ERA franchisor loses CEO to cancer

Brenda W. Casserly, president and CEO of ERA Franchise Systems LLC, died Wednesday, parent company Realogy Corp. announced today, after a long battle with cancer. She joined ERA in 1998 as a senior vice president, and soon after was named chief operating officer. She was appointed president in 2001. "I was fortunate to have known Brenda for many years and knew her as a tremendous human being and a true leader who was greatly admired for her genuinely caring nature, passion for the (company), and an abundance of personal and professional accomplishments. She will be greatly missed," said Richard A. Smith, Realogy Corp. president and CEO, in a statement. Alex A. Perriello, Realogy Corp. president and CEO, said in a statement that he had known Casserly for about two decades. Her "broad smile ... was not only genuine, but contagious as well. Even when faced with a life-threatening illness, her spirit and commitment to making a difference was inspirational. The in...