Greater Chattanooga Realtors is governed by an elected board of directors, and I’m enjoying the cohesiveness and passion among the entire team to serve our members. So, each month, I plan to feature an officer or director to help our community and my fellow Realtors know who else is showing up to serve them.
I’m honored to start these monthly features with president-elect Ellis Gardner, whose diverse background in the NFL and electrical engineering and his profound commitment to the real estate community truly set him apart.
Ellis’ leadership within the Greater Chattanooga Realtors is driven by his passion for education, mentorship and community service, making him a pivotal figure in shaping the future of real estate in Chattanooga. So, I’ve asked him a few questions to get to know him better – his why for serving and his interests.
What did you do before transitioning into this profession?
“As a young man, I played three years in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) and the Indianapolis Colts. A graduate of Georgia Tech, I’m trained as an electrical engineer and still hold a professional engineer’s license. For 12 years before real estate, I was an account manager for Scientific-Atlanta. I traveled to several states, where I sold electronics to power and telephone and cable companies.”
Why did you choose to serve in a leadership capacity for Greater Chattanooga Realtors?
“Before being elected as president-elect, I served on various committees, chaired the Member Service Committee, and served a two-year term on the board. From my early days as the youngest of four brothers and as a freshman college football player, I benefited from the elders who mentored and shepherded the younger ones.
“As I progressed, I was a three-year starter at left offensive tackle and took my place as one of the team elders, helping the first-year students on the field and the campus. Likewise, my experience with Greater Chattanooga Realtors was shaped by mentors like Dot Heggie, Jason Farmer and Steve Champion. It’s now my turn to step forward to lead my fellow members.”
What would you like your fellow Realtors to know that our association offers our members?
“Greater Chattanooga Realtors provides timely education at a subsidized rate, often complementary to members. Most of the courses advance the individual agent’s career with designations and certifications recognized by the National Association of Realtors and distinguish our members as Realtors with extra training specific to buyer representation, seller representation, negotiating and diversity.”
What’s your favorite part of being a Realtor?
“In a word, negotiations. I work primarily with residential buyers and sellers. Selling a home and buying another one is a monumental task, and a home is usually the family’s largest asset. Landing the buyer for a seller or finding the right home at a fair price for a buyer never gets old. I think of it as a problem to be solved and draw on my engineering background, where closing provides the satisfaction of getting the answer right.”
What’s something your fellow Realtors do in the community that you love and want others to know about?
“Realtors are frequently the first people incoming buyers meet when moving to Chattanooga. Our new neighbors might be coming here for a job, to be close to a relative, or to retire into our Scenic City, but they don’t know much about the area, so Realtors serve as Chattanooga’s ambassadors.
“I frequently provide a local history tour as I drive them around town, whether it’s the Civil War historical landmarks, the development of our waterfront or, my favorite, the style evolution of the Hunter Museum from classic old mansion to blocky 60s contemporary to modern metal. It’s art!”
Have you read any recent books you want to share with others?
“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek. The book resonated with me because it gives you permission to rethink a career and make impactful changes without giving up what you have so far.”
Clearly, Ellis embodies the spirit of leadership, dedication and community engagement essential to the real estate industry. His journey from the football field to the boardroom, coupled with his commitment to education and mentorship, inspires us all.
Eliss’ role as a community ambassador and his passion for negotiation highlight the multifaceted nature of real estate professionals and their impact on the communities they serve. In my conversation with Ellis, I’m reminded of the profound influence that dedicated individuals can have on shaping the future of real estate and the communities they help build.
Ellis’s story is a testament to the power of leadership, expertise and community service in driving positive change and fostering growth within the real estate sector. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and board of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a multiple listing service that’s one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 users. Local association membership is comprised of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multi-family, property management and residential. Working alongside Realtors are our affiliate members, who represent related industries in sympathy with the objectives of the association. Our affiliate members include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control and insurance.