This year OED is recognizing and celebrating Frederick County’s young professionals who are leaders in their industry, give back to the community and add significant value to their company and its culture. Join us as we get to know our Top 50 Under 40.
President/ Broker of Record
Frederick Commercial Real Estate
3 N Court St., Frederick
www.Frederick-Commercial.com
Christopher Kline Jr. is a proud Frederickonian and the ninth generation of the Kline family to live in and start a business in Frederick County, Maryland. After five years working as a commercial agent, Chris earned his broker license and established his own firm: Frederick Commercial Real Estate (www.frederick-commercial.com), located in downtown Frederick.
His education and experiences have allowed him to excel in this industry and beyond- Chris possesses the knowledge and aptitude to connect with people from all walks of life, to envision the big picture, comprehend a clients’ vision, and understand his role as he navigates complex and sensitive deals in the best interest of the client. Chris is passionate about supporting and maintaining the well-being and longevity of his hometown. He recognizes the advantages that Frederick has to offer and is committed to making Frederick the best place to live, work, and play.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
My greatest professional accomplishment was representing the buyer who purchased 46 S Market St. and 56-70 S. Market St. These two properties had been neglected since the 1976 flood of downtown Frederick while the rest of Carroll Creek was being developed and beautified in the vibrant downtown food and entertainment district. I felt fortunate to work with a buyer who saw the potential in these properties, and will develop them into mix-use retail/office/apartments. It was rewarding to be a part of this effort and help get these properties into the hands of responsible and motivated owners who saw the potential that I saw.
Name one award you are most proud to have received.
I was recently honored with the 2019 Frederick Real Estate Dealmaker (FRED) “Emerging Deal Maker of the Year” award by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. This recognition was significant for me because I had just opened my firm in January of 2019, making it my first year in business. It felt great to be recognized for my hustle, creative thinking, and commitment to the community as I tried to establish my new business.
What is your experience with volunteering and civic engagement?
My volunteer experience started when I was young. My experiences were elevated to a new level when I joined the US Peace Corps and lived abroad for two years in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania where I worked with high school youth to develop environmental stewardship projects and revamp the community’s defunct recycling program.
Making a positive impact in the community is very important to me. I have been a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, since 2014, where I served on the International committee and participated in several service projects like Oktoberfest and Tour De Frederick. I am a past board member of the Heartly House, past board President of East Frederick Rising, current board member of Downtown Frederick Partnership, and current member of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce.
I became a mentor to an 8-year-old Lincoln Elementary School Student in 2014 and continue to mentor the now, young man, who is 16 years old. I recognize the luck I have been given in life to be a part of my family, and I am cognizant of the fortune that comes with my place in the world. This awareness motivates me to give back to the community; I believe that paying it forward and giving back to others is integral to being successful in both the personal and professional space, and I believe these values also make up the backbone and moral fabric of the Frederick community.
What was your first job?
Working on an asphalt crew for a family business.
What do you like to do for fun in Frederick County?
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Who is your greatest influence?
My father. He's always been my role model and continues to be. He's well respected in the community and within the commercial real estate industry and has always maintained a positive reputation.
What is your favorite leadership book?
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Joseph Covey- because it will help verify whether you have these habits and to what extent they are innate to you. I feel like leaders are born and this is a book that will verify those traits in one's self.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success and why?
Curiosity and creative problem solving. Growing up with severe dyslexia, I had to think outside of the box and because I learned differently from my peers, I was always curious about the way I viewed the world and why I saw it differently from my peers.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself growing my firm to include more agents and associate brokers while continuing to focus on Frederick and making Frederick Commercial Real Estate the "go to" commercial brokerage firm for anyone invested in the Frederick market.