Communication alumnus reaches new heights in his real estate career

Dallas real estate executive Danny Lovell came to Oklahoma Christian University on a tennis scholarship, one he earned through hard work in rural Henryetta, Oklahoma. In a sign of his competitive nature and the desire for a challenge, he walked on to the golf team, going on to become one of OC’s winningest golfers. His appetite for a challenge started at OC and set the tone for Lovell’s successful career today, where he still makes a name for himself on the golf course. 

David Lynn was Lovell’s coach during his time at OC. He said Lovell’s transformation into an excellent golfer was extremely rare. 

“Danny’s time at OC allowed him to really channel his passion and competitiveness into college golf,” Lynn said. “He was an all-state tennis athlete in high school and started at OC by walking onto the JV golf team. He built himself into an All-American. I have no doubt that Danny’s passion and drive are what has served him very well in business.” 

Lovell graduated with a degree in Communication in 2002 from OC, where he had earned both a tennis and basketball scholarship. Instead, he decided to try golf, becoming the first walk-on to be named a back-to-back All-American in 2001 and 2002. He continued his golf career after graduation when he became an assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Dallas. 

After attempting to go pro, Lovell started his commercial real estate career at The Rainier Companies in 2006. The firm buys and sells all property types and has closed on about $2.5 billion in assets since 2003. With the help of mentor and friend Ken Dunn, Lovell continued to progress at The Rainier Companies, becoming the president and CEO in 2019. 

While Lovell moved up in the company, he never gave up on his golf career. In 2010, he regained amateur status, and a year later, he won the North Amateur. He also played in four United States Golf Association events and won a club championship at Preston Trail Golf Club. He tries to participate in at least six amateur events each year. 

Lovell’s mentor in his professional life was Ken Dunn, who founded the Rainer Companies. In an interview with D Magazine, Lovell summed up the seven most valuable lessons he learned throughout his career alongside Dunn. Those are: consciously care, communicate decisions, network effectively, be good at public speaking, share your vision, save your money, and pay it forward. 

With his seven lessons, Lovell encouraged others to stop and take a look at the people around them that are teaching them the most. He stated that everyone should be the most thankful for the time and knowledge that people invest into them, as it is the most valuable gift one can receive. Those lessons echo what OC hopes for its graduates and current students, who are now inspired to follow in Lovell’s footsteps.