Jeff and Chip: The Untold Story

Jeff Smith, Director of SEO 

Originally from the east coast, Jeff started his career in vacation rentals in 2003 with CyberRentals.com (one of the HomeAway sites).  He then moved to Austin in 2005 and has worked on the HomeAway Search Engine Optimization(SEO) team for nearly four years.  This avid music fan knows all the right keywords to make any subject appear at the top of the search results in Google. 

Do you own a vacation rental property? 
Unfortunately, I don’t own a vacation rental - yet.

What is your favorite vacation rental memory and why?
A week in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard a couple years ago. The week was a quintessential vacation rental experience, with friends and family popping in for a few days, fresh seafood, a catamaran sail, and plenty of beach time. And the house seemed to be haunted.

What is your favorite thing about working for HomeAway?
Opportunity

What type of vacation destination best describes your personality?
Mountains because you can experience many perspectives.

What’s one thing you want to share about yourself?
I think music is the best.

If you could pick one other person to come with you on this road trip, who would it be and why?
If he were alive, I’d bring Jerry Garcia.

Chip Alvord, Product Manager

Chip joined the HomeAway team from AOL in August 2008.  When he's not at work racing to release new features or design updates on the HomeAway sites, he's at home chasing around his three kids while watching the Alabama Crimson Tide games.     

Do you own a vacation rental property?
I do not personally own a vacation rental property, but my family has owned one since the late 70’s in Duck, North Carolina.  We generally have a full summer with 90% of of travelers being return guests.

What is your favorite thing about working for HomeAway?
The team aspect.  I love working with smart people that have a common goal and can have a good time while working hard! 

What type of vacation destination best describes your personality? 
Beach vacation – relaxed.

What other travel sites do you find useful when planning your own vacations and why?
Google – Need the maps :)

What’s one thing you want share about yourself?
Roll Tide!!

If you could pick one other person to come with you on this road trip, who would it be and why?
Bruce Springsteen – simply the best.

Thanks for checking out our site-- hope to see you on the road!