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After a bit of 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 inner electronic mail to staff on Wednesday.
Willis will probably be transitioning into the function of chief management officer, Keller Williams co-founder Gary Keller informed the corporate’s staff and subject leaders in an electronic mail obtained by Inman.
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“I have nothing but the deepest gratitude and respect for Mark and his decades of leadership within our organization,” Keller wrote. “Teaching and developing leaders has always been Mark’s true passion, and we are excited to have him take the helm of this new position,” Keller added. “When Mark first re-joined our team, he and I talked about this role as Mark’s true calling, and I’m energized that this is finally happening.”
Stacie Herron, Keller Williams’ present chief authorized and administrative officer, will even function interim chief working officer as the corporate searches for its subsequent CEO, in response to Keller.
“As part of this transition, we have made adjustments to our task organization to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities and continued alignment with our strategic goals,” Keller stated.
Keller outlined the brand new construction as follows:
Direct studies 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 studies 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 and marketing
Direct studies 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 Progress
- Jane Devine, Chief of Employees
Willis is a Keller Williams veteran, beginning with 11 years as a crew 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 function for a decade earlier than leaving KW in 2015 to deal with thought management and philanthropy by way 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 info that eXp would then be aware of.
After a short-lived authorized battle, the businesses agreed to settle the case beneath confidential phrases in Might 2022. Willis returned to Keller Williams as a strategic advisor in July 2023 and returned as CEO in November 2023.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve twice as CEO of this incredible organization,” Willis stated in a press release.
“Now, I’m excited to tackle a brand new problem as I transition to a brand new function 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 have so much more to do together, and I look forward to being a part of that journey moving forward, confident in the company’s future direction and continued growth.”
Learn Keller’s electronic mail in its entirety under:
KW Household,
Efficient at present, Mark Willis is transitioning from serving as CEO and president into the function of Keller Williams’ Chief Management Officer. I’ve nothing however the deepest gratitude and respect for Mark and his a long time 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 crew, he and I talked about this function as Mark’s true calling, and I’m energized that that is lastly taking place.
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“It has been the respect of my lifetime to serve twice as CEO of this unimaginable group. Now, I’m excited to tackle a brand new problem as I transition to a brand new function 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 have now a lot extra to do collectively, and I stay up for being part of that journey shifting ahead, assured within the firm’s future path and continued progress.”
– 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 is going to excel on this expanded function. John Keller, in his function as Vice Chairman, will proceed to supervise the management crew. I stay up for working carefully with Stacie, John, and the remainder of the management crew as we lead the corporate by way of this transition and drive the way forward for our enterprise.
As a part of this transition, now we have made changes to our job group to make sure a seamless handover of duties and continued alignment with our strategic objectives. The brand new construction follows:
Thanks to your belief as we navigate this thrilling new chapter. Collectively, we’ll construct on our sturdy basis and guarantee a brilliant future for our market middle homeowners, brokers, and the communities we serve.
Please be part of me in expressing gratitude to Mark for his excellent management and welcoming Stacie into her new function.
Onward…
Gary Keller
Co-Founder and Govt Chairman
Keller Williams Realty
