John DeArmond
About John
John DeArmond serves as an Advisor with Stirling commercial real estate team, working from the company’s Baton Rouge office.
Before joining Stirling, John established two car wash locations in Gonzales and Prairieville. After five years in business, he helped facilitate the sale of both locations. His experience prior to that was in automotive sales.
A native of Gonzales, LA, John graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
He, his wife, and two daughters reside in Geismar, LA, where he is a graduate of the Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program: Leadership Ascension. This program is designed to develop responsible and informed community leaders.
Andrew Dickman
About Andrew
Andrew Dickman is a Senior Advisor with Stirling Properties, based in the firm’s Daphne, Alabama office. Since launching his commercial real estate career in 2008, Andrew has developed extensive experience across multiple sectors of the industry and has worked with Stirling Properties since 2015.
Andrew’s work focuses on raw land sales and development, retail site selection and acquisition, and the ground‑up development of commercial projects. He also provides strategic guidance in investment sales, landlord and tenant representation, and the disposition of retail and restaurant properties. His broad market knowledge and hands‑on approach allow him to deliver tailored solutions that support clients’ long‑term growth and investment goals.
He is an active member of ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) and the Retail Brokers Network (RBN). Andrew graduated from Indiana State University.
Jim Dowling
About Jim
Jim Dowling, SIOR, is a Senior Advisor/Associate Broker with Stirling having over 35 years of extensive experience in brokerage, leasing, development, acquisition and disposition of all types of land and commercial, industrial and investment properties. His focus is on all types and sizes of urban, suburban and rural land and commercial and industrial buildings including retail, office, food service, medical, warehouse, distribution, service and manufacturing.
Jim has extensive experience in site searches, evaluations and acquisitions, land assemblage, feasibility studies, property valuations, highest and best use determinations, rezoning, land development, build-to-suit, and real estate investment acquisitions. Jim has been a licensed real estate broker in Louisiana for over 35 years.
He is a member of ICSC, SIOR (Society of Office and Industrial Realtors), Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, and member of Louisiana Commercial Database (LACDB). Jim attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, and is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.
Austin Earhart
About Austin
With over 28 years of experience in commercial real estate, Earhart has become one of the region’s foremost retail experts specializing in tenant and landlord representation, lease negotiation, site selection, and dispositions for local and national retailers. He has been a multi-million-dollar producer in Louisiana and regularly closes deals in all aspects of commercial properties, including industrial, office, land, and investment sales.
Austin has received numerous awards and honors and outpaces the competition with several records to his credit. He has developed an innovative information system for tenants (over 50,000) and retail spaces that allows him to provide a one-of-a-kind service to his clients.
Notable clients include Lowe’s, Whitney Hancock Bank, Chase, FedEx Kinko’s, , Dutch Bros, Best Buy, Walgreens, Papa Johns, CarMax, Slim Chickens, RPM Pizza, Aspen Dental, and Hobby Lobby. He holds the prestigious Certified Retail Real Estate Professional (CRRP) designation and is a CCIM candidate. He attended the University of Mississippi and is a regularly published writer as a retail expert in national trade magazines.
Business Affiliations
- Retail Brokers Network (RBN)
- ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities)
- National Association of Realtors (NAR)
- Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors (GBRAR)
- Core Net Global
- Commercial Investment Division (CID), Past Board Member
Justin Elliott
Advisor
CONNECT ON
About Justin
Justin Elliott brings a solid foundation in commercial real estate to his role as an Advisor with Stirling’s Baton Rouge team. Before joining Stirling, he gained hands-on experience at NIA Earle Furman and built early industry insight through both his professional work and his studies at Louisiana State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Communication and is an active member of the student real estate association.
Justin is licensed as a broker in North Carolina (2023) and as a salesperson in Louisiana (2025), allowing him to work across multiple markets as he grows his practice. He is known for his professionalism, drive, and ability to connect with people. His experience also includes working with the LSU men’s basketball team, which strengthened his teamwork, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Justin approaches every assignment with focus and energy, aiming to help clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Joe Gardner
About Joe
Joe Gardner is a seasoned commercial real estate broker with a career spanning over a decade, marked by significant achievements and contributions to the industry. He embarked on his journey in 2008 at Stirling, where he honed his skills and established a solid foundation in the dynamic world of commercial real estate. Specializing in retail properties, Joe has become a prominent figure in the field, known for his expertise in landlord representation, particularly in shopping center leasing and development.
With a keen eye for market trends and a deep understanding of client needs, Joe has successfully navigated both local and nationwide tenant representation, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate for his clients. His dedication to excellence and commitment to delivering results have consistently positioned him as a top performer in the industry.
Joe’s educational background is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. He graduated from Southeast Louisiana University in 2007, laying the groundwork for his future success. In 2015, he further solidified his expertise by obtaining the prestigious CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation, a testament to his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe Gardner has a proud and honorable military background. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Enterprise, where he demonstrated unwavering dedication and courage. His service was recognized with the prestigious National Defense Medal, highlighting his selfless commitment to his country and his fellow servicemen.
