Longtime SWFL real estate firm CEO announces retirement

Howard Gutman, longtime employee and leader of Southwest Florida real estate conglomerate The Lutgert Cos., has announced his retirement. 

Gutman’s retirement will be effective July 1, according to a statement, and is part of a planned leadership transition at the Naples-based firm that’s been behind multiple prominent projects in the region. Gutman joined the company in 1978, and has been president and CEO since 2000. Gutman will remain actively involved with the company as board vice chairman, alongside chair Scott Lutgert, the company says, “and will continue to provide strategic guidance in a consulting capacity to ensure continuity during the transition.”

Other moves of the leadership transition include:

• David Crowley, who most recently had been COO, will assume the role of CEO
• Erik Lutgert, Scott;s son, was named president, “continuing the Lutgert family’s legacy of leadership
• Rick Joyce was named COO
• Heather Leslie was named CFO
• Kristen Lutgert Cartwright was named chief marketing officer

“This transition reflects the strength and depth of our leadership team,” Gutman says in the release. “Each of these individuals has played a critical role in our success, and together they will lead the company into its next phase of growth.”

The Lutgert Cos., according to its website, has divisions in development, commercial real estate, construction, custom homes and estate management, with a portfolio of residential and commercial properties in Florida and North Carolina. An insurance division was sold in 2017.