Keller Williams had 27 employees when Jay Papasan started. It now spans more than 1,100 offices and 188,000 agents worldwide — and Papasan is stepping away.
Papasan, Keller Williams’ vice president of strategic content and co-author of several of the company’s bestselling books, is stepping away from his day-to-day role after nearly 26 years, he wrote in a LinkedIn post Tuesday. His last official day is Aug. 1.
Papasan wrote that he will keep working on KW book projects, teach across the country and support his wife Wendy’s Austin team, Papasan Properties Group. He also plans to continue hosting “The ONE Thing” podcast and leading its training and coaching team.
Papasan joined Keller Williams on Sept. 5, 2000, when the company had 27 employees serving fewer than 7,000 associates, he wrote. He started writing a newsletter for the tech team before co-founder Gary Keller recruited him to help write The Millionaire Real Estate Agent. That book and later titles, including The ONE Thing, have sold more than 7 million copies combined, according to Papasan’s post.
During his tenure, he worked 26 Family Reunions and 25 Mega Camps, and led Keller Williams University, research, publishing, KW Video and marketing, he wrote. He also spent time in support, helping agents set up websites and email.
“I feel like I’ve had five careers,” Papasan wrote in the post.
A broader leadership shift at KW
Papasan’s exit comes as Keller Williams works through a wider leadership transition. Stone Point Capital took a stake in the company last year, and Christopher Czarnecki joined as CEO and president, a role Mark Willis vacated in 2025. Willis moved into the newly created role of chief leadership officer.
In March, Keller Williams named longtime executive Jason Abrams as chief industry and strategy officer, putting him over the company’s global learning platform and enterprise-wide initiatives.
Papasan’s departure is notable as one of the last members of KW’s founding-era executive team to step back, following that ownership and leadership overhaul.
