Jeff Gustafson: Building Culture Through Values And Vision

Jeffrey R. Gustafson is the President and Partner of R & D Realty & Management Ltd., established in 1973. R & D manages over 400 units, and its partners collectively own more than 380 residential properties in the Chicago suburbs.

Jeff began his real estate career in 1985, helping his parents manage family-owned units while studying Finance and Economics at Elmhurst College, where he earned his B.S. in 1990. During this time, he also founded JRG Midwest Snow Removal, which grew to over 100 accounts before he sold it in 1998.

After college, Jeff obtained his real estate license and began expanding the family portfolio, purchasing multifamily properties and forming J.E.R. & Associates with his father and brother in 1994. Under his leadership as President since 1997, R&D grew significantly, diversifying into condo management and laundry leasing.

In 2017, Jeff and his business partner Alan Rose expanded to Florida, acquiring and renovating 256 units in Palm City and later 172 units in Stuart. Today, Jeff oversees more than 800 units across Illinois and Florida.

He lives with his wife Karen and their five children, serves as a Trustee and Board Member of the Stuart Martin County Chamber, and enjoys golf and boating in his free time.

In this episode, Philip and Jeff Gustafson discuss: 

• Leading with humility and example
• Building culture through core values
• Growing through mentorship and perseverance
• Pivoting with purpose and community

Lightbulb Moments:

• True leadership begins with hands-on experience and empathy for every role. When leaders model the behavior they expect from others, they create trust, respect, and a culture of shared responsibility.
• Healthy organizations thrive when their values are defined, displayed, and lived out daily. Consistent reflection and open dialogue help teams align decisions and behaviors with what truly matters.
• Investing in coaching and relationships fuels personal and organizational growth. With the right guidance, positive mindset, and steady persistence, leaders can overcome challenges and keep improving.
• Strategic change requires wisdom, preparation, and local engagement. When leaders plan carefully, build trust, and support their community, both the business and its people grow stronger.

“Culture is something that you have to continue to work on daily and reinforce it.” - Jeff Gustafson

Connect with Jeff Gustafson: 

Website: https://www.r-drealty.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-gustafson-85031519/

Other Resources: https://www.serenitystuart.com/ & https://www.coquinacoveapts.com/.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}