Caitlin McCrory, MLS manager of the National Association of Realtors for the past 20 months, is joining online brokerage Redfin as its head of industry relations.
Caitlin McCrory
McCrory will be the first person at Redfin to be dedicated full time to industry relations, Redfin spokesperson Alina Ptaszynski told Inman via email. McCrory will work closely with Chelsea Goyer, Redfin’s vice president of recruiting, expansion and MLS relations, who will continue to play a lead role in industry strategy and engagement, Ptaszynski said.
“Why now? We’ve been looking for the right person to fill this role for some time, and Caitlin is the perfect fit,” Ptaszynski said. Asked whether Redfin plans to build up its industry relations team further, she said, “We aren’t ready to speculate on future plans for the team.”
McCrory will work to strengthen Redfin’s relationships with multiple listing services, associations and other brokerages nationwide, Goyer said in a press release.
“Caitlin will focus on supporting the MLSs’ mission to share data fairly, advocating for listing brokers to get proper credit for the listing data they share and suggesting ways MLSs and associations can support innovations that benefit agents and customers alike,” Goyer said.
Last year, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman pushed for better listing broker attribution from MLSs at NAR’s midyear conference, saying online listings should include a link back to the listing broker’s website. Kelman and Goyer have also publicly taken issue with a think tank’s proposal that brokers should be required to offer listing data without posing any stipulations, such as requiring listing agent attribution.
McCrory will see NAR through its midyear conference in mid-May, and her last day will be May 23. She starts at Redfin’s Chicago office on June 4. McCrory joined NAR in October 2016 where she oversaw and managed the trade group’s partnership with the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), including the joint creation of a step-by-step merger guide meant to tackle MLS dysfunction.
McCrory also managed NAR’s MLS programs and strengthened NAR’s relationships with MLSs in general and with the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO), Redfin said.
Chelsea Goyer
“In addition to a deep knowledge of industry issues, Caitlin brings a reputation for building relationships, fostering dialogue and rolling up her sleeves to get things done,” Goyer said.
“Caitlin will work closely with Redfin’s executive team, brokers and agents, as well as the legal, licensing, MLS compliance and communications teams to shape our industry strategy and communicate with our industry partners.”
Before joining NAR, McCrory had been the communications director for Metro MLS and the Milwaukee Association of Realtors since 2013.
NAR is currently working on the job posting to replace McCrory, which the trade group says will be posted here.
“We are saddened to see Caitlin go and have valued her expertise and time at NAR, but she’s been presented with an exciting new opportunity that she couldn’t pass up,” NAR spokesperson Sara Wiskerchen told Inman via email.
NAR is hoping to hire someone new as soon as possible, but the timing will depend on finding the right candidate, Wiskerchen said.
“We are looking for someone smart, strategic, open-minded, forward-thinking and likable,” NAR General Counsel Katie Johnson said in an email, adding that the trade group is happy to take any input from key stakeholders such as CMLS, RESO and large brokers.
In a message sent to CMLS Thursday, Johnson praised McCrory’s contributions to NAR and the MLS community and emphasized that NAR continues to be dedicated to a strong relationship with CMLS.
“We think this position at NAR presents an exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to engage with and empower real estate professionals, MLSs and associations. If you or your members have any recommendations on a candidate who’d be a good fit, please send them my way!” Johnson wrote.
