the properties in the portfolio through long-standing relationships with numerous vendors and tradesmen.

Carmen excels in several areas, the most notable of which are organization and communication. She credits her talent to her tenure in the United States Navy, where she received highly-specialized training, and to her supportive husband, Dave, an active duty member of the Navy, with whom she lives in Mandarin.

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 for the firm. Accordingly, 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 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 Deans List.