About Us

Our Story

Fort Myers Future is a collaboration of expertise and vision, driven by a commitment to rebuild and enhance the Fort Myers area.

Our team brings together leading professionals from various sectors of the real estate and development industry, united by a shared goal to create sustainable and innovative community spaces.

Executive Leadership

James E. Eaton

Co-Founder & Partner

James Eaton has been a Member of the Florida Bar since 1978. Eaton began his career in Florida government working for the House of Representatives. He later served as Assistant State Comptroller, managing the State Department of Banking & Finance and as Legislative Director for Gov. Bob Graham. Over the last four decades in private practice, Eaton represented clients in many sectors, including companies in commercial banking, investment banking, physician practices, cancer treatment companies, health insurance, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, information technology, road construction, and health care technology among many others.

Eaton’s law practice has been focused on the government regulation of his client’s businesses or on business transactions involving the purchase or sale of business interests. Eaton has been a registered lobbyist in Florida for decades, beginning in 1987. He first began working with Federal Agencies and the U.S. Congress on his client’s issues in 1992. Since becoming a sole practitioner some years ago, Eaton became an entrepreneur with investments and business interests in many fields, including land development, hotel development, owning and operating medical clinics, co-founder of a Medicare Advantage HMO and as an investor in and advisor to emerging health care technology service companies involved in lab testing, pharmacy, compliance and remote patient monitoring.

Eaton received his B. A. in Political Science with high honors from the University of Florida in 1975 and his Juris Doctor degree from the Holland Law Center at the University of Florida in 1978. Eaton serves on the Board of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida, as President of the O’Connell Society of Florida Blue Key, and as a Member of the University of Florida President’s Council.

Show More Hide

Professor Thomas Spiegelhalter, P.h.D.

Architect and Master Planner

Thomas Spiegelhalter, born in Germany, pursued an extensive education in architecture and engineering, earning an Engineer Degree from the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen, and both a Bachelor and Master of Arts from the Berlin University of the Arts. He later obtained a Ph.D. in Generative AI-driven Architecture from the Università degli Studi di Genova in Italy. Spiegelhalter began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Kaiserslautern and held several tenured positions at universities including the University of Applied Science Leipzig, University of Houston, and University of Hannover. He has also been a visiting professor at prestigious institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, University of Southern California in Los Angeles, University of Minnesota, and Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.

Throughout his career, Spiegelhalter has been recognized with numerous awards, including the AIV-Schinkel-Preis for the High-Rise Satellite District in Berlin, Germany, and the Design Vanguard Award of Architectural Record in New York City. His research focuses on sustainable architecture, carbon-neutral designs, and the rehabilitation of post-industrial environments. Spiegelhalter has published extensively, contributing to books, journals, and monographs on topics such as sustainable building design and generative AI in architecture. He has participated in various significant events and exhibitions, such twice at the Venice Architecture Biennale and the CBS News segment on future bioinspired city designs.Currently, Spiegelhalter is a tenured professor at Florida International University, where he co-directs the Structures and Environmental Technologies Lab. He continues to teach and research in the fields of resiliency, sustainability, carbon-positive design, and green-blue urban infrastructural systems. Spiegelhalter also founded and leads Thomas Spiegelhalter Studio + Associates, contributing to numerous ecological engineering projects globally. His work integrates advanced technologies and sustainability principles, aiming to address contemporary environmental challenges through innovative architectural solutions.

Show More Hide

Edgar Wilson, II

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Edgar Wilson, II is the son of respected Mid-Century architect, Edgar Wilson. Hurricane Ian ignited a passion to restore some of his father’s enormous body of work that was devastated by the floods and winds.Mr. Wilson is a fifth generation Fort Myers resident. He attended Fort Myers High School. He has his MFA from California Institute of the Arts. He previously worked with his father for 20 years. That experience and tutelage is guiding him in Fort Myers Future and Grande Calusa.

Mr. Wilson was the first president of the Downtown Fort Myers Property Owners, founding member of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Arcade Theatre Renovation. He consulted with the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox on their Spring Training Facilities.Mr. Wilson Co-Founded www.personalabs.com with his lifelong friend, Dr. Edward Salko, Jr.

Show More Collapse

John “Duke” Schneider

Director

John “Duke” Schneider is a seasoned real estate attorney and development consultant with decades of experience in land acquisition, resort and residential development, and property marketing. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Schneider served in the U.S. Army Infantry before earning his Juris Doctor degree from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. He is a practicing attorney in Pennsylvania.

Schneider conceived and developed one of the first whole-ownership resort campsite communities in the United States—Trails End in Pike County, Pennsylvania—followed by Tall Timbers in Vernon, New Jersey, and The Trees residential development in Milford, Pennsylvania. He later became a partner in several Florida development projects, including the Hilton Inn (formerly Best Western, now the Island Inn on Sanibel), the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa (now Marriott), and the final section of the Shell Island Beach Club on Sanibel.

He has had experience as a licensed real estate broker and title agent, has litigated numerous successful state and federal condemnation cases on behalf of landowners, and is a founding member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. He currently resides at Riva Del Lago, the twin towers overlooking Lee County’s Lakes Park, developed by The Armenia Group, led by John Armenia, whom he previously partnered with on projects in Florida and New Jersey. Schneider is also a founding board and Legacy Club member of the Greater Pike County Community Foundation.

Show More Collapse

JL Marc Lefebvre

President & Chief Executive Officer, Lefebvre International

Marc Lefebvre is the President and CEO of Lefebvre International, a global leader in Card Payment Solutions with more than 40 years of continuous innovation. A pioneer in online payment processing since the inception of e-commerce, Mr. Lefebvre has built a worldwide network of strategic alliances with acquiring banks, payment service providers, and merchants. His leadership and vision continue to drive the company’s expansion into emerging markets and strengthen its position at the forefront of the global payments industry.

Jay Wyper

Real Estate Development Consultant

Jay Wyper is an experienced planner, design and construction manager with 45 years of development management experience on projects across North America, Europe, and India. Mr. Wyper’s projects range from land development, industrial, retail, office, residential, hospitality, sports and mixed-use developments, from 1 – 50 stories and from 5 – 85 acres. Wyper holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Virginia.

Team

At Fort Myers Future, we are more than just developers; we are a team of visionaries dedicated to the future of Fort Myers. Together, we are setting new standards for development and community building in the region.

With decades of legal expertise in real estate and development law, Pavese Law Firm ensures that every project we undertake meets the highest standards of compliance and excellence. Their seasoned legal counsel is instrumental in navigating the complexities of property development, from acquisition through to construction, allowing us to focus on creating value for the community while safeguarding our practices. Visit Website

Specialists in civil engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture, Morris-Depew Associates bring a meticulous eye for detail and a creative approach to urban design. Their expertise ensures that our projects are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also functional, sustainable, and perfectly integrated into their natural surroundings. Visit Website

A leader in developing high-quality, affordable housing, Wendover Housing Partners is dedicated to crafting homes that enhance lives. Their commitment to excellence and affordability ensures that our projects address the real needs of the community, providing safe, attractive, and accessible housing options for all.

An architecture and planning firm known for its innovative and forward-thinking designs, Munoz + Albin adds a layer of artistic and functional elegance to our projects. Their global perspective and commitment to sustainable architecture help us push the boundaries of design and functionality, creating spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial to the environment.

Fort Myers Future

Do you have a project in mind? Get in touch to discuss it!