Joni L. Gaines   Transplanted local and former Stowe business owner, Joni Gaines was born in Alabama but grew up in the coastal community of Jamestown, RI. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in business management and communications, she first set her sights on world travel, embarking on an exciting career in the yachting industry.  Over a five year period, Joni's work titles ranged from First Mate to Chef, as she sailed on private yachts in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Oceans. After so long from home, our intrepid traveler determined that while life in the yachting industry was sublime, it was time to settle down a bit. So, instead of welcoming folks board a yacht, Joni used her hospitality skills in the lodging industry.           In September 1994, Joni made Stowe, Vermont her home. This time she combined her hospitality experience with her undergraduate business degree. Following an exhaustive search of commercial real estate throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, Joni bought the Logwood Inn on Edson Hill Road. After a 6 month restoration period, it reopened as the WalkAbout Creek Lodge & Billabong Pub.  Joni owned and operated this historic 16 room lodge & pub for five years, hosting guests from all over the world and catering weddings and parties for groups ranging in size from 12 to 300 people. The stories and experiences were endless!   In April 1999, Joni sold The WalkAbout Creek Lodge. It was time to wear just one hat-- her own, instead of the other 99 that she was often required to wear as an innkeeper. The lodge was purchased by the Didomenico, family who have renamed the lodge Winding Brook. The multi-faceted skills required to own, manage, and then sell an inn are similar to those needed for an MBA degree, but instead of a university course, Joni learned it all in the school of life. She started as a Realtor with Pall Spera Company Realtors in June of 1999 and has not looked back.   Joni is a full time professional Realtor/Broker with Lang McLaughry Spera and handles all types of real estate transactions from first time home buyers, commercial properties, resort & second homes as well as investment opportunities. Joni has worked her way up to being on the fore front of the Stowe area market along with her business partner Susi Benoit.  While being in the business since 1999 Joni has earned her Vermont Brokers license, and various Realtor designations, ABR(Accreditted Buyer Representative), CRS(Certified Residential Specialist) & GRI(Graduate Realtor Institute).   In 2003 she purchased 10 acres in the Sterling Valley area of Stowe and built a wonderful 2 story federal colonial she calls home along with her husband, native Vermonter Tad Horner, owner of Sterling Estates Management & Contracting Services of Stowe. They married on Guana Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas in May 2006 and welcomed their first child Ella Jane Horner to the world in April 2007. Joni & Susi have proven to be a dynamic team and both are extremely passionate about what they do; helping others with all their VT real estate transactions and beyond. They will be proud to be your trusted real estate advisors.