The name is somewhat misleading. Skinner Bros. Realty is not a band of brothers, but a father-and-son team. NEFBA third vice president A. Chester Skinner IV “Chet” is the son of company founder A. Chester Skinner III “Chip”. The two of them, along with administrative assistant Norma Aspinall, comprise Skinner Bros. Realty, a company that provides consulting, brokerage and development services to tenants, investors and landowners. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting and marketing of undeveloped real estate, and it represents individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.
When Chip Skinner started Skinner Bros. Realty in 1999, the company’s focus was exclusively commercial. Having served as a vice president of a publicly traded REIT – Regency Centers – for 17 years, the senior Skinner applied his extensive experience and expertise to corporate office, industrial and retail projects. When Chet joined the firm in 2008, he rounded out the firm’s reach with his experience and interest in the residential arena.
“I always wanted to work with my father,” Chet said. “We have a fantastic relationship, and I knew this was the place for me.” However, the road to that goal was not a straight path.
Chet graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., shortly after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The job market for an economics major was dismal, to say the least.
“I applied and interviewed for jobs in Charlotte, Birmingham, Atlanta and Jacksonville.” Chet said. “The interview would go well and they would suggest I'd be a great fit, but with so much uncertainty lingering, they had no idea what was ahead for their companies.”
It was at that time his father gave him some good advice.
“Dad told me to go do something I really wanted to do that I would never have the chance to do again. He told me once I took on career responsibilities, I wouldn’t have that same opportunity. So, I moved to Wyoming to work on a ranch.”
It was a young man’s dream, and Chet had the time of his life. However, it ended abruptly when a horse-related accident left him with a broken collarbone. He returned to Jacksonville, and his father gave him another piece of advice.
“Dad suggested I work with him for a while to get some experience, to get my feet wet,” Chet said. “One of our clients was Whataburger. After helping them find store locations in Jacksonville, they offered me a position with their real estate team at a time when they were just beginning to open stores throughout the state. It was somewhat of a trial-by-fire opportunity, but it proved to be an invaluable experience.”
With that kind of land acquisition under his belt, Chet was a prime candidate for residential builder Pulte Homes. Then-division president of Pulte, David Smith, offered Chet what was to become the defining position of his career.
“I found my niche on the residential side,” Chet said. “I was learning something new every day and took interest in the land planning and development side of real estate. Before long, I was able to take on added responsibilities.”
As the residential market began to cool, like most builders, Pulte began to downsize. With the reductions in staff, Chet took on responsibilities in entitlements and strategic marketing.
It was while he was working at Pulte that Chet first became involved with NEFBA.
“I was drawn to the association’s passion and its influence in the community,” he said. “NEFBA cares about moving the city forward and its members are committed to working toward that goal. I wanted to be a part of that.”
He joined the association in 2007 and was named to NEFBA’s board of directors the following year. That same year, Pulte closed its real estate division, leaving Chet without a job but he continued his involvement with NEFBA and soon returned to work with his father at Skinner Bros.
“I had always planned to work with my dad again at some point,” he said. “Circumstances simply hastened that move. So, when Dad talked to me about coming back to work with him, it was an easy decision. I wanted to be able to bring added value to the business when I came back. I believe my seven years of high-quality experience enabled me to do that, including adding a residential component to the business.”
Chet credits his father with teaching him “how business should be done.”
“It’s comforting to know he’s in the next room. He has an incredible understanding of the business, from the technical aspects to relationship building to the moral and ethical issues we face. I learn something new from him every day.”
Having settled back in at Skinner Bros. Realty, Chet also serves on the Executive Committee for NEFBA and is involved in the decision-making process of the organization's operations.
Chet acknowledges his many blessings and is grateful for them, particularly family. In addition to Chet's wife, Sarah, and their four children, the close-knit Skinner family includes his parents, three siblings (a twin sister and a younger sister and brother), and their spouses and children.
Chet and Sarah met at church when he returned to Jacksonville after his stay in Wyoming. Chet said he married the love of his life, and they celebrated their 8-year wedding anniversary in July. Marshall and Landon, the couple’s first set of twins, were born in March 2009. Their second set, a boy and a girl, Tyler and Raegan, were born earlier this year.
“God has been very faithful to us,” Chet said. “I see His hand in all aspects of my life. He provides strength and grace for each day.”
Chet says his ideal day would be spent with his family, either at the beach or in the woods. He enjoys spending as much time outside as possible, whether at the beach, playing golf, hunting or playing basketball.
Along with his enthusiasm for his family, his church and his work, Chet continues to contribute time and effort to the industry through his activities with NEFBA.
“NEFBA plays a vital role in the industry’s future,” he said. “It continues to be one of the strongest associations in the country, and I believe it’s because the members are dedicated, strong and committed to the collective charge forward. NEFBA has continued to triumph through the both peaks and valleys of the business, which motivates me to be more involved and contribute where I can. NEFBA has more than survived, and I believe it will emerge stronger than ever.”
And when it does, Chet Skinner will be among the leaders at the head of the parade.