Issue link: http://dsnews.uberflip.com/i/1045676
» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 13 WFG NATIONAL TITLE NAMES MATT SLONAKER SVP OF NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WFG National Title, a Portland-based company specializing in national title, settlement, valuation, and technology services, announced that Matt Slonaker is joining the company as SVP of National Business Development. Slonaker will be leading the sales strategy efforts and will be working with company executives to drive organic revenue growth through the implementation of sales programs and strategic initiatives. Slonaker brings more than 25 years' experience in the financial services industry to WFG. Prior to joining WFG, Slonaker served as Managing Director/Principal at Sales Benchmark Index, a sales- and marketing-management consulting firm. "Matt has a proven track record of building revenue and developing successful programs in challenging environments," WFG CEO Steve Ozonian said. "We're thrilled that he is joining the WFG team and will help lead our future growth." "Matt Slonaker has a proven track record of building revenue and developing successful programs in challenging environments." —Steve Ozonian, CEO, WFG National Title LEGAL MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY APPOINTS MANAGING ATTORNEY Atlanta, Georgia- headquartered McMichael Taylor Gray has announced the appointment of Mark Baker as the firm's Managing Attorney to oversee its Atlanta and Tennessee operations. In his new role, Baker will be responsible for overseeing the firm's bankruptcy practice and all legal matters related to the Tennessee and Alabama region. Baker joins McMichael Taylor Gray with 30 years' experience in mortgage banking and creditors' rights. Prior to joining the firm, he was the owner of Mark A. Baker Law, LLC based out of Tallahassee, Florida. Prior to that, he was the Managing Partner at Johnson & Freedman. "McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, is excited to bring Mark's industry knowledge and legal mind to our team. We couldn't be happier," said January Taylor, Managing Partner, McMichael Taylor Gray. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ADDS TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM e National Association of Realtors (NAR) has announced changes to its senior management team. Victoria Gillespie now serves as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and Shannon McGahn became NAR's SVP of Government Affairs on October 15. "e addition of Victoria and Shannon's strategic leadership to our already-powerful team will help us once again make real estate a topline issue," said NAR CEO Bob Goldberg. "Together, they will lead our strategic direction in Washington and around the country to better serve our members' interests." With more than 30 years of industry experience, Gillespie will set communications strategies for NAR to drive member engagement and satisfaction and strengthen NAR's relationship with consumers. As SVP of Government Affairs, McGahn will bring a modern, innovative approach to presenting Realtor-directed policies to members of Congress, federal agencies, and the executive branch of government. FORMER AMAZON ECONOMIST JOINS REDFIN TEAM Real-estate brokerage Redfin announced that it has appointed Daryl Fairweather as its new Chief Economist. Fairweather comes to Redfin from Amazon, where she served as a senior behavioral economist, leading a team of analysts and economists focused on improving employee performance and engagement. Her experience and research interests lie at the intersection of data analysis and individual decision-making, understanding how people's choices shape the economy. Redfin isn't just focused on purely academic questions about real estate but on the practical decisions people make about buying this or that house, now or later, for less than the asking price or more," said Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman. "[Fairweather's] work at the Federal Reserve interviewing people who lost their homes to foreclosure in the financial crisis has given her a human connection to the broad range of issues tied to the housing market." "Daryl Fairweather's work at the Federal Reserve interviewing people who lost their homes to foreclosure in the financial crisis has given her a human connection to the broad range of issues tied to the housing market." —Glenn Kelman, CEO, Redfin