Beverly and Carlos Yepes
Carlos Yepes, who was born in Medellin,
Colombia, traveled to Montana at the age of 17 to learn
English. After visiting St. Petersburg, he decided to
relocate again and attend the University of South
Florida. At age 20, he began investing in real estate and,
over the years, has built more than 200 buildings. Today,
Carlos focuses primarily on retail development projects
in the Tampa Bay area under Belleair Development
Group with his son Christian. Carlos is a lover of exotic
cars and auto racing.
Beverly was born at the Alconbury Royal Air Force
Base in Huntingdon, United Kingdom and lived in St.
Ives. Being in a military family, she spent her childhood
in places like South Carolina, Alabama, Guam and
Virginia and her high school years in Venezuela. She
graduated from Florida State University, has worked
on many commercial and residential design projects
throughout Tampa Bay and is on the board of
Resurrection House. Beverly and Carlos were married
on April 3, 1982 and have raised two children, Tatiana
and Christian. The couple helps support many local
charitable organizations.
At what do you excel?
Beverly: I have a gift for attention to detail and
maybe a curse for perfection.
Carlos: I have always had a knack for seeing what
others don’t and turning lemons into sweet lemonade.
What is your favorite word?
Beverly: Jeepers!
Carlos: Yes.
What provides you with pleasure?
Beverly: I get pleasure from helping others. There are
many opportunities and organizations that fill my heart
with joy when I can help fulfill a need.
Carlos: I value my time with Beverly, but I also get
pleasure seeing a person with difficulties achieve goals.
Here in Pinellas County, we have many organizations,
such as The Free Clinic, Hands 4 Hope, PARC and
The Resurrection House, that help turn obstacles into
opportunities.
How do you relax?
Beverly: I enjoy relaxing on the boat, watching the
sunsets, finding heart-shaped rocks and shells on the
beach, and Shavasana at the end of yoga.
Carlos: I love boating because it gives me the chance
to really unplug. I also enjoy being a part of TRG
Aston Martin Racing, which provides exhilaration
and intensity coupled with close-knit friendships and
relaxation.
156 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
photography by win wolloff
| SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Beverly: I was advised early on to look for the good
in everyone and in everything. This has helped my
perspective and attitude throughout life.
Carlos: Taking the advice to come to the United
States as an exchange student has been a life changing
experience for me.
What don’t people know about you?
Beverly: I cry reading greeting cards.
Carlos: As much as I love real estate development,
I have a greater passion to see the underprivileged
succeed.
What are your favorite words of wisdom?
Beverly: “Whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for the Lord and not for man.”
Colossians 3:23
Carlos: Never give up, regardless of what others
think.
What is your motto?
Beverly: I start each day and end each day giving
thanks with a grateful heart!
Carlos: You can’t put a price tag on what is learned
through experience.
How do you think other people would describe you?
Beverly: I think others see me as caring, giving,
loving and very organized.
Carlos: I think others would describe me as a wise
business person who can identify hard to imagine
opportunities.
What would you like to do that you have never
done?
Beverly: It would be breathtaking to do the famous
zip line in Brazil.
Carlos: When we were in Auckland, New Zealand,
I missed the opportunity to do a crazy freefall from a
630-foot tower, while connected to a cable. Yes, that’s
“high up” on my bucket list.
What would you like to be able to do that you can’t
do?
Beverly: We love ballroom dancing, but I had foot
surgery, so we can no longer dance the way we used to.
I would dance the night away with Carlos if I could.
Carlos: Sing.
What would you title your autobiography?
Beverly: How Can I Help?
Carlos: I Can Do All Things Through Him Who
Strengthens Me.