Cape Fear Realtors appoints new COO; Rocket’s board expands
Donna King joins the North Carolina association’s C-suite effective immediately. Plus, Rocket adds Sarah Watterson to its board as an independent director.
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.
Cape Fear Realtors has appointed Donna King as chief operations officer and executive director of the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina. Her appointment is effective Aug. 17.
King brings more than 20 years of Realtor association management experience, with expertise spanning financial operations, human resources, strategic planning, technology and member engagement.
She previously spent eight years as vice president of finance and human resources for West & Southeast Realtors of the Valley, where she oversaw finances, investments, employee benefits, human resources and participated in four association mergers. King also spent nearly 13 years as controller for the San Antonio Board of Realtors, managing financial reporting, investments, human resources, vendor relationships and lease negotiations.
Cape Fear Realtors CEO Janet Kane highlighted King's experience in a news release, adding that King also brings "a genuine passion for member service."
"Her track record of strengthening finances, building high-performing teams, and guiding organizations through growth and change makes her an outstanding fit to lead our operations," Kane said.
King succeeds Stephania Bloodworth, who is poised to become CEO of the Durham Regional Association of Realtors effective Sept. 1.
Rocket appoints independent board director
Rocket Companies has appointed Sarah Watterson as an independent board director, expanding its board to 10 members as the company continues to broaden its footprint across the homebuying process.
Watterson, who began her career at Goldman Sachs and later served as a managing director at Fortress Investment Group, currently serves as president of 3 Star Sports & Entertainment and is also a special advisor to Brightline West, where she previously served as president and led the development of its high-speed passenger rail project connecting Southern California and Las Vegas.
Watterson's appointment at Rocket comes amid the company's ongoing efforts to expand its homeownership business. In a news release, Rocket Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert praised her capital markets experience, which he said "will make her an important outside voice as we continue to grow."
"Equally important, Sarah believes in Rocket's culture and shares our passion for innovation," Gilbert added. "I look forward to working with her."
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.