Star City Six: Jennifer Kirkland

Realty Works is a third generation, family-owned Lincoln business originally founded in 1957. Key areas of focus for the business include real estate sales, residential property management, homeowners association management, and management of small business commercial property investments. Jennifer Kirkland is the current owner and President of Realty Works (www.realtyworksne.com), in addition to her role as a broker with the company.

Tell us a little about your business. – We are a real estate company that is involved in helping individuals manage their investment properties and helping clients, either investors or homeowners, buy and sell their homes. Our mission is to work hard and treat people right, and to help make Lincoln a better place for all, which is why we rebranded with a name change to Realty Works in 2010. We strive to provide our community members with nice properties to live in and offer workshops and newsletters to help keep those in our community educated about what’s going on in our local market. Involvement in our community is a big part of what our company is all about, along with being at the forefront of what’s going on in the real estate industry. As such, we are involved in numerous local and national business and industry organizations including the National Association of Realtors, Nebraska Realtors Association, Realtors Association of Lincoln, Real Estate Owners and Managers Association of Lincoln, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Independent Business Association, and the East Lincoln Business Association.

How did you get started in the business? – The company was started by my grandparents, and I was motivated to follow in their footsteps due to my family’s continued involvement in real estate. I obtained my real estate salesperson license in 2000, and in 2004 when we moved back to Lincoln, I saw a need for experienced/reputable property management companies and got involved with the company.

Tell us a little about your family. – My husband, Matt, and I have been married for 15 years. We have a total of four children, two of them together. Patrick (27) is working on becoming a high school English teacher. Kaley (25) works for a local doctor’s office. Charlie (11) is headed into Middle School and is active in lacrosse. Lastly, Ted (9) will be in 4th grade and loves soccer.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Marrying Matt in 2001 and then moving back to Lincoln in 2004, where I started managing real estate and growing Realty Works.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – That’s a toss-up between playing golf and lounging around reading a good book.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I was runner-up in the Women’s NAIA Golf Championship in 1999.

Which talent would you most like to have? – Public speaking.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Veterinarian. I’ve always loved animals and at one time, I even took a few classes towards pursuing that as a career.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – In no particular order, CEDARS Home for Children (www.cedars-kids.org), JDRF (jdrf.org/lincoln), Planned Parenthood (www.plannedparenthood.org), and Wildlife Rescue (www.wildliferescueteamincne.org).

What is your favorite TV show? – The Blacklist.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – I can be reached at our office, (402) 483-1214, or they can visit the Realty Works website at www.realtyworksne.com.