The real estate community suffered a loss last month with the death of Andrew Wooten of S.A.F.E.
Wooten, 50, was an expert on personal safety and was a frequent visitor to Realtor and builder meetings to review policies that companies should have in place on both worksites and in homes for sale.
Wooten was doing a seminar on a cruise with Realtors from another association last month when he was caught in a rip current while swimming in one of the ports.
Wooten's company, Safety Awareness Firearms Education (S.A.F.E.) is a training, education and consulting firm that advises groups in the area of safety and security.
Wooten taught his classes at the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and its branch offices, Women's Council of Realtors and other associations and organizations around the state.
Wooten was in the safety and security industry for over 24 years.
He held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Education, and put both degrees to work by educating and training people in crime prevention and security management.
Personally, he was not a person to be trifled with: he was a multi-black belt in Judo, Jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo and Aikido.
He recently estimated that he has conducted over 6,000 training programs worldwide.
When he was 5, Andrew's parents enrolled him in judo and he credited that training, and the guidance and tutelage of his parents and instructors, as providing him with a strong ethical and spiritual foundation. He started public speaking at age 13 and has became sought after for his clever presentations, as well as their contents.