Issa Homes has been building award-winning luxury residences for discerning celebrities, athletes, and families since 1973. Meet the people who help bring your luxury home vision to life.
SeaFlower Sales and Marketing
SeaFlower Sales and Marketing
In its 49th year of innovative service to Southwest Florida, Michael Saunders & Company is the top independent real estate company in the region with a network of 18 full-service sales offices and more than 600 agents and 150 support team members spanning the Gulf Coast region. International brokerage affiliations with Forbes Global Properties®, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, Luxury Portfolio International®, and Mayfair International Realty extend the company’s message to qualified buyers nationally and globally. Headquartered in Sarasota, FL, Michael Saunders & Company affords customers the most comprehensive range of real estate services in the Southwest Florida marketplace. These include mortgage, title, insurance, and relocation services, a developer services division, and a commercial real estate division. The MSC Foundation, a philanthropic arm, supports Gulf Coast community organizations through donations from agents and staff.
SEAFLOWER INTERIOR DESIGN Team
SEAFLOWER INTERIOR DESIGN Team
Erin, co-founder of Bee Designed Interiors, has been the creative force behind Issa Homes’ luxury finishes and design selections for years—bringing her expertise to premier communities like Golden Oak at Disney, Harbour Sound, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, and custom homes on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Now serving as the Luxury Design Visionary for Estate Homes by Issa Homes in SeaFlower, Erin leads the interior design direction for the Issa Homes SeaFlower model, spec homes, and the full buyer selection experience. Based in Orlando, she draws on her extensive knowledge of sourcing and curating timeless materials and finishes that reflect the relaxed, coastal lifestyle at the heart of SeaFlower.
Bee Designed Interiors, founded by Erin and her business partner Emily, is a boutique design firm dedicated to creating fully customized spaces that balance beauty, functionality, and each homeowner’s personal vision.
Francis Issa
Founder and Chairman
Francis Issa
Founder and Chairman
Francis Issa’s philosophy drives every new home and design decision: build with the homeowner in mind.
Issa Homes founder Francis Issa’s family connection to the Walt Disney World® brand spans many decades—all the way back to when Walt Disney was himself a guest at the Issa family’s hotel.
The Myrtle Bank, founded by Francis’ father and uncle, Abe Issa, was the top hotel in Kingston, Jamaica in the late 1950s. Francis excelled as Managing Director of two Issa hotel properties and in expanding their successful properties, found his passion for building luxury properties.
While Abe went on to earn the moniker “The Father of Jamaican Tourism,” Francis set his sights on Florida’s Gold Coast. After earning his Business Administration and Finance degree at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA, Francis had a serendipitous encounter with building industry leader Fred Castillo. Together, the duo secured a small loan of $12,000 and used it to fund the building of their first two homes in Hollywood, Florida. The proceeds from those home sales, each of which surpassed their expectations funding their first subdivision purchase.
Today, Issa Homes is renowned for its namesake’s commitment to luxury and safety in equal measures. As the builder of thousands of luxury homes for discerning celebrities, athletes, and successful business people in an area of the world most vulnerable to hurricanes, the company has unrivaled experience in marrying structural integrity with comfort, luxury, and aesthetic intrigue.
Don Hempel
Partner and President
Don Hempel
Partner and President
Creating the best customer experience possible is Don Hempel’s mission when meeting with home buyers.
Design, development, homeowner relations and marketing leader Hempel work with architects and designers to ensure each Issa Homes custom luxury build exceeds its buyers’ expectations. A graduate of the University of Miami with a Business Degree and a licensed general contractor, he operated the successful residential building brand Hempel Homes prior to joining Issa Homes in 1987.
As a managing partner and President, Don oversaw over 600 luxury Issa Homes builds in Arvida’s Weston community over 13 years and when Disney invited Issa Homes to build in Celebration, Hempel was at the helm.
Today, when he’s not enjoying being on the water with friends and family or visiting his old stomping grounds in the Bahamas, Don is laser-focused on creating the best customer experiences possible for Issa Homes homeowners. He delights in overdelivering on luxury buyers’ expectations.
Don lives in Celebration, Florida with his wife and kids. He spends time in Anna Maria Island and Jupiter, Florida where he enjoys family, fishing and Miami Hurricanes football.
What’s the best thing about building in Orlando?
“The location, the lifestyle, and access to almost every part of Florida in every direction,” said Hempel.
Lisa Hempel
Marketing/PR
Lisa Hempel
Marketing/PR
Lisa leads the Issa Homes social media marketing and public relations. She specializes in luxury real estate development and communities. Previous clients include Arvida’s Weston, Weston Hills Country Club, St. Joe Company, Celebration’s Artisan Park, Paseos, Worthing Place, Shoreline Bahamas, and Mountain Estates Colorado, among other boutique properties. She is the founder/CEO of The Buyer Group, a social PR agency, and author of Social PR Secrets.
Dee Munn – SeaFlower Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Dee Munn – SeaFlower Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Dee Munn brings over 20 years of real estate experience and deep knowledge of Florida’s Gulf Coast to her role as Sales Manager for Issa Homes at SeaFlower. A seasoned Broker Associate, Dee is passionate about helping clients find their ideal property—an investment, rental, vacation home, or permanent residence.
With roots in Anna Maria Island, Dee combines her local expertise with a history of success across Florida. She previously served as Sales Manager for Issa Homes’ Carlyle Residences, luxury condos located in Celebration, FL, where she led sales, selections, and the buyer experience. Dee later co-owned two successful Century 21 offices in Celebration and Windermere, bringing her extensive new construction and sales background to each client.
Now working full-time in Anna Maria Island and the Bradenton/Sarasota area, Dee is dedicated to making the buying process seamless and enjoyable, ensuring clients feel confident and supported every step of the way.
Grant Hempel
Warranty Manager
Suzy Korinek
Sales- Issa Homes / SeaFlower
Suzy Korinek
Sales- Issa Homes / SeaFlower
Suzy Korinek brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to personalized service to her role as Sales Associate for Issa Homes in SeaFlower. With a real estate career that began 25 years ago in Celebration, Florida, Suzy managed the construction of over 200 homes for David Weekley Homes, developing a passion for helping buyers bring their dream homes to life. She went on to own her own real estate company in Celebration, where she built strong, lasting relationships with her clients.
Suzy and her husband, Kurt, spent summers on Anna Maria Island, eventually falling in love with the area and making it their full-time home. Now, Suzy is dedicated to providing a boutique real estate experience for Issa Homes clients in the Bradenton/Anna Maria Island area. Known for her attention to detail and commitment to long-term relationships, Suzy ensures that each Issa Homes buyer enjoys a highly personalized and enjoyable home-buying journey.
Sarah Hoffart
Comptroller
Britt Achors
Administrative Assistant
Britt Achors
Administrative Assistant
Britt serves as the Administrative Assistant for Issa Homes, bringing strong organizational and communication skills to support the luxury home-building process. Since joining Issa Homes in May 2021, Britt has played a key role in coordinating various aspects of construction projects from start to finish. Based in Orlando, Florida, Britt ensures smooth interactions with clients, contractors, and team members, helping to maintain Issa Homes’ high standards for service and efficiency.
In addition to handling written and verbal communications, Britt manages project schedules, tracks milestones, and proactively addresses administrative challenges. Working closely with the estimating and accounting teams, she helps collect bids, review budgets, and process invoices to keep each project on track. Britt’s attention to detail and problem-solving skills contribute to the seamless execution of Issa Homes’ luxury developments.
Kyle Kleppinger
Construction Partner, Issa Homes Gulf Coast
Kyle Kleppinger
Construction Partner, Issa Homes Gulf Coast
Kyle Kleppinger leads the construction management of Issa Homes’ Gulf Coast projects, overseeing luxury waterfront homes in Harbour Sound, custom builds in Holmes Beach, and the upcoming semi-custom homes in SeaFlower. Born and raised in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, Kyle grew up in a construction-oriented family and developed a passion for building early on. After initially pursuing a degree in engineering, he realized his heart was in construction and launched his own business—a path he has been dedicated to ever since.
Currently residing in North West Bradenton with his family, Kyle leverages his extensive network of personal and professional contacts to deliver exceptional quality on every project. He values strong, long-term relationships with local subcontractors to ensure that each Issa Homes property meets the highest standards of craftsmanship, from the smallest details to the grandest features.
Todd Shaw
Senior Field Superintendent
Mark Jones – AIA
Principal LRK
Chris Asithimer
Associate Architect - LRK
Affiniti architects
PARTNER
Affiniti architects
PARTNER
Affiniti Architects has been a partner of Issa Homes since 1987. They have designed work totaling over $12.5 billion located throughout the US, Central America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
LRK
PARTNER
LRK
PARTNER
LRK has been a partner of Issa Homes since 1991. They have been in the industry since 1983, designing public places and private spaces, covering the broadest spectrum of building types and locations.