Drayton Saunders

A native of Florida, Drayton Saunders was born in Sarasota. He attended high school at The Bush School in Seattle, Washington; and graduated in 1995 from Colgate University, in New York, where he majored in philosophy, minored in economics and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

While at Colgate, Drayton developed and nurtured a passion for Latin America. This lead him to participate with Amigos de las Americas—a non-denominational, non-profit group that focuses on basic problems in rural communities throughout Latin America. Projects he helped facilitate included building homes for teachers in Costa Rica; and—working in conjunction with CARE International—helping to improve basic sanitation, health and hygiene practices in the highlands of Ecuador.

After college, Drayton spent eight years in Santiago, Chile conceptualizing then opening New York Bagel Bakery, Chile's first bagel coffee shop. After selling the business in 2003, he returned to Sarasota where he joined Michael Saunders & Company and assumed the position of President of MSC Title and MSC Mortgage. Prior to taking on his current responsibilities as President of Michael Saunders & Company, he managed the firm's Venice and Longboat Key offices.

A founding member of the Young Professionals Group of Sarasota, Drayton worked closely with this dynamic organization to attract and include committed young professionals in Sarasota’s future direction and growth. His other community involvements include: Boards of Directors for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill Industries. Drayton is also a member of Leadership Florida, having graduated from its class of XXVI.