People on the Move: NWMLS CEO reveals retirement plans 

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. 

The CEO and president of the largest multiple listing service in the Pacific Northwest announced his intent to retire at the end of the year. Tom Hurdelbrink will step down as leader of Northwest Multiple Listing Service in December, after 15 years at the helm. He will be succeeded by NWMLS general counsel Justin Haag.

During his tenure, Herdelbrink steered the organization — which currently operates 21 service centers and serves 26 counties in Washington state — into significant growth, including development of innovative products and services to advance and automate real estate transactions in the region.

Notable achievements from his tenure include the merger of three multiple listing services, conversions to a new public records data system, introduction of two mobile apps and a listing appointment program, and streamlining data management. 

"Tom's leadership and accomplishments have significantly impacted the daily lives of every NWMLS member in how we perform our business," said Jeff Pust, NWMLS board chairperson and owner/principal broker with Van Dorm Realty, Inc. He adds that Hurdelbrink's successes in implementing systems and data changes has allowed brokers to raise the bar in professionalism and service to clients.

After a thorough succession planning process led by the board of directors, Haag was named the incoming president & CEO, effective January 1, 2024.

"We have seen quite a lot of industry changes in the past 15 years," Hurdelbrink said, "and the organization has come through it all stronger and even more committed to be a leading resource for our members."

New COO at The Real Brokerage

Jenna Rozenblat has been promoted to chief operating officer at The Real Brokerage after joining the company earlier this year as executive vice president of operations. 

In her new role, Rozenblat will be responsible for overseeing Real's day-to-day operations with increased efficiency and an eye toward emerging opportunities in the industry. 

She will report to Real President Sharran Srivatsaa who said Rozenblatt's "knowledge of the real estate industry and proven leadership skills will allow us to continue to accelerate our growth as we bring more agents onto our platform and better integrate our mortgage and title offerings."

Rozenblat brings 15 years of operations, program management and customer service experience to her new role.  "I'm honored to step into this role, expand my scope and continue driving change and improvement across the organization," she said.

Black Knight names EVP for MLS solutions

Real estate industry veteran and senior product development leader Lucie Fortier has been appointed executive vice president of the Black Knight, Inc., MLS Solutions group.

"Lucie's extensive real estate industry experience, coupled with her technology, data and analytics expertise, make her an ideal fit to lead the Black Knight MLS Solutions group and help take our solutions and service to the next level," said Ben Graboske, president, Black Knight Data & Analytics. "She has in-depth knowledge of what our MLS clients need – both now and moving forward – and has proven time and time again that she knows how to get things done."

Fortier brings extensive senior leadership experience from companies including Compass and CoreLogic. She also served as a board member of both the Council of Multiple Listing Services and the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO).

"Black Knight and I share a vision for delivering solutions and innovation that supports MLSs across North America," Fortier said.