2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Thomas Kelly, Douglas Elliman Commercial Division

“Thomas Kelly has brought the same dedication and commitment he possesses for his successful Lax career to the office every day! Upon joining our team, TK dove in headfirst and was able to quickly prove that he has what it takes to succeed in an ever-changing environment! He has faced challenges head on, tackled them and continues to move forward with positivity. He has immersed himself in the culture of our office, which is TEAMWORK! It is a pleasure to work alongside of him!” 

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role?

The competitive nature of the business truly drove me to pursue this as a career! As a former professional lacrosse player and Division I coach, I’ve always thrived in competitive, relationship-driven environments. While I loved coaching, the travel and recruiting, demands made it difficult to maintain the family balance I wanted. Commercial real estate gave me the opportunity to stay competitive, work closely with people, and build a career while being present for my wife and daughter.

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you?

My broker and the president of Elliman Commercial, Michael Murphy, has been one of the biggest mentors and influences in my career. In fact, he’s a major reason I chose this industry. As someone who owns a lacrosse training company, I was always around families and took notice of Mike’s commitment to his children, there for them while also maintaining an incredibly successful career and professional life. That balance really stood out to me. To this day, he continues to guide me in the office, push me to become a better agent, and supports and inspires me daily!

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of?

The deal that I am most proud of would be facilitating the lease at 2343 Middle Country Rd. in Centereach. Not only was I able to help friends of mine secure a facility that not only serves as a sports training space, but it also serves to support children with special needs. Both my father and my wife are special education teachers, so helping create a space that positively impacts children with these needs made this project especially meaningful to me.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry?

Personally speaking, the biggest opportunity is continued education and growth. As part of a Top Producing/Award-winning office, I am fortunate to work with some of the most superior agents in the business. As someone who is already passionate about networking, I love the fact that because of the connections in our office, I am continually learning from some of the best! I think as a whole CRE is always going to be shaped by the fact that this is a small niche market and we will always need to work alongside brokers from all over the island. Collaboration is key to success!