Summer 2017 witnessed an array of real estate industry hires and promotions, and it looks like fall has the same in store. Who’s making moves? Which businesses are bringing in new blood, or creating fresh positions?
Here’s a rundown of some recent HR news across the board.
NRT Names Laura Rittenberg President of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Atlanta
Laura R. Rittenberg
NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company, has appointed Laura R. Rittenberg as president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Atlanta. In this position, Rittenberg will oversee the daily operations of the company’s 11 real estate offices and more than 850 affiliated sales agents and employees serving the Greater Atlanta metro.
Rittenberg most recently served as the president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage on Long Island in New York with direct oversight of 13 real estate offices doing business throughout Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties. Under her direction, the company boasted more than $1.4 billion in total sales volume in 2016.
She is assuming the role held by Charlotte Sears, who has chosen to retire this year.
“Charlotte has made enormous contributions to our organization,” said Kate Rossi, regional executive vice president, Eastern Region of NRT. “We are thankful for her leadership and dedication to the many agents she has mentored throughout her remarkable career. We wish her much success in her future endeavors.”
Opendoor Hires Jim Sexton as head of broker development
IBuyer Opendoor, which makes quick offers on homes and can close in days, has welcomed former designated broker for Realty One Group Jim Sexton to the team.
Jim Sexton
Sexton managed more than 2000 Valley real estate professionals over the course of his career. Jim brings Opendoor over 30 years of brokerage experience, industry leadership and accolades. During his three decades in the real estate brokerage business, Jim has been an agent, a sales manager, an office manager, owner/broker and a designated broker — all things involved in owning, running and living real estate.
Over the years, he became a stat guy, watching market trends and discussing company and agent performance, which led him to Opendoor. In early 2016, he began to notice and follow Opendoor’s volume in the regional MLS. As 2017 began, the impressive growth he witnessed continued to improve, and Opendoor expanded into additional markets.
As he dug deeper, Jim found that Opendoor’s goals — to eliminate the hassle, stress and risk involved in selling and buying homes; create liquidity for residential real estate; and empower the consumer with the freedom to move — are in line with his own, which is why he sought to helping Opendoor grow and expand.
Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty announces big leadership changes
Doug Rebert
One of the country’s most successful real estate companies, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, has announced two promotions, a new executive hire, and a hand off of one of its founders.
Rod Messick
After 34 years of leadership, Managing Director Doug Rebert has decided to pass on his leadership responsibilities. Rebert has been the partner responsible for the Company’s realty division and for growing the Company’s footprint through mergers and acquisitions.
Rebert has been recognized by national real estate publications as being one of the most influential real estate executives in the country. He will remain with Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty to help out when needed and to be available to past customers, family and friends.
Rick Doyle
Rod Messick has assumed the role of Homesale’s chief operating officer. In his new role, he will continue to expand his operational responsibilities, which currently include technology, human resources, facilities management and process design.
“I am excited about being more directly involved with the success of our entire team throughout the Homesale family of companies,” said Messick.
Rick Doyle, Board member and former president of realty operations, has now has been named a managing director of the Company.
The Company also welcomed Regina Coia as its new president of realty operations, which Inman covered here.
Cari Young and Rob Norquist join Compass as managing brokers of Newport Beach branch
Cari Young
Modern real estate brokerage Compass has added two seasoned pros to their roster: Cari Young and Rob Norquist will join the Newport Beach office as managing brokers and leaders. Young and Norquist join Compass from Villa Real Estate and First Team Christie’s International Real Estate, respectively.
Rob Norquist
Allison Yazdian, senior VP and general manager, Southern California, said: “We have a very high bar for talent at Compass, particularly at the management level. Cari and Rob are best-in-class sales managers and have unparalleled expertise and ties into the Newport community. They will provide tremendous leverage to our agents and help set a roadmap for continued expansion in Newport and beyond.”
“Cari and Rob are two of the most well-respected real estate leaders in Southern California and visionaries in their approach to marketing and connecting with both domestic and international markets,” said Rob Giem, founding agent in Newport Beach. “I’ve known and worked with them for decades and know their leadership will be instrumental in Compass’ continued growth in Orange County.”
Pacific Union International Realty taps new VP of business development
Teresa Howe
Pacific Union International, Inc., the West Coast’s
premier luxury real estate brand, has expanded its leadership team to welcome highly respected real estate industry leader Teresa Howe.
As of yesterday, Howe is responsible for directing the brokerage’s corporate business-development outreach and strengthen Pacific Union’s position as the fastest-growing real estate brokerage in California, delivering projected 2017 sales volume in excess of $15 billion.
She will assume responsibility for the company’s corporate services, including relocation, referral activities, lead management, affinity programs and concierge services.
“We are fortune to welcome Teresa to our team at Pacific Union, John Aaroe Group, and Partners Trust,” CEO Mark A. McLaughlin said. “She brings an exceptional record of performance to our industry, and we look forward to her contributions to our growth in Northern and Southern California.”
Immoviewer appoints Jeff Turner as CEO
Jeff Turner
Immoviewer, the European market leader in 3-D virtual tour technology, has announced the appointment of Jeff Turner as their new North American CEO. Turner will assume responsibilities on October 1, 2017 as he transitions from his previous role as president of RealSatisfied.
“We are thrilled to have such a highly regarded industry leader as our new North American CEO,” immoviewer founder, Ralf von Grafenstein said. “Jeff has a unique understanding of where the real estate market is heading and a clear vision for where technology fits into the picture. Jeff’s experience and reputation in the industry is stellar and well known. We are certain he will be able to lead us to the conversations that will move immoviewer forward at a rapid pace in North America.”
“I am looking forward to working with this amazing product and team to create new avenues for use, to expose and highlight opportunities for unique local content creation, and to build even greater value for brokers and brands,” said Turner. “I am looking forward to once again combining my passion for photography with my passion for the real estate industry. I could not be more excited.”
Joe Langner named CEO of Blue Sage
Joe Langner
Blue Sage, developer of the mortgage industry’s first browser-based, end-to-end digital lending platform, has welcomed new CEO Joe Langner, a mortgage technology veteran and former COO at Ellie Mae. Langner will be responsible for implementing the company’s strategic vision and establishing Blue Sage as the industry’s platform of choice for lenders seeking to provide every borrower a fast, efficient and unique mortgage experience.
Langner has more than 25 years of executive experience in the financial services and software industries. He played a significant role in Ellie Mae’s initial public offering and helped transform Encompass, the company’s loan origination software (LOS), into an industry leader.
“Given Blue Sage’s recent growth, we needed a veteran mortgage technology leader who understood the challenges today’s lenders face and the demands of today’s mortgage consumer,” said Carmine Cacciavillani, founder and chairman of Blue Sage. “Joe has superior knowledge of the mortgage lending landscape and has successfully helped countless lenders adopt technology to improve efficiency and compliance. I can think of no one more equipped to take Blue Sage to the next level and revolutionize the way mortgages are produced.”
