Barry R. Smith, SIOR, CCIM

President

Barry R. Smith is co-founder and President of Eakin Partners, specializing in office leasing and building sales in the Nashville market.

Smith has been active in the Nashville commercial real estate market for over 35 years and has successfully negotiated office building leases totaling approximately 5 million SF. Smith graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Marketing and Labor Relations. Prior to forming Eakin Partners with company Chairman John Eakin, Barry was Executive Vice President and Principal of Grubb & Ellis/Centennial Inc.

While he was with Grubb & Ellis, Smith ranked in the top 20 of more than 2,000 brokers nationwide for three of his last four years there.

He was awarded the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties' (NAIOP) Middle Tennessee Broker of the Year in 2001 and 2006 and was a finalist in years 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014 and again in 2016.

Since 2007, Barry has been involved in leasing and sales transactions valued at more than $750 million. He has coordinated several build-to-suit projects, including FedEx, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., MetLife, MAPCO, Keystone Automotive, Quorum Health Group, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company. Smith has also represented both buyers and sellers in office building purchase transactions. Smith has also represented both buyers and sellers in office building purchase transactions.


Memberships, Recognition, and Community Leadership

  • Member, NAIOP, ULI, SIOR, CCIM
  • Lifetime Member, Million Dollar Sales Club, Greater Nashville Association of Realtors
  • Charter Member, Commercial Investment Division, Greater Nashville Association of Realtors
  • Member, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, Red Cross of Middle Tennessee

Past Memberships, Recognition, and Community Leadership

  • Nashville Business Journal Power Leaders Commercial Real Estate 2010-2019
  • CoStar Power Broker 2006-2019
  • NAIOP 2016 & 2018 Middle TN Broker Team of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2016 Middle TN Office Lease of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2014 Middle TN Broker of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2013 Development of the Year
  • NAIOP 2012 Nashville Office Lease of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2012 Middle TN Broker of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2011 Middle TN Broker of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2008 Middle TN Broker of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2007 Middle TN Broker of the Year (Finalist)
  • NAIOP 2006 Middle TN Broker of the Year
  • NAIOP 2005 Nashville Office Lease of the Year
  • NAIOP 2004 Nashville Largest Lease Transaction
  • NAIOP 2001 Middle TN Broker of the Year
  • Grubb & Ellis Circle of Excellence 1998-2001
  • Past Board Member, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
  • Past Board Member, Community Resource Center