40 Under 40 Alumni Spotlight: Jeff Childs, 2005

Then: Real estate sales broker, Rankin Co.
Now: Senior adviser, SVN/Rankin Co.

For Jeff Childs, real estate – specifically in the commercial and industrial fields – is a passion.

In his role as a senior adviser with SVN/Rankin Co., Childs, who has worked in real estate for 32 years, says he finds satisfaction meeting the needs of his clients.

“I like the fact that you can see something from start to finish,” he says. “Quite frankly, I’ve been doing it since I was literally right out of college.

“I don’t really know if I know how to do anything else,” he says with a laugh.

Childs, 56, says he now has more help in the office, as his daughter, Hannah, who is a certified public accountant, came on board last year to serve as director of operations.

Outside the office, Childs serves as vice chair for the Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation Board of Directors, and he’ll become its chair in July. He’s also past chair of the boards for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and City Utilities of Springfield.

Advice to young professionals? Show up every day ready to work, and be consistent in what you’re doing.