CDS Alumni Update: Jarrod Smith '13

The foundation for Jarrod Smith's career was built long before he entered the commercial real estate industry. After graduating from CDS in 2013, he attended the University of Florida, where he majored in finance with a minor in real estate and served as Administrative Vice President of Delta Tau Delta. It didn't take long for Jarrod to recognize how well CDS had prepared him for college.

"The challenging nature of the coursework coupled with the attentive, caring, and thoughtful teachers and administrators prepared me not only for college, but also in my career," Jarrod said. "The coursework was challenging, but looking back I am grateful for the level of education I received."

In fact, he found the transition to college smoother than expected, crediting the rigor of the IB Diploma Programme with giving him the confidence to embrace new opportunities. One of those opportunities came during his junior year, when a conversation with Former CDS Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dan Peek, introduced him to the world of commercial real estate.

Through Dan, Jarrod secured a summer internship with HFF, where he gained experience working across multiple property types, including hotels and apartment communities. The internship led to a full-time position as an analyst specializing in multifamily properties. When HFF was acquired by JLL in 2021, Jarrod continued to expand his expertise, learning every aspect of the business, from creating professional pitch presentations to building client relationships. One of those relationships ultimately led him to his current role as Director of Development at Terwilliger Brothers Residential, where he joined the company in the spring of 2022. Working on a small team has allowed him to gain hands-on experience throughout the development process, including securing land, cultivating investment partnerships, and managing multifamily residential projects from the ground up.

Reflecting on his time at CDS, Jarrod appreciates both the opportunities and the community that helped shape his future.

"My time at CDS was very memorable and made a lasting impact on who I am now," he said. "The ability to get involved and knowing that there would be support for you in whatever endeavor you may choose; being in the classroom or an extracurricular. I was able to broaden my horizons with coursework I had originally thought would not interest me, and also hone my skills in areas I was deeply interested in."

Some of his favorite memories include watching the school grow throughout his four years, from taking classes in portable buildings as a freshman to graduating in the new theater as a senior. He also fondly remembers the close friendships formed on the football team.

"I still stay in touch and see many of my teammates on a regular basis," Jarrod said. "I'll never forget how exciting it was having the news station come to our school for a pep rally before our first playoff game."

Another meaningful tradition was participating in the school's first Patriot Buddies program.

"Our class was one of the first to have Patriot Buddies, and as such, our Patriot Buddies recently graduated!" he said. "It was a surreal experience to see my Patriot Buddy, Vasily, (whom I hadn't seen since he was in first grade!) all grown up and receive his Patriot Buddy. I hope you're enjoying elementary school, Lincoln!"

From the classrooms of CDS to leading development projects across the region, Jarrod's journey reflects the power of curiosity, preparation, and opportunity. We are proud to celebrate all he has accomplished and look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.