Side taps former Zillow executive as president
Stephen Capezza, who oversaw the Premier Agent program at Zillow, will focus on growth as president at Side.
Key points:
- Stephen Capezza brings “significant industry experience” to his new role at the brokerage platform Side.
- Capezza, who joined Zillow in 2015, most recently led the Premier Agent program.
- Side has added three key executives in the past year.
A brokerage platform focused on partnering with top agents and teams is getting a boost by hiring someone who knows the territory well.
Side announced that it has appointed Stephen Capezza president. In this role, Capezza will focus on growing the firm after what was a busy and challenging 2022.
"Steve is the exact right person to help guide Side through the next phase of our growth," said Guy Gal, Side CEO via news release. "He has significant industry experience, and a deep understanding of the specific needs of the top-producing agents and teams we partner with at Side. I am excited to work with Steve to help thousands more top-producing agents and teams become their own companies in the coming years."
Capezza — frequently known as "Capz" — was most recently a senior vice president at Zillow Group, overseeing the Zillow Premier Agent program. He joined Zillow in 2015 following the company's acquisition of Trulia, where he spent two years leading Trulia's San Francisco sales teams.
Like many real estate technology companies, Side dealt with layoffs in 2022 as the industry slowed down in the second half of the year. It went through at least two rounds during the real estate slowdown, according to media reports. Side also expanded into several markets in 2022, and was named one of the most innovative companies last year by Fast Company.
Side also hit a significant milestone in 2022; it now has more than 500 companies on its platform. A company spokesperson said in an email that one goal for 2023 is helping those partners increase their market share during this slower market.
"There is still so much opportunity within the markets in which we operate to keep adding incredible companies to our platform," said Katherine Mechling, director of communications for Side.
Capezza also noted plans to continue expanding Side's model.
"I'm thrilled to play a role in expanding this unique model so that even more agents, teams, and independent brokers across the country can take ownership of their business and careers," he said.
Side also added key executives to the team in 2022. In March, Side appointed Michelle Denogean as chief marketing officer; In August Carmine "CJ" Napolitano was hired as chief financial officer.
"With this experienced executive team in place, we will continue to advance our mission to transform the best real estate agents into companies that they own, and help those companies continue to grow," said Gal.
Launched in 2017, Side is based in San Francisco.