People on the Move: Chicago Association of Realtors president resigns
Drussy Hernandez said the move was necessary due to “external professional obligations.” CAR president-elect Erika Villegas will take over the role on May 15.
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.
Leadership shuffle at Chicago Realtors
Drussy Hernandez, installed last October as the 2023-2024 president of the Chicago Association of Realtors, announced this week "with a heavy heart" that she is stepping down "due to external professional obligations."
The association's president-elect, Erika Villegas, will take over as president on May 15.
"It has been a true honor being your president, and I'd like to thank the volunteers and the staff who have helped me along the way," Hernandez said.
"It was not an easy decision. But I know that our staff and our leaders will guide our association in a strong way. We're in great hands. Thank you for your support."
Hernandez is vice president of brokerage services at Coldwell Banker Realty. Villegas is designated managing broker at RE/MAX in the Village.
"We are so much more than the word Realtor; we are ambassadors for our city and all 77 neighborhoods of Chicago!" Villegas said in a CAR post introducing her and other association leaders earlier this year.
New VP at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Christina Balas has been named vice president of servicing and operations for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
She brings more than 15 years of experience across real estate, finance and hospitality to the new role, where her focus will be on increasing market share and agent productivity. "I am honored to join such an iconic brand," Balas said on LinkedIn.
Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, said Balas will "bring a fresh approach to how we service our customers" and expressed confidence that Balas "will foster a culture of growth and efficiency within the franchise while aligning operations with the brand's overall business objectives."
Balas previously headed up nationwide operations for Coldwell Banker Commercial and was named a 2024 CREi Woman of Influence for her work in the commercial real estate space.