New presidents at HomeSmart, NAMB; MBA COO to retire
Tech and brokerage leader Stacey Onnen joins HomeSmart; MBA announces 9 promotions as COO Marcia Davies prepares to leave; Kimber White now president at NAMB.
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.
HomeSmart taps 20-year industry vet as president
HomeSmart has a new president, the brokerage announced this week.
Stacey Onnen, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of real estate experience, has joined the Scottsdale-based franchisor after most recently holding executive roles in the legal technology sector.
Onnen previously led a national initiative at Keller Williams, served as president of eXp Realty and held leadership positions at RealtyONE Group, according to a news release. She began her career as an agent and has also worked as a broker/owner and owner of a real estate school.
"We are pleased to welcome Stacey to HomeSmart at such an important time in our growth," said Matt Widdows, founder and CEO of HomeSmart.
"Her operational expertise and leadership experience at large, rapidly scaling organizations will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strengthen our platform, expand into new markets, and support our agents and franchise partners."
COO retiring from MBA, spurring leadership changes
Marcia Davies, chief operating officer at the Mortgage Bankers Association, is retiring at the end of the year.
Davies joined MBA in 2011 and was promoted to COO in 2014. Prior to her time at the association, she worked for a number of years at HUD and Freddie Mac.
MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit praised Davies' "vision and passion," calling out "her leadership in restoring financial stability to the association" as "her most vital contribution" to the MBA. Broeksmit also highlighted mPower, a networking platform for women in real estate finance, as Davies' "legacy in the industry."
In conjunction with Davies' retirement, MBA announced three senior-management promotions that reflect a partial redistribution of the COO functions. Peter Grace is now chief administrative officer and SVP of industry education and technology; Laura Hopkins is now SVP of membership and meetings; and John Mechem is now SVP of public affairs and marketing.
Six additional employees were promoted at the VP level: Jonathan Kearns, Jamey Lynch, Kim Newell, Dawn Williams, Liz Facemire and Jacky Salazar.
NAMB president begins his term
A longtime leader at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers is now serving as the organization's Volunteer President for the 2025-2026 term.
Newly installed President Kimber White has been involved with the trade group for 15 years, holding numerous roles including board president in 2020-2021.
"I am honored to lead NAMB's continued efforts to elevate the professional landscape for everyone working in our vital and dynamic industry," White said in a news release.
"For over 51 years, NAMB has been the voice of the mortgage marketplace. I take this responsibility seriously and look forward to working alongside our members, industry partners, lawmakers, and stakeholders to ensure that NAMB remains a powerful force for good for the next 50 years."
White has outlined several initiatives for his term including improving flood insurance, modernizing VA loan programs, expanding affordable housing and reducing the cost of credit reports.
NAMB is a volunteer-led trade group that advocates for mortgage professionals and homebuyers nationwide.