Eric Pfeifer Wins 2025 Community Service Award — Record Eighth Honor for Sanibel & Captiva REALTOR®

In 2025, Eric Pfeifer, Broker and Owner of Pfeifer Realty Group, was honored with the Community Service Award for the eighth time — a milestone unmatched by any real estate professional in the history of Sanibel or Captiva Islands. Presented by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS®, this award recognizes exceptional civic involvement and sustained community leadership.

Eric’s record-setting achievement reflects more than volunteer hours — it represents decades of hands-on leadership, public service, youth mentorship, post-storm recovery innovation, and a deep commitment to strengthening island life for future generations.

A Legacy of Consistent Community Leadership

The Community Service Award is peer-recognized and honors REALTORS® who demonstrate extraordinary dedication beyond business success. Earning this distinction eight times places Eric Pfeifer in a category of service leadership that stands apart — not only for longevity, but for scope and impact.

From youth sports and nonprofit leadership to city planning and disaster recovery initiatives, Eric’s approach has remained consistent: invest locally, serve visibly, and lead with purpose.

Civic Leadership on Sanibel

Service on the Sanibel Planning Commission

Eric Pfeifer’s long-standing service on the Sanibel Planning Commission reflects his direct involvement in shaping the island’s growth, land use policies, and preservation priorities. In this role, he has helped guide zoning decisions, development reviews, and community planning strategies that balance environmental protection with responsible progress.

His participation has supported thoughtful infrastructure planning, neighborhood stability, and the long-term sustainability of Sanibel’s unique coastal character.

Appointment to the Sanibel Plan Review Committee

Eric’s leadership was further recognized through his appointment to the Sanibel Plan review committee, a critical advisory body tasked with evaluating updates to the city’s comprehensive plan. This role places him at the center of policy discussions that impact housing, resilience, transportation, environmental stewardship, and community design.

His collaborative and data-driven approach has made him a respected voice in shaping Sanibel’s future direction.

Post-Ian Recovery Leadership: Sanibel Recovery Dashboard

Following Hurricane Ian, Eric partnered with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and local officials to help create the Sanibel Recovery Dashboard — a public-facing platform that tracks rebuilding progress across housing, permitting, utilities, businesses, and infrastructure restoration.

This innovative tool brought transparency and accountability to recovery efforts while helping residents, policymakers, and contractors understand real-time rebuilding trends. The dashboard has become a regional example of how academic partnerships and community leadership can drive smarter disaster recovery.

Championing Volunteerism: Sponsoring the Volunteer Expo

In addition to his advisory and planning roles, Eric has focused on motivating others to give back.

For the second year in a row, Eric Pfeifer and Pfeifer Realty Group served as title sponsor of the Sanibel & Captiva Volunteer Expo, a community event designed to connect residents with local nonprofits, service organizations, conservation groups, and civic programs.

By sponsoring the expo, Eric helped:

  • Increase nonprofit visibility and volunteer recruitment

  • Encourage new residents to become involved

  • Strengthen connections between organizations

  • Promote a culture of island-wide service

The event reflects Eric’s belief that strong communities grow when residents are empowered to contribute — not just consume.

Youth Sports, Nonprofits & Community Programs

Eric’s grassroots involvement includes:

  • Founding Sanibel’s first NFL Youth Flag Football League, giving local children access to organized sports and mentorship

  • Serving as Commissioner of Sanibel Little League

  • Coaching youth baseball and softball programs

  • Long-time leadership in the Sanibel & Captiva Kiwanis Club, including serving as President

  • Supporting conservation, education, housing, health, and cultural nonprofits

  • Hosting and emceeing charity auctions and fundraising events across the islands

These efforts extend his impact across generations — from children’s programs to senior services and environmental stewardship.

What the Eighth Award Represents

Winning the 2025 Community Service Award for the eighth time reflects a rare level of sustained civic engagement. It recognizes Eric’s ability to bridge business leadership with community advocacy — creating meaningful outcomes both inside and outside the real estate industry.

In accepting the honor, Eric shared that community service is not a side project, but a responsibility of island stewardship: helping preserve what makes Sanibel and Captiva special while strengthening the systems that support residents and families.

A Community-Driven Legacy

From shaping long-term planning policy to rebuilding after hurricanes, from mentoring youth to inspiring volunteers, Eric Pfeifer’s record reflects what happens when leadership is rooted in service.

His work demonstrates that real impact comes from showing up consistently, listening carefully, and investing deeply in the place you call home.