Charles Sower, a Realtor and former Coast Guard member, described on May 7 how his military background shapes his approach to real estate. “There’s a lot of memory in those walls,” he says. “Sometimes it feels like they’re losing independence. You honor that first.”
Sower said the habits he learned in the Coast Guard—showing up early, communicating clearly, and solving problems directly—help him build trust with clients and colleagues. “I changed the standard on my team,” Sower says. “Be early. Be clear. Don’t be the person with the secret that kills the deal.” He also noted that staying calm is his superpower when others may not.
He recalled an early experience when colleagues warned him about working with a difficult co-op agent: “He was trying to do right by his seller. I was doing right by my buyer. Yelling doesn’t help.” For Sower, relationships are central to both military service and real estate work.
After arriving in Bay County in 2010 knowing few people outside of service, Sower became involved locally as Rotary Club president, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, and organizer at Sims Veterans’ Home events: “Plenty of people say they support veterans,” he says. “I want to put time and money where the words are.”
Within Florida Realtors—a group representing over 238,000 members through its network of 51 local associations—Sower completed leadership academies at both local and state levels and served two years on his local board according to the official website. The organization contributes to community involvement while supporting homeownership and monitoring legislation impacting property owners according to the official website.
Sower explained how clear communication helps resolve complex deals involving language barriers or cultural nuances: “It wasn’t to slow anything down,” he says about taking extra time for clarity between parties during negotiations. “It was to make sure everyone understood. Clarity is speed.” On earning Florida Realtors Board Certified Professional endorsement, Sower said: “People understand what ‘Board Certified’ means… It should set a higher bar. I hope it keeps getting harder.”
