As a man on a first-name basis with the likes of Nolan Ryan, Dirk Nowitzki, the late Charley Pride, and the eternal Willie Nelson, Jamie Adams could understandably be a little full of himself. But quite the opposite is true.
Originally from the small town of Plainview, the Arlington real estate agent prides himself on the personal connections he fosters with new homeowners and business owners—many of whom are professional athletes and celebrities—and his willingness to do whatever is required to put his clients’ minds at ease.
There’s a saying: “no grass growing under his feet.” That certainly applies to Jamie. Whether it’s conducting business, volunteering with nonprofits, or spending time with his family, he’s constantly on the move. But with him, it’s not just about real estate, or the work he does with athletes and dignitaries. His strongest quality—outside of his deep faith—is his ability to connect people across business, philanthropy, and entertainment.
No person or business is too small or irrelevant for Jamie to assist. Driven by faith and with the heart of a servant, he is known for lifting others up, encouraging those around him, and always making time for those in need. Jamie is a true connector of people. If you want to know the lay of the land, talk to Jamie.
“The best bit of advice I ever received was that ballplayers don’t know the word ‘no,'” Adams said. “If they ask you to do something, just figure it out, because all you want to do is earn their trust, and you’re going to be the first guy they call when they need a place to live. So that’s what I did.
“I think there for a while people didn’t know whether I was a dog sitter, babysitter, or car dealer. I didn’t really care because I just needed to eat and make a living.”
Adams, 65, was one of five boys raised by a single mother in the Texas Panhandle, and he said she and his grandparents were a major influence in his early life.
“I think my mom, grandma, and grandpa really kind of set a foundation,” Adams said. “My grandpa was a painter back in Plainview where I grew up, and he would have people wait three or four months just for him. He was such a service-oriented guy. There were never any excuses. If there was a problem, he would make things right.”
Adams moved to Arlington in 1981 and worked odd jobs, eventually hiring on with Morgan Boots at 360 and Park Row near the old ballpark.
“This was during the Urban Cowboy stage, where everyone wanted to be a cowboy—just like everyone wants to be a cowboy today because of Yellowstone,” Adams said. “Rangers players would always come to our store, and I got to waiting on them and taking care of them. My mother was a waitress, so I always understood how important it was to be nice and kind and provide good customer service.”
One day, a Texas Rangers player and customer named Bill Stein—who still holds the record for pinch hits off the Rangers’ bench—told Adams he should get into real estate.
“I was like, ‘Are you serious?'” Adams said. “I’m living in a little two-bedroom shack with four other guys, and we’re making enough money to go to the Stockyards on the weekends. Why would I want to screw that up?”
But Stein planted a seed, and Adams eventually took and passed his real estate exam.
Stein started referring people to Adams, and the Arlington man started “grinding,” as he put it.
Adams, who works for Zang Adams Real Estate, has served as a Realtor to more than 300 athletes and celebrities since 1985, including Daryl Johnston, Ray Davis, DeMarcus Ware, Kirk Franklin, Priscilla Shirer, Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, Julio Franco, and General Mark Milley, just to name a few.
He also dedicates significant time to nonprofit work, volunteering with Mission Arlington and Cook Children’s Hospital. He helped organize a holiday sing-along with stars like Neal McCoy, Charley Pride, and Pat Green, where musicians would visit the hospital and sing carols with the kids just days before Christmas.
“We would have kids that could come down to the lobby do that, and the ones who couldn’t—we’d pipe it into their rooms,” Adams said. “So we did it, and Charley and Neal, Pat Green, and a few others—we had about eight or nine people—and they did ‘Frosty’ and ‘Rudolph,’ and these kids would sing along. It was a lot of fun.”
Adams attributes his success in real estate to viewing his job as providing a service, not simply making a sale.
“I’ve never looked at myself as a salesman, because I don’t want to be sold to,” Adams said. “If I go to a car lot or store, I don’t need someone to sell me something—I just want them to be honest with me and help me. So we don’t chase the dollar; we lead with service. When you do that right, people want to deal with you. That’s what’s worked for us.”
With such projects as Choctaw Stadium and the Medal of Honor Museum to his name, Adams plans to continue working to provide the best customer experience—regardless of the client—while staying humble and holding himself accountable.
“Nowadays, everyone wants to point a finger,” Adams said. “Nobody wants to take the blame. I mean, my God, we all make mistakes—just fix them. My mother and grandparents were there early in my life to teach me that. And then Mayor (Mike) Moncrief, Mike Reilly, and Nolan Ryan were probably three men in my life in my early 30s who made a huge impact. They never wanted credit for the money they gave to charity or the people they helped. And I always thought, ‘I want to follow these guys. I want to live the way they live.'”
