MEET THE TEAM
ROB SMITH
he/him
REALTOR®
Team Leader & Listing Specialist
Rob Smith is a highly skilled real estate agent with a passion for homes and helping people achieve their real estate goals. He has extensive experience in home renovation and restoration, having personally restored multiple historic properties in the Atlanta area, earning recognition from media outlets such as the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, This Old House magazine, and BobVila.com, as well as appearing on HGTV's "Generation Renovation." Rob has a reputation for going above and beyond for his clients, developing creative marketing strategies, negotiating deals, and even getting hands-on with home repairs to ensure that each property is in top condition. He is truly dedicated to serving his community and helping people find their dream homes.
Rob holds a BS in Communications from the University of Tennessee, and is a member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.
Rob has called Grant Park home for over twenty years, along with his husband, Carl, and cat Tux.
PAULA THOMAS
she/her
REALTOR®
Buyer Specialist
Paula Thomas has loved homes since childhood when she would sketch out floor plans for her dream house. She later pursued her passion for interior design by studying at the University of Georgia and has spent the last two decades working in the industry. Her experience in interior design translates well into her current career in real estate, where she helps buyers visualize their perfect home. In her first year as an agent, she was named Rookie of the Year in her office of 252 agents, and was later named a top producer by the Atlanta Realtors Association. She was also inducted into the Keller Williams Luxury segment in 2022 and named to the Associate Leadership Council in 2023.
In her free time, Paula enjoys spending time with her family and dog, and is highly involved in her community through the Grant Park Parents Network, the Ormewood Church, and local schools.
Having lived in the Grant Park area for over twenty years, Paula is an Atlanta-area native, and currently lives in Ormewood Park with her two children and Becca the yorkie, AKA the neighborhood greeter.
CORY KLOSE
he/him
Director of Operations
Cory Klose is a highly accomplished and driven administrator with a wealth of experience in both corporate and nonprofit management. Prior to his work with The Rob Smith Team, Cory was a Senior Partner at Valiant Marketing, where he headed the Creative Team and oversaw numerous successful campaigns. He also served as Executive Director of MINT, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the arts, and was Director of Operations at The Santa Fe Desert Chorale, one of the nation's most prestigious professional chamber choirs. With his exceptional track record and unwavering dedication to excellence, Cory is excited to continue driving The Rob Smith Team to new heights of success.
In addition to his career in real estate, Cory is also a sought-after soloist and professional ensemble singer in the United States, with singing described as “poignant...with sincerity and unforced beauty” (The Times, London), “elegant” (Cape Cod Times), and “emotionally devastating” (Boston Music Intelligencer). He can also be heard on many acclaimed choral recordings including as a soloist on Skylark’s 2019 GRAMMY® Award-nominated album “Seven Words from the Cross”.
Cory has called Atlanta home since 2017, living in Druid Hills with his husband, Andrew, and their two dogs, Atticus and Pickles.
ERIC FERRARO
he/him
Listing Manager
Eric Ferraro's background in hospitality and exceptional experience make him a standout as the Listing Manager for The Rob Smith Team. He is a trusted partner for clients during the buying and selling process, and is dedicated to building loyalty and growing the client base through innovative strategies. Eric's quick learning and understanding of new technologies enhance his effectiveness in this role, and he is highly regarded for his ability to incorporate these technologies into his work.
Eric has managed multiple highly-acclaimed restaurants in Boston and Atlanta, including Barcelona Wine Bar & Gypsy Kitchen. This experience has given him the unique ability to not only manage any project, but also provide excellent communication, set clear expectations, and solve problems quickly and efficiently.
Eric has lived in Atlanta since 2017 and resides in North Midtown.