REAL ESTATE • MANAGEMENT • CONSTRUCTION
16340 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers, FL 33908
A fifth-generation Floridian with deep Tampa roots, Ken Suarez proudly carries forward a legacy of family, service, and entrepreneurship. Recently tracing his lineage to his great-grandmother born in Key West during the height of the cigar industry, Ken often says, “Florida is in our DNA.” His heritage blends old Florida with old-world Spain—his maternal grandfather emigrated from Asturias, Spain, studied at Columbia University, and later settled in Tampa as a restaurant owner. Ken’s parents continued that entrepreneurial tradition, owning a title-insurance and real-estate company—naturally sparking his early interest in property and business. After proudly serving in the United States Coast Guard, Ken returned home to find his parents had relocated to Sanibel Island, a place the family had visited since his childhood. Fulfilling an eleven-year-old’s vow to “work at South Seas Plantation,” he joined the resort and quickly ascended through operations—earning recognition as the youngest nationally certified Rooms Division Executive (CRDE) by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Balancing ambition with creativity, Ken launched Estate Management LLC in 1995 while still at South Seas. The company began as a boutique property-management firm serving Sanibel and Captiva and soon expanded into construction, renovation, and full-service estate care. Alongside his wife LeAne, Ken also opened two retail stores, proving his knack for design and lifestyle branding long before it became industry standard. When family and football practices began to compete with corporate life, Ken made the choice to focus fully on entrepreneurship. As Director of Rental Operations at South Seas, he had reached the top—but he traded the corporate title for ownership, growing Estate Management into one of Southwest Florida’s most respected firms. Never one to stand still, Ken earned his Florida Real Estate License, Community Association Manager License, and Certified Building Contractor License, adding technical authority to decades of experience. His professional journey even took him global: in 2007 he became Vice President of Operations for Ernie Els Design, an international golf-course design and development group, where he managed projects and partnerships across continents. Back home, Ken has personally expedited hurricane claims—including 65 after Hurricane Charley—and successfully mediated appeals to secure maximum client recovery. His leadership was tested again through Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton, where his steady hand guided recovery for numerous island properties. Today, Ken serves as President of Estate Management & Construction and Chairman of the Presidents Council of HOAs at South Seas Resort, fulfilling that boyhood vow from decades ago of ownership at the Resort. He also sits on the Board of Directors for John R. Wood | Christie’s International Real Estate, advising on operations and brand integration for the Island Palm Region. A passionate golfer, boating enthusiast, and culinary hobbyist (he once dreamed of being a chef), Ken spends his downtime at Cypress Lake Country Club or exploring the waterways of Southwest Florida. His favorite escapes: Key West, to honor his roots, and Beech Mountain, NC, to honor his wife’s Happy Place. A loyal Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lightning, and Rays fan—and an Arsenal FC devotee abroad—Ken blends work, play, and purpose effortlessly. His proudest achievement? Mentoring his sons Alec and Austin, who now lead the next generation of the Suarez Family of Companies, while cheering on his daughter Ashley, the family’s real-estate attorney, who ensures every deal is as solid as their foundations.
A sixth-generation Floridian, Austin Suarez was raised amid blueprints, building sites, and real-estate deals — where conversations around the dinner table often revolved around foundations, finishes, and floor plans. From an early age, he learned that building something meaningful — whether a home, a business, or a relationship — requires both vision and hard work. A proud graduate of The Sanibel School and Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Austin was an active student-athlete, competing in football, lacrosse, and golf. His competitive nature and leadership earned him a place at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he played as one of the team’s NCAA Division II lacrosse goalies while earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with an emphasis on Business Management. Guided by his coach Marty’s unforgettable advice — “Never quit” — Austin carried that tenacity straight into his professional life. After graduation, he joined the family enterprise full-time, quickly becoming the operational heartbeat of its construction and management arm. As Construction Project Director & Team Leader within the Suarez Family of Companies, Austin oversees every phase of development — from design and cost analysis to contractor coordination and final delivery. His steady leadership, precision, and ability to bring complex visions to life have earned him the trust and admiration of both clients and colleagues. The true test of his skills came through experience few can claim: three hurricanes in three years — Ian (2022), Helene (2024), and Milton (2024). Each tested the resilience of both properties and people, and Austin rose to every challenge, steering recovery and reconstruction with grace under pressure. While construction management is his mainstay, Austin maintains his Florida Real Estate License and continues to assist with listings and consultations as part of the LeAneSUAREZGroup. His next professional milestone is already in motion — he’s working toward his Florida General Contractor License (expected early 2026) — further strengthening the family’s ability to provide a seamless, full-spectrum real estate and construction experience. Like his parents and siblings, Austin shares a deep commitment to community and philanthropy, supporting Meals of Hope, Pink Out Sanibel & Captiva, and the Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit. He also credits his sister Ashley Suarez, a respected real-estate attorney, as both mentor and trusted counsel — completing the circle of family expertise that defines the Suarez Family of Companies. When he’s not on-site or in the office, Austin can often be found at Cypress Lake Country Club, where his passion for golf provides both recreation and reflection. A dedicated Tampa Bay Bucs, Lightning, and Rays fan, he draws the only sibling line in the sand over European football — Austin’s loyalty belongs to Arsenal FC, which he’s even traveled abroad to watch in person. Grounded, skilled, and forward-looking, Austin embodies the next generation of leadership. Alongside his brother Alec, the “Suarez Bros” continue to expand the family legacy — building not only properties but lasting relationships and a foundation for future generations.
A seventh-generation Floridian, Clayton Blackwell brings deep local roots and a “let’s make it happen” attitude to the Suarez Family of Companies. With an innate understanding of Southwest Florida’s coastal landscape — and a work ethic that rivals the summer heat — Clayton has become a cornerstone of the company’s day-to-day success. Hailing from a lineage of builders, innovation runs in his blood. His grandfather owned Wayne Blackwell & Co., the first licensed asbestos-abatement contractor in Florida, instrumental in constructing key projects including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It’s no surprise that Clayton carries forward that same grit and ingenuity — though these days, his “hard hat” often comes paired with leadership and spreadsheets instead of a hammer. After graduating from South Fort Myers High School, Clayton earned certification through the Marine Engine Service Program at Fort Myers Technical College. His professional journey began at Palm RV, where he quickly rose through the ranks from service assistant to management. Later, as Operations Manager for Southern Marine & RV — the region’s largest supplier of RV park models — he fine-tuned his leadership, logistics, and client service skills. Since joining the Suarez Family of Companies, Clayton has become indispensable. Officially titled Operations Manager, he’s equally known for wearing hats that read Project Manager and Construction Operations Lead. Whether in the field beside Austin Suarez or coordinating complex logistics from headquarters, Clayton’s fingerprints are on nearly every operational success. He’s been instrumental in expanding both Estate Management and the broader Suarez Family of Companies brand, embodying the perfect blend of structure and creativity. The Executive Team often credits Clayton as the “brand visionary” — a jack of all trades whose ideas evolve into lasting systems, efficiencies, and client experiences. His colleagues will tell you: if it’s broken, he’ll fix it — whether it’s a piece of equipment, a workflow, or a Wi-Fi router. Beyond his leadership, Clayton is also dog dad to Diesel, the office’s four-legged mascot and unofficial Chief Happiness Officer. Diesel’s tail wags are as much a part of headquarters as blueprints and building permits. As the company continues to grow, Clayton recognized the need to delegate administrative layers. In 2025, he spearheaded the hiring of Destiny Serena as Office Manager, describing her as “the missing piece to the puzzle.” In true Clayton fashion, he once again hit it out of the park. Respected for his reliability, quick wit, and creative problem-solving, Clayton is both the engine and the energy that keeps Estate Management — and the Suarez Family of Companies — running like a well-tuned machine.
