About Me

Jimmy Dean’s name and reputation have been known throughout Sarasota for 40-plus years as an influential leader in the regional magazine industry. As the former president and executive publisher for Sarasota Magazine and Gulfshore Life and, most recently, the publisher and managing partner of Harbor Style Magazine, Jimmy’s experience ranges from identifying fine details others often overlook to executive-level negotiations that orchestrate multi-million-dollar transactions. After a lifetime of successes in communications and media, and with all four of his children finally off to college, Jimmy is diving full-time into real estate to pursue his passion for helping others reach their American Dream.

At the root of his business, Jimmy is a people-person with a thrill of providing quality service “where everyone wins.” He believes in following the virtues he’s followed his entire life, help as many as you can, as much as you can, for as long as you can; help others achieve their goals and dreams, focusing on their needs; and he especially quotes Dave Kerpen’s concept of The Platinum Rule - Do unto others as they would want to be done unto them. Fueled by his extensive background, Jimmy facilitates his skills for finding solutions to challenges and his ability to create lasting relationships as a proven advantage and strategy to bring successful and exceptional experiences to his customers. As a skilled transactional architect and an extremely gifted communicator, Jimmy combines his personal and professional real estate experience and his broad and successful career in marketing and media with the world-class resources of Michael Saunders & Company to ensure each customer is receiving care, follow-through, and honesty every step of the journey.

Deeply committed and invested in Sarasota and Siesta Key, Jimmy has long been a supporter of numerous community charities and organizations. Throughout the past 40 years, he has served as Chairman, President, Board Member or “Celebrity Auctioneer” for dozens of area non-profits. His work for local magazines and support of community organizations has earned him numerous awards as well, including the American Advertising Federation “Silver Medal Award” for community service and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sarasota Chamber, “The Chairman’s Cup.”

Born and raised in North Carolina where he was a prominent broadcaster, Jimmy moved to Sarasota and Siesta Key in 1980. He is father to four remarkable young adults: Jimmy, Jr., Stetson University 2020, is a financial analyst for an investment bank in NYC; Clark is an elite US rower, two-Olympian winning the bronze medal in Paris 2024 in the Men’s 8, a Harvard alum and works for a private equity firm in Boston while training for Los Angeles 2028. Their twin sisters Wynona and Elise are recent graduates of the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, majoring in international business and environmental sciences, respectively. All four share their father’s passion for life, laughter and love.

Experience. Service. Duty. Results. This is Jimmy Dean.