I am so excited to announce today that we have formed an advisory board of 10 influential leaders in the real estate industry. Their role on the board will be to provide counsel on existing Zillow services, while also helping to evaluate ideas for future Zillow products and services.
When thinking about who to invite to participate, we wanted to make sure that a wide range of brokerages and offices were represented. We wanted someone who would represent the frachised verses the independent office; the large verses the small office; and the national verse regional brand.
This board will be invaluable in helping us plan and continue to build product and services that serve the real estate community to the fullest potential.
Introducing the Zillow Broker Advisory Board:
Steve Baird: Steve is the President and CEO of Baird & Warner. Established in 1855, Baird and Warner is the oldest residential real estate brokerage in the US and currently ranks among the nation's top 12 with an annual sales volume of approximately $5 Billion. Under Baird's leadership, the firm has grown dramatically- currently with a sales force of approximately 1,700 sales associates, who operate from 30 strategically located offices throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
Ken Barris: Ken is the President of Jordan Baris. At the age of 22, Ken was the youngest CRS in the nation and later earned the CRB designation. An industry leader, Ken with a partner, developed and licensed to Top Producer Systems, Top Presenter- an interactive multimedia listing presentation that was award best new software product of the year by NAR when it was launched. In the media, Ken has been heard on radio and seen on CNBC and NBC National Nightly News as a real estate expert. Frequently in the press, he has been quoted in editorial sections of USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Real Estate News, Real Estate Business, Real Estate Today and various industry newsletters. As a speaker, Ken has addressed professionals at numerous conferences on topics such as Practical Technology, Selling on the First Day Out and Unlocking the Power of the Web for Brokers. Established in 1952, Jordan Barris Inc. is one of the premier full-service real estate brokerages in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area and has a team of over 200.
Bob Blount: Bob is CEO and RE/MAX Allegiance with 35 offices, and 1150 agents in MD, VA and Washington DC. He is a Director for NAR, MRIS, REIN MLS, and REBR. He serves on several VAR committees and work groups and was on the NAR Gateway PAG. He is recognized as an expert in integrated brokerage business systems. Bob is a former RE/MAX International Broker/Owner of the Year and resides in Virginia Beach, VA.
Sherry Chris: Sherry was appointed President and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC in October 2007. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is the 5th residential brand for Realogy. Sherry was most recently COO for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Overall, Sherry has more than 27 years of real estate experience, including significant senior management positions in the areas of sales and marketing and new technologies, and franchise management. A native Canadian, she began her real estate career in Canada and held increasingly senior positions with Royal LePage for 16 years before taking on executive roles with Real Living (OH) and Prudential CA/NV/TX Realty. She joined Realogy in 2006. Well known within the real estate industry, Sherry is a frequent speaker at real estate and technology conferences.
Craig Cuyar: Craig is a Senior VP and CIO for the Realogy Franchise Group. Realogy is a franchisor of 6 of the most recognized brands in the real estate industry: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby's International Realty. Realogy franchises its leading brands to residential and commercial real estate brokerages throughout the US and the world. Craig is a regular speaker on the Business Value of IT and serves on a number of advisory boards in both the technology and professional services industries. Craig is also an Executive Board Member and President of the NJ Chapter of the Society for Information Management.
Dan Elsea: Dan is the President of brokerage services for the Real Estate One Family of Companies. Dan has been in the real estate business for over 25 years in a number of capacities within the company from commercial and residential sales to branch and division management. He and his brother Stuart share the leadership of the company and its affiliates. The company is in its third generation in MI, having begun as Elsea Realty in 1929 under Staunton Elsea, Dan's grandfather. Real Estate One brings in $2.4 Billion annually, and is the 13th largest brokerage in the nation, employing 1500 agents.
Pat Lashinsky: As the CEO and President of ZipRealty, Pat serves on the Board of Directors and is responsible for the company vision, planning, and overall strategy in addition to day to day oversight of the company's overall operations and its growth and innovation initiatives. Pat has previously served as President, Executive Vice President of Product Strategy and Development, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, and as Vice President of Sales at ZipRealty.
Mike Montsko: As President of the Weichert Lead Network, Mike oversees Weichert Realtor's state-of-the-art customer contact center. Prior to his promotion, he spearheaded the huge technological initiative that created Weichert's industry-leading contact center. The only one of its kind in the industry, the Weichert customer contact center uses sophisticated technology to deliver responsive personal service to online and 800 number customers 7 days a week. In 2005 and 2006, Mike was listed as one of the "100 Most Influential Real Estate People" by Inman News.
Harley Rouda, Jr: Harley is CEO of Real Living, Inc. Harley spearheaded the creation of Real Living in February 2002 by acquiring several regional real estate firms to create an agent-centric company that would lead the industry in marketing, technology and professional development. In 2006, REALTOR Magazine named Harley one of Real Estate's Top 25 Most Influential Thought Leaders. Inman News also named him one of hte Most Influential People in Real Estate. He earned the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awared in June 2002, in recognition of his industry leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. In April 2007, he was selected as the vice chair of The National Association of Realtors' Real Estate Services Advisory Board.
Mark Woodroof: Mark is managing partner for Prudential Gary Greene, and has been active in the Residential Real Estate brokerage business for nearly 24 years. In March 2000 Mark became a principal at Prudental Gary Greene, Realtors. This new entity was formed with partner Marilyn Eiland by acquiring the residential assets of Gary Greene Realtors, Better Homes and Gardens and 4 Prudential affiliates, ultimately creating a market-leading force of over 11000 associates in 18 owned and 9 affliliated offices throughout the greater Houston area. Mark and Marilyn are actively involved in the leadership and daily operations of the company. Mark has been involved with the Houston Association of Realtors since 1991 serving as its chairman in 1999. He has also active with both the state and national associations serving on numerous committees and is a past director of the Texas Association and current director of the National Association of Realtors as a large broker representative.
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