Ransom “Reed” Hartman grew up in a small Central Illinois town. Growing up working on farms and in the construction industry, he learned that there is no substitute for hard work. After graduating in a high school class of only 60, he attended Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. He returned to Bloomington, Illinois to attend Illinois State University where his mother was a professor of computer science. At Illinois State, Reed joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and several other student service organizations. Reed received a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management in 2002 and took a job with Toll Brothers homebuilders in Naples, Florida. Thereafter, Reed received an opportunity to work for Toll Brothers in the Stuart/Martin County area. He jumped at the chance to move to Martin County where his family was one of the early pioneers and had maintained a business presence for four generations before him. After two years with Toll Brothers, Reed went to work for the Parks Company, a family owned development and construction company located in Stuart.

In 2006, 4 years and three hurricanes later, Reed made a career change and started work as a real estate associate and auctioneer with Elliot Paul & Company, a Stuart based auction company. Since coming on board with Elliot Paul & Company Reed has had the opportunity to sell many things at auction, ranging from artwork done by local school children to million dollar waterfront homes. Going to work with Elliot Paul & Company has not only provided Reed with a way to make a living, it has also afforded him the opportunity to give back to his community. Reed has performed auctions for many charitable organizations including: Treasure Coast Hospice, American Cancer Society and St. Joseph’s Catholic School. In addition to conducting auctions, Reed has also taken part in the Stuart/Martin County Chamber Leadership program and is now a volunteer with the Chamber’s Martin Youth Leadership program. Reed takes great pride in living in a community where his family has been for more than 100 years and looks forward to making it a better place for everyone to live and work for the next 100 years.