| Born
in Florence, SC, Ed moved to Atlanta, GA, when he was very young. The 3rd
child of 7 children, he graduated from Druid Hills High School and attended
Draughon Business College. As a young man, he returned to Florence and
worked in the insurance business before getting married and serving in
the Army during World War II.
Ed
and his wife, Hilda, lived in Augusta, GA for a few years where he worked
in the timber business. In 1946, they moved to Gainesville, FL, and he
opened his own timber business. In 1968, he sold that business, opened
Peck Realty and in 1969 began development of the first condominium on Daytona
Beach, The Surfside Club, which opened in 1970.
Since
that time, Peck Realty has developed and/or marketed over 30 condominium
projects. Hilda and Ed have been married since 1940 and are the proud parents
of two married children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren,
which are the joy of their lives. "Living at the beach, working every day,
staying active and spending time with family keeps us both young at heart.
At 70, I went snow skiing for the first time and at 80 I started taking
karate lessons." In 2002, he earned his black belt! Ed also learned
to work a computer at age 80 and now enjoys playing gin with people all
over the world.
Over
the years, Ed has served as President of the Gainesville, FL Rotary Club,
District Governor of Rotary, been appointed by different Florida Governors
to serve on fund-raising Boards, served as a Director on the First Union
National Bank board, been elected as "Boss of the Year" by the Business
and Professional Women, served as the President of several condominium
Boards, and been a development partner in many condominiums, which have
won numerous awards. From the East Florida Building Industry Association
he received the Sales Director of the Year Award (1988); Salesperson of
the Year (1994); and Million Dollar Sales Awards (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990,1991,
1994, 1995, 1997); and a Lifetime Achievement Award (1991).
Although
his family is his top priority, he is also a Florida Gator football fan,
enjoys NASCAR races, an occasional game of golf, traveling, and cruises.
However, he has been accused of being a "work-aholic". "I believe in setting
goals every year, writing them down, achieving them, and striking them
off the list. Anything can be accomplished with a plan, hard work, and
perseverance. It a joy to me to work with family everyday and I cherish
the respect we have for each other. I consider our team of Real Estate
Agents to be the best in the field." |
