Key Details:
- The National Association of Realtors announced today that Nykia Wright will step in as Interim CEO starting November 20, 2023.
- Bob Goldberg, the current CEO, who had planned to retire at the end of 2024, will step down from that position and serve as executive consultant to help support the transition.
On June 26th (2023), the National Association of Realtors (NAR) formally launched its nationwide search for the next CEO after announcing Bob Goldberg’s pending retirement the week before. He was scheduled to retire at the end of 2024.
Cut to the present, and NAR announced Goldberg will be stepping down early. This announcement comes two days after the Sitzer/Burnett verdict was announced, which had agents asking for his removal (yet again).
Starting November 20, 2023, Nykia Wright will step in as NAR’s interim Chief Executive Officer as the organization continues to conduct a search for a permanent CEO.
Who is Nykia Wright?
Wright is the CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times and co-founder of SonicMESSENGER, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup. Prior to her time at Chicago Sun-Times, she was a strategy and business transformation consultant “who advised companies and organizations on a variety of operational, financial and performance improvement matters,” NAR’s release states.
Tracy Kasper, NAR President, stated Wright’s expertise is welcomed to help rebuild the organization’s culture.
“We are delighted to welcome Nykia as interim CEO. Her deep experience driving organizational transformation positions her well to advance our strategy, vision and culture initiatives. I look forward to working with her, in partnership with our Leadership Team and staff, to continue strengthening our organization.”
Speaking of her appointment as interim CEO, Wright said,
“NAR advocates for and empowers people who help families across America realize the dream of homeownership. I am honored to join the organization at this important moment, when the opportunity to make a difference in the evolving real estate landscape has never been greater. I look forward to getting to work and partnering closely with NAR’s talented staff in the months ahead.”
What about Bob Goldberg?
Bob Goldberg will serve as an executive consultant to NAR to help support the transition. And per NAR custom, he’ll probably remain on the payroll for some time afterward.
Goldberg will retain the dubious distinction of having served as NAR’s CEO when the New York Times published its exposé—and when the Sitzer/Burnett trial ended in a verdict that left NAR, Keller Williams, and HomeServices of America with $5 billion-plus in damages to pay.
Meanwhile, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, Michael Ketchmark, is keen to get started with another class action lawsuit he filed that names NAR as one of the defendants—along with newbies Redfin, Compass, eXP, and others.
Which is probably why this Tweet by Redfin Chief Economist, Daryl Fairweather, raised more than a few eyebrows.
It was unclear whether a jury would understand the economics of price-fixing well enough to see NAR's rule of having the seller pay the buyer's agent as a scheme to prevent competition, but they did. Bravo to the prosecuters for their economics communication skills.
— Daryl Fairweather ⛅ (@FairweatherPhD) October 31, 2023
Goldberg will also be a CEO who gave the green light to allocate tens of millions of dollars a year to the marketing company that came up with the “Who We R” campaign.
Aside from the hefty “volunteer” salary, this is one position Bob Goldberg may be more than happy to leave to someone else.
Goldberg had this to say about the transition:
“After announcing my decision to retire earlier this year, and as I reflected on my 30 years at NAR, I determined last month that now is the right time for this extraordinary organization to look to the future.
“Nykia’s strategic expertise and forward-looking perspective are exactly what NAR needs to continue advancing its mission in an ever-changing world. I am grateful for the privilege of leading NAR and confident that the association will continue delivering incredible value to its members for generations to come.”
