As a resident of St. Simons Island since 1977, I love every aspect of life in Georgia's Golden Isles. After selling my accounting practice here in 1998 I enjoyed extensive domestic and international travel, but always anticipated returning home to St. Simons. Early Retirement sounded great, but I soon missed the stimulation of business, and serving clients in particular.

I HAVE RECENTLY RECEIVED MY INVESTMENT ADVISOR CERTIFICATION FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

Now, I find combining my background as a C.P.A., real estate knowledge, personal ownership of income-producing property, and my love for these Golden Isles makes the perfect match. I satisfy my desire to interact professionally and personally with many people, as well as assist them through the often-complex maze of buying or selling real estate.

Having obtained my real estate license in January of 2002, I was privileged to join Atlantic Coast Properties as a Sales Associate. It is under the Atlantic Coast Properties umbrella, that I have now established Ray Arens Real Estate Consulting.

Indeed, I moved to St. Simons Island in May, 1977 and established my own C.P.A. firm in 1978. Ray Arens, C.P.A., P.C., was a full-service public accounting firm doing certified audits, reviews and compilations for businesses and individuals in addition to tax planning and tax services, fiduciary and estate planning.

My firm was heavily involved with and did considerable audit and consulting work in the local non-profit sector as well. During this time I was, and remain, active in my church and other civic organizations. I was elected to membership on the St. William's Parish Council and served as Council President. I also served on the Board of Directors of the St. Simons Island Rotary Club and on the Advisory Board of the Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort.

I was born and reared on a farm in Westphalia, Michigan, a small farming community in the Lower Peninsula. I am the oldest of 12 children, received my primary and secondary education in Westphalia, and, after high school graduation, was employed by the Michigan National Guard.

I later joined the National Guard, served in both the Michigan and Georgia National Guards, retiring after 22 years and attaining the rank of Sergeant Major. I began my college education at age 26 at Michigan State University in East Lansing. I graduated at the age of 30 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in accounting while maintaining full-time employment with the National Guard.

After graduation I left the employ of the National Guard and joined a large regional C.P.A. firm in Michigan as a staff auditor. After receiving my C.P.A. certification I served as controller for a division of an international chemical company. It was on a business trip on behalf of that company that I first experienced the lure of St. Simon's Island.