Real Estate Broker Joins Friends for Animals Sanctuary

Grace Vista, Broker/Owner of Vista Florida Realty

Prominent Brevard County Real Estate Broker Joins Friends for Animals Sanctuary to Make a Difference in the Lives of Domestic Animals

Grace Vista joins other notable Brevard residents as a director on FFAS board

Katherine Johnson, founder of Friends for Animals Sanctuary (FFAS) has announced that Grace Vista, Broker/Owner of Vista Florida Realty has joined the Sanctuary's board of directors.
 
“She’s so active in the community and I feel we are fortunate to have her on board,” Johnson said. “She’s already setting an example for other business owners by her participation in our upcoming Gala. She has some great ideas and said she intends to be a hands-on contributor and will donate to the Gala as a sponsor.”

Friends for Animals Sanctuary's annual Gala, Night for Paws, scheduled for May 7, is the non-profit organization's signature event and fundraiser. FFAS relies solely on fundraisers, donations and grants to provide a safe environment for domestic animals otherwise destined to be euthanized.
 
Vista and her husband, Steve moved from Maryland to Brevard County in 2008 to be closer to her mother. A full time Realtor since 2004, she established Vista Florida Realty in July 2014.
 
The Viera, Florida resident said, “I strive to give back to the community when and wherever I can. The community is a part of my extended family and I absolutely love my family.”
 
She saw a Friends for Animals Sanctuary flyer when she took one of her three pets to Harbor City Animal Hospital and said she immediately knew she wanted to help.
 
“I have been looking for a great charity in Brevard County for some time which supports and helps animals in need and I'm so happy to have found FFAS and met Katherine,” Vista said.
 
She has been on the board of directors for the Space Coast Cancer Foundation for several years.
 
She said, “It breaks my heart to even think of all the pets that are homeless or get put to sleep each year in our own county. I hope that my public relations and fundraising experience can help get the word out in our community about all the good that FFAS is doing, and the need for financial support to build our sanctuary.”
 
Her love for animals goes back to her childhood when her parents rarely denied a request for a pet. She said her family welcomed dogs, cats, birds, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs and hermit crabs into their home. She and her husband currently have three pets. Cooper, a yellow lab is the family clown, a 14-year-old lab and rottweiler mix named Bailey is her loyal companion. A blue tabby Persian cat named Dewey Blue, who rules the roost, rounds out the Vista household.
 
Johnson said, "The entire board of directors and I welcome Grace and look forward to her unique energy and contributions. FFAS is fortunate to have a diverse mixture of professionals and retirees on our board, each with something special to contribute."

Current FFAS board members are:
Katherine Johnson, President
Donald Jennings, Vice President – Fluids Engineering Supervisor, Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies at Kennedy Space Center
Wayne Cooper, Treasurer – CPA and partner at Whittaker Cooper Financial Group
Carmen Mathews, Board Secretary – Brevard Family Partnership
Lysee Kierstein, Director – Owner of All Promotions Inc.
Loren Rapport, Director – Retired from Brevard County
Grace Vista, Director – Owner of Vista Realty

Johnson said, "Our board members, and all our volunteers, are amazing people who constantly surprise me with their ingenuity and creative ways to make a real difference in the lives of domestic animals. While what we do is for the animals, it's for us, too. These animals give so much to their families and ask so little in return. They can't speak up for themselves, so we have to advocate on their behalf. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by influential people who feel the way I do about being a voice for the voiceless."