From a Netflix star’s return to Douglas Elliman to a newly created chief growth officer role at Windermere, real estate’s leadership landscape continues to evolve. Brokerages, associations, lenders and franchises named new executives, welcomed teams and expanded their footprints across the country over the past two weeks.
Here are the details:
Douglas Elliman
Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor, an agent featured on Netflix’s “Owning Manhattan,” has rejoined Douglas Elliman from SERHANT., splitting her time between the brokerage’s Palm Beach and Fifth Avenue, New York, offices, the company said. Taylor previously worked at Douglas Elliman with the Eklund Gomes team from 2015 to 2016 and brought $650 million in new development projects to SERHANT. during her tenure there, according to the company.
She will join the Exclusive Sales Team at The Banyan Tree Residences West Palm Beach, a MAST Capital development.
“I’m delighted to return to Douglas Elliman, the undisputed leader in new development across Florida,” Taylor said in a statement.
SAGE Investment Real Estate Advisors
SAGE Investment Real Estate Advisors has named Katie Migner associate salesperson, the Livingston, New Jersey, brokerage announced. Migner spent more than five years at JLL, advancing from property administrator to associate project manager, before joining SAGE’s investment sales platform, the company said.
“Katie brings the kind of analytical mindset, organization and attention to detail that aligns with how we serve our clients,” SAGE partner and co-founder Greg Pine said in a statement.
JLL
JLL has named DeJeana Kilgore head of consulting, Americas, effective July 27, the company announced. Kilgore returns to JLL after previously serving as a director in the firm’s Work Dynamics division from 2014 to 2018 and most recently was a partner at EY-Parthenon, where she launched the firm’s workplace strategy practice, according to JLL. She succeeds Amanda Kross, who moved to a global leadership role within JLL’s financial services division.
“There is something incredibly powerful about returning to an organization with a deeper perspective on how space shapes culture,” Kilgore said in a statement.
Atlantic Coast Mortgage
Atlantic Coast Mortgage has named Keith Cross senior vice president of builder relations, the Fairfax, Virginia-based lender announced. Cross joins ACM after more than a decade at Beazer Homes and will work to expand the company’s builder partnerships and loan officer support, according to ACM.
“Keith brings a valuable combination of builder experience, sales leadership and a strong commitment to serving both partners and homebuyers,” ACM President and co-founder Jon Coy said in a statement.
Durham Regional Association of Realtors
Stephania Bloodworth | LinkedIn
Durham Regional Association of Realtors has named Stephania Bloodworth chief executive officer, effective Sept. 1, the association announced. Bloodworth previously served as chief operations officer for Cape Fear Realtors and executive director of the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina, according to DRAR. She succeeds Shelia Willis, who is retiring after 33 years leading the association.
“After a thoughtful and comprehensive search, the board selected a leader whose experience, vision and passion for serving members align with the future of our association,” DRAR President Sondra Trice-Jones said in a statement.
Portside Real Estate Group
Bettina Reece
Bettina Reece has joined Portside Real Estate Group, serving buyers and sellers across Greater Portland, Downeast and Mount Desert Island, Maine, the brokerage announced. Reece previously spent five years working alongside a top-producing Southern Maine agent and earlier contributed to hospitality projects including The Press Hotel and Canopy by Hilton in Portland, according to Portside.
“Bettina’s experience, warmth and passion for helping people make her a wonderful addition to Portside,” Agent Relations Manager Alyssa Bouthot said in a statement.
Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby’s International Realty has opened Vietnam Sotheby’s International Realty in Ho Chi Minh City, its 18th office in Asia, the brand announced. The office is led by co-founder and CEO Chloe Dang, who has 15 years of real estate experience, and co-founder and Chairman James Miles-Lambert, according to the company.
“Our role is to serve as a trusted bridge between Vietnam and the world,” Dang said in a statement.
Michael Saunders & Company
Michael Saunders & Company has named Sumeru “Sam” Patel commercial property manager for its MSC Commercial division, the Sarasota, Florida, brokerage announced. Patel brings more than 20 years of hospitality and property management experience and most recently served as director of operations and procurement for a regional hospitality organization, according to the company.
“His experience, breadth of knowledge and genuine dedication to his craft make him a real pleasure to work alongside,” MSC Commercial Director David L. Perry said in a statement.
Real Brokerage
Chris Colgan | LinkedIn
The Chris Colgan Team has joined Real Brokerage, bringing 28 agents and an estimated $150 million in annual sales volume to the company’s Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., presence, Real announced. Colgan, who has more than 22 years of real estate experience, built his team using content and personal branding strategies; his social platforms reach more than 89,000 Instagram followers and 40,000 YouTube subscribers, according to the company.
“His ability to leverage social media and personal branding to serve clients and attract top talent aligns with Real’s vision,” Chief Growth Officer Jason Cassity said in a statement.
Separately, Cosette Lambourne Woods has joined Real Brokerage in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, market, the company announced. Woods spent more than a decade in brokerage executive leadership, most recently as operating principal, and helped grow a 200-agent brokerage from No. 18 to No. 1 in its regional network over five consecutive years, according to Real.
“Her leadership, passion for coaching and commitment to helping agents succeed embody everything Real stands for,” Cassity said in a statement.
KW Inspire Network
Daniel Kadoch
Daniel Kadoch has joined KW Inspire Network’s Aventura, Florida, office from Douglas Elliman, the Keller Williams network announced. Kadoch represents more than $600 million in inventory across South Florida’s luxury markets and recently represented the buyer in the $10 million sale of DJ Khaled’s former Aventura estate, according to the company.
“Daniel is exactly the kind of agent we built Inspire for,” General Manager Matt Pitts said in a statement.
Compass
Ruth Reffkin
Compass agent Ruth Reffkin has launched The Ruth Reffkin Team with fellow agent Susan Hirschorn, according to the team. Reffkin, whose son Robert Reffkin founded Compass, marked her 10th anniversary as a Compass agent and her 81st birthday on July 26, following 27 years in New York City real estate.
“We created our team to offer expanded support, broader reach and highly personal service to buyers, homeowners, investors, families and seniors navigating important transitions,” the team said in a statement.
Troon
Susan Hirschorn
Troon has named Lauren Van Tussenbroek executive vice president of its HOA management division, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based company announced. Van Tussenbroek joins Troon from Pulte Group/Del Webb, where she oversaw operations across 27 homeowner associations, and will be based in the company’s Bradenton, Florida, office, according to Troon.
“Adding a leader with Lauren’s experience will further strengthen our growing HOA management division,” Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz said in a statement.
The Beverly Hills Estates
The Beverly Hills Estates has added five luxury agents — Tyler Neale, Stephen Apelian, Jessica Pasternak, Juli Udem and Mike Udem — the Southern California brokerage announced. Neale, who previously produced television programs including NBC’s Last Comic Standing and TBS’s Conan, has built a social media following of more than 200,000 tied to more than $50 million in residential sales, according to the company.
Tyler Neale | LinkedIn
Apelian brings a construction and development background, having built, remodeled or sold more than 100 luxury homes across Southern California, the brokerage said.
Windermere Real Estate
Windermere Real Estate has named Diana Wall its first chief growth officer, a newly created position, the Seattle-based brokerage announced. Wall joins Windermere after nearly three decades in the industry, including roles at Douglas Elliman, Anywhere Real Estate and REMAX, according to the company.
“Diana has spent her career helping respected real estate brands expand, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team,” Windermere CEO Geoff Wood said in a statement.
HillWood Realty
HillWood Realty has named Mandy Holm marketing director, the North Georgia brokerage announced. Holm brings more than a decade of marketing and public relations experience across the real estate, homebuilding and hospitality industries, according to the company.
“Mandy’s extensive marketing and communications experience, combined with her deep roots in the housing industry, make her an exceptional addition to HillWood Realty,” broker and co-owner Casey Wood said in a statement.
Crye-Leike Real Estate Services
Crye-Leike Real Estate Services has named Katie Miller vice president and relocation director for Middle Tennessee and North Alabama, the Brentwood, Tennessee, brokerage announced. Miller, a licensed broker in Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, brings more than 23 years of real estate experience and has been a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World since 2018, according to Crye-Leike.
“When real estate agents stop selling houses and start building relationships, that’s when true success is seen,” Miller said.
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
Matthew Perrye | ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
TFG International, the luxury real estate group co-founded by Tomer Fridman, has expanded to South Florida through ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, the brokerage announced. The team, now led in Miami by Matthew Perrye, brings roughly $9 billion in career sales and will operate out of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty’s Miami Beach office, according to the company.
Fridman, also co-chairman and founder of Israel Sotheby’s International Realty, holds one of the highest concentrations of $50 million-and-above listings of any single agent in Los Angeles; Perrye joins from Carolwood, where he closed more than $700 million in transactions, the brokerage said.
“As affluent buyers move fluidly between markets, their expansion from Los Angeles to South Florida is perfectly aligned with the continued growth and global demand we are experiencing here,” ONE Sotheby’s International Realty President and CEO Daniel de la Vega said in a statement.
