20 Under 40: Keith Conlon

Allie Beth Allman & Associates
Education: TCU

If you think being a real estate agent is a tough job in the Dallas industry, try being the general manager of a large firm. Keith Conlon oversees 400 local agents, runs the sales department at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, and manages three offices. He does that all while serving as a board member at the Shelton School, on the advisory committee of Young Chancellor, and as a volunteer with Genesis Women’s Shelter and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. So where exactly did he learn how to be disciplined, have a good work ethic, character, mental toughness, and hard work? Playing professional baseball. “Baseball is a game of failure, and you can get too high or too low, and I felt like mentally, it was very similar to real estate … You have to stay even-keeled at all times.” However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t dream big; the father of two said 10 years from now he would like to become the CEO of Allie Beth Allman & Associates, growing the brand’s footprint by expanding into other markets.

Q: If you could, what advice would you have for your teenage self and why?
A: That just because you have dyslexia, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to accomplish everything you want in life. When I transferred into Highland Park High School from the Shelton School, I was told that I wouldn’t go to a great college because I didn’t take AP classes. However, I graduated with a 3.4 from TCU and was a student-athlete, so I feel like I have overcome some adversity in my life. I was always worried about my future when I was a teen.

Q: What do you love most about the Park Cities?
A: I love how supportive the community is of the schools and the local businesses.

Did you know?
If I could rent his neighbor any movie, it would be the original ‘Karate Kid’ because that movie is greatness.

Q: What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

A: My first job was as a professional baseball player. I never had a formal job till after my baseball career ended, but I learned discipline, work ethic, character, mental toughness, and hard work from playing baseball. Baseball is a game of failure and you can get too high or to low, and I felt like mentality was very similar to real estate. There are some great months and some slow months so you have to stay even keel at all times. I truly believe a lot of my success after college can be attributed to my time at TCU. The daily routine of weights in the morning, class, practice, study hall prepared me for a professional career and taught me how to prepare for the workplace.

Q: Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?

A: I see myself as the CEO of Allie Beth Allman & Associates and growing our brand to other markets. We are currently in Highland Park, East Dallas, and Southlake, and I would like to expand our footprint into some other markets.

Q: What was your “lightbulb moment” that lead you to your career?

A: My family business was commercial real estate and I got my license at the end of 2008, and I fell into residential real estate because there was no cap on how much income you could make. I knew that if I worked hard and became knowledgeable in several key markets I could do well this industry.

Q: Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

A: Patience was a challenge for me. I had to learn to deal with other people’s problems and stay more even keel, and it took me over a year plus to find the right demeanor with dealing with issues.

Q: What is your favorite local store?

A: Pockets Men’s wear

Q: Where is the best place in the Park Cities or Preston Hollow for a power lunch – what do you order?

A: Original Chop shop- Teriyaki bowl

Q: If we looked at your social media accounts, what would we learn about you?

A: That I don’t post a lot and family is the most important thing.

Q: What, to date, has been your most impressive or rewarding accomplishment in both your professional and personal life?

A: December 12, 2015 is my wedding anniversary and that is my most rewarding personal accomplishment

January of 2018 when I was named the General Manager of Allie Beth Allman & Associates.