Earl Lee, CEO of HSF Affiliates LLC, the new joint venture controlled by HomeServices of America Inc. that manages the Prudential Real Estate and Real Living brands and the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, oversaw the successful launch of the new brand in 2013. By year’s end, 51 firms had committed to affiliate with the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand; they represented 502 offices and 19,000 agents in 24 states. Before HomeServices acquired the rights to operate Prudential and Real Living in 2012, Lee had a long career with Prudential Real Estate, most recently as president.
Earl Lee, CEO of HSF Affiliates LLC, the new joint venture controlled by HomeServices of America Inc. that manages the Prudential Real Estate and Real Living brands and the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, oversaw the successful launch of the new brand in 2013. By year’s end, 51 firms had committed to affiliate with the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand; they represented 502 offices and 19,000 agents in 24 states. Before HomeServices acquired the rights to operate Prudential and Real Living in 2012, Lee had a long career with Prudential Real Estate, most recently as president.
Glenn Kelman, Redfin’s CEO and president since 2005, has guided the high-tech brokerage to a hot 2013 with a $50 million funding round that spurred talk of a possible initial public offering in 2014. Kelman, who blogs frequently and who frequently contributes to industry conversations, has steered the Seattle-based firm through some stormy seas — some of it created by the company itself. Once feared by some traditional brokerages and agents for offering consumers hefty commission rebates and access to deep listings data and market intelligence, Redfin is no longer quite the lightening rod for controversy that it once was. But with Redfin reducing its rebates to emphasize customer service, and with more rivals delivering comprehensive listing data to consumers, it’s getting harder to identify the differences in their approaches. Before joining Redfin, in 1997 Kelman co-founded Plumtree Software, which went public in 2002.
Glenn Kelman, Redfin’s CEO and president since 2005, has guided the high-tech brokerage to a hot 2013 with a $50 million funding round that spurred talk of a possible initial public offering in 2014. Kelman, who blogs frequently and who frequently contributes to industry conversations, has steered the Seattle-based firm through some stormy seas — some of it created by the company itself. Once feared by some traditional brokerages and agents for offering consumers hefty commission rebates and access to deep listings data and market intelligence, Redfin is no longer quite the lightening rod for controversy that it once was. But with Redfin reducing its rebates to emphasize customer service, and with more rivals delivering comprehensive listing data to consumers, it’s getting harder to identify the differences in their approaches. Before joining Redfin, in 1997 Kelman co-founded Plumtree Software, which went public in 2002.
As CEO, Margaret Kelly helped guide real estate giant Re/Max to a successful $225 million initial public offering in 2013. The firm also grew its overseas footprint during the year with new franchise agreements in Japan and South Korea, and maintained its leadership as the world’s No. 1 real estate franchise brand by global sales volume. Kelly joined Re/Max in 1987 as a financial analyst and steadily rose in the ranks, becoming vice president in 1992, president in 2002 and CEO in 2005. Today, the Re/Max network has more than 90,000 agents and more than 6,300 offices in more than 90 countries, with Re/Max China among the newest regions.
As CEO, Margaret Kelly helped guide real estate giant Re/Max to a successful $225 million initial public offering in 2013. The firm also grew its overseas footprint during the year with new franchise agreements in Japan and South Korea, and maintained its leadership as the world’s No. 1 real estate franchise brand by global sales volume. Kelly joined Re/Max in 1987 as a financial analyst and steadily rose in the ranks, becoming vice president in 1992, president in 2002 and CEO in 2005. Today, the Re/Max network has more than 90,000 agents and more than 6,300 offices in more than 90 countries, with Re/Max China among the newest regions.
Keller Williams Realty co-founder and Chairman Gary Keller had a full year in 2013. In March, his productivity book, “The One Thing,” came out and became a New York Times best-seller. In September, Keller Williams claimed the North America agent count throne; a month later it unveiled a new logo and in November it moved all of its 90,000-plus agents to Google’s cloud software. Keller co-founded Keller Williams in Austin, Texas, in 1983. The company began franchising in 1990, and now claims 700 offices and approximately 90,000 associates around the globe. As chairman of the board, Keller helps provide strategic direction for the “agent-centric” company. Keller and his writing team have written five best-selling books: “The One Thing,” “The Millionaire Real Estate Agent,” “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor,” “SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times,” and “FLIP: How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit.”
Keller Williams Realty co-founder and Chairman Gary Keller had a full year in 2013. In March, his productivity book, “The One Thing,” came out and became a New York Times best-seller. In September, Keller Williams claimed the North America agent count throne; a month later it unveiled a new logo and in November it moved all of its 90,000-plus agents to Google’s cloud software. Keller co-founded Keller Williams in Austin, Texas, in 1983. The company began franchising in 1990, and now claims 700 offices and approximately 90,000 associates around the globe. As chairman of the board, Keller helps provide strategic direction for the “agent-centric” company. Keller and his writing team have written five best-selling books: “The One Thing,” “The Millionaire Real Estate Agent,” “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor,” “SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times,” and “FLIP: How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit.”
Jones is broker and co-owner of Houston, Texas-based Bamboo Realty, a brokerage that caters to green-minded renters and seeks to help smooth the relocation process. Jones has been recognized as an industry innovator for her dedication to corporate culture and creative branding. She was recently honored as a 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate by the Houston Association of Realtors.
Jones is broker and co-owner of Houston, Texas-based Bamboo Realty, a brokerage that caters to green-minded renters and seeks to help smooth the relocation process. Jones has been recognized as an industry innovator for her dedication to corporate culture and creative branding. She was recently honored as a 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate by the Houston Association of Realtors.
Budge Huskey, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, oversaw the respected Realogy brand’s continued growth and overseas expansion (to India and Switzerland) in 2013. He became president and CEO of Coldwell Banker on Jan. 1, 2013, after 2 1/2 years as president and chief operating officer. Huskey began his career as a real estate agent in 1984, working for a family-owned brokerage, Huskey Realty, until joining Realogy’s brokerage wing NRT in 1998 as a branch manager for Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Longwood, Fla. He eventually was promoted to executive vice president of NRT’s Coldwell Banker Southeastern region where he oversaw strategic initiatives of more than 120 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices, and also NRT’s REO Experts, one of the nation’s largest REO asset management firms.
Budge Huskey, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, oversaw the respected Realogy brand’s continued growth and overseas expansion (to India and Switzerland) in 2013. He became president and CEO of Coldwell Banker on Jan. 1, 2013, after 2 1/2 years as president and chief operating officer. Huskey began his career as a real estate agent in 1984, working for a family-owned brokerage, Huskey Realty, until joining Realogy’s brokerage wing NRT in 1998 as a branch manager for Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Longwood, Fla. He eventually was promoted to executive vice president of NRT’s Coldwell Banker Southeastern region where he oversaw strategic initiatives of more than 120 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices, and also NRT’s REO Experts, one of the nation’s largest REO asset management firms.
As president and CEO, Dorothy “Dottie” Herman helped guide Douglas Elliman Real Estate’s transition to independence after it ended its affiliation with Prudential Real Estate in late 2012. The Huntington Station, N.Y.-based firm is one of the largest in the U.S., ranking in the top 20 firms in the country in 2012 with 12,976 transaction sides. After beginning her career as a financial planner and part-time sales broker, Herman bought Prudential Long Island Realty in 1989. She bought Douglas Elliman, Manhattan’s largest real estate brokerage, with partner Howard Lorber in 2003. She merged the two into Douglas Elliman Real Estate and became the entity’s president and CEO. The company’s network includes more than 4,100 agents in more than 70 offices throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester and Putnam counties, as well as South Florida. Through a strategic partnership with Knight Frank Residential, Douglas Elliman’s network also extends to 43 countries across six continents.
As president and CEO, Dorothy “Dottie” Herman helped guide Douglas Elliman Real Estate’s transition to independence after it ended its affiliation with Prudential Real Estate in late 2012. The Huntington Station, N.Y.-based firm is one of the largest in the U.S., ranking in the top 20 firms in the country in 2012 with 12,976 transaction sides. After beginning her career as a financial planner and part-time sales broker, Herman bought Prudential Long Island Realty in 1989. She bought Douglas Elliman, Manhattan’s largest real estate brokerage, with partner Howard Lorber in 2003. She merged the two into Douglas Elliman Real Estate and became the entity’s president and CEO. The company’s network includes more than 4,100 agents in more than 70 offices throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester and Putnam counties, as well as South Florida. Through a strategic partnership with Knight Frank Residential, Douglas Elliman’s network also extends to 43 countries across six continents.
Leslie Ebersole, a broker in the Chicago area with Baird & Warner, has become a respected voice in the real estate community. She was appointed to the advisory board of realtor.com’s agent-ranking platform AgentMatch in 2013 before realtor.com suspended it in December. Ebersole, who holds an active, respected presence in several public real estate Facebook groups, also made the cover of Chicago Agent Magazine for a story analyzing the value of multiple listing services. Ebersole joined Baird & Warner in 2005.
Leslie Ebersole, a broker in the Chicago area with Baird & Warner, has become a respected voice in the real estate community. She was appointed to the advisory board of realtor.com’s agent-ranking platform AgentMatch in 2013 before realtor.com suspended it in December. Ebersole, who holds an active, respected presence in several public real estate Facebook groups, also made the cover of Chicago Agent Magazine for a story analyzing the value of multiple listing services. Ebersole joined Baird & Warner in 2005.
As president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors, Joan Docktor has been instrumental in the company’s growth and profitability in all brokerage departments including 60 sales offices, relocation services, builders’ marketing and land development, as well as cross-selling of Trident’s services. Docktor, who started with the company in 1986 as a sales associate and rose through the ranks, serves as a board member of Trend MLS and The Realty Alliance.
As president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors, Joan Docktor has been instrumental in the company’s growth and profitability in all brokerage departments including 60 sales offices, relocation services, builders’ marketing and land development, as well as cross-selling of Trident’s services. Docktor, who started with the company in 1986 as a sales associate and rose through the ranks, serves as a board member of Trend MLS and The Realty Alliance.
Century 21 Real Estate LLC President and CEO Richard W. Davidson helped guide the brand into its first foray in the Manhattan market, a debut in four European countries (Austria, Croatia, Kosovo and Slovenia), and the launch of a global, multilingual website in 2013. Davidson was appointed president and CEO of the Realogy Holdings Corp. subsidiary in February 2010. The Century 21 network is comprised of approximately 7,100 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices and 100,000 sales associates in 74 countries and territories worldwide. Davidson has also held management positions with Realogy subsidiaries Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, where he was chief operating officer, and Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates, where he was president and chief operating officer. He has worked in the real estate industry for more than 20 years, with previous experience at CB Richard Ellis in the Washington, D.C., market and at Insignia/ESG.
Century 21 Real Estate LLC President and CEO Richard W. Davidson helped guide the brand into its first foray in the Manhattan market, a debut in four European countries (Austria, Croatia, Kosovo and Slovenia), and the launch of a global, multilingual website in 2013. Davidson was appointed president and CEO of the Realogy Holdings Corp. subsidiary in February 2010. The Century 21 network is comprised of approximately 7,100 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices and 100,000 sales associates in 74 countries and territories worldwide. Davidson has also held management positions with Realogy subsidiaries Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, where he was chief operating officer, and Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates, where he was president and chief operating officer. He has worked in the real estate industry for more than 20 years, with previous experience at CB Richard Ellis in the Washington, D.C., market and at Insignia/ESG.
As the first CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC — a new “lifestyle” brand launched in 2007 by Realogy Holdings Corp. — Sherry Chris has presided over the franchisor’s relentless growth. In 2013, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate continued to add brokerages to its network, which now has approximately 250 offices, 44 companies and 8,300 sales associates in Canada and 26 U.S. states. In her nearly three decades in the real estate industry, Chris has held executive positions with Real Living (Ohio) and Prudential California-Nevada-Texas Realty, and worked for 16 years with Royal LePage in Canada. A past chairman of The Realty Alliance, Chris earned her MBA from the Ivey School of Business. She is a native of Canada and maintains a home there.
As the first CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC — a new “lifestyle” brand launched in 2007 by Realogy Holdings Corp. — Sherry Chris has presided over the franchisor’s relentless growth. In 2013, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate continued to add brokerages to its network, which now has approximately 250 offices, 44 companies and 8,300 sales associates in Canada and 26 U.S. states. In her nearly three decades in the real estate industry, Chris has held executive positions with Real Living (Ohio) and Prudential California-Nevada-Texas Realty, and worked for 16 years with Royal LePage in Canada. A past chairman of The Realty Alliance, Chris earned her MBA from the Ivey School of Business. She is a native of Canada and maintains a home there.
As vice president, platform development, for franchisor Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, Amy Chorew is responsible for growing the brand’s educational training platform, as well as creating and expanding innovative agent tools and technologies offered to the brand’s network. Chorew has more than 30 years of real estate experience, including roles in sales, marketing and training, sharing what she’s learned about the use of technology and social media in real estate in speaking appearances nationwide.
As vice president, platform development, for franchisor Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, Amy Chorew is responsible for growing the brand’s educational training platform, as well as creating and expanding innovative agent tools and technologies offered to the brand’s network. Chorew has more than 30 years of real estate experience, including roles in sales, marketing and training, sharing what she’s learned about the use of technology and social media in real estate in speaking appearances nationwide.
Craig Cheatham heads up The Realty Alliance, a network of more than 60 of the largest real estate brokerages in North America, representing more than 100,000 agents combined. In 2013, the National Association of Realtors added public-facing multiple listing service websites to its list of basic MLS services, despite opposition from The Realty Alliance. Shortly thereafter, Cheatham got the industry’s attention when he issued an ominous-sounding warning to MLSs and Realtor associations concerning members’ grievances with a long list of MLS practices. In mid-October, The Realty Alliance voted to move forward with a mysterious, industrywide project Cheatham said would help resolve inefficiencies with how real estate data is handled and put more control in the hands of brokers. The first phase of the project will become public in 2014. Before joining The Realty Alliance in 2006, Cheatham spent eight years as CEO of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and seven years as assistant executive vice president for the Alabama Association of Realtors.
Craig Cheatham heads up The Realty Alliance, a network of more than 60 of the largest real estate brokerages in North America, representing more than 100,000 agents combined. In 2013, the National Association of Realtors added public-facing multiple listing service websites to its list of basic MLS services, despite opposition from The Realty Alliance. Shortly thereafter, Cheatham got the industry’s attention when he issued an ominous-sounding warning to MLSs and Realtor associations concerning members’ grievances with a long list of MLS practices. In mid-October, The Realty Alliance voted to move forward with a mysterious, industrywide project Cheatham said would help resolve inefficiencies with how real estate data is handled and put more control in the hands of brokers. The first phase of the project will become public in 2014. Before joining The Realty Alliance in 2006, Cheatham spent eight years as CEO of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and seven years as assistant executive vice president for the Alabama Association of Realtors.
Brady heads up Concierge Auctions, a firm that helps market and sell luxury properties through auctions. Before joining Concierge, Brady led a team of real estate agents at Sky Sotheby’s International Realty in Sarasota, Fla., where she was involved in more than $100 million in sales. At Concierge, Brady wants to develop a white-glove service that leverages the latest technologies.
Brady heads up Concierge Auctions, a firm that helps market and sell luxury properties through auctions. Before joining Concierge, Brady led a team of real estate agents at Sky Sotheby’s International Realty in Sarasota, Fla., where she was involved in more than $100 million in sales. At Concierge, Brady wants to develop a white-glove service that leverages the latest technologies.
Nicole Beauchamp is a licensed real estate salesperson with Warburg Realty in New York City. Born and bred in Manhattan, she’s a resource for information and guidance for friends, colleagues and clients who have decided to make New York their home. She counts data analysis, negotiation, marketing and a deep appreciation for the arts among the skills that help her understand the various perspectives of clients and customers. Beauchamp shares the wisdom she’s amassed with other agents as a contributor to Inman Next.
Matt Beall, owner and principal broker of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, has a passion for real estate and technology that he’s using to craft his firm into a significant player in the industry. In just four years, the firm has grown to 132 agents working out of nine offices on every major Hawaiian island. In 2013, the brokerage hosted a real estate conference in Maui featuring speakers like Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate CEO Sherry Chris and other industry heavyweights that focused on simplicity. Beall says he continues to push against traditional assumptions about how real estate ought to be conducted: “Hawaii Life is the culmination of over a decade of experience as a broker and top-selling Realtor in Hawaii. Everyone who works with us is committed, smart, and connected to their local market (and not everyone works with us).”
Matt Beall, owner and principal broker of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, has a passion for real estate and technology that he’s using to craft his firm into a significant player in the industry. In just four years, the firm has grown to 132 agents working out of nine offices on every major Hawaiian island. In 2013, the brokerage hosted a real estate conference in Maui featuring speakers like Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate CEO Sherry Chris and other industry heavyweights that focused on simplicity. Beall says he continues to push against traditional assumptions about how real estate ought to be conducted: “Hawaii Life is the culmination of over a decade of experience as a broker and top-selling Realtor in Hawaii. Everyone who works with us is committed, smart, and connected to their local market (and not everyone works with us).”
Lanny Baker, who took the reins at ZipRealty Inc. in October 2010 as CEO, has grown the publicly traded real estate brokerage company’s “Powered by Zip” referral network to 20 firms and helped guide the firm’s release of the mobile-optimized version of its highly regarded customer relationship management platform, ZAP, in 2013. ZipRealty rolled out a mobile-optimized website in April and brought on former Microsoft exec Xavier Zang to lead the Powered by Zip business.
Lanny Baker, who took the reins at ZipRealty Inc. in October 2010 as CEO, has grown the publicly traded real estate brokerage company’s “Powered by Zip” referral network to 20 firms and helped guide the firm’s release of the mobile-optimized version of its highly regarded customer relationship management platform, ZAP, in 2013. ZipRealty rolled out a mobile-optimized website in April and brought on former Microsoft exec Xavier Zang to lead the Powered by Zip business.
In addition to serving as president and CEO of the large Chicago-area brokerage Baird & Warner Real Estate, Stephen Baird also chairs the large broker network The Realty Alliance, which stirred things up in 2013 with a warning to multiple listing services to step back off broker toes with new services like public-facing websites. Baird, the fifth generation of Baird to run Baird & Warner, has testified before Congress on matters of interest to the real estate community, and worked on open-space preservation issues as past president of CorLands, The Openlands Project and, currently, as a national board member of the Trust for Public Land. A 1975 graduate of Harvard University, Baird earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business Management in 1985.
In addition to serving as president and CEO of the large Chicago-area brokerage Baird & Warner Real Estate, Stephen Baird also chairs the large broker network The Realty Alliance, which stirred things up in 2013 with a warning to multiple listing services to step back off broker toes with new services like public-facing websites. Baird, the fifth generation of Baird to run Baird & Warner, has testified before Congress on matters of interest to the real estate community, and worked on open-space preservation issues as past president of CorLands, The Openlands Project and, currently, as a national board member of the Trust for Public Land. A 1975 graduate of Harvard University, Baird earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business Management in 1985.