Forty Under 40: Keri Barber

Keri Barber had already closed on $16 million worth of real estate sales through mid-July, more than quadruple the $3.22 million she did in all of 2003. But she only sold for two months last year.nHer goal is to reach the $40 million-$50 million range and become the highest grossing agent in Arkansas.nA former athlete with a love for competition, Barber said the work ethic she learned from her father, banker Johnny Chambers, is behind her success.nBarber graduated in 1998 from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She also studied theater in London through the UA and after graduation won an internship at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C. nShe joined Merck Pharmaceuticals in 1998 as a regional sales professional in Northwest Arkansas. After having a baby in 2002, she started taking real estate classes. Local Realtor Patsy Chance inspired Barber to join the business, and now Chance has joined Dallas Real Estate.nBarber said she loves the creativity involved in seeing a property through the design, development, construction and delivery phases. She volunteers for a variety of charities including Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas. n