Over the summer, the National Association of Realtors went on the hunt for a “tech-savvy” manager of MLS.
Its aim was to work more closely with the nation’s 700 or so MLSs for the benefit of their mutual members: agents and brokers.
The 1.2 million-member trade group has now found that manager.
Caitlin McCrory, 26, will join NAR at its Chicago headquarters in the next few weeks.
What will she be doing?
McCrory will oversee and manage NAR’s new partnership with the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), Kevin Milligan, NAR’s vice president of Board Policy and Programs, told Inman via email.
In May, NAR and CMLS announced an agreement to work together and spur innovation in the industry, in part by establishing programs for “game changer” initiatives and MLS mergers.
Another part of this brand-new position will be to expand NAR’s MLS resources beyond the traditional policy role, Milligan told Inman in August.
That will include assisting MLSs that want to explore mergers, consolidation, data shares or other cooperative ventures, he said at the time.
An Inman survey fielded earlier this year found that more than 4 in 10 Realtors would like their local association to merge with a neighboring association.
When asked why, respondents cited economies of scale; increased efficiency; access to better leaders, training and tools; fewer disparate rules; fewer “fiefdoms;” fewer duplication of services; and the ability to access more listings in a given market. Merging MLSs often cite similar reasons for combining.
In addition to boosting efficiency, NAR and CMLS hope to inspire innovation that benefits agents and brokers through a program for MLSs similar to one done with local associations years ago that came up with “innovative, game-changing ideas for new products, programs, processes or services.”
Past experience
McCrory has served as the communications director for the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors and its MLS, Metro MLS, since 2013.
During the last three years, McCrory “helped with many communication strategic plans, grew key social media accounts, implemented membership surveys, and was a true student of the real estate industry,” Metro MLS said in a press release.
“While this move comes as a surprise, both organizations support McCrory in her decision, and are happy to see her continue on in this industry.”
Caitlin McCrory
Her last effective day with the organizations will be October 5, Metro MLS said.
Other responsibilities
McCrory will also “actively network and build relationships with other industry partners” such as the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO), NAR subsidiary Realtors Property Resource (RPR), broker data management platform Upstream and large broker groups, Milligan said.
“She’s bright, energetic, and her combination of experience on the association and MLS side of the Realtor organization is a big plus,” Milligan said.
McCrory will report to Milligan, whose division works with associations and MLSs on implementing policies adopted by NAR’s board of directors.
In a statement, Metro MLS CEO Chris Carrillo said he didn’t think there was a better fit for NAR’s manage of MLS position in the country than McCrory.
“Although this is a loss for Metro MLS, it is [an] incredible prospect for NAR to build bridges within the MLS community with a passionate person,” he said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the misspelling of McCrory’s name in the headline. Her first name is Caitlin, not Caitlyn.
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