Brad Phares
Sales Associate
Brad Phares has spent his entire life tied to Florida’s land and natural resources. As an 8th generation rancher, Brad’s roots run deep in Florida agriculture and his well-rounded knowledge coupled with his connections throughout Florida have proven quite advantageous in representing real estate clients over the course of time.
Education
Having spent weekends and summers working on his family’s ranch, Brad earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Florida before continuing on to St. Thomas University School of Law where he focused on business and real estate transactions earning his Juris Doctor degree. Brad spent a brief period of time working in the legal profession but found the offices, law libraries, and courtrooms far too confining and turned his attention back to ranching and real estate in 1998. Throughout the years, he has kept his focus on transactions involving large agricultural and commercial acreage.
Background
Additionally, Brad’s hands-on background, diverse education and his common sense knowledge of Florida’s land have provided a solid foundation for the highly qualified ranch management and commercial site development/property management that he has afforded to numerous absentee-owners. His genuine and congenial nature have enabled him to find a niche as a government liaison successfully lobbying or negotiating on behalf of landowners. At present, Brad spends a substantial amount of time as a government contractor with the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Office of Ag Water Policy assisting ag producers of all commodities with proper implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) and technical assistance such as filing water use permits, reports, calibrating pumps, etc. for other state agencies including the various water management districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Community Involvement
Brad is a longstanding member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association where he has served as chairman of numerous committees including the Environmental and Private Lands Committee, the Membership Committee and most recently, the Public Relations Committee. He also served a three-year term as a State Director for the Florida Beef Council, as a director for the Glades County Health Coalition and currently serves as Captain of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Posse. Brad and his family also act as the local volunteer coordinators for Wreaths Across America, a national service organization dedicated to remembering, honoring, and teaching others about our fallen veterans.
Outside of the real estate arena, Brad has spent 20 plus years as a Florida ranch and landscape artist. His work can be seen at www.CowhuntersUnlimited.com and is collected by many public and private institutions such as the University of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He is a founding member of the Cowboy Artists’ Association of Florida. Brad resides on the family ranch in Glades County with his wife, Sandra “Sam” Phares, daughter, Jacqueline and son, Jared.
