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BAM Key Details:

  • The National Association of Realtors® is searching for a new CEO to fill the shoes of their current CEO Bob Goldberg, who plans to retire at the end of 2024.
  • That begs a few questions, which we can easily answer with the help of publicly available information.

With Bob Goldberg planning to retire at the end of 2024, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is shopping for its next CEO. And for many of us, that raises a few questions: 

  • How much might a NAR CEO earn in the 2020s?
  • How does NAR spend its member dues, anyway? 
  • And how much of that goes to people at the executive level? 
  • What about payment for marketing services and independent contractors?

Fortunately, since NAR’s filings are public records, all the answers to those questions are available online to review free of charge. 

We’re making it easier to review by compiling the earnings of NAR’s top executives and key employees from 2011-2021, so you can see where some of those member dues are going. Keep reading for a full breakdown, or click below to jump to the year you want to review. 

 

How much might a NAR CEO make in this decade?

So, first things first: how much did NAR pay its CEO Bob Goldberg in the year 2021? For that, we’ll do a little digging (and I do mean “a little”) with the help of ProPublica’s online records—specifically tax filings. 

Here’s what it tells us right on the front page: 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2021

  • BOB GOLDBERG (CEO) — $2,522,204
  • MARK BIRSCHBACH (SVP, Strategic Business Innovation and Technology) — $985,931
  • SHANNON MCGAHN (SVP, Government Affairs) — $960,146
  • KATIE JOHNSON (General Counsel and Chief Member Experience Officer) — $912,224
  • LAWRENCE YUN (Chief Economist) — $699,690 
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (Chief Financial Officer) — $682,095
  • VICTORIA GILLESPIE (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer) — $587,839
  • MARC GOULD (SVP, Member Development) — $525,506
  • DONNA GLAND (SVP, Talent Development Resources) — $514,382
  • CHARLES OPPLER (NAR President) — $294,798
  • Bill Malkasian (Chief Advocacy Officer) — $264,238
  • LESLIE ROUDA SMITH (President-Elect) — $251,788
  • DALE STINTON (Former Officer / Consultant) — $250,000
  • NANCY LANE (NAR Treasurer) — $174,658
  • KENNY PARCELL (First Vice President) — $164,569
  • VINCENT MALTA (Immediate Past President) — $132,779

According to the full Form 990 tax document for 2021, NAR’s total revenue was $327,342,361. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $247,635,371, leaving a net income of $79,706,990. 

Independent Contractor Expenses 2021

Other interesting expense details include what NAR paid independent contractors for marketing, technology services, video production, legal counsel, and marketing consultants in 2021. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Havas Marketing Group (Marketing & Communications) — $46,048,778
  • Lone Wolf Technolgies (Technology Services) — $8,175,420
  • Projection Presentation Technology (Video Production & Services) — $4,525,147
  • Schiff Hardin (Legal Counsel) — $2,599,357
  • Cobalt Media Group (Marketing Consultants) — $2,517,828

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2020

Just for context (we love context around here), let’s take a look at the same numbers for the years 2011 to 2020, all of which are on display on the same website without even having to open the full tax document (which is also available—for free—because it’s public record). 

NAR’s total revenue for 2020 was $301,056,283. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $276,910,568, leaving a net income of $24,145,715. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $6,062,878, accounting for 2.2% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2020

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees and officers in 2020:

  • BOB GOLDBERG (CEO) — $2,467,864
  • SHANNON MCGAHN (SVP, Government Affairs) — $848,135
  • KATIE JOHNSON (General Counsel and Chief Member Experience Officer) — $827,938
  • MARK BIRSCHBACH (SVP, Strategic Business Innovation and Technology) — $820,087
  • LAWRENCE YUN (Chief Economist) — $672,685
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (Chief Financial Officer) — $641,944
  • BILL MALKASIAN (Chief Advocacy Officer) — $589,623
  • VICTORIA GILLESPIE (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer) — $570,935
  • MARC GOULD (SVP, Member Development) — $542,105
  • DONNA GLAND (SVP, Talent Development Resources) — $506,048
  • VINCE MALTA (NAR President) — $273,810
  • DALE STINTON (Former Officer / Consultant) — $250,000
  • CHARLES OPPLER (President-Elect) — $235,308
  • JOHN FLOR (NAR Treasurer) — $189,292
  • LESLIE ROUDA SMITH (First Vice President) — $172,726

Independent Contractor Expenses 2020

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2020:

  • Havas Marketing Group (Marketing & Communications) — $10,687,425
  • ZipLogix (Software Provider) — $4,215,910
  • Lone Wolf Technolgies (Technolgy Services) — $3,851,250
  • Cobalt Media Group (Marketing Consultants) — $2,801,645
  • Projection Presentation Technology (Video Production & Services) — $1,626,825

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2019

NAR’s total revenue for 2019 was $338,237,757. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $221,999,276, leaving a net income of $116,238,481. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $5,614,097, accounting for 2.5% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2019

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees and officers in 2019:

  • BOB GOLDBERG (CEO) — $2,239,943
  • SHANNON MCGAHN (SVP, Government Affairs) — $784,366
  • KATHERINE JOHNSON (General Counsel and Chief Member Experience Officer)  — $725,101
  • MARK BIRSCHBACH (SVP, Strategic Business Innovation and Technology)  — $713,458
  • LAWRENCE YUN (Chief Economist) — $624,043
  • John Pierpoint (Chief Financial Officer) — $586,365
  • WILLIAM MALKASIAN (Chief Advocacy Officer) — $568,267
  • MARC GOULD (SVP, Membership Development) — $489,741
  • VICTORIA GILLESPIE (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer) — $476,206
  • DONNA GLAND (SVP, Talent Development Resources) — $454,196
  • JOHN SMABY (NAR PRESIDENT) — $286,549
  • DALE STINTON (Former Officer / Consultant) — $250,000
  • MATT LOMBARDI (Former KE – National Sale Director) — $241,735
  • VINCE MALTA (President-Elect) — $239,747
  • JOHN FLOR (NAR Treasurer) — $180,941
  • CHARLES OPPLER (First Vice President) — $170,647
  • ELIZABETH MENDENHALL (Immediate Past President) — $135,176

Independent Contractor Expenses 2019

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2019:

  • Havas Marketing Group (Marketing & Communications) — $71,358,344
  • ZipLogix (Software Provider) — $14,215,910
  • Cobalt Media Group (Marketing Consultants) — $4,886,451
  • Projection Presentation Technology (Video Production & Services) — $3,841,931
  • QG Printing LLC (Printing and Graphic Arts Services) — $2,707,367

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2018

NAR’s total revenue for 2018 was $247,070,157. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $258,716,737, leaving a net income of -$13,646,580. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $5,149,111, accounting for 2.0% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2018

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2018 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (Former CEO) — $3,999,932
  • BOB GOLDBERG (CEO) — $1,926,018
  • KATHERINE JOHNSON (General Counsel and Chief Member Experience Officer) — $650,533
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP, Chief Economist) — $616,949
  • MARK BIRSCHBACH (SVP, Strategic Business Innovation and Technology) — $610,595
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP, Chief Lobbyist) — $590,594
  • BILL MALKASIAN (Chief Advocacy Officer) — $588,580
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (Chief Financial Officer) — $556,812
  • MARC GOULD (SVP, Membership Development) — $452,106
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP, Chief Technology Officer) — $429,172
  • DONNA GLAND (SVP, Talent Development Resources) — $421,201
  • JOHN SMABY (President – Elect) — $350,657
  • MATT LOMBARDI (Former KE – National Sales Director) — $334,794
  • ELIZABETH MENDENHALL (NAR President) — $124,687

Independent Contractor Expenses 2018

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2018:

  • Havas Marketing Group (Marketing & Communications) — $38,421,881
  • ZipLogix (Software Provider) — $13,515,546
  • Arnold Worldwide LLC (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $3,392,569
  • Projection Presentation Technology (Video Production & Services) — $2,454,550
  • Cobalt Media Group (Marketing Consultants) — $2,304,396

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2017

NAR’s total revenue for 2017 was $242,161,739. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $236,906,811, leaving a net income of $5,254,928. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $6,737,189, accounting for 2.8% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2017

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2017 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO–Retired) — $1,861,419
  • BOB GOLDBERG (CEO) — $1,166,112
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP, Gov Affairs) — $689,354
  • WALT WITEK (SVP, Community & Political Affairs) — $586,659
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP, Chief Economist) — $563,281
  • KATIE JOHNSON (SVP, General Counsel) — $539,964
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP, Chief Tech Officer) — $527,097
  • JANET BRANTON (SVP, Global Services) — $478,813
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (SVP, Finance and Comptroller) — $477,894
  • MATTHEW LOMBARDI (SVP, Marketing & Bus Development) — $344,358
  • STEPHANIE SINGER (SVP, Communications) — $343,652
  • DONNA GLAND (SVP, Human Resources) — $341,348
  • BILL E BROWN (NAR President) — $232,918
  • ELIZABETH JANE MENDENHALL (President-Elect) — $221,606
  • THOMAS A RILEY (NAR Treasurer) — $205,155
  • DOUG HINDERER (Former KE – Senior VP, Human Resources) — $179,610
  • THOMAS F SALOMONE (Immediate Past President) — $150,072
  • JOHN S SMABY (First Vice President) — $148,819

Independent Contractor Expenses 2017

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2017:

  • Havas Marketing Group (Marketing & Communications) — $37,565,076
  • ZipLogix (Software Provider) — $12,563,505
  • Arnold Worldwide LLC (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $6,966,098
  • Projection Presentation Technology (Video Production & Services) — $2,320,934
  • Cobalt Media Group (Marketing Consultants) — $1,888,692

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2016

NAR’s total revenue for 2016 was $223,546,363. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $230,663,857, leaving a net income of -$7,117,494. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $4,846,111, accounting for 2.1% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2016

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2016 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO) — $1,818,814
  • ROBERT GOLDBERG (SVP, Marketing & Bus Development) — $821,304
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP, Government Affairs) — $662,792
  • WALT WITEK (SVP, Community & Political Affairs) — $582,872
  • DOUG HINDERER (SVP, Human Resources) — $537,131
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP, Chief Economist) — $527,955
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP, Chief Tech Officer) — $508,081
  • KATHERINE JOHNSON (SVP, General Counsel) — $457,658
  • JANET BRANTON (SVP, Global Services) — $435,694
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (SVP, Finance and Comptroller) — $422,805
  • STEPHANIE SINGER (SVP, Communications) — $334,061
  • TOM SALOMONE (NAR President) — $331,564
  • BILL BROWN (President-Elect) — $220,664
  • MICHAEL MCGREW (NAR Treasurer) — $185,195
  • CHRIS POLYCHRON (Immediate Past President) — $169,050
  • ELIZABETH MENDENHALL (First Vice President) — $167,070

Independent Contractor Expenses 2016

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2016:

  • Havas Marketing Group (Marketing & Communications) — $37,293,719
  • Target Smart Communications LLC (Consult & Direct Mailings) — $9,369,854
  • Arnold Worldwide LLC (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $7,426,569
  • Cobalt Media Group (Marketing Consultants) — $1,967,884
  • Aristotle International Inc (Technology & Data) — $1,566,755

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2015

NAR’s total revenue for 2015 was $214,144,362. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $181,635,099, leaving a net income of $32,509,263. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $4,510,661, accounting for 2.5% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2015

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2015 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO) — $1,647,471
  • ROBERT GOLDBERG (SVP Marketing & Bus Dev) — $778,322
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP Gov Affairs) — $604,549
  • WALTER WITEK (SVP Community & Political Affairs) — $556,088
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP Chief Economist) — $501,548
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP Chief Tech Officer) — $481,495
  • DOUGLAS HINDERER (SVP of Human Resources) — $465,749
  • KATHERINE JOHNSON (SVP General Counsel) — $402,932
  • JANET BRANTON (SVP Global Business) — $398,070
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (SVP of Finance) — $385,044
  • CHRIS POLYCHRON (President) — $318,110
  • STEPHANIE SINGER (SVP Communications) — $311,752
  • LAURENE JANIK (Former SVP General Counsel) — $271,527
  • THOMAS SALOMONE (President-Elect) — $247,871
  • STEVEN BROWN (Immediate Past President) — $205,644
  • WILLIAM BROWN (First Vice President) — $186,642
  • MICHAEL MCGREW (Treasurer) — $173,326

Independent Contractor Expenses 2015

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2015:

  • The Most Organization (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $23,913,416
  • Target Smart Communications LLC (Consult & Direct Mailings) — $8,159,483
  • Arnold Worldwide LLC (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $2,627,064
  • Media Assembly (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $1,946,476
  • Williams Gerard Productions (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $1,550,169

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2014

NAR’s total revenue for 2014 was $208,772,463. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $195,202,161, leaving a net income of $13,570,307. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $4,324,710, accounting for 2.2% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2014

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2014 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO) — $1,601,202
  • BOB GOLDBERG (SVP Marketing and Bus Dev) — $736,783
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP Gov Affairs) — $561,400
  • WALT WITEK (SVP Community & Political Affairs) — $523,281
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP Chief Economist) — $475,959
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP Chief Tech Officer) — $459,114
  • DOUG HINDERER (SVP Human Resources) — $437,659
  • STEVE BROWN (President) — $401,295
  • JANET BRANTON (SVP Global Business) — $360,512
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (VP Finance and Comptroller) — $356,028
  • KATIE JOHNSON (SVP General Counsel) — $337,661
  • LAURENE JANIK (Former SVP General Counsel) — $298,112
  • STEPHANIE SINGER (SVP Communications) — $264,893
  • CHRIS POLYCHRON (President-Elect) — $259,846
  • THOMAS SALOMONE (First Vice President) — $169,471
  • MICHAEL MCGREW (Treasurer) — $168,473
  • GARY THOMAS (Immediate Past President) — $110,559

Independent Contractor Expenses 2014

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2014:

  • The Most Organization (Realtor Marketing and Branding) — $34,132,075
  • Target Smart Communications LLC (Consult & Direct Mailings) — $13,585,470
  • Williams Gerard Productions (Event Planning and Management) — $1,276,792
  • Aristotle (Data Management) — $1,259,025
  • Cobalt (Data Management) — $1,210,673

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2013

NAR’s total revenue for 2013 was $190,173,902. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $172,331,589, leaving a net income of $17,842,313. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $4,373,710, accounting for 2.5% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2013

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2013 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO) — $1,499,285
  • BOB GOLDBERG (SVP Marketing and Bus Dev) — $699,635
  • LAURENE JANIK (SVP General Counsel) — $611,336
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP Gov Affairs) — $543,146
  • WALT WITEK (SVP Community & Political Affairs) — $498,455
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP Chief Economist) — $451,834
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP Chief Tech Officer) — $444,570
  • DOUG HINDERER (SVP Human Resources) — $430,783
  • PAM KABATI (SVP Communications & Conv) — $387,002
  • JANET BRANTON (SVP Global Business) — $354,722
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (VP Finance and Comptroller) — $318,086
  • STEVEN BROWN (President-Elect) — $276,160
  • GARY THOMAS (President) — $247,818
  • CHRIS POLYCHRON (First Vice President) — $210,741
  • WILLIAM ARMSTRONG (Treasurer) — $197,061
  • MAURICE VEISSI (Immediate Past President) — $177,234

Independent Contractor Expenses 2013

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2013

  • The Most Organization (Realtor Marketing & Branding) — $35,175,728
  • Target Smart Communications, LLC (Consult & Direct Mailings Svc) — $10,179,974
  • HGC Construction Co (Building Construction) — $2,259,141
  • Convio (Data Management) — $1,171,596
  • Williams Gerard Productions (Event Planning & Management) — $1,093,346

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2012

NAR’s total revenue for 2012 was $191,568,210. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $188,496,200, leaving a net income of $3,072,010. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $5,104,806, accounting for 2.7% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2012

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2012 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO) — $1,476,701
  • BOB GOLDBERG (SVO Marketing & Bus Dev) — $641,893
  • DOUG HINDERER (SVP Human Resources) — $416,462
  • FRANK SIBLEY (SVP Communications & Conv) — $494,853
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (VP of Finance & Comptroller) — $264,289
  • LAURENE JANIK (SVP General Counsel) — $597,389
  • DALE ROSS (Director) — $621,070
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP Govt Affairs) — $525,708
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP Chief Economist) — $428,549
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP Chief Tech Officer) — $422,970
  • WALT WITEK (SVP Community & Political Affairs) — $460,685
  • GARY THOMAS (President-Elect) — $205,178
  • MAURICE VEISSI (President) — $233,750
  • RONALD PHIPPS (Immediate Past President) — $154,020
  • STEVEN BROWN (First Vice President) — $207,415
  • WILLIAM ARMSTRONG (Treasurer) — $168,807

Independent Contractor Expenses 2012

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2012:

  • The Most Organization (Realtor Marketing & Branding) — $34,804,757
  • Target Smart Communications, LLC (Consult & Direct Mailings Svc) — $7,400,707
  • Williams Gerard Productions (Event Planning & Management) — $1,370,382
  • Convio (Data Management) — $1,248,320
  • Robinson & Cole (Legal Services) — $1,200,391

NAR Compensation & Independent Contractor Expenses for 2011

NAR’s total revenue for 2011 was $157,065,241. Total functional expenses for the fiscal year amounted to $170,942,202, leaving a net income of -$13,876,961. 

Total executive compensation amounted to $5,015,450, accounting for 2.9% of total expenses. 

NAR Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ending December 2011

Here’s a breakdown of compensation for key employees/officers in 2011 (those paid $100K+):

  • DALE STINTON (CEO) — $1,439,514
  • BOB GOLDBERG (SVP Marketing & Bus Dev) — $690,259
  • DOUG HINDERER (SVP Human Resources) — $429,807
  • FRANK SIBLEY (SVP Communications & Conv) — $585,543
  • JOHN PIERPOINT (VP Finance & Comptroller) — $264,731
  • LAURENE JANIK (SVP General Counsel) — $593,580
  • JANET BRANTON (SVP Global Business) — $366,294
  • JERRY GIOVANIELLO (SVP Gov Affairs) — $533,330
  • LAWRENCE YUN (SVP Chief Economist) — $419,887
  • MARK LESSWING (SVP Chief Tech Officer) — $421,264
  • WALT WITEK (SVP Community & Pol Affairs) — $410,076
  • MAURICE VEISSI (President-Elect) — $202,547
  • RONALD PHIPPS (President) — $241,583
  • VICKI COX GOLDER (Immediate Past President) — $107,533
  • WILLIAM ARMSTRONG (Treasurer) — $184,229

Independent Contractor Expenses 2011

Here’s what NAR paid independent contractors and consultants in 2011:

  • The Most Organization (Realtor Marketing & Branding) — $38,670,851
  • Target Smart Communications, LLC (Consult & Direct Mailings Svc) — $2,649,192
  • Huge, LLC (Website & Branding Serv) — $1,873,198
  • Experient (Meeting & Planning Serv) — $1,727,240
  • Brown Printing Company (Printing) — $1,482,022

Takeaways for real estate agents

If this has got you curious about the financial details of other nonprofit organizations in the U.S., you can easily look them up (again—for free) on ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer page. 

Granted, it can’t tell you everything about how a company does business, but it does offer a glimpse into what they pay their top people, as well as how their expenses for the year—including executive compensation—stack up against their revenue. 

It’s also a good way to see how long certain people have been with the organization. 

NAR’s Lawrence Yun is a great example, having been their Chief Economist since 2008 and, before that, a NAR Senior Economist from 2000–2008 (details available on his LinkedIn profile). 

Keep links to ProPublica and other online data sources handy so you know where to look when you need a specific kind of data or information to share with your clients and community. And always be learning.