People on the Move at Zillow, Broker Public Portal, more 

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. 

Prominent investor returns to Zillow Group board

Venture capitalist Bill Gurley has rejoined Zillow Group's board of directors.

Gurley previously spent 10 years on the board, from 2005 to 2015 — a period of rapid growth spanning the company's founding through its IPO and several early acquisitions.

Rich Barton, CEO and co-founder of Zillow Group, said Gurley's prior involvement with the company helped set the groundwork for its future. "I can easily say Zillow would not be the company it is today without the invaluable contributions he made as both an investor and adviser in our earliest days, as well as during his original decade-long tenure as Board Director," said Barton. "Bill is a visionary and renowned adviser to mission-driven technology teams building brands for the long term, with especially deep expertise in digital consumer marketplaces."  

For his part, Gurley expressed enthusiasm for the direction and potential of Zillow Group. "Over the next several years, I believe Zillow is going to harness its astounding brand power to continue transforming the consumer experience and real estate industry," Gurley said.

Gurley, a general partner at venture capital firm Benchmark, has invested in and advised a number of other high-growth companies over the past 20 years, including GrubHub, Nextdoor and Uber.

VESTAPLUS promotes Rehn Chavez to COO

VESTAPLUS, an MLS software solutions provider and subsidiary of Southern California's The MLS/CLAW, has announced the promotion of Rehn Chavez to Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Chavez originally joined The MLS as marketing manager in 2019 and has successfully driven digital growth for Fortune 500 companies and tech startups, the company said. 

In her new role as COO, Chavez will spearhead strategic initiatives, oversee operations and collaborate with CEO Annie Ives on shaping and implementing her vision for the company. 

"Rehn's unique background, creative spirit, and proven track record make her the perfect fit for the role of COO," Ives said. "We are confident that her leadership will be instrumental in propelling VESTAPLUS to new heights as we continue to innovate and expand our footprint in the MLS software solutions market." 

The VESTAPLUS MLS platform was developed for The MLS/CLAW and is now used by several other MLSs across the country. The software platform offers an array of other tools to support client tasks and workflows.

Broker Public Portal hires Dan Troup as CEO

Broker Public Portal (BPP), an industry-focused national home search portal, has appointed Dan Troup as its new CEO in a move aimed at further collaboration between real estate brokerages and MLSs. 

Troup was most recently director of data operations and strategy at RE/MAX, and he brings extensive experience in real estate technology to his new role, the company said in the announcement. As CEO, Troup will be responsible for shaping BPP's strategic vision, partnerships, business model, financials, product development and launch.

"I am honored to step into the role of CEO at Broker Public Portal during this pivotal moment in the real estate industry," Troup said. "BPP has already made significant strides in demonstrating the importance of a national MLS consumer-facing property search site."

Troup also elaborated on the company's mission, stating that it's crucial to consumers and the industry to have "a property search experience that is both impartial and captivating" and "guided by the principles of the Fair Display Guidelines."

Rebecca Jensen, vice chair of BPP's board, expressed confidence in Troup's ability to drive the initiative forward, citing his successes, skills and relationships as key assets. Board Chair Dana Strandmo emphasized that industry experts within BPP, led by Troup, will leverage their technology expertise and leadership to continue delivering a consumer experience based on selling homes, not ads.

Cape Fear Realtors taps former Dallas MLS boss as interim CEO

Cape Fear Realtors, a local association serving 3,500 members throughout North Carolina's south coast, has appointed Janet Kane as its interim CEO.

The organization, which was established more than a century ago, intends to leverage Kane's extensive background in association management, the Wilmington-based MLS announced this week.

Formerly the CEO of the 26,000-member MetroTex Association of Realtors in Dallas, Texas, Kane's broad experience positions her as an ideal guide for the local association during this transitional phase, the organization said in the announcement.

"We are excited to welcome Janet Kane as the Interim CEO. Her skills and commitment align perfectly with our organization's mission," Cape Fear Realtors president Steve Mitchell said, adding that Kane's previous experience working with members and volunteer leadership will prove valuable while the organization searches for its next leader.