Chip Watts

Chip Watts, CPM, CCIM, is the 2021 President of IREM (the Institute of Real Estate Management). He’s also president and executive CPM for Watts Realty Co. Inc., AMO, in Birmingham, Ala.

Chip began his real estate career in 1998 as general manager of Watts Realty, and earned his current title in 2006. During his tenure, he received the AMO accreditation on behalf of the company. Watts earned his CPM designation in 2004 and his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation in 2002. He served as the 2008 president of IREM’s Alabama chapter and the 2009 president of the CCIM Institute’s Alabama chapter.

Watts served for two years as an IREM regional vice president. He also chaired the IREM Chapter Leadership Forum, the AMO Taskforce, and has been a long-time member of the IREM Governing Council. Also in 2008, Watts was honored by the Birmingham Association of REALTORS with its “REALTOR of the Year” award and served as its president in 2014. He also served as a trustee to the University of Alabama Center for Real Estate Board for 10 years, happily wearing his Auburn orange and blue on the Alabama campus!

Along with his professional affiliations, Watts is very involved in his community. Over the past 20 years, he’s been active in the YMCA of Greater Birmingham, currently serving as a Board Member, and was honored by the organization as its 2007 “Adult Volunteer of the Year.” Watts takes great pride in this civic service, as his family’s been involved for generations with both the YMCA in Alabama, and the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina. He received the YMCA's highest volunteer award by becoming a member of the prestigious Order of the Red Triangle in 2012.

In 2007, Watts’ family company turned 100 and received the Centennial Award from Birmingham, something that Watts, as the 4th generation president, is very proud of. Watts is a member of the IREM Alabama chapter.

IREM Watts Realty Company