Too many of these RIP posts lately.
I can’t express the influence MetroList has had on my career. Rick has been a solid part of the winning team at MetroList and it’s hard to imagine him gone. We all raised a glass and gave a toast to him and Frank at our Omni Lobby Bar takeover. He will be missed. #fuckcancer
From Inman News….
Frank Major, trailblazer who carved path as Bright MLS’s first CTO, dies
“It is with great sadness that I share some unexpected news with the real estate community regarding the loss of one of our beloved colleagues,” Donnellan wrote.
“This past Thursday, Bright MLS Chief Technology Officer Frank Major passed away suddenly. Our hearts are with his wife Aisha, their children, and their extended family. Please keep them in your thoughts.”
What a gut punch. So young. Dan and I have had a few great conversations with Frank over the years. My condolences go out to his family.
#noequal
It must have been the mid to late 90s, so pre-internet. We were either exhibiting at a CAR trade show or maybe NAR Annual was in Anaheim that year. IRIS was still a relatively new company and we had launched our Lightning product, which gave real estate agents a quick way to log in to different MLS systems (Moore Data and PRC). In the booth next to us was a guy, who was solo at the time, selling software to create flyers and other marketing materials (Flyerware I think it was called) for agents, and it was Mac only. His name was Renwick Congdon.
Typically when you are standing in a booth all day you strike up a conversation with the company next to you. Maybe watch the booth while the other guy goes on a bathroom break. I could tell Renwick was a smart guy, and like us he was a bootstrapper. We started a friendship that would last over 25 years.
We would see each other at shows, check up on how our businesses were doing, grab dinner sometimes, share insights, and he talked about his family and that one of his daughters getting married. He was very proud of his family.
I think he was one of my first interviews on my Listing Bits podcast. We even flirted at joining forces back in 2015. Kind of a “roll-up” strategy that never happens. He didn’t need us. With Imprev he created a monster of a business, I think he had all major franchisors on his platform. He absolutely crushed it. In late 2019 he sold his business to MoxiWorks. I remember Dan and me talking about how great it was that “one of the good guys” got paid. We called and congratulated him on his success.
When Covid hit, he reached out to Dan and me to check in and ask how we were doing. He called to congratulate us in 2020 when Dan and I sold the business.
Renwick passed away last week. I don’t know the details. But, I do know this, Renwick was a true innovator and his persistence should be an example to us all.
My sincere condolences to his family. He was truly, “one of the good guys”. Damn.
😭
2021 can suck a hot d*ck
Kenneth Jenny, respected real estate industry vet, dies at 66
His real estate career began at Coldwell Banker in 1984, according to Jenny’s LinkedIn profile. At Coldwell Banker, he climbed the ranks over the course of about seven years to become COO, with all operations across North America under his purview. From there, Jenny moved on to become senior vice president and CMO of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates where he spent about three-and-a-half years, after which he became CEO and co-owner of real estate media company RealEstate.com, where he worked nearly six years.
At the end of his career, Jenny focused his attentions on his real estate tech and brokerage services consultancy, tranCen, which he ran for over 25 years. Over the course of his consultancy career, Jenny worked with notable clients like Zillow Group, Opcity, MoxiWorks and Realogy, among others.
Am I the only one that gasped when I read he was 66? Oh man.
Ken wasn’t exactly a fan of the MLS industry, but I respected his opinion. He didn’t shy away from tough topics and I appreciated that he spoke his mind in an unfiltered type of way. Some great tributes on Facebook.
The last time I saw Ken was in Newport Beach, pre-pandemic. I had a lunch meeting with someone at the Pelican Grill. As I was walking out I spotted Ken at another table with a group of people.
He had a big smile as I approached the table (who doesn’t like to be recognized when out?) with a “Hiya doing Greg.”, he stood up, introduced me to the people around the table, in a flattering way. We briefly chatted and I left.
I’m sure he was meeting the people at that table to help them with something or connecting them to other people that could help them. Helping. Connecting. That was his way.
RIP Ken.
Scott Quinn let me know that an industry innovator recently passed, and I asked me if he wrote something, would I post it on Vendor Alley. It’s my honor Scott.
The MLS industry lost one of its early pioneers this week. Bob Offutt was an advertising sales rep who moved from Louisville KY to Greensboro, NC in 1969. Bob was amazed there was no homes magazine in Greensboro for the public to look at houses for sale. He quickly decided he would start a company to solve that problem and in 1971, he started Offutt Publishing. In short order, Bob was doing homes magazines in many east coast cities then started printing MLS books. His homes magazine and MLS book publishing company was growing rapidly and the company employed lots of folks working 3 shifts per day.
Scott Quinn
In 1979, the company delivered its first “on-line” MLS system which was based on IBM Series 1 computers. The company was very successful selling their new “on-line” MLS system which delivered the blazing speed of 300 baud on the famous TI 745 paper terminals.
In 1999 the company delivered one of the first internet-based MLS systems and had great success selling that system for many years. In 2006, Mr. Offutt sold his company to First American and enjoyed many great years of travel and retirement with his wife Lois and his family.
Bob was a fun-loving guy so as made famous by the old Budweiser commercial, let’s just say, Bob, we salute you, you were a “Real man of Genius”
To Bob Offutt, thanks for all your contributions to the MLS industry and may you RIP.
Freddy’s Funeral , Medical , & Other Expenses
“We are looking to raise money for Suzanne, Freddy’s wife, and the Sarabia Family to help with Funeral, Medical, and Other expenses during this difficult time. Unfortunately, we lost this loving Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle, Step-Dad, Step-Grandpa, and Friend to COVID last week. “
Great to see the generosity the industry is showing toward Freddy’s family. Giving and helping out someone else is need is one of the best things you can do for yourself. So click on the link above and put a smile on face for the rest of the day. Rest In Peace Freddy.
REBGV mourns the loss of Noreen Davis
It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of our friend and colleague, Noreen Davis. Noreen died last night after a brief and brave battle against cancer. We are heartbroken.
Noreen worked at REBGV for more than 22 years. Over this time, numerous people came to know her well and appreciate her quick smile, good humour and willingness to take on challenges. She was a dedicated team member who stepped up to hard work.
As a former REALTOR® and long-time Manager of Member Services, Noreen was well-known and liked by REBGV staff and members alike. She was a staunch supporter of her team in Programs and Events, Member Services and MLS®.
Years ago, REBGV’s managers participated in an Insights teambuilding exercise. The observations that surfaced through that exercise described Noreen perfectly:
“Noreen is warm and gracious and believes in a philosophy of ‘live and let live’… As she is highly articulate with a quick sense of humour she is often the life and soul of the party… Noreen radiates goodwill and enthusiasm. She is optimistic about life in general and human potential in particular. She is seen by most others as a friendly, practical, realistic and down-to-earth person. She tends to live for today with a ‘you only go around once’ philosophy.”
She lived her life to the fullest.
We will always remember Noreen. Please join us in extending our heartfelt condolences to Noreen’s husband Tony and the countless friends and family she touched in her life.
I met Noreen at CMLS. I didn’t get to know her too well, but I know she will be missed. #fuckcancer
