Gayle Dixon is hanging his license at Lance & Associates Real Estate. The Hope native moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to run a tire store. From there, he moved his business to North Carolina until deciding to sell the business and move closer to home. He ran another store in Shreveport, Louisiana, for two years before purchasing it. After a nine-year endeavor there, he returned to the Hope area about 18 years ago. He is married to Donna Cornelius and they have nine grandchildren.

After an extensive career in the tire business serving in both sales and management capacities, Dixon is pursuing a childhood dream of selling real estate. Dixon’s philosophy is simple: “a sale is a sale,” he said; an attitude that has served him well in the business world. “It’s been good so far. Steve (Lance) is very laid back and Lindsey (Townsend) is very helpful and knowledgeable, so I’ve been able to learn what I need to at a good pace. So far, I’ve made a couple of good sales in the few weeks I’ve been here, so that’s been positive.”

Lance noted that Dixon's early-on success is remarkable. Gayle knows sales, and as Lance put it is a “people person.” “Real estate is a people business. It's not just houses and dirt,” Lance said. “He knows a lot of folks and he can talk to anyone. Gayle has roots in southwest Arkansas, in Prescott, Nevada County, in Hempstead County. He follows up on phone calls, makes sure that his clients are happy, and that necessary leg work is completed.”

Dixon fits in well with Lance. The company is close-knit with a team-oriented atmosphere. Buyers and Sellers are treated with respect and professionalism. “The thing to remember,” Lance said, “is that in any place where you're provided a service, you want to look for two things: people who will treat you right and people who can get the job done. I think that our team of professionals excel at both.”

Lance & Associates Real Estate will be hosting the last Community Coffee of the year on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.