MEET STAFFORD

Growing up in a small town of 10,000 residents in North Carolina, I was taught the meaning of community and the value of people helping people.  At an early age of nine, I was introduced to music (specifically the trumpet), which set the stage for my early career as a music teach and band director after graduating from East Carolina University.  As a music teacher, I set high goals for each student as well as the total band program.  It was my desire to provide a program that would develop a strong sense of self-esteem and what it takes to achieve at high levels.  After six years of leading marching bands and drum and bugle corps to record champions; I was called to the world of sales.

For the next 24 years, I worked in the music industry as a District Sales Manager for a leading instrument manufacture.  Again the goals that I set for the music store owners I served, was to create with them marketing ideas that would bring greater profit and increase their market share.  Countless hours of training and ideas were shared at all levels from the employees to the owners.  Not just showing up and taking the order; but earning their business.  The partnerships and friendships I developed with my customers over those years will always be one of my most valued successes.

In l994, I meet my wife, Linda.  Soon thereafter I acquired my real estate license and began the process of completing many advanced education courses in developing my real estate career. Forming a partnership in real estate seemed only natural since we share the same goals in delivering service and the focus it takes to achieve them.  We often laugh that when we are harmoniously working together on the same goal our production is that of three people.

Coming from a teaching background, my selling style in real estate is that of educating.  To offer clients information necessary for them to make their own informed decisions.  Throughout my career of sales and marketing I have come to understand that earning ones trust is based on strong communications, sharing pertinent detailed information and by surpassing service expectations.

To me,  "Surpassing Your Expectations" is not a slogan.  It is my "Mission."

In my spare time when I am not tackling Linda's Honey Do List, I am enjoying golf, watching baseball and of course music.