Budge Huskey is changing titles at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, though anyone planning his retirement party can hold off.
Huskey will hand the CEO role to President Jackie Thiel on Jan. 1 and become executive chairman of the firm, the company said in a statement Tuesday. He will also continue as vice chairman of Peerage Realty Partners, the brokerage’s parent company, and Peerage Group Sotheby’s International Realty. Thiel will take over all Premier Sotheby’s International Realty operations.
Huskey plans to become more involved in his vice chairman role on the Peerage Realty Partners board, a spokesperson for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty told Inman.
“Moving into the executive chairman role allows me to remain engaged in the firm’s strategic direction while placing day-to-day leadership in the hands of the person best prepared to carry it forward,” Huskey said in a statement.
The announcement comes days after Sotheby’s International Realty named Mark McLaughlin president and CEO, effective Nov. 1, with longtime leader Philip White moving to executive chairman, Inman reported.
As executive chairman, Huskey will focus on strategic initiatives, growth opportunities, industry relations and the firm’s culture, according to the company.
Huskey joined Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in 2016 after more than three decades in residential brokerage and franchising leadership. During his tenure, the firm expanded across Florida markets, including Naples, Sarasota, Tampa and Orlando, and into Charlotte, Asheville and the North Carolina High Country, adding rentals, relocation, new development, mortgage, title and insurance services.
The firm now has about 1,200 advisors in more than 40 offices in Florida and North Carolina and ranks as the largest Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate worldwide by closed sales volume, according to the company.
“Jackie has been a true partner in leading this company and has already earned the confidence of our advisors, our managing brokers and our support team,” Huskey said. “There is no one better suited to lead the firm into the future.”
Thiel joined Premier Sotheby’s International Realty as president just over two years ago and has overseen brokerage operations, the managing broker team, advisor development programs, and the mortgage and title divisions. She previously served as president of Long & Foster Real Estate. She will lead the firm from its home office in Naples.
“Our advisors are leaders in the markets we serve, and my focus will be on giving them every advantage: the best marketing, the best technology and the best support in the business,” Thiel said in a statement.
White, who said he has known Huskey for more than 25 years, congratulated him in the release.
“I have enjoyed watching him flourish throughout his career, driven largely by his singular focus on helping real estate advisors be as successful as possible,” White said.
