The Harbert College is committed to developing graduates who are highly-skilled, professionally prepared, confident, ethical, and globally-minded.

Jeff Sweet

Hometown:
Jacksonville, FL

Currently Reside:
Jacksonville, FL

Prior Education:
Clemson University, Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Current Employment:
BB&T Bank as a Portfolio Manager.  Job responsibilities include prospecting new loan opportunities, underwriting new deals & presenting to loan committee for requested approval, tracking actual performance vs. projections.  

Why did you choose the Auburn Executive Master of Real Estate Development program? 

I choose Auburn MRED because I wanted to become more aware of the full real estate development process.  In banking, we are introduced to the project after all approvals and permits, engineering and architecture, and final construction bids are in place to start construction.  I wanted to gain further knowledge of the process leading up to the financing request including site analysis, planning process, zoning and community interactions, sustainable construction, etc.  I believe this will make me a much better banker and will allow me to better provide insights and understanding of our developer clients. 

As you conclude your first week of residency, how would you describe the experience?

My key takeaway from the first week is the amazing experience the cohort brings to the table.  My fellow classmates bring many years of experience in their respective fields in real estate development, and it is truly an amazing experience to hear their perspective on cases and deals we are discussing.  We are not here to just learn from the professor; much of the learning comes from our discussions and interactions with our classmates.  I am very excited for the next two years.

When we can welcome you and your cohort to campus, what are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to meeting my cohort in person.  We were all introduced via Zoom, but there is nothing quite like meeting everyone in person.  We all come from different backgrounds and experiences, and I cannot wait until we are all together to share experiences with one another.  

What do you hope to achieve through the Auburn Executive MBA program?

Beyond the technical real estate analysis & development skills we will learn in the classroom, I hope to achieve a network of real estate professionals that are all out to help one another.  I can clearly see that our cohort is going to become very closely connected over the next two years, and I am very excited to grow these relationships.  

About the Executive Master of Real Estate Development Program:

Real estate development is a complex process, and to be successful, we believe developers need the creativity of designers, the discipline of planners, the understanding of contractors, the knowledge of financiers and the savvy of business managers. Auburn’s Executive Master of Real Estate Development Program is designed around this premise. A collaboration between the Harbert College of Business and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, the curriculum connects academic concepts and theories with practical, real-world application. Our faculty has substantial real estate experience, and the program draws upon the expertise of practicing professionals. With each new incoming class, we build a cohort that leverage the skills and experiences of each of our students to the benefit of all. This mix is the cornerstone of Auburn’s executive education process, and it transforms the cohort into a collaborative community.