Our Team

Forness Properties Commercial Real Estate Team

Brokerage

Drew Forness

President

Drew founded Forness Properties in 2010. He has over 20 years of proven industry and sales experience specializing in the leasing and management of retail and office properties. Before founding Forness Properties, Drew served as Vice President of Sales and Leasing for Michael Collard Properties, Vice President of the Acquisitions and Dispositions Department at Crossman & Company, and as an Associate at Crossman & Company responsible for leasing. He has earned top honors with the Central Florida Commercial Realtors Association and CCIM. Drew is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and a member of The International Council of Shopping Centers. His accolades include a Top Investment Producer, Top Retail Producer, Top Broker and Costar Power Broker for multiple years. Drew is a graduate of Florida Southern College and is a lifelong resident of Central Florida.

Monte Mitchell

Director of Leasing and Sales

Monte was born and raised in Central Florida and has extensive knowledge, relationships, and passion for the area. He brings a diverse skill set to Forness Properties with multiple years of commercial leasing experience on both the landlord and tenant side. He has owned a business since 2006 and has been a successful business broker for over three years. More than a decade of experience in running his own business has given Monte a strong appreciation for client relationships and he works diligently to exceed expectations. The most important part of Monte’s life is taking care of his wife, Danae, his daughter, Kate, and his son, Mason.

Anna Walden

Associate

Anna graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences. Born and raised in Central Florida, she brings deep knowledge of the area as a local of the commercial real estate market. Anna will be working alongside our leasing and sales team as an associate. She has a strong passion for the commercial real estate business and is excited to cultivate client relationships. Beyond her professional endeavors, Anna has a passion for working with special needs individuals and has been an active volunteer in such programs.

Property Management

Chelsea Weathers

VP of Operations

Chelsea oversees the operations of the Property Management division of Forness Properties. She joined Forness Properties in 2015. Her primary responsibility is to manage the day-to-day operations of the accounting and management teams. Chelsea has a diverse background in property management, marketing, and operations experience. Chelsea was born and raised in Central Florida. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and was a 4-year college athlete.

Michelle Frias

Property Manager

Michelle oversees the day-to-day operations of the properties focusing on client, tenant, and vendor relations, as well as the maintenance of the properties. Michelle joined Forness Properties in 2017 as the Assistant Property Manager. She has over 20 years of customer service experience in commercial and residential property management and the financial field. She has lived in Central Florida for 23 years and she graduated from Valencia College. Michelle enjoys the beach and spending time with her family.

Sheri Forness

Client Relations Manager

Sheri joined Forness Properties in 2021. She focuses on client and tenant relations, property maintenance, and tenant receivables. Sheri has been a licensed Florida Realtor since 1988. Sheri is a graduate of Furman University and was born and raised in Central Florida.

Lisa Gambrell

Property Manager

Lisa joined Forness Properties in 2022. She has over 20 years of business development with financial institutions and more than 30 years of customer service experience. Lisa oversees a portfolio of properties while focusing on client and tenant relations, property maintenance and tenant receivables. Lisa was raised in Seminole County and has lived in Florida most of her life.

Caroline Williams

Director of Accounting

Caroline joined Forness Properties in 2019. She is responsible for all accounting duties including cash management, receivables and payables management, CAM reconciliation, sales tax payments and end of the year tax preparation. Caroline has many years of diverse work experience. Her previous roles include Loan Partner at Waterstone Mortgage, Senior Accountant at The University of Central Florida, and Personal Banker at Wells Fargo Bank. Caroline was born and raised in Central Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University.

Elizabeth Morel

Accounts Payables/Receivables Specialist

Elizabeth joined Forness Properties in 2022 as the Accounts Payables/Receivables Specialist. She assists the property management team in processing account payables and receivables and collections. Elizabeth has worked in the financial industry for 20 years and lived in Central Florida for over 16 years.

Whitni Perry

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Whitni joined Forness Properties in January 2024 as an AR Specialist. Her primary role is to assist the property management team with collections, receivables and billing. Whitni has experience in the financial industry as well as over 15 years in customer service, marketing and development training. She is a dog mom of one, residing in Central Florida for 10 years.

Maria Flores

Accounting Specialist

Maria joined our team in 2023 as an accounting specialist. She assists the accounting department with monthly bank reconciliations, financial reports, sales tax payments, budgets and CAM reconciliations. Maria enjoys the beach and spending time with her family

Mary Lorch, CPA

Accounting Special Projects

Mary is responsible for assisting with onboarding new properties, budgets and CAM reconciliations. Mary has over 18 years of accounting experience and is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida. Mary obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Florida State University and her Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida.

Cynthia Forness

Office Manager

Cynthia joined Forness Properties in 2013. As the Forness Properties office manager, Cynthia works closely with the leasing agents and property managers to assist with invoicing, accounts receivables and accounts payable. She provides general administrative support to the team to enable a positive workplace environment. Cynthia graduated from Florida Southern College and is a lifelong resident of Central Florida.

Alison Young

Administrative Assistant

Alison joined Forness Properties in 2024. She assists the team with administrative duties, primarily tenant and vendor relations and maintenance requests. Alison was raised in Orange County and graduated from the University of Central Florida.

Valentin Fregoso

Maintenance Engineer

Valentin joined Forness Properties in 2019 as the maintenance engineer. Valentin ensures that properties are well-maintained and that vendors are providing high-quality service. He has over 25 years of construction experience in residential and commercial properties. He is married and has a son he adores. He has lived in Central Florida for 23 years.

Lenne Prussiano

Marketing Coordinator

Lenne’ has worked with Forness Properties since 2013. She coordinates all of the marketing materials for Forness Properties. Lenne’ has been employed in the commercial real estate industry since 1997, specializing in market research and marketing.