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After somewhat over a 12 months within the chair, Mark Willis is stepping down as president and chief govt officer of Keller Williams, executives introduced in an inside e-mail to staff on Wednesday.
Willis can be transitioning into the position of chief management officer, Keller Williams co-founder Gary Keller informed the corporate’s staff and subject leaders in an e-mail obtained by Inman.
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“I’ve nothing however the deepest gratitude and respect for Mark and his many years of management inside our group,” Keller wrote. “Educating and creating leaders has at all times been Mark’s true ardour, and we’re excited to have him take the helm of this new place,” Keller added. “When Mark first re-joined our group, he and I talked about this position as Mark’s true calling, and I’m energized that that is lastly occurring.”
Stacie Herron, Keller Williams’ present chief authorized and administrative officer, may even function interim chief working officer as the corporate searches for its subsequent CEO, in line with Keller.
“As a part of this transition, now we have made changes to our activity group to make sure a seamless handover of obligations and continued alignment with our strategic targets,” Keller mentioned.
Keller outlined the brand new construction as follows:
Direct experiences to Gary Keller, co-founder and govt chairman:
- Jason Abrams, Head of Trade and Studying
- Cody Gibson, Vice President of KW MAPS Teaching
- Jay Papasan, Vice President of Strategic Content material
Direct experiences to John Keller, vice chairman:
- Shawn Cauthen, Vice President of Inventive Media Content material
- Alex Perica, Senior Director of Occasions
- Micheal Balistreri, Interim Director of Advertising
Direct experiences to Stacie Herron, chief working officer, chief authorized officer:
- Invoice Soteroff, President of KWW
- Wendi Harrelson, President of KWRI-Owned Areas
- John Clidy, Vice President of Development
- Jane Devine, Chief of Workers
Willis is a Keller Williams veteran, beginning with 11 years as a group chief in Austin from 1991 to 2002 earlier than being promoted to president after which his first stint as CEO of the corporate. He stayed in that position for a decade earlier than leaving KW in 2015 to deal with thought management and philanthropy by means of Mark Willis Management and the Willis Household Basis.
Willis is leaving 14 months after his controversial return as Keller Williams CEO. In January 2022, a longtime rivalry between KW and eXp Realty got here to boiling level when eXp tried to recruit Willis and KW in flip filed a lawsuit alleging Willis’ possession stake in a franchise and two areas gave him entry to confidential data that eXp would then be aware of.
After a short-lived authorized battle, the businesses agreed to settle the case below confidential phrases in Might 2022. Willis returned to Keller Williams as a strategic marketing consultant in July 2023 and returned as CEO in November 2023.
“It has been the respect of my lifetime to serve twice as CEO of this unbelievable group,” Willis mentioned in a press release.
“Now, I’m excited to tackle a brand new problem as I transition to a brand new position that Gary and I’ve labored collectively for a while to create. As Chief Management Officer, I’ll deal with serving to our leaders develop and obtain their highest potential.
“We’ve got a lot extra to do collectively, and I sit up for being part of that journey shifting ahead, assured within the firm’s future course and continued development.”
Learn Keller’s e-mail in its entirety under:
KW Household,
Efficient at present, Mark Willis is transitioning from serving as CEO and president into the position of Keller Williams’ Chief Management Officer. I’ve nothing however the deepest gratitude and respect for Mark and his many years of management inside our group. Educating and creating leaders has at all times been Mark’s true ardour, and we’re excited to have him take the helm of this new place. When Mark first re-joined our group, he and I talked about this position as Mark’s true calling, and I’m energized that that is lastly occurring.
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“It has been the respect of my lifetime to serve twice as CEO of this unbelievable group. Now, I’m excited to tackle a brand new problem as I transition to a brand new position that Gary and I’ve labored collectively for a while to create. As Chief Management Officer, I’ll deal with serving to our leaders develop and obtain their highest potential.
We’ve got a lot extra to do collectively, and I sit up for being part of that journey shifting ahead, assured within the firm’s future course and continued development.”
– Mark Willis, Chief Management Officer
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As we glance to establish our subsequent CEO, now we have requested Stacie Herron, our present Chief Authorized and Administrative Officer, to function interim Chief Working Officer. I’m assured she’s going to excel on this expanded position. John Keller, in his position as Vice Chairman, will proceed to supervise the management group. I sit up for working carefully with Stacie, John, and the remainder of the management group as we lead the corporate by means of this transition and drive the way forward for our enterprise.
As a part of this transition, now we have made changes to our activity group to make sure a seamless handover of obligations and continued alignment with our strategic targets. The brand new construction follows:
Thanks on your belief as we navigate this thrilling new chapter. Collectively, we are going to construct on our robust basis and guarantee a shiny future for our market heart house owners, brokers, and the communities we serve.
Please be a part of me in expressing gratitude to Mark for his excellent management and welcoming Stacie into her new position.
Onward…
Gary Keller
Co-Founder and Government Chairman
Keller Williams Realty
