West Chester East High School graduate Charles Swope Jr. is the Broker of Record/CEO of Swope Lees Commercial Real Estate, LLC, a West Chester-based brokerage and consulting firm that operates regionally in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Swope, who began working as a laborer during the summer when he was nine years old, earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Washington College in Chestertown, Md., and a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He credits Senya Isayeff of Alliance Environmental Systems with having the biggest impact on his career.

“I met Senya by accident at an annual shareholders meeting for First National Bank of Chester County,” said Swope. “We spoke, and he offered me an internship at his company. He also offered me a position at his company after college at a time when my father’s life was coming to an end. I worked for Senya for about two years, and he has remained a very close friend and mentor to me. In some respects, he has filled in some of the gaps that are the result of me losing my father at a relatively young age.”

Swope’s proudest professional achievement is being able to mold the next generation of real estate professionals.

“It’s satisfying to mentor our new agents – our newbies – and help them become productive professionals and create livelihoods,” he said. “Of course, it goes without saying that executing on our client’s objectives and seeing them achieve their goals is also very rewarding.”

Swope enjoys a variety of ethnic food, so his favorite Chester County restaurant depends on the mood he’s in.

“I love spicy Chinese, Greek, Mediterranean, sushi, Indian, etc.,” he said. “A few favorites are Mama Wong in Exton and Bluefin Eaglview.”