Drew McElroy, Finance Major, Texas Christian University

"I enjoy being face to face, building trust, and learning directly from others, which aligns perfectly with real estate. If you can combine strong analytical skills with the ability to build real relationships, you really have something special."

Drew, your journey has combined competitive athletics, finance, and an increasingly strong interest in real estate. Can you walk us through your path so far and what first drew you toward the industry?

My path has really been a mix of athletics, finance, and figuring out where I naturally connect with people. Growing up around Dallas, especially in Highland Park, I was exposed to real estate early and saw how relationship driven the business is. As I got more into finance at TCU, I started exploring different paths, but I kept coming back to something that felt more tangible and people oriented. What really pulled me in was the people I met in the industry, sharp, competitive, but also genuine and willing to invest in relationships.

I realized pretty quickly that I enjoy being face to face, building trust, and learning directly from others, which aligns perfectly with real estate. At the same time, I like that real estate still has a strong analytical side, so you are not giving that up, you are just applying it in a more real-world setting. It also clicked for me that every deal has a story behind it, markets, operators, and capital, which makes it more dynamic than just looking at a stock on a screen. That combination of tangible assets, real relationships, and constant learning made it an easy direction for me to pursue more seriously.

Basketball has been a major part of your life and required a high level of discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. How has that experience shaped the way you approach academics, internships, and your professional goals?

A lot of what I bring to academics and internships comes from being in competitive environments for a long time. You learn quickly that consistency matters more than motivation, and that showing up every day is what separates people. That mindset has carried over into how I approach school and work. I try to be reliable, coachable, and willing to do the small things right even when no one is watching.

It has also taught me how to handle pressure and stay level headed, which is huge in professional settings. You are not always going to have perfect days, but being able to respond the right way is what matters. Overall, it has given me a strong foundation of discipline and accountability that I lean on in everything I do.

You’ve said that one of the things that excites you most about real estate is how tangible it is compared to other areas of finance. What was it about real estate specifically that resonated with you and made you want to pursue it more seriously?

Real estate stood out to me because it is something you can actually see and understand in the real world. You are not just analyzing numbers on a screen, you are evaluating physical assets, markets, and the people behind them. I also really value the relationship side of the business, and real estate is built on that.

Through conversations and coffee chats, I found myself genuinely connecting with people in the industry, which confirmed I was in the right space. It felt natural and something I could see myself doing long term. At the same time, I like that it still requires strong analytical thinking, so you get the best of both sides. That combination is what made me want to pursue it more seriously.

You gained exposure to equity research and analytical work with your experience interning at Luther King Capital. What did that role teach you about evaluating investments, and how has it influenced the way you think about real estate opportunities today?

My experience at Luther King Capital Management gave me strong exposure to the analytical side of investing. I worked on models, supported daily tasks, and got a better understanding of how professionals evaluate companies and make decisions. It taught me how important attention to detail is and how to think through risk and return in a structured way.

At the same time, I saw how much judgment and conviction goes into investment decisions beyond just the numbers. That was a big takeaway for me. It helped me start thinking more critically about opportunities and how to evaluate them from multiple angles, which I now apply when I look at real estate.

As an incoming 2026 Summer Analyst at Koch Real Estate Investments, you’re preparing for an exciting next step. What stood out to you about that opportunity, and what are you most eager to learn from the experience?

What stood out to me about Koch Real Estate Investments was the people, the culture, and the reputation they have built in the industry. Through coffee chats and conversations, I connected with professionals who had done really well but were still down to earth and willing to teach. I also liked that there is a younger core within the team, which creates an environment where you can learn quickly and be involved early on. On top of that, the amount of deal flow and exposure they get makes it a great place to develop a strong understanding of the business.

I am most excited to learn how deals actually come together on the principal side and to better understand all the moving pieces behind an investment. There are so many different dynamics in real estate that I am still learning, and I am always looking to sharpen my knowledge. I see this as a great opportunity to get hands on experience and continue building a strong foundation in the industry.

Through your involvement with the TCU Real Estate Club and the real estate mentor program, you’ve had the chance to engage with professionals across many corners of the industry. How have those experiences helped broaden your perspective and refine your interests within real estate?

Being involved in the TCU Real Estate Club and the mentor program has really opened my eyes to how many different paths exist within real estate. Before that, I did not fully understand how broad the industry is or how many ways there are to get involved. Talking with professionals and hearing their experiences has helped me start to narrow down what interests me while also showing me how much there is still to learn.

It has also reinforced how important relationships are in this space. A lot of the best opportunities come from the people you know and the trust you build over time. Overall, those experiences have helped me become more intentional about where I want to go and how I want to approach my career.

A recurring theme in your story is that you value both the analytical and interpersonal sides of real estate. How important is that balance to you, and why do you think it is such a defining part of the industry?

I think the balance between the analytical side and the relationship side is what makes real estate so unique. I am all for understanding deals at a high level and being strong technically, but I also believe there is a lot of value in personal relationships. That is a big part of my strength and something I naturally enjoy.

At the end of the day, deals do not happen without trust, and trust is built through people. If you can combine strong analytical skills with the ability to build real relationships, you really have something special. That is something I am continuing to work on and develop as I grow in the industry.

Outside of school, work, and real estate, you also enjoy golf, tennis, pickleball, and making music. How do those interests help you stay balanced, and what do they say about who you are beyond your professional ambitions?

Golf, tennis, pickleball, and making music give me a way to stay competitive and have fun outside of school and work. I still enjoy competing, just in a different setting, and it helps me reset mentally. It is a good balance from everything else going on and keeps me from getting too caught up in one thing.

Those interests also remind me to enjoy the process and not take everything too seriously all the time. They keep me grounded and give me something to look forward to outside of academics and career goals. I think having that balance is important, and it is a big part of who I am outside of my professional ambitions.