EXECUTIVE TEAM

Pete Dalton

Broker / Owner


Peter O. Dalton is the broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, headquartered in Orange Park, Florida. Dalton entered the real estate industry as a salesman in 1973, closing 106 transactions in his first year. A rising star, he soon entered management and just four years later, he and two partners started Vanguard Realty Inc. as a one-office real estate brokerage in Orange Park, and in 1980, he became and remains the sole stockholder. Vanguard Realty Inc. grew from an independent one-office real estate brokerage into what is now the area’s leading national brand, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, featuring ten offices and two service centers. Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty is the largest Coldwell Banker franchise and the largest national brand in the northeast Florida market, as measured by RIS Media, and has a prominent presence in Central Florida. The company is comprised of 300+ agents and staff, including an in-house marketing team and full-time continuing education center and staff. The company prides itself on the production of its agents with average productivity of approximately $4,000,000 per agent in a market where the average sales price is $300,000.

The company strives daily to meet its vision and mission Statements "to foster excellence in real estate through career enhancement programs and tools for our customers and employees and … to be recognized as the most professional and innovative real estate organization in our market."

In addition to his business interests, Dalton is active with many civic and professional organizations, having chaired numerous committees, including having served as:
  • President, Clay County Chamber of Commerce
  • Chairman, Clay County Committee of 100
  • President, Clay County MLS
  • President, Clay County Association of REALTORS
  • Board of Directors, Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS
  • Secretary, Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS
  • Board of Directors, Florida Association of REALTORS
Dalton is married to the former Sandy Taylor and they reside in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mona Gardella

Chief Operating Officer


In a sense, Mona Gardella has been in real estate for most of her life. She has resided in a total of eight states ranging from Michigan to Hawaii and has lived in a total of seven homes in the Jacksonville area alone. Being a wife to a (now retired) career Naval Officer, she has experienced first-hand the physical, mental, and emotional strain associated with packing up her loved ones and all of their belongings. Thus, she realizes the inherent value of a great real estate professional.

She entered the real estate industry as a second career to elementary education during a time that many agents were leaving it. She was warned that it wasn't a good time to start. In response to this challenge and due to her tremendous work ethic, she sold $3.5 million in real estate her first year and was named "Rookie of the Year." More than a decade later, Gardella still loves the business and excels as a member of the Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty management team, having been promoted to Director of Market Development for Fleming Island and Oakleaf in 2015. In 2018, she also assumed managerial duties at the Avondale office. Success in this industry is contingent on hard work, and she has always prided herself on going the extra mile.

Promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty in 2019, Gardella uses her expertise and passion for real estate to mentor new agents in their careers and also help seasoned agents stay relevant and expand upon their previous success. She is proud to be part of a brokerage that makes its agents' success the primary business objective. She truly believes a leader must also be a servant and is honored to serve the agents in her care.

In addition, serving the community means more to Gardella than helping people buy and sell real estate. She loves her community and enjoys spending her extra time giving back to it. She is a past president of CBV Cares, a nonprofit organization founded by CBV agents, the board Vice President of the nonprofit organization, Quigley House, has served on the School Advisory Council for Thunderbolt Elementary and Green Cove Junior High School and the Board of Trustees at Orange Park United Methodist Church. Mona is a proud Rotarian, currently serving as President of her club, and has served on steering committees for Tennis 4 Cancer and Clay County Strides Against Breast Cancer. She also is a 6-year past member and past Chairman of the Clay County Utility Authority Board of Supervisors and is a graduate of Leadership Clay. Each of these roles has allowed Gardella to stay connected with her community and give back to others.

Brenda Taylor

Vice President - Agent Experience


Brenda Taylor serves as the dynamic Vice President of Agent Experience at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. With a career spanning over two decades with CBV, Brenda is a seasoned professional dedicated to elevating the success of top-producing agents. Brenda brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Known for her strategic marketing vision and commitment to fostering a positive and growth-oriented environment, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the onboarding, and ongoing support programs for agents at CBV. Her commitment to agent development makes her an instrumental force in shaping Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty's unique approach to fostering excellence. Her expertise extends beyond traditional onboarding, encompassing ongoing support and innovative marke4ting initiatives designed to keep agents at the forefront of the competitive real estate landscape. Taylor has also worked closely with broker/owner Pete Dalton to develop an exclusive group of top Realtors® titled ERN - Elite Representative Network, which encompasses only the top 10% of the Northeast Florida MLS Agents at CBV. The ERN level of marketing allows these agents to reach even more potential customers through strategic Concierge Services marketing and counsel.

Lori Frye

Controller


Lori Frye was born in San Diego, California, and moved to Jacksonville in the early 1970s as a daughter of a Navy soldier. She graduated from Terry Parker Senior High and received her bachelor’s degree in 2017 from American Public University. Lori has lived in Jacksonville for most of her adult life.

Her career started at a restaurant doing payroll, helping the auditor, and then doing various accounting roles at an aircraft maintenance facility, residential home building, and a non-profit organization specializing in senior living in Jacksonville. She joined CBV in October 2020 as a Senior Accountant and brought an accounting background of over 20+ years of experience. She learned how to process commissions and escrow for the company agents and implemented a new payroll system for the company.

Lori currently resides in Fleming Island with her husband and three dogs. Since 2016, she has served as Treasurer on the Patriot Service Dogs board. Her love and passion are for military veterans and dogs; she, also, enjoys doing crafty things.

Stephanie Bolden

Operations Manager / NEF


Stephanie Bolden was born and raised in Mannheim, Germany. She is a German Citizen and has been a permanent legal resident of the United States for over 13 years. Stephanie is married to a veteran of the United States Army whom she met in her home country of Germany. They have three sons and made Florida their home in 2018.

Stephanie started her career as a high-profile executive assistant for the Director of Foreign Trades IHK (Chamber of Industry of Commerce) of Rhein-Neckar. Early in her married life, Stephanie and her family often moved to support her husband’s civil service career. Stephanie seized each opportunity that each move provided to diversify and cultivate her language and management skills. She’s held positions at the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, as well as for the United States Department of State in Kaiserslautern, Germany, working as a foreign national.

Stephanie’s dedication and determined attitude landed her as the Operations Manager at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. She enjoys working with a team of great professionals to support agents in their daily affairs.

Stephanie currently resides in the Jacksonville area, where she enjoys watching her sons play football, walking the beach, and traveling around Florida. Her greatest joy about moving to the Sunshine State was getting away from Germany's cold, snowy weather.

Angel Trapp

Operations Manager / Central Florida


In her role as Operations Manager, Angel Trapp plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of Coldwell Banker Vanguard's Central Florida operations. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her proactive approach and tireless work ethic. As a go-getter, Angel is known for taking on challenges head-on and consistently delivering results. One of Angel's key strengths is her dedication to providing exceptional services to both her team of agents and the clients they serve. She understands the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for her agents, empowering them to excel in their roles and exceed client expectations. Angel Trapp is not only a manager but a mentor, guiding her team to success with her knowledge and leadership. A proud mother of 5 and a great team player, Angel fosters a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere within Coldwell Banker Vanguard. Her ability to work seamlessly with others contributes to the overall success of the team and reinforces a sense of unity and camaraderie.

OFFICE MANAGERS

 

Leslie Johnson

Office Manager, St. Johns


Leslie Johnson comes to the St. Johns office with over 18 Years of residential real estate experience. She prides herself on the real estate accomplishments she has achieved working throughout Northeast Florida—from the acreage of Glen St. Mary, FL to the sparkling northeast coast of the Atlantic Ocean; from the stately manors on 1-N Riverside to the grand revival of Springfield in downtown Jacksonville to the shores of St. Augustine and all in between, no road was left untraveled. During her travels and long car rides she was proud to have forged lasting bonds with customers while assisting families during one of the largest events in their lives.

Moving to the Jacksonville area in 2002 from Fairfield, CT, Leslie brings over 20 years of Business Management and Development, Marketing, Leadership, and Training to the plate. Honing her skills by working for a custom home builder in Naples, Florida at the Audubon Golf and Country Club then becoming Director of Retail and Corporate Sales for a multi-million-dollar mail order company, setting up retail stores throughout the country. Real estate was always intertwined and not far from her mind.

In 2004, Leslie began her real estate career with another Brokerage in NE Florida, then 6 years ago joined Coldwell Banker Vanguard and never looked back. Her sales increased, her knowledge increased, and her passion grew. She is bringing 18 years of real estate experience to share with current and new agents. Leslie is looking forward to continuing to grow the Coldwell Banker Vanguard culture and values in the St. John's office.

Michele De Liberto

Office Manager, Beaches


Michele De Liberto began her Real Estate career in 1987, and quickly discovered that helping people realize the dream of home ownership was her passion. From first time buyers, to listing and selling luxury homes, and everthing in between. She served as a coach and mentor for new and experienced agents which prepared her for her role as VP and managing broker in multiple Coldwell Banker offices in New Jersey. In her 25+ year career as a listing and selling agent, she has excelled in all types of markets and every market segment.

Now as the Office Manager of the Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty Ponte Vedra - The Beaches office, she shares her effective skill sets with the team. She provides one-on-one coaching sessions to the agents to ensure they are equipped with all the necessary information, support, and tools needed to provide the ultimate customer service experience that leads to developing lifelong clients.

The cornerstone of Coldwell Banker's existence is giving back. She championed that pledge to the community and was humbled to receive the company's Humanitarian of the Year award in 2012.

Florida remains one of the most popular destinations that she is now happy to call home!

Gary Davis

Career Development Officer, Mandarin


Gary Davis began his professional career in Tallahassee as teacher after graduating with his degree in elementary education from Florida State University. Over the course of the next 12 years, Davis taught grades 3, 4, and 5 and truly loved every minute. Eventually, desiring a change, Davis decided to test the waters of real estate and realized he had found his new calling. He began his new career with Coldwell Banker Vanguard and has never looked back.

Davis was a multi-million-dollar producer his first year in the business and has earned awards for his production each year since. Davis prides himself on putting client relationships above anything else in his business and believes continuing to learn, grow, and better oneself is truly what makes a good agent great. Davis believes strongly in giving back to the community that has helped him build his business and he does so through his community Facebook pages, website, and charitable events organized by him throughout the year. “Just forget you’re a real estate agent and focus on helping people; that’s the most important part of the job” is a favorite quote of Davis’s and one he feels sums up his mission as an agent and community advocate.

In addition to being a full-time agent, Davis is also the Career Development Officer and Director of Agent Education and Training for the Mandarin and St. Johns offices. Getting to help buyers and sellers with their real estate needs, while also teaching and training fellow agents on how to be the best real estate professional they can be, is truly a perfect career combination for Davis and he is thoroughly enjoying all the hats he wears.

Tina Harp

Office Manager, Town Center and Nocatee


Tina Harp is the Office Manager for the Town Center and Nocatee offices. A 17-year resident of the Jacksonville area, Harp is responsible for attracting new agent talent, retaining valued agents and educating all agents, new and experienced. Her office currently is home to more than 40 agents and is rapidly growing.

Harp came to Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty from a competing brokerage, where she began her career in real estate. While she was successful there, her business doubled within six months of joining CBV by engaging in company generated business and taking advantage of marketing support through Connect U, the in-house marketing department. She was drawn to management because of her passion for mentoring and educating other agents in order to help them grow their real estate businesses. She truly is an example of what CBV can do for an agent's business.

Prior to real estate, Harp's spent more than 10 years in early childhood education. She is also a mother and wife and considers that to be her greatest accomplishment in life. She is an active member of Creekside Christian Church where she and her husband, David, serve in leading classes and she also serves in leading worship.

Harp lives in St Johns with her husband of 23 years and they have two children. Haley attends the University of Florida College of Nursing and their son Andy is a freshman at the University of Florida.

Felicia Farrell

Director of Agent Services, Nocatee


Felicia is a dynamic and accomplished real estate agent based in the vibrant community of Nocatee, Florida. With a passion for helping customers achieve their real estate goals, Felicia has become a trusted and sought-after professional in the local market. Felicia has navigated the ever-changing real estate landscape with skill and finesse. Her deep understanding of Nocatee's diverse neighborhoods, market trends, and property values positions her as an asset to both buyers and sellers alike. Felicia's success is built on a foundation of unparalleled dedication to her clients. She goes above and beyond to ensure each transaction is a seamless and positive experience. Her commitment to communication and transparency has earned her a reputation for honesty and integrity, fostering long-lasting relationships with her clientele. Known for her keen negotiation skills and attention to detail, Felicia consistently achieves optimal results for her customers. Whether helping families find their dream home, guiding first-time buyers through the process, or maximizing returns for sellers, she approaches each transaction with enthusiasm and expertise. In addition to her professional accomplishments such as earing Coldwell Banker Vanguard Gold Club and Silver Club Award, as well as 2022 and 2023 Top Earner, Felicia is deeply embedded in the Nocatee community. Her local expertise extends beyond real estate, as she actively participates in community events and initiatives. This connection allows her to provide customers with insights into the lifestyle and amenities that make Nocatee such a desirable place to live. Felicia Farrell is more than a real estate agent; she is a trusted advisor dedicated to turning real estate dreams into reality. Her track record of success, combined with her genuine passion for helping others, sets her apart as a leading force in the Nocatee real estate market. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, Felicia Farrell is your key to unlocking the door to Nocatee's extraordinary real estate opportunities.

David Israel

Assistant Office Manager, Town Center


David Israel is a licensed Realtor and the Assistant Sales Manager for Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty's Town Center office. Being a Jacksonville native - David is your Northeast Florida expert. David has over ten years of prior experience in the finance industry. In his previous finance roles, David has earned a reputation for his analytical skills, organization, and expertise in customer service.

Prioritizing customer services in all his business interactions, David values building relationships with his customers and fellow agents. So whether you are looking to buy, sell, relocate, or downsize, he is an agent with the knowledge and experience to guide you through the entire process.

When David is not working as a Realtor or assisting his fellow agents, he loves spending free time with family and friends and attending various events and concerts in the Jacksonville community.

Kim Knapp

Office Manager, Fleming Island and Oakleaf


Kim Knapp has spent her entire career with Vanguard Realty, beginning in 2000. That year, Knapp was named "Rookie of the Year" and "Top Producer," selling $6 million in real estate. Over the course of her sales career, Knapp had consistently high sales volumes in excess of $30,000,000 annually, and was always the top producing sales agent west of the St. Johns River. She is known in the market for her professionalism, helpful caring and commitment to excellence.

As a founder of the Jacksonville REBar Camp, Knapp has been responsible for bringing top flight education to NEFAR and presently serves as president of the Jacksonville MLS, as well as on the Board of Directors for NEFAR. Her speaking career has led her to become one of the most requested speakers in the prestigious CRS program, speaking at numerous state conventions and the NAR National Convention. Kim serves the real estate community on state and national levels through the professional development committee.

Knapp is a firm believer the real estate community has a responsibility to be the voice of the home owner at the federal level. She does this by serving as an RPAC Presidents Circle Major Investor, and makes personal visits to legislators on the Hill in Washington, DC. Knapp also served on the Clay County Charter Review commission, volunteers at her church and serves on various boards in the community.

Knapp's enthusiasm, common sense approach and systems orientation help the Fleming Island, Oakleaf and Keystone Heights agents achieve their sales.

Jennifer Bauer

Director of Agent Services, Fleming Island


Jennifer Bauer was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She migrated to San Diego with her family as a teenager and has been a permanent resident alien since 1986. Soon after migrating to San Diego, Jennifer met her Husband Thomas in 1988 and they have been together ever since. Her husband and her two wonderful sons are her greatest joy.

In the early 2000’s, Jennifer began a long and rewarding career in the real estate and relocation industry as a Corporate Relocation Consultant with Prudential Financials’ Global Relocation Group designing, developing, and implementing programs of relocation support for Fortune 500 Corporations, Inc. 500 Corporations, and Non-Profits. In 2005, Jennifer made the decision to transition to real estate and to devote 100% of her efforts to assisting the public.

Licensed in 2005 as a Florida real estate agent and in 2007 as a broker associate. With her experience in the relocation industry, Jennifer built a reputation of excellence with Cambridge Realty Services in South Florida. It was here that Jennifer found her love for nurturing and mentoring other agents. In 2013 Jennifer joined Watson Realty Corp. in Fleming Island serving as a Broker Associate and later as Assistant Broker Manager. In 2019, Jennifer was promoted to Vice President and Managing Broker of Watson Realty Corporations Oakleaf office.

Jennifer transitioned to Director of Agent Services with Coldwell Banker Vanguard in September of 2023 where she brings personal and vast professional knowledge to her work in the Fleming Island office. She spends her time supporting the managing broker and agents in a multitude of ways. Her greatest passion is in assisting other agents start their careers and in helping them achieve success.

Jamye Toale

Office Manager, Lady Lake - Servicing The Villages® Communities


I moved to Oxford Oaks, a community right outside of The Villages, over five years ago when my parents and my husband’s parents retired here. I have been visiting The Villages for the last 11 years and have watched its continued expansion. For the past 20 years, I was a traditional business owner, alongside my husband, running several companies in the South Florida area.

Real Estate has always been a part of my life in one way or another. I’ve not only been a homeowner several times over, but my husband and I also used to buy, sell, and flip houses. I felt great satisfaction not only as the buyer but selling a new and improved home to another family. When we moved to Oxford, I decided to become a Realtor® for Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. I know the uniqueness of this community, and I wanted to be a part of sharing this with others.

I am married to the love of my life, and I have four amazing children, ages 22-29. My oldest is an attorney out in California, followed by my daughter, who graduated from the University of Florida and is now in nursing school, getting her second degree. My third completed his Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Central Florida, and my youngest is a Division 1 hockey player for Bentley University in Massachusetts. Along with our 17-year-old senior citizen pup, my life is full of fun!

I am passionate about helping others, feeding the homeless, and participating in outdoor sports such as pickleball, tennis, power walking, and water aerobics. I am also a big dog/animal lover! As a Realtor, I pledge to provide you with quality service. Whether you are buying or selling, my goal is to help you in any way I can and to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Micki Morrison

Office Manager, Mt Dora Edge


With over fifteen years of experience in the local real estate market as both an agent and a Director, Micki is dedicated to exceeding expectations every time. Real estate is about so much more than property and paperwork—it’s about people. Her extensive experience includes working with multiple 55+ communities and their surrounding areas, making her uniquely skilled to help agents build a successful career. Prior to her own career in real estate, Micki worked in both the legal and regulatory fields, where the attention to detail required to excel seamlessly transferred into real estate. As a professional, she believes that the needs of her agents come first. As the Sales Manager for Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty’s Tavares/Mt. Dora location, Micki is committed to helping our agents achieve their real estate goals. In her previous role as the Director of Business Development for RE/MAX Premier Realty, she managed the Mount Dora office and helped educate agents on a wide range of subjects to better serve their customers. Micki looks forward to continuing this commitment to excellence in her role with CB Vanguard Realty.


SPECIALTY DEPARTMENTS

 

Michael Daugustinis

Commercial Department Director


Michael Daugustinis began his career in the real estate industry in 1983. He initially worked in residential sales in New York at an office on Long Island. He then moved on to a commercial firm handling office and industrial sales and leasing. As a graduate of St. Johns University, Daugustinis put his Bachelor's Degree in communications to good use and was very successful during his early years in real estate. In 1985, Daugustinis followed family tradition set by his father and grandfather, and pursued a career in law enforcement. He retired as a Detective in 2007, after 22 years of service which included responding to search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center.

Daugustinis and his family moved to St. Johns County in 2007 and he resumed his sales career in the Jacksonville area with "Top Sales" success in both the automobile and home security industries. In 2009, Daugustinis accepted a corporate position at EverBank as Security Manager. A return to real estate occurred in 2014, when Daugustinis joined the Coldwell Banker Brand, selling in St. Augustine and St. Johns. In his first full year in 2015, he achieved the "MVP" Award at his office with more than $7 million in sales. In 2016, he was awarded "Top Producer Volume" and "Top Producer Units" at his office while reaching almost $10 million in production. Daugustinis continued his performance as a top producing, multi-million Dollar REALTOR in 2017 with more than $8 million in production, and also earned his Broker License that year as well.

In 2018, Daugustinis joined Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty as a Broker Associate in the St. Johns office. In 2020, Daugustinis was promoted to Broker Office Manager for that office. In this role, he builds and develops the office through talent acquisition and continued agent support in every aspect of the business. Daugustinis contributes to company success by utilizing and sharing the knowledge he has gained through his years of training and experience. This includes achieving Coldwell Banker "International Diamond Award" status, earning the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation from the National Association of Realtors, and Military Relocation certification through Navy Federal Credit Union and USAA.

Daugustinis and his wife Melissa have been married 35 years, and they have two sons; Robert, a real estate attorney, and his wife Jennifer who live locally and Thomas, also an attorney, and his wife Randi, who live in the Tampa area. The entire family loves to travel, especially on cruises, and also enjoy attending sporting events and concerts together.

Jessica Bookstore

Managing Director of Company Relocation Services


When it comes to relocation, Jess Bookstore knows all the right moves. And it’s easy to see why.

Jess started with the Coldwell Banker Relocation Department in 2005. Since then, she’s held every position in the department, giving her a depth and breadth of knowledge that’s virtually unmatched. She recently added to her already impressive skill set by earning her Florida real estate license. She loves working with her colleagues and other agents at CBV and it shows.

When Jess isn’t keeping the relocation department running like a well-oiled machine, she enjoys reading, hitting the beach, and cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars and Georgia Bulldogs. She also takes any chance she gets to spend time with her son, a Mass Communications Specialist in the US Navy.

Shelley Farmer

Manager, Rental Gurus


I’m a 9th generation Floridian originally from the St. Petersburg area. I moved to Northeast Florida in 2003 where I later received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Florida. In 2009 I began my career in Property Management managing multifamily apartment communities. I managed communities as large as 300 homes, alongside a team of 7 employees. Throughout my career I opened several new construction communities, quickly getting them fully occupied. I also facilitated several sales of apartment communities. I received Property Manager of the year award from both WRH Realty and the First Coast Apartment Association. Now in Real Estate full time, I truly enjoy working with my customers and all of their real estate needs. My goals for my customers are to reduce stress during one of the most stressful times of their lives, limit their liability and do my best to protect their interests. My husband, Josh, and I have been together since 2005. We currently live in Fleming Island with our 2 beautiful boys, Liam, who loves to play t-ball and Aidan, who is always right behind him.

Emily Topoulos

Transaction Coordinator Department Director


Emily Topoulos is the Transaction Coordinator Department Director. She specializes in leading her team to provide exceptional service to Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty’s agents and clients.

Growing up, Emily had the privilege of living in many places as a “military brat” as the daughter of a now retired US Navy father. Since moving happened so often, Jacksonville, Florida, became more home to her after roughly 13 years of living here. She has planted her roots in Florida with her husband and is raising her son and two pups in a 1940 family home (from her in-law’s side).

Her prior professional experience included sales, but she was unfamiliar with the real estate business. Upon arriving at Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty as a Transaction Coordinator, she learned the ropes of all things real estate. She has since found a passion in the industry and enjoys finding innovative ways to expand her department’s knowledge, skill, and level of service. After another successful closing, Emily’s favorite part of her day is seeing the excited customers and thankful agents.

Though Emily rarely has “free time,” she enjoys spending quality time with her family, finding new renovation projects for her home, and at-home movie nights.