Bruce Zipf has been guiding NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company (both in sales volume and closed transaction sides), since he was named president and CEO in 2005. Realogy Holdings Corp. subsidiary NRT owns and operates about 710 brokerage offices with approximately 41,300 independent sales associates doing business under the Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA, Sotheby’s International Realty, CitiHabits and The Corcoran Group brand names. Its $3 billion in revenues for the first three quarters of 2013 represented a 19 percent increase from the revenue through the same quarters in 2012. Zipf became a certified public accountant in 1980, working for Ernst & Young before joining Schlott, Realtors as controller in 1986. He became senior vice president of Coldwell Banker Schlott, Realtors in 1994. At NRT, Zipf’s numerous posts have included chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, and president of NRT’s New York City metro region.
Bruce Zipf has been guiding NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company (both in sales volume and closed transaction sides), since he was named president and CEO in 2005. Realogy Holdings Corp. subsidiary NRT owns and operates about 710 brokerage offices with approximately 41,300 independent sales associates doing business under the Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA, Sotheby’s International Realty, CitiHabits and The Corcoran Group brand names. Its $3 billion in revenues for the first three quarters of 2013 represented a 19 percent increase from the revenue through the same quarters in 2012. Zipf became a certified public accountant in 1980, working for Ernst & Young before joining Schlott, Realtors as controller in 1986. He became senior vice president of Coldwell Banker Schlott, Realtors in 1994. At NRT, Zipf’s numerous posts have included chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, and president of NRT’s New York City metro region.
Charlie Young has directed the growth and profitability of residential franchise brokerage network ERA Real Estate since mid-2009 as CEO. In 2013, ERA renewed a marketing and tech agreement with Homes.com that allows it to show IDX listings in markets where it has affiliates, and began creating video “microsites” linked from property detail pages of listings on ERA.com. Before joining ERA, Charlie served as chief operating officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Initially, he was a senior vice president of marketing in 2004 at the company. His two decades of executive business management includes stints at Cendant Mortgage (now PHH Mortgage), Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) Directory Services, and the New Jersey Nets.
Charlie Young has directed the growth and profitability of residential franchise brokerage network ERA Real Estate since mid-2009 as CEO. In 2013, ERA renewed a marketing and tech agreement with Homes.com that allows it to show IDX listings in markets where it has affiliates, and began creating video “microsites” linked from property detail pages of listings on ERA.com. Before joining ERA, Charlie served as chief operating officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Initially, he was a senior vice president of marketing in 2004 at the company. His two decades of executive business management includes stints at Cendant Mortgage (now PHH Mortgage), Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) Directory Services, and the New Jersey Nets.
Thaddeus Wong co-founded @properties with business partner Michael Golden in 2000 and has grown the company to one of the largest in the Chicago area. Wong helped the firm roll out an internal communication platform that helped it close deals outside of the multiple listing service in house in 2013. At @properties, Wong is primarily responsible for agent recruitment and retention, and development and implementation of the firm’s marketing and branding programs.
Thaddeus Wong co-founded @properties with business partner Michael Golden in 2000 and has grown the company to one of the largest in the Chicago area. Wong helped the firm roll out an internal communication platform that helped it close deals outside of the multiple listing service in house in 2013. At @properties, Wong is primarily responsible for agent recruitment and retention, and development and implementation of the firm’s marketing and branding programs.
A 33-year real estate industry veteran, Philip A. White Jr. has served the Sotheby’s International Realty brand in both management capacities and as a broker and owner. White was named CEO of Realogy Holdings Corp. subsidiary Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC in February 2013. After becoming the brand’s COO in 2004, he was named president in April 2010. As a result of his focus on providing quality service to the brand’s network members, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC has won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction Award for the last five years.
A 33-year real estate industry veteran, Philip A. White Jr. has served the Sotheby’s International Realty brand in both management capacities and as a broker and owner. White was named CEO of Realogy Holdings Corp. subsidiary Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC in February 2013. After becoming the brand’s COO in 2004, he was named president in April 2010. As a result of his focus on providing quality service to the brand’s network members, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC has won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction Award for the last five years.
Keller Williams Realty CEO Mark Willis helped the large Austin, Texas-based real estate franchisor claim the North America agent-count throne in 2013 thanks to a net gain of 12,000 agents over the year. He also solidified the firm’s new global business with a 2013 franchise agreement in the United Kingdom to go with existing agreements in Austria, Germany, Indonesia, southern Africa, Switzerland, Turkey and Vietnam. Willis began his career with Keller Williams in 1991 as the team leader an Austin office, where he quadrupled production over a five-year period. After rising to regional director, Willis next became the franchisor’s president and then its CEO in 2005.
Keller Williams Realty CEO Mark Willis helped the large Austin, Texas-based real estate franchisor claim the North America agent-count throne in 2013 thanks to a net gain of 12,000 agents over the year. He also solidified the firm’s new global business with a 2013 franchise agreement in the United Kingdom to go with existing agreements in Austria, Germany, Indonesia, southern Africa, Switzerland, Turkey and Vietnam. Willis began his career with Keller Williams in 1991 as the team leader an Austin office, where he quadrupled production over a five-year period. After rising to regional director, Willis next became the franchisor’s president and then its CEO in 2005.
As executive vice president of The Long & Foster Companies, Mary K. Weddle oversees the company’s service departments, which provide support to more than 170 sales offices in seven states and Washington, D.C. Weddle also oversees the company’s affiliated businesses of mortgage, title and insurance, and serves on the board of directors of United Bankshares Inc.
As executive vice president of The Long & Foster Companies, Mary K. Weddle oversees the company’s service departments, which provide support to more than 170 sales offices in seven states and Washington, D.C. Weddle also oversees the company’s affiliated businesses of mortgage, title and insurance, and serves on the board of directors of United Bankshares Inc.
In 2013, Century 21 Real Estate LLC Chief Marketing Officer Bev Thorne kept her foot on the marketing gas, leading Realogy Holding Corp.’s largest franchise brand to a TV ad in the Super Bowl, a sponsorship with the USA bobsled team and a driver on the IndyCar racing circuit, and continued recognition for its ongoing Facebook-focused marketing campaign. Thorne started at Century 21 in December 2006 as the franchisor’s senior vice president of marketing and became the company’s chief marketing officer in January 2007. She has spearheaded Century 21’s “Smarter, Bolder, Faster” marketing campaign and other marketing initiatives designed to better engage first-time homebuyers ages 25 to 44. Thorne earned her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and has worked in consumer marketing, strategic branding and event marketing management.
In 2013, Century 21 Real Estate LLC Chief Marketing Officer Bev Thorne kept her foot on the marketing gas, leading Realogy Holding Corp.’s largest franchise brand to a TV ad in the Super Bowl, a sponsorship with the USA bobsled team and a driver on the IndyCar racing circuit, and continued recognition for its ongoing Facebook-focused marketing campaign. Thorne started at Century 21 in December 2006 as the franchisor’s senior vice president of marketing and became the company’s chief marketing officer in January 2007. She has spearheaded Century 21’s “Smarter, Bolder, Faster” marketing campaign and other marketing initiatives designed to better engage first-time homebuyers ages 25 to 44. Thorne earned her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and has worked in consumer marketing, strategic branding and event marketing management.
Richard A. Smith, longtime president and CEO of real estate giant Realogy Holdings Corp., led the company to a successful year as a newly public company in 2013. Under Smith, Realogy, which completed a successful initial public offering in October 2012, reduced its debt, grew revenue and launched a technology “innovation summit” in 2013. Smith, who was named chairman of Realogy’s board in March 2012, has led the company’s business operations since 1996. Realogy’s operations include real estate franchising, brokerage, relocation and title services. Its companies include the Realogy Franchise Group, which consists of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby’s International Realty. Combined, those brands have approximately 13,600 franchised and company-owned offices and 244,000 independent sales associates worldwide. Realogy’s NRT LLC subsidiary is the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage.
Richard A. Smith, longtime president and CEO of real estate giant Realogy Holdings Corp., led the company to a successful year as a newly public company in 2013. Under Smith, Realogy, which completed a successful initial public offering in October 2012, reduced its debt, grew revenue and launched a technology “innovation summit” in 2013. Smith, who was named chairman of Realogy’s board in March 2012, has led the company’s business operations since 1996. Realogy’s operations include real estate franchising, brokerage, relocation and title services. Its companies include the Realogy Franchise Group, which consists of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby’s International Realty. Combined, those brands have approximately 13,600 franchised and company-owned offices and 244,000 independent sales associates worldwide. Realogy’s NRT LLC subsidiary is the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage.
Diane Ramirez, longtime president of New York City-based brokerage Halstead Property LLC, became the firm’s CEO in 2013. Halstead Property, which Ramirez helped found in 1984, signed a deal to bring interactive storefronts to its offices in January. The firm has been using drones to capture photographs to enhance its high-end listings for more than two years. Ramirez worked as a selling broker until 1987, consistently ranking in the top 5 percent of the firm’s brokers. Since then, she’s served in management roles including director of sales, and was named president of the firm in 1999. Halstead Property was acquired in 2001 by Terra Holdings LLC and has 29 offices in New York City, New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut. Ramirez began her real estate career in 1973 in Palm Beach, Fla., where she continues to maintain her license.
Diane Ramirez, longtime president of New York City-based brokerage Halstead Property LLC, became the firm’s CEO in 2013. Halstead Property, which Ramirez helped found in 1984, signed a deal to bring interactive storefronts to its offices in January. The firm has been using drones to capture photographs to enhance its high-end listings for more than two years. Ramirez worked as a selling broker until 1987, consistently ranking in the top 5 percent of the firm’s brokers. Since then, she’s served in management roles including director of sales, and was named president of the firm in 1999. Halstead Property was acquired in 2001 by Terra Holdings LLC and has 29 offices in New York City, New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut. Ramirez began her real estate career in 1973 in Palm Beach, Fla., where she continues to maintain her license.
Alex Perriello, president and CEO of real estate giant Realogy Holding Corp.’s franchise wing, Realogy Franchise Group, began his career as a sales associate and has worked in almost every facet of the real estate business. In the first three quarters of 2013, the Realogy Franchise Group grew revenue to 13 percent more than the same period in 2012, and in 2013, Perriello helped guide Realogy’s inaugural technology “innovation summits.” Perriello joined Coldwell Banker in 1983 and played an integral role in the restructuring and development of Coldwell Banker following its 1996 acquisition by Cendant (then HFS) and its relocation to Parsippany, N.J. After serving as president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp. from 1997 to 2004, he was named president and CEO of the Realogy Franchise Group, where he oversees the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby’s International Realty real estate brands. Combined, those brands represent about 13,500 franchised and company-owned offices, and 239,500 independent sales associates operating in the U.S. and 102 other countries around the world.
Alex Perriello, president and CEO of real estate giant Realogy Holding Corp.’s franchise wing, Realogy Franchise Group, began his career as a sales associate and has worked in almost every facet of the real estate business. In the first three quarters of 2013, the Realogy Franchise Group grew revenue to 13 percent more than the same period in 2012, and in 2013, Perriello helped guide Realogy’s inaugural technology “innovation summits.” Perriello joined Coldwell Banker in 1983 and played an integral role in the restructuring and development of Coldwell Banker following its 1996 acquisition by Cendant (then HFS) and its relocation to Parsippany, N.J. After serving as president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp. from 1997 to 2004, he was named president and CEO of the Realogy Franchise Group, where he oversees the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby’s International Realty real estate brands. Combined, those brands represent about 13,500 franchised and company-owned offices, and 239,500 independent sales associates operating in the U.S. and 102 other countries around the world.
Ronald Peltier, as chairman and CEO, led the U.S.’s second-largest real estate brokerage company, HomeServices of America Inc., into the franchising world with the launch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in 2013. HomeServices also acquired the huge brokerage firms Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors and Prudential Rubloff Properties during the year, and is welcoming them along with dozens of other firms to its new franchise brand operated by HSF Affiliates LLC, a joint venture that it has a majority stake in. Peltier began his career in 1977 with Minnesota-based Edina Realty. He advanced through the company’s management ranks, becoming president and CEO in 1992. Named chairman of HomeServices of America in 2008, he’s credited with building the company into a national presence, expanding it to provide integrated real estate services including mortgage, title and escrow, insurance and relocation.
Ronald Peltier, as chairman and CEO, led the U.S.’s second-largest real estate brokerage company, HomeServices of America Inc., into the franchising world with the launch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in 2013. HomeServices also acquired the huge brokerage firms Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors and Prudential Rubloff Properties during the year, and is welcoming them along with dozens of other firms to its new franchise brand operated by HSF Affiliates LLC, a joint venture that it has a majority stake in. Peltier began his career in 1977 with Minnesota-based Edina Realty. He advanced through the company’s management ranks, becoming president and CEO in 1992. Named chairman of HomeServices of America in 2008, he’s credited with building the company into a national presence, expanding it to provide integrated real estate services including mortgage, title and escrow, insurance and relocation.
Owner and principal broker of Pardee Properties, Tami Pardee has been named the No. 1 agent in the Los Angeles areas of Venice, Westside and south Santa Monica for the past five years. She’s also been honored as one of the top 10 agents in Greater Los Angeles for the past four years. She says she has sold more than $700 million worth of residential and commercial properties. Pardee also created the “Giving Back” program at her brokerage, an initiative that contributes 10 percent of net sales on the sale of each property to the charity of a client’s choice. Pardee Properties has purportedly donated more than $415,000 to local charities over the past three years. Pardee holds a B.A. from Boston University and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University.
Owner and principal broker of Pardee Properties, Tami Pardee has been named the No. 1 agent in the Los Angeles areas of Venice, Westside and south Santa Monica for the past five years. She’s also been honored as one of the top 10 agents in Greater Los Angeles for the past four years. She says she has sold more than $700 million worth of residential and commercial properties. Pardee also created the “Giving Back” program at her brokerage, an initiative that contributes 10 percent of net sales on the sale of each property to the charity of a client’s choice. Pardee Properties has purportedly donated more than $415,000 to local charities over the past three years. Pardee holds a B.A. from Boston University and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University.
As vice president of relocation and business development for Alain Pinel Realtors, Michi Olson oversees corporate relocation, business development, e-commerce, and license holding for the brokerage’s 32 offices and nearly 1,400 agents in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born and raised in Japan, Olson attended The American School in Japan for “expats” and graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Her international experience has proven valuable in dealing with relocation issues.
As vice president of relocation and business development for Alain Pinel Realtors, Michi Olson oversees corporate relocation, business development, e-commerce, and license holding for the brokerage’s 32 offices and nearly 1,400 agents in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born and raised in Japan, Olson attended The American School in Japan for “expats” and graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Her international experience has proven valuable in dealing with relocation issues.
As president and CEO of Koenig & Strey Real Living Real Estate, Nancy Nagy is slated to become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff when the merger of Koenig & Strey with Prudential Rubloff Properties is completed and the companies rebrand this spring under the umbrella of Warren Buffett’s new real estate franchise. The combined companies will have a sales force of nearly 1,600, with $4 billion in closings in 2012.
As president and CEO of Koenig & Strey Real Living Real Estate, Nancy Nagy is slated to become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff when the merger of Koenig & Strey with Prudential Rubloff Properties is completed and the companies rebrand this spring under the umbrella of Warren Buffett’s new real estate franchise. The combined companies will have a sales force of nearly 1,600, with $4 billion in closings in 2012.
A 21-year industry veteran and an associate broker at Coldwell Banker Westburn Realty in Vancouver, Tina Mak is the founding president of the Vancouver chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). In 2013, she was one of several real estate heavyweights featured in a “mockumentary” by the real estate social network RESAAS. Mak, whose clients hail from around the world, has also hosted her own weekly radio real estate show since 2007 targeting the area’s Chinese community. Guests have included Coldwell Banker CEO Jim Gillespie, Coldwell Banker Canada President John Geha, Coldwell Banker Australia CEO Alex Caraco, and Matthew Ferrara at Matthew Ferrara & Co. Tina was featured in Maclean’s magazine in 2012, and she’s been a speaker in the United States and Canada.
A 21-year industry veteran and an associate broker at Coldwell Banker Westburn Realty in Vancouver, Tina Mak is the founding president of the Vancouver chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). In 2013, she was one of several real estate heavyweights featured in a “mockumentary” by the real estate social network RESAAS. Mak, whose clients hail from around the world, has also hosted her own weekly radio real estate show since 2007 targeting the area’s Chinese community. Guests have included Coldwell Banker CEO Jim Gillespie, Coldwell Banker Canada President John Geha, Coldwell Banker Australia CEO Alex Caraco, and Matthew Ferrara at Matthew Ferrara & Co. Tina was featured in Maclean’s magazine in 2012, and she’s been a speaker in the United States and Canada.
Dave Liniger, board chairman and co-founder of real estate franchise giant Re/Max, guided the brand to a successful $225 million initial public offering and helped it maintain its leadership as the world’s No. 1 real estate franchise brand by global sales volume in 2013. Liniger got interested in real estate by buying and selling properties in Phoenix, Ariz., to supplement his income while serving with the U.S. Air Force. After three tours of duty in Vietnam, Liniger tried his hand as a real estate agent, working at both a 100 percent commission company and a traditional brokerage. He co-founded Re/Max in Denver in 1973, combining a maximum commission model with world-class support services. The name “Re/Max” was coined from the words “real estate” and “maximums.” 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. Liniger spent much of 2012 recovering from a life-threatening infection, returning to work in July after months in the hospital. In 2013, he made a steady recovery and rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange with his wife, Gail, and other company leaders on Nov. 12., celebrating the firm’s public offering.
Dave Liniger, board chairman and co-founder of real estate franchise giant Re/Max, guided the brand to a successful $225 million initial public offering and helped it maintain its leadership as the world’s No. 1 real estate franchise brand by global sales volume in 2013. Liniger got interested in real estate by buying and selling properties in Phoenix, Ariz., to supplement his income while serving with the U.S. Air Force. After three tours of duty in Vietnam, Liniger tried his hand as a real estate agent, working at both a 100 percent commission company and a traditional brokerage. He co-founded Re/Max in Denver in 1973, combining a maximum commission model with world-class support services. The name “Re/Max” was coined from the words “real estate” and “maximums.” 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. Liniger spent much of 2012 recovering from a life-threatening infection, returning to work in July after months in the hospital. In 2013, he made a steady recovery and rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange with his wife, Gail, and other company leaders on Nov. 12., celebrating the firm’s public offering.
New York City-based The Corcoran Group has been led by President and CEO Pamela Liebman since 2000, and in 2013 Liebman took the momentous step of joining Twitter. Typically on the leading edge of trends, The Corcoran Group, a subsidiary of Realogy’s brokerage group NRT, became the first non-National Association of Realtors-affiliated firm to send listings to realtor.com in 2013. Liebman joined The Corcoran Group in her early 20s, and within a year became the top agent in her office. She spearheaded the negotiations that resulted in the successful acquisition of The Corcoran Group by NRT, and has overseen several major acquisitions by the company, including prominent brokerages in Palm Beach and the Hamptons, growing The Corcoran Group to more than 1,900 agents in 25 offices and expanding its reach to the most prestigious real estate markets in the country. Under Liebman’s direction, Corcoran Group Marketing was created to represent new construction projects from start to finish, making Corcoran the first New York City real estate firm to establish its own new development division.
New York City-based The Corcoran Group has been led by President and CEO Pamela Liebman since 2000, and in 2013 Liebman took the momentous step of joining Twitter. Typically on the leading edge of trends, The Corcoran Group, a subsidiary of Realogy’s brokerage group NRT, became the first non-National Association of Realtors-affiliated firm to send listings to realtor.com in 2013. Liebman joined The Corcoran Group in her early 20s, and within a year became the top agent in her office. She spearheaded the negotiations that resulted in the successful acquisition of The Corcoran Group by NRT, and has overseen several major acquisitions by the company, including prominent brokerages in Palm Beach and the Hamptons, growing The Corcoran Group to more than 1,900 agents in 25 offices and expanding its reach to the most prestigious real estate markets in the country. Under Liebman’s direction, Corcoran Group Marketing was created to represent new construction projects from start to finish, making Corcoran the first New York City real estate firm to establish its own new development division.
Jeremy Lehman, a Realtor with The Boutique Real Estate Group in Orange County, Calif., draws on his background in real estate technology to train agents and brokers, and help develop new real estate programs and applications. A featured speaker at local and national events, Lehman is also an adviser to NuOffer, a technology startup creating an innovative way for real estate agents to submit purchase offers on behalf of clients, and to manage offers they have received. Lehman is president of the Pacific West Association of Realtors, and serves on the board of directors of the California Association of Realtors.
Jeremy Lehman, a Realtor with The Boutique Real Estate Group in Orange County, Calif., draws on his background in real estate technology to train agents and brokers, and help develop new real estate programs and applications. A featured speaker at local and national events, Lehman is also an adviser to NuOffer, a technology startup creating an innovative way for real estate agents to submit purchase offers on behalf of clients, and to manage offers they have received. Lehman is president of the Pacific West Association of Realtors, and serves on the board of directors of the California Association of Realtors.