The real estate industry’s largest trade group, the 1.3 million-member National Association of Realtors (NAR) is welcoming two new vice presidents into the ranks of its executive leadership.
Mantill Williams, NAR VP of PR and communication strategy | Credit: NAR
Mantill Williams has been hired as the new vice president of public relations (PR) and communication strategy.
Susan Welter joins as NAR’s vice president of creative and content strategy.
Both will report to NAR’s chief marketing and communications officer Victoria Gillespie, whose hiring was announced in October 2018.
They join just as NAR has launched an ambitious new national and online advertising campaign, “That’s Who We R,” promoting its longstanding “R” logo and the value of the Realtor designation over non-Realtor certified real estate agents.
Williams, who has previously directed PR strategy for the American Public Transportation Association and AAA, will be in charge of spearheading NAR’s communications campaigns.
“I look forward to promoting the value and services offered to our members and advancing NAR’s position as the leading voice in the real estate industry,” Williams said in a prepared statement.
Welter joins NAR after six years working as a partner on Realtor Magazine’s Expo and Benefits program. Over the last 25 years, she has worked in marketing and publishing for over 50 various member associations, helping grow membership and directing social media strategies.
Susan Welter, NAR VP of creative and content strategy | Credit: NAR
“Having served the association market for most of my career, I’m excited to put that collective experience to use at NAR to better engage with our members and deepen our relationships with our industry partners, providing an exceptional experience for all,” Welter said in a prepared statement.
As part of her new role, Welter will be in charge of directing NAR’s creative content output and developing partnerships with other organizations.
“Mantill and Susan bring more than 40 years’ combined experience developing and executing major marketing and communications campaigns both within the real estate industry and for other professional associations,” said Bob Goldberg, NAR CEO, in a prepared statement. “They will elevate member communications and help us tell more creative and compelling stories about Realtors and property owners.”
The hires come in the wake of reorganization across the NAR leadership structure, beginning in October 2018 with NAR’s announcements it had hired Gillespie, as well as Shannon McGahn to serve as NAR senior VP of government affairs, and continuing with December 2018-announced closure of the Center for Realtor Technology and departure of eight staffers.
