The only girl of four children, her mother, Mary Grieb, called her, “Her rose among the thorns”.  Cheryl’s mother, a local businesswoman, was quit influential in her life.  After the sudden death of Cheryl’s father, a NJ Police Officer, her Mom was left to raise four kids, ages 10 months, 4 years, 10 years and 12 years old, on her own.  Her Mother moved the family to Florida where she worked hard to make ends meat.  Eventually her Mother gave Real Estate a try and became very successful, purchasing her own real estate company in 1981.  This is the same company, Pioneer Realty of Poinciana, which Cheryl bought in 1991.  Cheryl also opened Olde Kissimmee Realty, Inc. in 1999, the year she was named “Realtor of the Year”.  She continues to run this business today.  Being raised by a strong woman who believed in giving back to her community, Cheryl too inherited these traits. 

The only girl of four children, her mother, Mary Grieb, called her, “Her rose among the thorns”.  Cheryl’s mother, a local businesswoman, was quit influential in her life.  After the sudden death of Cheryl’s father, a NJ Police Officer, her Mom was left to raise four kids, ages 10 months, 4 years, 10 years and 12 years old, on her own.  Her Mother moved the family to Florida where she worked hard to make ends meat.  Eventually her Mother gave Real Estate a try and became very successful, purchasing her own real estate company in 1981.  This is the same company, Pioneer Realty of Poinciana, which Cheryl bought in 1991.  Cheryl also opened Olde Kissimmee Realty, Inc. in 1999, the year she was named “Realtor of the Year”.  She continues to run this business today.  Being raised by a strong woman who believed in giving back to her community, Cheryl too inherited these traits.  

Her local involvement has included starting the current Osceola Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, serving nine years on the Osceola Parks and Recreation Committee, holding various positions at the Osceola County Association of Realtors, Chairman of the Smart Growth Council for the Florida Association of Realtors, and past Chair for the Downtown Area Council of the Chamber of Commerce to name a few.

 In 1995, Cheryl decided to give back to her community in the greatest way possible, run for local office.  She embarked on a mission to become a City Commissioner for the City of Kissimmee in order to improve the Quality of Life for all Kissimmee residents.  In the Primary Election, six votes forced a run off election, which she was successful at winning in the General Election.  

Since that election, Cheryl has been influential in the redevelopment of Historic Downtown Kissimmee voting on projects such as, City Centre as a CRA Commissioner, the 25 million dollar renovation of the Kissimmee Lakefront Park, various streetscape projects and ordinances that have helped to keep the downtown businesses looking good. “Having a strong core is essential to build out from in any City”.

Her current focus is the redevelopment of Hwy 192.  Prior to her election, Cheryl was on the original task force that first looked at this corridor and recognized the need for redevelopment.  “Redevelopment of the 192 corridor is vital to the economic turn around of Kissimmee”, Grieb states.  You can go to www.RedevelopVineStreet.com to view current plans.  One of the next steps is to consider various funding options to help create incentives for certain types of development.  This may come in the form of a CRA, which Grieb supports, as this does not create a new tax burden on the property owner but rather uses existing taxes and the future tax increment.

Then in June of 2007 tragedy struck.  This 9th day in June was supposed to be the 40th Birthday party of Cheryl.  Over 100 people were coming from all over to celebrate.  Her mom was on her way from Jupiter with her brother and sister-in-law when she suddenly had an asthma attack on I-95.  Her brother called 911 and met the ambulance at the next exit.  Apparently the asthma attack triggered a heart attack and too her mother’s life.  What was supposed to be a joyous occasion was soon shattered.  The party was cancelled and replaced by phone calls to friends & relatives and many arrangements for her mother’s funeral.  In memory of her mother, Cheryl coordinated the 1st annual Kiss-im-mee which benefits the American Heart Association.  The event raised over $5,000 for the charity which helps to prevent heart disease which claimed the lives of both her parents.  Cheryl also participates in the 1st annual walk in downtown Kissimmee.  She shared with the group about her mom’s story to raise funds for the charity as well.  Her mom’s spirit lives on within Cheryl in all she does in the community.  We applaud people in the community, like Cheryl, who strive to “Make a Difference”.