During her more than four decades with Ebby Halliday Cos., Carolyn Rosson has held various leadership roles, starting as a manager in her 20s. She reached a pinnacle last September when she was named CEO, while retaining her president title. She succeeded former CEO Chris Kelly, who now serves as Ebby Halliday’s executive chairman and an executive VP at parent company HomeServices of America. With $8.2 billion in total sales volume in 2023, Ebby Halliday Cos. was the region’s top residential brokerage. The iconic company will celebrate its 80th anniversary next year. And Rosson sees ongoing evolution on the horizon. “Change will bring opportunity,” she says. “Our industry has had storm clouds circling, but we are up for the challenge. We will equip our team with the tools and training to overcome.”
Education
Dallas College Northlake (AB)
Best Advice
“Be authentic and show people you care. Also, always listen.”
Proud moment
“This year we were able to navigate the changes in the industry while maintaining our market share in the DFW metro areas.”
Pivotal Moment
“At the age of 29, I was asked to be a sales manager at my current real estate office. The office’s top producer was unhappy with my appointment and made it known. Because she was critical to the health of the office, I asked to meet with her and told her how important she was. I asked her to give me 30 days to earn her trust. She did, and we moved from an office in the red to one in the black after a lot of hard work.”
First Car
“It was a brand-new Ford Maverick off the showroom floor. I was only 16 years old, but I earned my own down payment and made all my monthly payments with my babysitting jobs and working for Pizza Hut.”
Dinner Party
“I would invite the late Mary Kay to learn how she stepped out in faith to build such an incredible business that empowers women. I would also invite Laura Bush and ask her what it was like to be the most visible and judged woman in the U.S. during the years George W. Bush was president.”
Walk-Up Song
“I’d choose ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot’ by Pat Benatar. I had many naysayers when I became a leader at a very young age. I put my head down and told myself, ‘I will be here long after you are gone.’”
Fun Fact
“I like classic cars and enjoy going to car auctions.”
Industry Change
“One thing I would change about residential real estate is how people sometimes get in the business for the wrong reasons. In our industry, it is critically important not only to be educated and up to date on laws, contracts, and the market but also to care about your client more than the money you will earn.”
Halloween Costume
“I once dressed up as a bumble bee.”
Local Fare
“I love Angelo’s Barbeque in Fort Worth—especially the ribs.”
Key Strategies
“Honesty, authenticity, strength, and loyalty”
Destinations of Choice
“I love the mountains and the beach. When going to the mountains I prefer Montana and Colorado. When we need a beach vacation its between Turks and Caicos and Florida.”
