E
llis Gardner, president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors (GCR), credits his engineering background for helping him succeed in real estate. "An engineer is trained to be a problem-solver," he says. "And in real estate, if you can't solve a problem, you don't make the sale." Growing up with four brothers who were standout athletes and engineers, Gardner learned competitiveness, work ethic, and perseverance from his family.

    Gardner's mother sold World Book encyclopedias after her divorce to support their education. Two of his older brothers earned athletic scholarships, and all three completed engineering degrees. After high school, Gardner was a 6-foot-5, 215-pound offensive lineman who turned down an offer from University of Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology instead.

    Gardner distinguished himself in college, earning Academic All-American honors twice and graduating with a 3.5 average. He played 17 games in the NFL before deciding it was time for a change due to a torn muscle that cost him the 1985 season. He left football behind and pursued his chosen career as an engineer.

    Gardner earned his professional engineer's license and worked with rural electric utilities, later joining Scientific Atlanta in sales. During this time, his wife Kathy graduated from law school and accepted a job in Chattanooga, where they eventually settled in 1991. Gardner became a stay-at-home dad for two years before starting his real estate career in 2000.

    With over 20 years of experience in residential real estate, Gardner has earned 13 industry certifications and several designations. He is currently building a sales team to help younger agents succeed. As president of GCR, he prioritizes engaging newer members and increasing their leadership development.