Meet Team Whittington
Sharing a lifetime of faith, resilience, service, and life's unexpected lessons.
Life has taken us on a journey neither of us could have planned. Through every season, we’ve discovered that even the most difficult chapters can lead to unexpected blessings. Our hope is that by sharing our story, we can encourage others to keep moving forward with faith, purpose, and hope.
Photograph by Mitch Kloorfain
Our Story
More than seventy years of experiences have taught us that life rarely unfolds according to plan.
We’ve celebrated incredible victories, faced heartbreaking losses, overcome health challenges, built businesses, served our community, and watched God work in ways we never could have imagined.
Some of life’s greatest lessons came through success.
Many came through adversity.
Together, we’ve learned that perseverance isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about trusting God enough to take the next step, even when you can’t yet see where the path is leading.
That simple idea became the inspiration for One Foot in Front of the Other.
"Life will surprise you. You will make mistakes. You will lose people you love. But if you keep moving forward, you'll often discover that the road ahead holds blessings you never could have planned."
Meet Tom
Meet Sue
Thomas “Tom” Whittington believes the most rewarding journeys in life are measured not by the destinations we reach, but by the people we meet along the way.
A graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Tom enjoyed a successful career in sales and business development with companies including Armco Steel and Hewlett-Packard. One of his early career milestones was selling his first computer system to Baltimore Spice, makers of Old Bay seasoning, a story that helped shape his lifelong appreciation for opportunity, preparation, and relationships.
After leaving the corporate world, Tom combined his love of boats with his passion for people by founding Manatee Pocket Yacht Sales in Stuart, Florida. What began as a yacht brokerage became much more than a business. It became a place where friendships were formed, stories were shared, and lives often intersected in unexpected ways.
Beyond his professional life, Tom has devoted many years to serving his community through Rotary International, nonprofit leadership, public speaking, and volunteer service. His faith, family, and commitment to helping others have shaped every chapter of his life.
Tom is the author of One Foot in Front of the Other, a memoir about faith, perseverance, and keeping a promise, and Last Boat Four, a novel inspired by the colorful people and unforgettable experiences he encountered along Florida’s waterfront.
Tom and his wife, Sue, make their home in Palm City, Florida. Her love, wisdom, and steady partnership have been among the greatest blessings of his life and are woven throughout his story. When he is not writing, speaking, or enjoying time with Sue and their family, Tom can often be found playing competitive tennis, traveling, supporting NC State, or encouraging others to remember that success is measured not only by what we accomplish, but by the difference we make in the lives of others.
Susan Dawson Whittington believes the greatest investment anyone can make is in people and the communities they call home.
A graduate of James Madison University, Sue built successful careers in advertising, human resources, public information, nonprofit development, and financial services before retiring as a Financial Advisor. After moving from Virginia to Florida in 1999, where she jokingly says she “only knew four people,” she quickly discovered a community she would come to love through volunteer service and leadership.
Today, Sue serves as President of Impact100 Martin, where she helps lead an organization of women who collectively award transformational grants to local nonprofits. She is also an active Rotarian, serves through her church, and supports numerous charitable organizations throughout Martin County. Service has been the common thread throughout her life, inspired by her mother, who taught her that everyone has a responsibility to give back to the communities where they live.
In addition to her volunteer work, Sue is a part-time travel advisor who enjoys helping families and groups create memorable experiences together. Whether organizing an Alaskan adventure, planning a special getaway, or connecting people through shared experiences, she believes travel has a unique way of bringing people closer together.
Sue enjoys tennis, golf, reading, traveling, and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. She and her husband, Tom, make their home in Palm City, Florida, where they continue to invest their time, talents, and resources in helping others and strengthening the community they love.