Jeff Cresse, CAM, CPO
Managing Partner

Jeff was raised in Tallahassee, Florida where his parents still call home. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988 with a BS in Engineering Mechanics and in 1994, earned a Masters Degree of Business Administration in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After the Academy, Jeff served his country on Active Duty for over 13 years as an Aircraft Maintenance, Transportation, Executive and Logistics Officer.  His service included deployments in Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, Desert Fox, Southern No-fly Zone and others. His Duty assignment to Hurlbut Field in 1996, brought him to Northwest Florida. He eventually settled in Destin where in January 2001, he left active duty to join the Air Force Reserves and start a civilian career in property and association management. In 2001, Jeff worked at the Holiday Beach Resort, a time share resort in Destin. He then moved to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort as the Director of Association and Rental Management. His last position before starting Southern Association Management, he was the General Manager of The Beach Club Towers in Pensacola Beach. Also, after 9-11, Jeff was "activated" and deployed twice to Central Asia supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Jeff serves as Vice-President of the Eagles Landing Homeowners Association, Inc. Jeff's career highlights include:

• Seasoned director of property and financial management well known for excellence in overseeing 27 different condominium association properties valued at $765 million, with operating budgets over $7 million and managing 1,300 rental units generating over 170,000 occupied room nights a year. He is a licensed community association manager (CAM) and a certified pool operator (CPO) in the State of Florida.
• Proven leader managing over 560 personnel with diverse backgrounds and educational skills. Motivates with a team building and coaching style, resulting in bringing projects in on time, at budget, with satisfied clients. Awarded Air Force Bronze Star for leading joint Special Operations Forces logistics team in the Afghanistan area of operations.
• Experienced production engineer in the aircraft industry overseeing on and off equipment maintenance, aircraft production, parts manufacturing, component repair, major aircraft inspections, and scheduling.
• Expert in process improvement, quality management, and goal oriented leadership with training and hands on experience in Lean-Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, and Priority Advantage.
• Career logistician experienced in a myriad of disciplines to include systems acquisition, transportation, supply chain management, contracting, outsourcing, and aircraft maintenance. Formerly recognized as Certified Professional Logistician (C.P.L.) from the Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE).

Jeff and Kathleen are a happily married couple of nine years. They live in their Destin home. Jeff is the proud father of Zach and Kierstin Cresse and step father of Katrina and Caroline Lathi.

Kathleen Cresse, CAM
Managing Partner

Kathleen was born and raised in Piscataway, New Jersey. After earning two Bachelors of Art Degrees in Marketing and Fine Art from Stockton State College in 1989, she worked in Atlantic City for Bally's Grand. She also worked for a local real estate firm and obtained her New Jersey real estate license. In 1993, she moved to the Emerald Coast and settled in Destin. Shortly there after, she began a long and rewarding tenure with Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Food and Beverage management.  For over fourteen years, she served the owners, guests and many thousands of patrons of the Resort. Before leaving Sandestin in January 2008, she made the following marks:

• A proven leader directing over 350 personnel in the successful delivery of $21 million annually in food, beverage, banquet, conference service, and retail services to over 245,000 guests at a very high rate of customer satisfaction; Promoted to Executive Director at one of the South's Premier Resort Destinations.
• Award winning restaurateur creating one of the Emerald Coast's most remarkable fine dining experiences at the Elephant Walk; garnered the highly coveted Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award (DIRONA), Wine Spectator Top 200 award, and Emerald Coast Magazine "Best Place for Fine Dining" award.
• A tireless entrepreneur helping to bring Starbucks Coffee to the North Florida by building corporate relationships and creating, designing, constructing, marketing and staffing four highly successful licensed outlets in and around Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Grayton Beach.
• Expert project manager overseeing all food and beverage aspects at the first ever and subsequent  "Boeing at Sandestin Champion's Tour" PGA event; Successfully fulfilling the diverse needs of  140 tour players, 20 different corporate sponsors with full service box seats, and over 50,000 spectators.

Kathleen is the proud mother of Katrina and Caroline Lathi and wonderful step mother of Zach and Kierstin Cresse. Kathleen's parents, sister and brother have all joined her in moving to the beautiful Destin community.

Scott Kyzar
Controller, Partner

Scott moved to the Emerald Coast with his family in 1970. He went to local schools in the area and then to college at the University of Florida, eventually transferring to the University of West Florida where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, he quickly earned an excellent accounting reputation performing tax preparation services for both individual and corporate clients at a local CPA firm. He then took a management position with Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, where he honed his management, accounting, and budgeting skills until joining Southern Resorts and RE/MAX Southern Realty companies in 2001. From 2001 until the present day, Scott has served outstandingly as Southern's Controller. His knowledge and experience in homeowner accounting, financial planning, and the budgetary process brings a valuable asset to the company. Scott lives in the heart of Destin and is the proud owner of his beloved dog Lucky. 

Kimberly McCluskey
Association Accountant

Kimberly settled in the  Panhandle in 2006 yet calls Ft. Lauderdale home. She has over 16 years of accounting experience and over seven years experience in association accounting including financial records, owner accounting, collections, payables and budgeting. Kimberly prepares each association's records for annual audits and tax returns. She endures our accounting processes meeting all generally accepted accounting practices. Kimberly lives in Baker and enjoys the country life with her pets.

Jamie Cooper
CAM

Jamie has grown up on the beautiful emerald coast since 1998.  After attending Auburn University and American Intercontinental University, she returned to Destin to pursue a career in property and association management.  With experience in managing personnel, financial record keeping, administration, and community involvement through prestigious emerald coast businesses, Jamie is thrilled to be involved with Southern Association Management as a newly licensed Community Association Manager. With Southern Association Management since May 2009, Jamie has gained a wealth of knowledge in property management. In her experience thus far, she has worked closely with not only Jeff, Kathleen, Kim, and Luke at Southern, but also with multiple association's Board of Directors, Homeowners, and vendors to maintain each individual community's day to day functions. Jamie lives in Destin.

Luke Gerald
CAM

Luke Gerald is a Community Association Manager (CAM) with Southern Association Management.  Luke has been a CAM since 2005 and has been an active manager for 3 years.  He is a graduate of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Hospitality Management and has been working in the hospitality industry for over 8 years.  He is actively pursuing his Florida Real Estate License and is also a Certified Pool Operator.  During his career in Community Association Management and Hospitality Management, Luke has gained much experience in the following areas:

   Responsible for managing multiple owners associations and supporting the accounting team in maintaining each of the association’s budgets.  Maintainin a working relationship with board members, contractors, association employees, and homeowners.

Monitor all building related issues Responsible for financial management, inventory, maintenance and upkeep of buildings, created and developed promotional activities, and developed solid customer relationships.

 Work with the board of directors and its owners to ensure association business is performed on a timely basis.                            

Implement sales and marketing techniques, construction principles & standards and community association management, coordinate data, prepare proposals, diagnose problems, and communicate with people.

Although originally from Mississippi, Luke now calls the Emerald Coast home with his wife Amber.