People on the Move: C.A.R. CEO resigns; eXp names new CMO
John Sebree is leaving the California Association of Realtors, while Wendy Forsythe will move into the role of CMO at eXp.
Editor's note: As an industry with millions of agents and over 100,000 brokerage companies, new leaders rise to the top every day. Here we highlight executives and other notable leaders who've recently taken on, or stepped away from, roles that influence the residential real estate landscape.
John Sebree leaving C.A.R. after 2 years as CEO
John Sebree has stepped down as CEO of the California Association of Realtors, "to pursue other opportunities," the association said in a statement.
Sebree had been in the role for two years, coming from the Missouri Realtors to replace Joel Singer, who had spent more than three decades as CEO of the California association before his retirement.
"On behalf of C.A.R.'s leadership team and the Board of Directors, I'd like to thank John for his contributions and service as CEO and State Secretary for our organization. We wish him well in his future endeavors," said C.A.R. President Melanie Barker.
Debra Ferrier, currently CEO of C.A.R.'s for-profit subsidiary Real Estate Business Services (REBS), has been tapped to serve as interim CEO. Ferrier, who has been with C.A.R. for 37 years, called her appointment a "humbling and exciting opportunity."
A nationwide search for the association's next permanent CEO will begin immediately.
"We look forward to working with interim CEO Debra Ferrier, who is well-known throughout the industry, and who has a keen understanding of the priorities of the Association," added Barker.
C.A.R. has 180,000 members and is one of the largest state trade organizations in the nation.
eXp has a new CMO: Wendy Forsythe
Wendy Forsythe, an executive with experience at Compass and Fathom Holdings, has been hired as CMO at eXp.
Glenn Sanford, eXp's founder and executive chairman, announced the move from the stage Tuesday at the T3 Leadership Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"We're gathering a lot of really unique people," Sanford said.
And when they come on board, things look a little different than they did in the company's early days. "Now when they're joining, they're going hey, you've proven that this actually makes sense. How can we just continue to make it better and continue on with that vision?"
This is a return to the brokerage world for Forsythe, who took a role with Chirag Shah Coaching in February. She had previously been Compass' vice president for California, Hawaii and Nevada; chief strategy officer for Fathom; and COO with HomeSmart.