WHO WE ARE

“My passion stems from my father who inspired my entrepreneurial spirit from childhood,” says Hooper. “He taught me that it’s all about hard work, timing and patience... advice that kept me from buying at the peak and waiting for the market correction.”

“When I was nine, I built a two story tree house with the money I raised by going door to door reselling Sam’s Club candy bars at a sizable mark up.  In high school, I raised money to pay for my senior trip to Florida by getting local businesses to advertise on a discount card.  Then I went door to door selling the “Super Happy Discount Card”.  My path from tree house builder to business owner has been rich with educational and diverse experiences which laid a good foundation for what I am doing today.”

“My favorite story is about a house I bought. It was owned by an out-of-state son who had just lost his mother. The house was in deplorable condition caused by years of neglect due to her failing health. The family had lived there for over thirty years. The son grew up in the house and had his first date there with the woman he later married.  At the closing, the son asked if he could bring his wife and son by to look at the home when we finished the restoration.  He told me he wanted his son to remember his grandmother’s home in a positive way.  It was such a joy watching him show his little six year old the room his dad had slept in, and hearing he and his wife re-live their fun youth together and all the good memories they shared in that home.”

 “I enjoy every aspect of my business.  The houses are always overgrown with vegetation, and in need of extensive renovation. To turn an ugly house into an attractive home requires major floor plan alterations; walls removed and bathrooms added. I have a remarkably gifted crew who work side by side in a smooth yet expeditious manner.   It is a huge pleasure for me and my team when all the neighbors come by to thank us for transforming the eyesore of the neighborhood into a charming home.  It’s an added bonus hearing from the tenants that it’s the nicest home they have ever lived in.”

The team at Rent the Bay gets it – it’s personal – to you and to us. We’ll take care of you, and your property as if it was our own.

-Mike Hooper, Owner & President

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MEET THE RENT THE BAY TEAM

 

Michael L. Hooper, CFP® CPMS – Owner & President, Rent the Bay

As President of RentTheBay.com, Mike helps landlords find qualified tenants and renters find a place to live. Prior to establishing, RentTheBay.com, Mike worked for six years as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® helping other advisers and clients analyze and manage their investment portfolios.  Concurrently, Mike personally invests in single family rental homes and apartment complexes in the Tampa Bay area.

Mike was raised in Springfield, Missouri.  He graduated Cum Laude from Wichita State University with a degree in Business Management.  While attending Wichita State on a Division I tennis scholarship, he reached the singles championship at the Conference tournament.  Mike has also trained and coached tennis at Bollettieri Sports Academy in Bradenton, FL.

In 2009, Mike Hooper was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the South Tampa Young Leaders and Executives (S.T.Y.L.E.) The award is given to one business owner for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement in the Tampa Bay area. Mike was one of over 225 nominees for the Tampa Bay Young Professionals Awards.

As well as a very accomplished business man, Mike is known for his small-town, salt of the earth values and principles that translate to personalized, old-fashioned service and long-term loyalty in his client relationships.

Education/Professional Licenses

Wichita State University - Bachelor of Business Administration
Attended Wichita State on a tennis scholarship
Graduated Cum Laude in Business Management
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Certified Property Management Specialist
Series 7 and Series 66
State of Florida Life, Health and Variable Annuity
Dale Carnegie Sales and Leadership Training Course
Bill Good “Gorilla” Marketing – Master’s Degree
Investment Management Consultants Association – Essentials of Investment Consulting

To contact Mike Hooper please e-mail him at mike@rentthebay.com or call him at 813.875.7368(RENT)

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Cathy Weiss, GRI - Managing Broker

Cathy is the managing broker, real estate expert and leasing agent for Rent the Bay. Cathy entered the field of real estate in 2005 and achieved broker status in 2006. Cathy has carved several niches in her client profile to include the military and investors. Cathy holds a BA degree in Communications Management from Purdue University, and has a background in human resource management where she honed her ability to read people and grasp their priorities.

Cornerstones of Success:
Cathy made her mark with clients as a result of her kind heart, her adept listening skills and by making their satisfaction her number one priority. How would Cathy’s clients describe her?  Attention to detail, fierce loyalty to her clients and her commitment to doing things right is what sets Cathy apart in the vast field of realtors. Cathy’s clients greatly benefit from her commitment to continuing education and her thorough research. Cathy is known for comprehensive Competitive Market Analyses affording her clients a distinct pricing advantage.

Giving Back:
Cathy is a member of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Military Affairs Council, and St. Mark’s Methodist Church; in addition to multiple volunteer charitable activities in the Tampa area.

Market Focus:
-Brandon/Riverview
-Investment Properties
-Military Clients

Recognition & Designations:
-Graduate, Westshore Alliance Leadership Program
-Graduate Realtor^® Institute 

Personal Information:
A testament to Cathy’s stability and loyalty is her 30-year marriage to Tony and her two beautiful grown children, Ryan and Caley.

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Jeff Mars - Director of Operations

As Director of Operations for Rent the Bay, Jeff’s work ethic is "Striving for excellence; working for perfection". Growing up the youngest of 6 in Rochester NY, he observed his parents applying this philosophy. Through over 20 years of working cooperatively with others, Jeff has become very in-tune to solving tenant related issues. Jeff also boasts many years of effective supervision of on-site subcontractor crews. He also managed Maintenance Operations for Hampton Inn hotels.

Education & Professional Training:
Associate Degree, Applied Science & Quality Control Technology
Customer Service Supervisor, United States Postal Service

Recognition & Awards:
Received several Letters of Commendation for Pride in Performance
6 years ‘Perfect Attendance’
2006 Recipient, Pirtek Sales and Service Technician Award

Activities & interests: 
Certified Advanced open water diver

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Matthew Flink - Construction Project Manager 

Accomplished professional with 21 years experience in the construction and real estate industries possesses a unique combination of hands-on technical experience coupled with strong organizational and communication skills.   High-energy, thoughtful management style results in loyal teams that seek to achieve a common goal.  Proven aptitude to manage complex projects and coordinate the efforts of many stakeholders.  Pragmatic approach to conflict resolution and problem solving. Immense capacity for tireless effort with productive outcomes. 

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
Project Management – Multi-Family Residential – Single-Family Residential – Commercial – Retail – Restaurant  Property Management - Property Maintenance - Land Use Entitlement -  Critical Path Scheduling - Budget Preparation and Analysis - Architectural Plan and Specification Review

EDUCATION & LICENSES:
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, B.A. in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate
Coursework also included construction management classes
Licensed General Contractor
Colorado Real Estate License – Employing Broker Level

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Director – Roaring Fork School District Board of Education
Commissioner – Eagle County Planning & Zoning Commission
Adaptive Ski Instructor -  Challenge Aspen volunteer with disabled veterans and Special Olympics
Coach – Youth football and youth softball team

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Erin Flink - Assistant To Mike Hooper

Erin has been in the property management & real estate industry for 20 years.  Erin’s diverse roles and experience encompass: Leasing & Sales, Marketing & Advertising, Accounting, Office Management,  Business Owner/Partner. 

Community Involvement:
Involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as a Mentor Mom for newly diagnosed families, Erin donates time and money to raise awareness/research to help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. 

Activities & Interests:
Enjoys exploring the many Tampa Bay recreational offerings with her husband and two kids (John 10, Hannah 13); in particular, water sports.
Erin is a very actively involved parent in her children’s school & sports activities. 

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Dana Keller - Licensed Agent, CSP – Team Member

Dana brings over 17 years of real estate experience working for developers and home builders to Rent the Bay. Dana was an on site sales agent as well as served as a Vice President of Sales & Marketing executive for two different builders for the majority of her career. Dana’s experience in sales management and training has afforded her the knowledge of how to effectively and efficiently guide clients through the buying, selling and renting process. Recognizing that trust is the most important part of the relationship between a Realtor and client, Dana’s genuineness, competence and commitment to being a person of her word affords her the ability to consistently gain her clients’ trust. How do Dana’s clients describe her? The consummate professional with an innate ability to create win-win results for all parties. 


Dana’s extensive marketing background affords her clients the most creative, innovative strategies to maximize property visibility. Dana applies her seasoned marketing prowess to developing Rent the Bay’s marketing strategies and plans to effectively market Rent the Bay properties.

Education:
Colorado College, B. A. in History/Political Science
Attended University of Baltimore School of Law
Completed coursework in the University of Denver’s Continuing Education in Marketing Management

Giving Back:
President, Builder-Realty Council of Denver
Public Relations Chair, Home Builders Foundation of Denver
Marketing Chair, Junior League of Denver
Dana also is a volunteer tutor with inner-city students and sits on both the Business and Executive Women’s Committees for the Centre Club of Tampa.

Market Focus:
-Carrollwood, Lutz, Odessa & Pasco County

Designations:
-Certified Sales Professional, CSP I & II
-Graduate, Sandler Sales Institute

Personal Information: ¨Married, 2 step-children, Madison (16) & Justin (13)
Activities & Interests include: Skiing, flyfishing, golf, hiking, performing arts.