Meet the Team
Joanne Fultz
International REALTOR® & Managing Partner
Joanne Fultz
Nous parlons français . Wir sprechen Deutsch
Originally from England, Joanne Fultz brings a blend of English charm and American drive to the city of Naples and South Florida.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Foreign Languages and Marketing from the University of Nottingham, Joanne began working at a commercial real estate agency, representing a large portfolio of high-end golf courses and luxury hotels throughout France.
Moving to Paris, France in 2001, Joanne spent many winters in Florida, visiting her childhood sweetheart, and now husband, Chad, whom she met at the age of 14 in the sunshine state during a family vacation.
After 20 years in Paris, working for Fortune 500 companies and CEOs in corporate marketing, Joanne obtained a postgraduate degree in education then moved to Ohio in 2014 to become involved in creating a new, private high school with a fresh, individualized approach. Student population increased 400% after the first year, and the school invested in a larger building in order to grow.
Joanne is a personal real estate investor herself, with a portfolio of properties in Paris, the UK, Ohio and Florida. She brings with her an extensive network of international and domestic clients. Her ethos is “exceptional service, personalized attention and international reach” – every client has specific and individual needs that must be met.
Joanne is happily married to her childhood sweetheart, Chad, who is Captain of a Sovereign Citation private jet with NetJets corporate jets. They have two bi-lingual children, Kate and James. When she is not at work, Joanne enjoys spending time with her two horses on their ranch in Ohio, with the extended family at their Florida homes, and speaking French and German as often as she can. A cancer survivor herself, Joanne enjoys giving back by serving as a support mentor to current patients through a non-profit organization.
Credentials
- Licensed Florida real estate agent
- Bachelor's degree in French, German and Marketing
- Postgraduate degree in Education
- Certified translator & interpreter (CMI)
- Commitment to Excellence endorsement by the National Association of Realtors
Specialties
- Je parle francais. Ich spreche Deutsch
- International reach (Europe, Canada)
- Flight tours of Naples & the greater area
- Corporate-style, international marketing
- Personalized and Investor services
Experience
- Commercial, luxury real estate (golf industry)
- Fortune 500 company marketing (Paris, France)
- Real estate investment (Paris, the UK, Ohio, Florida)
- International reach through a personal network
Chad Fultz
Managing Partner
Chad Fultz
Chad Fultz, Managing Partner of the Florida International Group, is originally from Ohio.
A pilot since the age of 14, Chad has a degree in aeronautical science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.
He has been the captain at NetJets private jet company for over 15 years. A Berkshire Hathaway company, Chad frequently flies passengers and clients from large corporations, to and from private airports in South West Florida. He has a true understanding of top tier customer expectations and service that he brings to the FIG Group.
Passionate about flight, Chad enjoys giving flight tours of the local area to FIG buyers who need to gain a greater understanding of all the area has to offer, in a limited amount of time available to them.
An avid golfer, he enjoys playing the beautiful courses in and around the Naples and Fort Myers area, and offers key advice regarding green fees, course selection and property options for likeminded golfers.
James Hunter
REALTOR®
James Hunter
James is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and earned his knack for business and building relationships with clients from working in the family business which has been around for 4 generations. Upon graduating college, James worked for Fifth Third Bank in Wholesale Banking as a credit analysis, underwriting commercial construction, residential construction and Corporate acquisitions. After 5 years, he was promoted to Senior Vice President as a well-respected Commercial Lender in Southwest Florida and for the next 12 years in a couple different Banks prior to creating James Hunter, LLC and starting his career in Real Estate.
James has been involved in well over $100M in lending over the years for Residential and Commercial Real Estate in Southwest, as well as working along side various homeowners, investors and business owners on consulting projects. Since joining UR Story Realty he has worked with First time home buyers looking for that dream home, Real Estate Investors that just want a good ROI, and Business owners who are looking for experienced realtors who know how to help with Real Estate expansion needs. Having extensive experience in the Lending and Commercial Real Estate market, makes James an invaluable asset for success. He will help you to understand the transaction process step by step no matter what side he is representing.
Philippe Harnois
Office Manager, Paris
Philippe Harnois
With 30 years experience in investment banking and real estate investments, Philippe brings a unique skillset to our European base and office in the heart of Paris, France, accompanying clients in understanding the Southwest Florida real estate market and its many advantages for European investors.
Cortney Pearson
Director of Operations
Cortney Pearson
Cortney has been the operations backbone for the largest real estate company in our market. She’s managed all facets of operations including marketing, administrative systems, training & development and financial. Cortney keeps a focus on tasks, but a heart for people. Her smile & patience in on-boarding new agents makes her the perfect ambassador for the company. She’s an efficient & empowered problem-solver. She’s a licensed agent and intimately understands complex real estate transactions – as such, she’s “Johnny on the Spot” with agent support! Her pug, Bugsy, is also a rock star, and we get his talents, complimentary!
Debbie Lanham
Client Services Manager
Debbie Lanham
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Debbie has always been a Floridian at heart. She is thrilled to live in Ave Maria, a community nestled between Naples and Ft. Lauderdale on the edge of the Everglades National Park.
Debbie brings 25 years of client services and marketing experience, which includes CEO’s assistant, client retention, referral networking and relationship building for multi-million-dollar offices. Previously, she enjoyed working as an international travel agent and has visited 13 countries including Singapore, Italy and France.
Debbie is happily married to Kevin and has two adult sons, Chad and David. She loves theater, singing, her pets and saltwater fishing. She is elated to be a member of the FIG team and excited about serving our clients!
Barbara Birchwell
Office Support, Ohio
Barbara Birchwell
Born and raised in Ohio, Barbara also has roots and a family home in Southwest Florida. Administrative Assistant of a busy dental practice for many years, Barbara brings her on-point organization and customer service skills to the Florida International Group, and specifically to its Ohio base for our Midwestern clientele.