Scott Buchanan joined AMJ in 1995 and now serves as its Vice President. Born in Denver, Colorado, Scott has a BBA, an MBA and has been a Licensed Real Estate Broker for more than 20 years. He holds a Community Association Manager (CAM) license and is on the Board of Directors of the Builders Association of North Central Florida. Prior to joining AMJ, Scott worked for himself on various construction, development and property management projects in the Tampa, Florida area. He thoroughly enjoys fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, pretty much anything to do with the water, spending time with his family, and traveling. He is married to Renee and they have two children, Caroline and Reid.
Pete Gaughenbagh is AMJ’s Construction Project Manager. A native of Largo, Florida, Pete now resides in Anthony, Florida, just north of Ocala. Before joining AMJ, Pete was a self-employed subcontractor working for several area builders in the finish carpentry trade, and specialized in luxury custom homes. After attending trade school, he joined AMJ in 2004 as our lead finish carpenter, and was promoted in 2007 to a management role. Drawing on his experience and training in several areas of the construction industry, Pete is responsible for planning, scheduling and supervising AMJ’s construction projects. When not working, Pete enjoys volunteering for the American Animal Foundation, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his friends and family. He is happily married and has one daughter.
Bill Higgins, our Customer Service Manager, joined AMJ in 2000 after working in construction. Bill heads up a staff of several highly trained and professional technicians, who aim to bring both our commercial and residential customers the best service possible. Bill encourages his team to go above and beyond by being thorough and detail-oriented. Bill lives with his wife Deanna and son in Palatka and has three grown children in North Carolina. He is an avid outdoorsman enjoying camping, fishing, hunting and boating.
Born in Woodstock, New York, Russell Hirshik joined AMJ in March 2012 as Director of Commercial Real Estate. Oddly, it was a game of racket ball with a realtor whom he’d never met before that introduced Russ to the real estate world. Formerly of Prudential/Trend Realty, his extensive social networking skills help keep him ahead of what’s going on in the local market. His primary function at AMJ will be to help identify and analyze properties for potential acquisition, as well as help manage tenant relations and leasing of AMJ’s commercial portfolio. In his spare time, you’ll find Russ at the gym, walking Paynes Prairie, reading, listening to music or cooking. He lives in NW Gainesville with his girlfriend and considers himself a music & movie buff.
Debbie Huff joined AMJ in early 2009 taking the position of Residential Property Manager. Debbie brings more than 10 years of customer service and property management skills to AMJ. She is on the board of directors of the North Central Florida Apartment Association Debbie holds a Florida Real Estate license, and she is currently pursuing her CAM (Community Association Manager) license. Debbie resides in Lake City and enjoys hiking, swimming, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
The position of Chief Bookkeeper was filled in August of 2011 by LisaMarie Jenssen, who brings more than 30 years of accounting experience to AMJ. Born and raised in California, most people are surprised to learn that she’s actually half Norwegian! Her childhood dream was to be the female version of Jacques Cousteau, but instead found herself studying Drama at Solano Community College. LisaMarie, or Lisa for short, loves to travel, bake and make quilts. She’s an avid dancer, skilled in the forms of English Country, Contra, and Irish Set dancing. Her son, Duncan, lives with his wife Jenn and their three kids, Gavin, Ethan & Mason, in Pasco, WA.
Sue Runyon is the friendly voice you’ll hear when calling AMJ. She was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents said she came out talking and hasn’t stopped since! Carrying on family tradition, Sue worked with Illinois Bell for almost 20 years. With her husband, Lou, and sons Eric & Shaun, she moved to Archer, Florida in 1988 before joining AMJ in 2003 as receptionist. She considers her co-workers friends. Sue is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #4385. Her free time is best spent with her Granddaughter, Breanna, and Grandson Michael, who live nearby. She truly believes ‘Life is sweet!’
Mike Warren founded AMJ in 1977, and has been its President since. A native of New York, Mike came to Gainesville to teach Electrical Engineering at UF in 1974 after completing his Ph.D. at MIT. After leaving UF in 1980, he co-founded an engineering consulting business which he sold in 1983 to devote full time attention to real estate development, construction and property management. Under his leadership, AMJ has grown into one of the premier commercial developers in the Gainesville area. In addition to serving on the board of numerous community associations, Mike has been a director of Gainesville State Bank (1972 – 1997) and Florida Citizens Bank (1998 – present). He is an active “angel investor,” supporting innovative start-up companies through Gainesville’s Emergent Growth Funds, and with his wife Phyllis, a long term contributor to local artistic and charitable organizations. In his spare time, Mike enjoys active pursuits, is an avid cyclist, and a voracious reader. The Warrens have three sons, Matthew, Jeremy, and Andrew, and a daughter Stacey.
Customer Service Team