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After slightly over a yr within the chair, Mark Willis is stepping down as president and chief government officer of Keller Williams, executives introduced in an inside electronic mail to workers on Wednesday.
Willis will likely be transitioning into the function of chief management officer, Keller Williams co-founder Gary Keller informed the corporate’s workers and discipline 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, may also function interim chief working officer as the corporate searches for its subsequent CEO, based on 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 mentioned.
Keller outlined the brand new construction as follows:
Direct stories to Gary Keller, co-founder and government chairman:
- Jason Abrams, Head of Business and Studying
- Cody Gibson, Vice President of KW MAPS Teaching
- Jay Papasan, Vice President of Strategic Content material
Direct stories to John Keller, vice chairman:
- Shawn Cauthen, Vice President of Artistic Media Content material
- Alex Perica, Senior Director of Occasions
- Micheal Balistreri, Interim Director of Advertising and marketing
Direct stories 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 Workers
Willis is a Keller Williams veteran, beginning with 11 years as a staff 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 via 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 about.
After a short-lived authorized battle, the businesses agreed to settle the case beneath confidential phrases in Could 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 honor of my lifetime to serve twice as CEO of this incredible organization,” Willis mentioned in an announcement.
“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 beneath:
KW Household,
Efficient immediately, 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 many years of management inside our group. Educating and growing 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 staff, 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 honour 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 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’ve got a lot extra to do collectively, and I sit up for being part of that journey transferring ahead, assured within the firm’s future route 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 staff. I sit up for working intently with Stacie, John, and the remainder of the management staff as we lead the corporate via this transition and drive the way forward for our enterprise.
As a part of this transition, now we have made changes to our process group to make sure a seamless handover of obligations and continued alignment with our strategic targets. The brand new construction follows:
Thanks to your belief as we navigate this thrilling new chapter. Collectively, we’ll construct on our robust basis and guarantee a vibrant future for our market heart house owners, 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
