Co-Founder Dave Liniger Becomes Non-Executive Chairman
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX), parent company of RE/MAX, one of the world’s leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and Motto Mortgage (“Motto”), an innovative mortgage brokerage franchise, today announced that RE/MAX Holdings Co-Founder David Liniger has completed the transition of his CEO responsibilities to Adam Contos, who has been named Chief Executive Officer by the Company’s Board of Directors. The transition of leadership to Contos is the next step in RE/MAX Holdings’ leadership succession plan, which dates back to the appointment of Contos to serve as Co-CEO with Liniger in May 2017. Liniger will become non-executive Chairman and will continue to serve on the RE/MAX Holdings Board.
“The Board of Directors is pleased that Adam will lead RE/MAX Holdings in its next stage of growth,” said Richard Covey, the Board’s Lead Director. “He is a talented and respected RE/MAX Holdings executive who combines an in-depth knowledge of the industry with an equally strong desire to drive RE/MAX forward and build on its success by leveraging technology and focusing on innovation. Adam has played an integral role in extending and strengthening the RE/MAX brand across a global network of over 115,000 RE/MAX agents as well as the successful launch of Motto Mortgage just 16 months ago. His experience serving in key leadership roles at the Company coupled with his deep knowledge of the real estate business make him a natural choice to lead RE/MAX Holdings into the future. We are also pleased that Dave will continue to work with the Board and the network and continue to provide his insights and experience to them.”
Prior to his role as Co-CEO, Contos, 46, served as Chief Operating Officer of RE/MAX Holdings. He joined the Company in 2004 working with franchisees and agents in the Mountain States Region and was promoted to Region Vice President the following year. Between 2007 and 2013 he served as Region Vice President, first for the California & Hawaii Region and later for the RE/MAX Florida Region. He was promoted to Vice President, Region Development, in 2013 and then to Senior Vice President, Marketing, in February 2015. During his Marketing tenure, he and the business development team built a robust franchise sales process that fuelled record growth.
“I am honored to lead RE/MAX Holdings at this important time in our history,” said Contos. “Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX and our network has never been stronger. Motto Mortgage is off to a terrific start and we could not be more optimistic about its future. As we head into this next chapter, I am excited about the prospects for continuing our successful momentum, driven by our outstanding business model, brand strength, competitive advantages and the most dynamic brokers and agents in the industry.”
Liniger said, “Our original business model, which was built to encourage productive agents to come together, motivate each other and work hard, is still going strong after 45 years. We are number one in the world and I’m confident that under Adam’s leadership, RE/MAX Holdings will continue to thrive and reach even greater heights through his unwavering dedication and commitment to this great company, our brands and our networks.”
