The Sarasota Association of Realtors has awarded Joe R. Hembree  for his  contributions to the organization and community in 2011. Joe R. Hembree is the Sarasota Association of Realtors 2011 Realtor of the Year.

Joe R. Hembree, founder and owner of Hembree and Associates, Inc. – Commercial Real Estate, “has been at the forefront of local commercial real estate and the development community for decades… he has been a strong voice of leadership, promoting progress and prosperity,”  SAR said.

“It is certainly an honor to be recognized by your peers, however, it has been a greater pleasure to serve our community”, Hembree said when asked about receiving this prestigious award. Joe Hembree is involved in multiple community organizations and initiatives including the Economic Development Corpation of Sarasota County, the Coalition of Business Associations, the Argus Foundation, Sarasota & Manatee Chambers of Commerce, SAR, the Gulf Coast Builders group and First Baptist Church of Sarasota.

Other awardees included Lee Byron – SAR 2011 Humanitarian of the Year, Dave Swenson – SAR 2011 Meritorious Service Award and Elaine Adair – SAR 2011 President’s Award.

Joe C. Hembree was recently featured in SCENE Magazine as a business leader in our community. Joe was picked to represent business leaders in the commercial real estate and property management field for his expertise and knowledge as well as his continued involvement in community projects and participation as board member in Sarasota organizations such as the Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber’s Leadership Council.

Copyright - SCENE Magazine 2011

Pick up this Special Issue of SCENE Magazine at your local newspaper rack or view it online at SCENESarasota.com/inside/special. You can also download a printout by clicking here.

A few of Joe’s Q&A Responses are highlighted below.

Q: Hembree & Associates is a full service commercial broker that offers property management and other services. How does that give you an advantage?

Joe: We work very diligently to make sure we are experts in the field… I know properties from the ground up. I know what the numbers mean, the cyclics on roofs and what replacement costs are. I know how to value properties and evaluate best case scenarios for our customers.

Q: How have you been able to help your clients weather a tough environment?

Joe: We have assembled the most experienced team of commercial real estate professionals in the bi-county area who continue to match people successfully with property solutions during the downturn. We pursue technologies and personal connections that allow us to keep on top of the market. We do a lot of work with banks and people who are having issues with banks…

Q: You mentioned that you place a large emphasis on listening.

Joe: We do. We listen to whoever has an interest in the property to find out what they want… We step back and find the common ground between the world as it is and the world they would like.

Q: As a drilling Naval reservist, serving your country is still part of what you do.

Joe: That’s true. I spent 66 days last year in the Middle East. I am also personally active in the community… I have a lot of optimism about our market and extreme pride in our community.

by Randyl Drummer for CoStar

The economy needs jobs, and to help pay for his $447 billion jobs creation program, President Obama is once again urging Congress to raise the tax rate on carried-interest investment income earned by real estate partnerships, private equity investors and hedge fund managers.