About Us

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.

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’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 and a proven leader, managing over 560 personnel with diverse backgrounds and educational skills. He 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 fourteen 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.