by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Amber King is a very busy woman. As marketing director for DR Horton — one of the area’s biggest homebuilders — she oversees the marketing efforts for Northeast Florida as well as Brevard, Marion and Volusia counties. King also recently chaired the Laurel Awards, a time-consuming, yet rewarding job that involves overseeing the real estate industry’s biggest annual awards dinner and gala.
Outside of the industry, she is also the devoted mother of her 6 year-old daughter, Ashlyn. King handles both duties and manages to find the time to do both quite effectively.
“Time management is the key,” said King. “You’ve just got to learn how to juggle all your priorities.”
King is from Jacksonville and lives in Fleming Island. She attended Florida State University and broke into the home and building industry six years ago.
“After a year of staying at home with my daughter, I was ready to get into work,” she said.
She began her career working for local homebuilders and moved into a marketing role with Richmond American Homes for three years before being hired by DR Horton last year as marketing director. Her goal is to help create a unified look and feel for the company and increase consumer awareness, especially of the company’s Web site. So far, the campaign has been a success, she says, thanks to her marketing team.
“We work extremely hard, but we have a lot of fun while doing it,” said King. “I could not ask for a better team.”
Outside of the office, King is heavily involved in the Sales and Marketing Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, through which she was involved in the Laurel Awards. She was master of ceremonies for the event and has been chairperson the past three years. King will also serve on SMC’s Networking Committee and Web site Committee and has served on the Realtor/Builder Tradeshow Committee.
All of these time-consuming activities are just a small part of King’s life. Her real passion is nowhere near the office.
“I still, on a daily basis, remind myself that work is not what life is all about,” said King.
Instead, life for King is about Ashlyn.
“If I am not working, I am spending quality time with Ashlyn,” said King. “She is absolutely the love of my life. I love being a mom.”
Both are active in their church and with Ashlyn’s school, Thunderbolt Elementary in Fleming Island. Ashlyn participates in cheerleading, gymnastics, tap dance, jazz and ballet, with much encouragement from her biggest fan — mom.
Between juggling the office and motherly duties, King participates in charities such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Builder’s Care Adopt-a-Grandma and the daniel home.
With all the roles and responsibilities the 26-year-old King handles, she views herself as a success.
“I am a testament that you can be an independent, single mom and a working businesswoman,” she said.