A native of Boston, Laura Benson has lived in Southwest Florida for more than 40 years. She earned her real estate license in 1997, and has been working as a real estate professional ever since. With a background as a real estate paralegal and experience in fields ranging from mortgage lending to construction management, real estate law to agent training, Laura has the knowledge and flexibility to understand all aspects of the real estate industry.
Laura is a longstanding member of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) and the Venice Area Board of Realtors, and has served as the RASM 2012 President, chaired its Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Committees, served on its executive board, and has been certified as an instructor for the state-mandated ethics course. In 2008, Laura was named Sarasota’s Realtor of the Year. As a member of the State Realtor Association, Laura has chaired several committees including the Public Policy Committee and is the District 13 RPAC Trustee. As an active member of the Sarasota community, she has also been an elected member of the Sarasota County School Board, served on the Sarasota County Planning Commission and is the past president of the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota. She is the 2023-2024 President of the Sertoma Club of Venice.
One of Laura’s proudest accomplishments as a private citizen is her appointment by the Florida State Senate to a charter seat on the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida. The committee, established by State Senator Mike Bennett (R-District 21) and chaired by former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, is an organization charged with plotting a generational view of Florida’s future.
Laura is an avid golfer, a professional BBQ judge and backyard pitmaster and enjoys the wood shop in her garage.
Laura lives in Sarasota with her husband Brian Meskil They have five children and five grandchildren.