NAR stands with CEO amid turmoil
NAR leaders affirmed Bob Goldberg as CEO during an emergency meeting days after the association’s president resigned following sexual harassment allegations.
Key points:
- Calls for Bob Goldberg’s resignation intensified during a tumultuous week.
- NAR’s new president said association leaders are “united in support of our staff and that includes Bob.”
- The NAR Accountability Project’s founder said “we have much work left to do.”
Bob Goldberg has received a vote of confidence from NAR leaders after a week of turbulence for the nation's largest trade association.
The NAR Executive Committee held an emergency meeting on Thursday amid calls for Goldberg to step down along with former president Kenny Parcell, who resigned Monday in response to sexual harassment allegations.
NAR's new president, Tracy Kasper, said in a statement after the meeting that the organization's leaders are "united in support of our staff and that includes Bob."
"We know there are some who have been hurt, and we acknowledge that it is up to all of us at NAR to make the necessary change to create an atmosphere where they feel safe," she continued. "We recognize there is so much work to be done."
The New York Times' Aug. 26 investigation into Parcell and the National Association of Realtors revealed a "culture of fear" within the organization. Parcell denied wrongdoing, and Goldberg said all allegations were "either validated, and we took action; or not violations of the law or our Code of Conduct … or not true."
Calls for Goldberg's resignation grew louder after Parcell stepped down.
New York agent Jason Haber said Goldberg and the entire leadership team needed to go, and on Wednesday launched the NAR Accountability Project to push for systemic change at the association.
Haber was surprised by NAR's move, telling Real Estate News: "Like everyone in real estate knows, a house is only as strong as its foundation. They could have chosen to rebuild The House of NAR. Instead they are patching its growing cracks. We have much work left to do."
Kasper told members earlier this week that she's "incredibly sorry for what's led us here."
Her full statement from Thursday:
We know there are some who have been hurt, and we acknowledge that it is up to all of us at NAR to make the necessary change to create an atmosphere where they feel safe. The Executive Committee met today to discuss NAR policies and procedures related to complaints of member misconduct. We recognize there is so much work to be done. We will be seeking further input and considerations for action through recommendations of the Executive Committee and the Culture PAG.
The consensus among the Executive Committee is we need to rebuild trust with staff and members with meaningful change. We are bringing in third party experts to carefully and comprehensively look at what we're doing now for what works, what needs to be changed and what is missing. We also will support and empower staff in their similar efforts. The Executive Committee agreed we have a shared purpose and are united in support of our staff and that includes Bob.