A familiar name in Arkansas workforce and economic development is taking her experience into a new chapter of the commercial real estate industry.

Charisse Childers has joined Halsey Real Estate as a commercial agent on its Little Rock team.

The move comes as the Jonesboro-based firm builds its presence in Central Arkansas.

Childers has held a real estate license since 1989 and brings approximately 35 years of experience spanning business, education, government and nonprofit work.

A career built around employers and communities

Her most recent public-sector position was director of Workforce Policy and Innovation for the Arkansas Department of Commerce.

Earlier leadership positions included executive director of Accelerate Arkansas, director of the Arkansas Department of Career Education and director of the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.

In the workforce services role, Childers oversaw a statewide network of 54 offices and more than 1,000 employees.

Her responsibilities also gave her experience with leases, office space and other property-related decisions across Arkansas.

That background may be useful in helping businesses weigh the location, workforce and facility needs behind a commercial property decision.

Connecting property and workforce strategy

Commercial real estate involves more than choosing a building that looks right.

Growing businesses may need to consider access to workers, transportation, customer locations, expansion potential and long-term operating costs.

Childers' experience with Arkansas employers and prospective investors provides a different perspective on those decisions.

She has also founded Workforce Solutions Group, a Little Rock consulting firm focused on workforce strategies, talent pipelines and recruitment challenges.

Halsey president and CEO Jerry Halsey welcomed the addition, pointing to her knowledge of Arkansas communities and company growth needs.

Why it matters for Central Arkansas

The appointment follows Halsey's previously announced expansion into the Little Rock commercial property market.

For local business owners, a growing brokerage team can offer additional connections and perspectives when assessing office, retail or other commercial space.

The larger story is how real estate and workforce planning increasingly intersect as companies decide where to grow.

The addition gives 501 Daily readers another example of business-service expansion in the capital region.