Schemmel Soda Group joins Douglas Elliman in Florida

Top-producing residential real estate team Schemmel Soda Group has left Premier Sotheby’s International Realty to join Douglas Elliman’s Sarasota, Florida, office.

The group is led by cofounders Joel Schemmel and Donna Soda, along with agents Sharon Chiodi and Patti Tebo. Marketing Director Katie Kurbiel and client service coordinator Preston Lane are also joining the team.

Jay Phillip Parker — CEO of the brokerage’s Florida region and president of Douglas Elliman development marketing in Florida — said the move strengthens the firm’s presence on the Gulf Coast.

“Joel and Donna’s unmatched expertise and leadership in Sarasota and the surrounding luxury markets make them an ideal addition to Douglas Elliman,” Parker said. “They have built a strong, trusted brand, and this represents a strategic win for our Sarasota operations and the clients we serve.”

Schemmel — an attorney and former CPA — has worked in Sarasota real estate since 2008. His team has been among the top 1% of agents in the region by sales, according to the brokerage.

“Joining Douglas Elliman is a decisive step forward for our team and clients,” Schemmel said. “We’ve built our business on deep market knowledge, integrity, and results — values we see fully reflected in Douglas Elliman’s culture.”

Soda previously led The Soda Group and has decades of experience in the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch markets.

“I’m so grateful for the clients, colleagues, and friends who have been part of our journey over the years,” Soda said. “Joining Douglas Elliman is such an exciting new chapter for our team, and I’m truly looking forward to blending our local expertise with the incredible reach and resources of this world-class brokerage.”

Chiodi has been a Sarasota resident since 1997 and a licensed real estate agent for nearly two decades. Tebo has lived in the area for 35 years and has been a licensed associate since 2003.

Schemmel Soda Group was ranked Premier Sotheby’s No. 1 team in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 2019, and was named the No. 1 small team in Sarasota by sales volume by RealTrends.