A CEO transition at HSF Affiliates; Compass exec promoted 

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.

Jason Waugh to helm HSF Affiliates following leadership transition

Jason Waugh will succeed Vince Leisey as CEO of HSF Affiliates, the franchisor of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, HomeServices of America announced today. The appointment is part of a planned leadership transition expected to begin in 2027.

Waugh will be rejoining HomeServices, having previously served as president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate. He most recently was president of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, where he oversaw franchise growth and brand strategy for the global network.

As part of the transition plan, Waugh will initially work on select enterprise initiatives — including HomeServices' insurance business — while Leisey continues to lead the franchise network. After handing the reins over to Waugh, Leisey will remain involved as chair of the network and will continue as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate.

"Jason brings a rare combination of brokerage leadership, franchise expertise and enterprise perspective that will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and grow our network," HomeServices President and CEO Chris Kelly said in a news release.

"The strength of this network is built on its people, its brand and its shared commitment to excellence," Waugh added. "I look forward to building on that foundation and supporting our franchisees as we continue to grow together when the transition occurs." 

Coldwell Banker Affiliates appoints new president

Taking over for Waugh as president of Coldwell Banker Affiliates is Mary Lee Blaylock, the company announced on May 8.

Blaylock brings over three decades of experience in the real estate industry, serving most recently as president of brokerage for Sotheby's International Realty. Like her predecessor, Blaylock also spent time in leadership roles at HomeServices, serving as senior vice president of HomeServices of America for about four years and previously holding the president and CEO roles at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

In her new job, Blaylock will build on the company's "One Coldwell Banker" strategy and focus on operations, growth and affiliate engagement, according to a news release.

"Mary Lee is a proven, customer-first leader with deep credibility across brokerage, luxury, and the dynamics of our evolving industry," said Liz Gehringer, president and CEO of brands at Coldwell Banker's parent company, Compass International Holdings. "She understands what it takes to support our affiliates with a rare combination of operational rigor and authentic connection with the people at the center of our business."

Blaylock said she is "honored" to join Coldwell Banker's "extraordinary, storied network," adding that she has "long admired Coldwell Banker's legacy in the industry" and is "looking forward to further investing in the strong, unified culture that defines this brand."

Longtime brokerage leader returns to HomeServices

HomeServices of America has appointed Lane McCormack president of BHHS Beach Properties of Florida, bringing decades of leadership experience as the firm targets growth in the luxury coastal market, the brokerage announced today.

McCormack joins after seven years at Ansley Real Estate/Christie's International Real Estate, where she most recently served as CEO and qualifying broker, overseeing expansion and positioning the firm in the luxury segment. She has nearly three decades of industry experience and previously held senior roles within the HomeServices network, including managing broker at Prudential Georgia Properties (now BHHS Georgia Properties) and senior vice president and managing broker at Harry Norman, Realtors. She also served as the 2016 president of the Atlanta Realtors Association.

Her appointment enables Jimmy Burgess — who has been an agent, chief growth officer and CEO at BHHS Beach Properties for more than 12 years — to transition fully into his role as chief coaching officer at HomeServices, a new position created for Burgess in June 2025. He will now be focused on agent development and coaching initiatives across the company's national brokerage and franchise network, HomeServices said. 

"Lane is a dynamic and visionary leader whose experience and reputation in the luxury space makes her uniquely suited to lead Beach Properties of Florida," HomeServices CEO Chris Kelly said in the announcement. 

McCormack praised the brokerage's "incredible reputation" and said she was eager "to build on that legacy, grow our presence in the luxury coastal market and support our agents in achieving new levels of success."

Compass names president of integrated services

Compass International Holdings has appointed Cory Perkins president of integrated services, a role focused on streamlining the transaction experience and expanding tools and services for real estate professionals.

Perkins previously built and led Compass' Integrated Services division, overseeing growth in revenue, profitability, and title and escrow attachment. During his more than eight years at the company, he also helped lead expansion into more than 20 new markets and supported the opening of over 100 offices across the country, according to a news release.

Perkins "has proven he knows how to build and scale integrated services that deliver real value to agents and their clients," Compass International Holdings Chairman and CEO Robert Reffkin said. "He's the right leader to lead our combined integrated services team and take them to the next level."

"It's a privilege to step into this role and work alongside the talented teams and storied brands that Compass and Anywhere have brought together into a single organization," Perkins said. "With the best people and technology powering our integrated services businesses, we have the real opportunity to set the bar for service excellence in our industry."

Perkins' appointment follows the planned retirement of Don Casey, who led Integrated Services at Anywhere before the company's acquisition by Compass. Casey will remain involved with the firm as an executive advisor.

Rocket CEO taps former colleague to fill general counsel role

Ben Schwartz has been named general counsel at Rocket Companies, CEO Varun Krishna announced this week.

Schwartz joins Rocket with 25 years of experience working in tech, financial services and consumer businesses. He spent the past 14 years at Intuit, where he was most recently on the Global Business Solutions Group's senior leadership team as senior vice president and deputy general counsel.

In a post on LinkedIn, Krishna noted that he has known Schwartz for over 10 years, some of which were spent working together at Intuit.

Schwartz "earned trust across every team he touched. He made complex things feel simple. He made people around him sharper," Krishna wrote.

"Ben doesn't treat legal as the team that says no. He treats it as the reason you can say yes," the post added. "That's what makes him the right leader for this moment of Rocket's evolution."

Editor's note: AI was used in the initial drafting of this content, which was then thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked and revised by a Real Estate News editor.