I
mages of fresh breezes, full sails and great crews fill
the conversation with Owen Drey, owner of Gulf
Coast Title, as he describes the voyage that has led
him to create one of the most innovative and dynamic
companies in the real estate industry here on the Emerald
Coast. “I have learned many of my greatest lessons
through my lifelong love of sailing and I try and use them
in every aspect of growing Gulf Coast Title’s relationships
with top agents, lenders, developers, and builders here on
the Gulf Coast.” With offices in Pensacola and Grayton
Beach, Owen steers his team of dedicated professionals in
fostering a new model in the industry for collaborative and
integrated engagements to build everyone’s businesses.
“We don’t just do title work and closings, we work
intimately with our clients to facilitate their growth,
which, in turn, enables our own.”
Owen is a seasoned attorney of 26 years whose passion for
people and community has made an impact at each step of
his career. His vision for creating this new model at Gulf
Coast Title was born out of his desire to help others and
his ever-growing understanding that working together is
the most effective and efficient way to do so. The first
leg of Owen’s journey came in 1992 with the U.S. Small
Business Association disaster relief effort in South Florida
after Hurricane Andrew, where he supervised a team of
attorneys tasked with closing the large commercial loans.
He realized that the wide and varied range of businesses
needs required a team with multiple areas of expertise,
but who could all support the efforts of the group. “Like
putting together a good boat crew with the varied expertise
it takes to sail a winning race, I saw how important it is to
find individuals with particular talents that complement
and support one another.” Owen assembled a tight-knit
team that closed more than 1,000 loans during his tenure
with the SBA.
After then serving in Washington, DC, for more than a
decade, Owen returned home to Mobile to take advantage
of a real estate opportunity on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
“I had not anticipated returning home at this point in
my career, but like when the wind changes direction in
the middle of a race course, you simply tac to take full
advantage of the new breeze to move on to your mark.”
Owen assembled a parcel for commercial development,
ultimately covering 10 acres and with 600 front feet on the
Gulf in Orange Beach, Alabama, which he then facilitated
Business Profile
Owen Drey,
President/Owner
90 | VIPPensacola.com
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