Top strategy exec returns to Compass after 2 years away
Mark A. McLaughlin is back at Compass as the company’s chief real estate strategist. He left the company in 2021 to pursue consulting opportunities.
Key points:
- McLaughlin will return to the same role he held for just nine months before departing Compass.
- McLaughlin joined Compass in 2018 after his brokerage, Pacific Union International, was acquired by the company.
- At the time of acquisition, Pacific Union had more than 2,000 employees and generated $14 billion in annual sales volume.
Mark A. McLaughlin has returned to Compass — and his former role with the company — less than two years after leaving the brokerage.
McLaughlin, a real estate executive with more than three decades of experience, once operated one of the largest West Coast brokerage firms, Pacific Union International, which Compass acquired in 2018. He then led Compass' operations in California until his promotion to chief real estate strategist in 2021.
Now back in the chief strategist role, McLaughlin will be responsible for implementing best operational practices and working closely with the company's local leaders, real estate professionals and other key stakeholders, according to a news release from the company.
"Mark reflects the best of real estate leadership. His deep experience and track record building successful real estate businesses are huge assets, and we are very excited to welcome him back to the Compass family," said Robert Reffkin, Compass founder and CEO.
During his time away from Compass, McLaughlin operated his consulting firm McLaughlin Ventures and has served on boards for a variety of companies, including Milestones Labs and Realfinity. In June 2022, McLaughlin Ventures partnered with WAV Group to provide expanded mergers and acquisitions services.
"Returning to Compass allows me to continue to give back to an industry I love at a company where I have a passion for success. I can make a difference in our pursuit of greatness at Compass," McLaughlin said. "As a performance-based entrepreneur, I am excited to be a part of a great company invested in being even better for all its stakeholders."
Through Pacific Union, McLaughlin built a real estate empire. By 2018, the brokerage had more than 2,000 agents and employees generating $14 billion in annual sales volume. The company experienced much of its growth through acquisitions across California, completing 12 mergers.
McLaughlin is the second executive to announce their return to a major brokerage company in the past week. Former Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis announced on July 12 that he was rejoining KW in a consulting capacity.