People On the Move at OJO, @properties 

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 roles that influence the residential real estate landscape. 

OJO names a new president, chief real estate officer

OJO, the Austin-based real estate tech company and consumer platform, has promoted two of its leaders to top positions.

Chris Heller, who has served as OJO's chief real estate officer for the past four years, is now the company's president, while Jerimiah Taylor, previously the VP of real estate and mortgage services, will move into the role vacated by Heller. 

The shift in leadership coincides with a period of growth and new product offerings, the company reported.  

Heller, who brings more than three decades of industry experience — including stints as president of KW Worldwide and CEO of Keller Williams — will "continue to shape the direction of the company and the industry as a whole," OJO said in a statement announcing the promotions.

Taylor, who is also a licensed real estate broker with nearly 20 years of experience as an agent and team leader, will take over Heller's executive role and focus on fostering relationships with agents and other industry professionals. 

OJO's founder and CEO, John Berkowitz, emphasized the importance of industry partnerships to the company, noting that Taylor's experience "serving as a conduit between understanding the needs of real estate professionals and consumers" would, together with Heller, "provide tremendous value for our consumers, partners, and investors." 

 @properties promotes legal director to general counsel

The real estate brokerage firm @properties, which also operates the Christie's International Real Estate brand, has named Branden Lopez as general counsel.

Lopez joined the company less than a year ago as director of legal after previously serving as general counsel for presale renovation company Curbio. She has also worked as a commercial real estate attorney.

In her elevated role, Lopez will oversee U.S. and international affiliate agreements, compliance with both local licensing laws and European marketing laws, and @properties' intellectual property portfolio.

"Since joining us last November, Branden has become a key member of the @properties and Christie's International Real Estate leadership team, not only providing high-level legal guidance for our portfolio of companies, but also helping to craft and execute the overall strategic vision for our business," said Mike Golden, co-founder and co-CEO of @properties.