Rechat named Audie Chamberlain, the executive behind its brand and partnership strategy, to a newly created chief industry officer role. The appointment leads this month’s real estate C-suite changes, which also include a new CEO at Westcor Global, a new president at the American Land Title Association and a new chief operating officer at Baird & Warner, according to company announcements.
Brokerages also added agents and offices. SERHANT. brought in a New Jersey team from Compass, and The Agency opened its first office in Aruba.
Real estate C-suite changes and other moves
Here are the details:
Rechat
Audie Chamberlain | Rechat
Rechat appointed Audie Chamberlain chief industry officer, the company announced Oct. 13. The appointment is effective immediately, and it’s a newly created role on the company’s executive team.
Chamberlain will lead brand, communications and partnerships at Rechat. He’ll also work to expand Rechat’s relationships with the largest brokerage networks and coaching organizations in the industry. His plans include launching a brand champions and creator program, original industry research and Rechat Experiences, a series of events for industry leaders, according to the company.
Chamberlain previously served as Rechat’s vice president of strategic growth and communications. In that role he helped secure partnerships and launches with Follow Up Boss, Figma, Canva, SkySlope, The Agency, Local Logic and HomeServices of America. He also led the launches of Rechat Websites, the Rechat App Platform and the Rechat MCP Server, which brought the app into Claude and ChatGPT.
He spent six years at Realtor.com as director of social marketing and served as vice president of marketing at a Beverly Hills luxury brokerage. He also founded Lion & Orb, a growth marketing and public relations firm. Chamberlain holds a real estate license and sits on Inman’s advisory board.
Rechat has doubled revenue year over year and serves more than 200 brokerages, according to the company.
“The real estate industry is experiencing unprecedented consolidation across brokerages, teams, MLSs and technology. This new role will help us continue to lead through these changes,” Shayan Hamidi, CEO of Rechat, said in a statement.
“I am honored to step into this role at a defining moment for Rechat and for the real estate industry,” Chamberlain said in a statement.
Baird & Warner
Sarah Casalan
Baird & Warner appointed Sarah Casalan chief operating officer, the brokerage announced Oct. 7. Casalan will oversee operational strategy and implementation across the firm. Baird & Warner describes itself as the largest independent brokerage in the Chicago area.
Casalan comes from The UPS Store Inc., where she was president. She led an organization with more than 5,500 locations and 3,900 franchise owners across North America, according to the company. In her new role she will work with Baird & Warner’s agents and employees on tools, procedures and support systems.
Her hire follows several other leadership changes at the brokerage this year. Laura Ellis was elevated to chief revenue officer and Jeanette Cutler was appointed chief marketing officer. Lucy Baird, a sixth-generation member of the Baird family, was named chief stewardship officer and vice chair of the board.
“As independent contractors, agents succeed when they have the right tools, systems and people behind them, and Sarah understands that dynamic deeply,” Steve Baird, president and CEO of Baird & Warner, said in a statement.
Gambino Group at Compass
Albi Zhubi joined Gambino Group at Compass as an agent, the team announced Oct. 7. Zhubi has more than $125 million in individually closed career sales and has worked on more than $1 billion in transactions, according to the team.
Zhubi has worked in Brooklyn real estate for 12 years and has closed nearly 500 transactions. Her work covers new development, townhouses, condos and co-ops. She also advises developers on floor plans, unit mix and pricing before units go to market. According to the release, she is pursuing accreditation in how a building’s design and materials affect residents’ health.
Carl Gambino founded Gambino Group in 2020. The team has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Fork and the Hamptons.
“She understands a building before it’s built and a home’s potential before a buyer ever sees it,” Gambino said in a statement.
Century 21
Indie Realty, a 53-agent brokerage in Tucson, Arizona, joined the Century 21 brand and now operates as Century 21 Indie Realty, Century 21 Real Estate announced Oct. 8.
Broker-owner and CEO Don Geisler founded the firm in 2021. He started 25 years ago as a sales associate at another Tucson firm and rose to branch manager and then regional manager there. Branch manager Jacque Torres oversees day-to-day operations. The brokerage plans to open two more offices in the Tucson area and to expand further into the luxury and commercial markets, according to the company.
“The real estate industry continues to change dramatically, and it’s critical to provide our agents and affiliates every advantage they need to be successful,” Geisler said in a statement.
In Texas, Jose and Moire Torres took over ownership of Century 21 Tevas Real Estate in Pearland, which now operates as Century 21 Republic, Houston Agent Magazine reported. Jose Torres, the co-owner and broker, is a U.S. Navy veteran with 25 years of experience in finance, real estate and project management. Moire Torres, a former teacher, is co-owner and office manager.
“We want our agents to feel supported, our clients to feel cared for and our office to make a positive difference in the communities we serve,” Moire Torres said in a statement.
Westcor Global
Neil Gulley became CEO and president of Westcor Global Inc. on Oct. 1, the company announced Oct. 8. He succeeds Terry Wright, who had been interim CEO since September 2025. Wright will stay on the board of directors.
Gulley has more than 28 years of experience in title, finance and real estate. He comes from CBIP Services LLC and Keymara Ventures, where he served as executive vice president and chief revenue officer. Before that he was chief development officer at Title Resources Group and senior vice president at Realogy Title Group.
Westcor Global’s companies include Westcor Land Title Insurance Co., Westcor International, X1 Analytics and AgentHome.
“I am committed to building on the strength of our businesses, developing opportunities across our portfolio, and positioning our organization for continued growth,” Gulley said in a statement.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage One combined with Park Company Realtors, a fellow brokerage in Fargo, North Dakota, the brand announced Oct. 12. The combined firm will operate as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Park Company, with about 75 agents in two offices.
Park Company Realtors marks 70 years in business in 2026 and is a top-five producing brokerage in North Dakota, according to the company. Ownership passes from Jill and Bob Carlson to Drew Likness, Jim Bullis and Jeff Laliberte of Advantage One. Shawn Schmidt will remain president, Michelle Velaski will stay on as director of business development and Likness will serve as managing partner.
“Working in the same market as Drew has allowed us to witness just how similar his company culture is to ours,” Schmidt said in a statement.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Kelly Silver
Kelly Silver was named chief marketing officer of two Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages, the companies announced Oct. 12. The two are Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York, and Hudson Valley Properties, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. Silver will oversee brand and marketing strategy at both firms.
Silver had been senior vice president of marketing at Georgia Properties. Before that she spent eight years as executive vice president of marketing at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Earlier she worked more than 20 years at BBDO Detroit on the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge accounts, then joined DaimlerChrysler International.
Her appointment comes as the BHHS network rolls out OnePoint, a platform that gives buyers and sellers one agent as their point of contact for every step of their transaction, according to the companies.
“Her experience and proven marketing leadership make her a great fit as we continue to elevate our brand,” Brenda Maher, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York, and Hudson Valley Properties, said in a statement.
RXR
RXR named Gerard Norcia executive vice president and head of its residential business unit, the New York-based firm announced Oct. 13. Whitney Arcaro was named chief operating officer of the unit and will run residential operations with Norcia.
RXR’s residential operating portfolio holds more than 8,000 units with about $5 billion in gross asset value, plus a development pipeline of 2,800 units, according to the company. Since 2021, the firm has expanded beyond the New York area into Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Texas, California and North Carolina.
Norcia most recently served as CEO of Olmstead Properties and executive vice president of portfolio management at Southern Land Co. Before that he spent nine years at J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Global Real Assets business and nine years at Prudential Global Investment Management.
“For years, we have invested behind a clear thesis: go where talent, employers and public investment are converging,” Scott Rechler, chairman and CEO of RXR, said in a statement.
Longbridge Financial
Larissa Morrell
Longbridge Financial promoted Larissa Morrell to vice president of product development, the home equity lender announced Oct. 13. Morrell will help lead product development strategy across product, technology, operations, compliance and sales.
Morrell joined Longbridge in 2022 and worked on the launch of HELOC For Seniors and the expansion of the company’s Platinum reverse mortgage portfolio. She previously spent nearly nine years at Reverse Mortgage Funding as director of sales logistics and development and earlier held leadership roles at MetLife.
“There’s an opportunity to think more broadly about the role home equity can play in a homeowner’s financial planning,” Morrell said in a statement.
SERHANT.
Christine “Chris” Lane and The Lane Team joined SERHANT. in Montclair, New Jersey, from Compass, the brokerage announced Oct. 13. Lane has $1.8 billion in career sales and $60 million in the past 12 months, according to the brokerage.
Lane has worked in real estate for more than 20 years, with a focus on Glen Ridge and Montclair. Team members Gregory Lane, Matthew Lane, Traci Godfrey and Brittany Forsyth also made the move. The team has more than $75 million in combined lifetime sales, according to the brokerage.
SERHANT. operates in 20 states and supports more than 2,000 agents, according to the company.
“We worked together years ago, and it was her foresight that initiated SERHANT. entering the New Jersey market,” Michele Zyska, broker of record for SERHANT. New Jersey, said in a statement.
The Agency
The Agency opened its first office in Aruba, the brokerage announced Oct. 13. The Agency Aruba is located in Oranjestad and is led by managing partners Cindy Ruittemanz and Toine Schoofs.
The Agency has more than 190 offices in 18 countries and launched 27 offices in 2025, according to the company.
“Aruba has tremendous international appeal, from its year-round climate and beautiful beaches to its strong second-home and investment market,” Mauricio Umansky, founder and CEO of The Agency, said in a statement.
In New York, Michael Holt joined The Agency from Compass with members of The Holt Team, Daniel Lochnicki and Mike DiJune. Holt closed about $39.5 million in sales volume over the past 12 months and works with buyers, sellers, investors and developers in New York and Florida, according to the brokerage.
Eastern Union
Jake McMahon
Eastern Union hired Jake McMahon as associate director, the commercial real estate finance firm announced Oct. 13. McMahon joins the Blau-Pfeifer Team, led by senior managing director Motti Blau and managing director Mendy Pfeifer.
McMahon previously worked at Arbor Realty Trust and focuses on financing for multifamily and mixed-use properties. His experience includes agency, bridge, construction, FHA/HUD and preferred equity financing.
“He commits himself to his clients and works closely with them through every step of the mortgage process,” Abe Bergman, president of Eastern Union, said in a statement.
Compass
Compass Inc. appointed Sissie Hsiao to its board of directors, the company announced Oct. 14. Hsiao spent nearly 20 years at Google, where she led development of the Gemini app and served as vice president and general manager of the Display, Video and App Advertising businesses.
Charles Phillips stepped down from the board effective Oct. 9. Phillips had served as a director since August 2020 and as lead independent director since February 2021. He left to devote more time to commitments outside real estate, and his resignation was not due to any disagreement with the company, according to Compass.
Frank Martell succeeds Phillips as lead independent director. Steven Sordello takes over as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
“Her AI and advertising background is exactly what we were looking for and we welcome her to our Board,” Robert Reffkin, founder, chairman and CEO of Compass, said in a statement.
American Land Title Association
The American Land Title Association inducted Craig Haskins as president for the 2026-2027 association year, ALTA announced Oct. 14. Haskins is president and CEO of Knight Barry Title, which is based in Milwaukee and operates in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Florida.
Haskins has more than 30 years of title industry experience. He has served on ALTA’s Board of Governors and as vice chair of its Best Practices Work Group. Tara Smith of First American Title Insurance Co. is president-elect.
“My job as president is to listen, make sure members feel the value of this association and encourage more people to add their voices to the conversation,” Haskins said in a statement.
Flyhomes
Flyhomes added three people to its leadership team.
Tyler Moynihan joined as vice president of business development and will focus on distribution partnerships with mortgage lenders, homebuilders, brokerages and technology platforms. He most recently held a leadership role at Opendoor. Before that, he spent 12 years at Zillow, where he was vice president of partnerships and corporate development.
Nihit Nirmal joined as vice president of product. He previously served as group chief product officer at Funding Societies, a Southeast Asian lender, and later founded an enterprise AI company.
Wendy Tieu returned to Flyhomes as director of partner sales enablement. She will support the company’s loan officer network as Flyhomes expands its Buy Before You Sell platform.
Howard Hanna Portside Real Estate Group
Wendy Silver joined Howard Hanna Portside Real Estate Group in Massachusetts. She is based in Essex and works with buyers and sellers on the North Shore, Cape Ann and MetroWest. Silver was an attorney before she started her real estate career.
Portside has more than 200 agents, according to the company, and partners with Howard Hanna. In November, it will roll out Hanna Health & Wealth to its agents, which includes health and insurance benefits and retirement planning resources.
“I love the research, the due diligence, and what the data can tell us. There’s always a story behind a home,” Silver said in a statement.
