Associate Leadership Council (ALC)Â
The Associate Leadership Council (ALC) helps prepare emerging commercial real estate executives to take greater strides in their careers through an intensive program that focuses on civic engagement, industry insight, and leadership development.
Each year, class members participate in a series of monthly program days, networking opportunities, and a capstone project that benefits the Dallas community and demonstrates industry impact.
Please contact Jennifer Schmiel, Senior Director of The Real Estate Council (TREC), with any questions.
Benefits to Participation
Behind-the-scenes access to the City of Dallas
Build a diverse network of peers and senior leaders
Access to C-Suite executive coaching
Deeper understanding of the real estate transaction process
Impact the community through a real estate project
Join the prestigious ALC alumni network
Opportunity to attend FightNight as a class
ALC Class of 2026 Schedule
- November 11, 2025:Â ALC Intro Session #1
- December 3,2025:Â ALC Intro Session #2
- January 9, 2026:Â Applications Close
- First Week of February 2026:Â Class is selected
- February 12, 2026: Chairman’s Reception
- February 27-28, 2026:Â ALC Retreat
- March 27, 2026: Dallas — Past, Present, & Future
- April 24, 2026:Â Leadership Development
- May 15, 2026:Â Economic Engine
- June 12, 2026:Â Healthcare
- June 18, 2026:Â Leadership Lunch
- August 21, 2026:Â Arts & Culture
- September 18, 2026:Â Governance
- September 24, 2026:Â FightNight
- October 6, 2026:Â Leadership Lunch
- October 23, 2026:Â Education
- November 13, 2026:Â Infrastructure
- December 4, 2026:Â Community Investment
- December 9, 2026:Â Graduation
*dates are tentative and subject to change
805
ALC alumni members
$1,723,321
in grants funded through ALC projects
$1,743,597.27
raised in pro-bono services and in-kind donations for ALC class projects
65+
speakers per program
Program Topics
Dallas: Past, Present, and Future
This program day explores the history Dallas was built upon, the strengths and challenges facing our economy and community, and the role each individual plays as a leader in our city.
Previous speakers include: Mike Ablon (PegasusAblon), Jeff Swope (Champion Partners), and former Dallas Mayors Ron Kirk and Thomas C. Leppert
Leadership Development
This program focuses on what it takes to gain confidence as a young leader, leading through periods of adversity and organizational change, and charting one’s rise as an entrepreneur.
Previous speakers include: Lucy Billingsley (Billingsley Company), Bill Cawley (Cawley Partners), Michael Dardick (former founding partner and CEO of Granite Properties), Sarah Hinkley Kennington (Thirty-Four Commercial),
Economic Engine
This program examines our region’s economic health drivers and provides a deep dive on economic development, including negitiating for new development, public incentives, and equitable, inclusive development.
Previous speakers include: Robert Kaplan (former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), Jennifer Scripps (Downtown Dallas Inc.), Eric Griffin (Dallas Regional Chamber)
Health of the City
This program delves into our city’s healthcare systems, innovation within the healthcare industry, and the access Dallas residents have to healthy lifestyle choices through private and publicly-funded services.
Previous speakers include: Steven Love (DFW Hospital Council), Christina Mintner (Senior Vice President of Population Health, Parkland Health and Hospital System), and Dr. Marc A. Nivet (Executive Vice President, UT Southwestern Medical Center)
Arts and Culture
This program examines Dallas’ economy through an artistic lens as we explore the impact that creative spaces, industries, innovation, and culture have on the identity of our city.
Previous speakers include: Jed Morse (Nasher Sculpture Garden), Lucilo Pena (Billingsley Company and DMA Board Member), and Bob Sambol (Bob’s Steak & Chop House)
Governance
This program focuses on the inner workings of the City of Dallas and how local governments throughout North Texas affect the commercial real estate industry.
Previous speakers include: Former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Suzan Kedron (Jackson Walker), Angela Hunt (Munsch Hardt and former City Council Member), and Linda McMahon (Dallas Economic Development Corporation)
Education
This program explores the services that Dallas-area school systems provide students throughout their academic careers and the challenges administrators face.
Previous speakers include: Todd Williams (The Commit Partnership), Dr. Justin Lonon (Dallas College Chancellor), and Jon Dahlander (Chief of Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations, Dallas ISD)
Infrastructure
This program analyzes our city’s physical sustainability and the challenges Dallas faces as its population and demand for resources continues to grow.
Previous speakers include: Steven Duong (AECOM), Alana Hosey, NCIDQ (DFW Airport);Â and Michael Morris (North Central Texas Council of Governments)
Community Investment
Each of our previous programs culminate as we explore how the interconnectedness of our city’s history, governance, infrastructure, education, economy, and healthcare work together to create a profound effect on the communities that have experienced disinvestment throughout Dallas.
Previous speakers include: Bryan Tony (Dallas Housing Coalition), Ashley Brundage (Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity), Katy Slade (Mintwood Real Estate), and Mike Geisler (Venture Commercial Real Estate)
Executive Training
Throughout the program, ALC class members receive personalized training with the executive coaching firm Rose + Porterfield Group, which tailors the experience to fit the strengths and goals of each participant.
Community Investment Project
Each ALC class partners with TREC Community Investors to complete an impactful neighborhood revitalization project within the Dallas community. In recent years, class projects have supported the Dallas Catalyst Project.
ALC Class of 2026
Callie Aaker Khan
Kimley-Horn
Rob Barganier
Tangram Interiors
Casey Blacketer
Bank of America
John Becker
Eastdil Secured
Rel Cooper
The Retail Connection
Carolyn Glenn
Corgan
Hunter Habash
CBRE
Ashley Hale
Bennett Partners Architecture
Sarah Hendrix
The Watson Firm
Paul Hernandez
Cohera Commercial
Maddy Hunton
Trammell Crow Company
Sergio Izquierdo
42 Real Estate
Bryce Jackson
Thirty-Four Commercial
Lauren Jahner
Colliers
Jenna Jordano
Pacific Elm Properties
Mike Lavi
Thornton Tomasetti
Chelsea Meyers
DPR Construction
Victoria Morris
Jackson Walker LLP
Luis Murguia
Winstead PC
Haili Rumsey
Stream Realty Partners
Eric Rush
Umbra Enterprises
Cyril Straughn-Turner
Invesco
Erin Thomas
StreetLights Residential
Frances Tubb
Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
Chandler Tucker
Bob Moore Construction
Joey Tumminello
Institutional Property Advisors (IPA)
Mary Alex Turner
Perkins & Will
Jordan Weeks
BOK Financial
Charlie Welch
i3 Interests
Steering Committee
CHAIR
Alex John Jr.
Bennett Partners Architecture
VICE CHAIR
Jill Ibison Vessels
Corgan
Darcy Barnes
Bank of America
Tyler Berns
Birch Construction
Tom Burns
CBRE
Estrella Carter
Granite Properties
Chad Crozier
SouthState Bank
Kyle Ehle
Structure Tone Southwest
Jeff Patman
Capital Title of Texas
Emily Ronck
DFW Project Solutions
Ana Stroud
Kimley-Horn
Tobin Swope
Winstead PC
From Our Alumni
ALC gave me so much in my life, and I want to give that to other people. It’s also a great way to meet future leaders. I’ve met so many all-stars in this business through ALC. It’s funny when people ask ‘How do you know this person or that person,’ and most of the time, it’s through ALC.
—
Sarah Hinkley Kennington
CEO, Thirty-Four Commercial
ALC Class of 2011, 2021 Chair
ALC was a phenomenal experience for me. I believe it is the gold standard in the real estate industry for young professionals seeking leadership training, especially if you aspire to get more engaged in our city and make an impact on the industry and philanthropically.
—
Trey Morsbach
JLL
2023 TREC Chair
ALC Class of 2001
We always think about our careers, but I think doing this program helps you understand what you want to do for the city, what you want to do with TREC and how to get involved with TREC.
—
Rena Padachy
HALL Group
ALC Class of 2022