The Ebby Halliday Companies has announced that Mary Frances Burleson, CEO for close to 30 years, is pivoting roles, focusing now on the Ebby Halliday Foundation. Chris Kelly, formerly senior counsel at HomeServices of America, has been appointed CEO.
Ebby Halliday was acquired by HomeServices in May of this year. With the deal, the firm formed the Ebby Halliday Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
As CEO, Kelly will focus on the future growth of the legacy North Texas powerhouse, which was ranked No. 11 in RISMedia’s 2018 Power Broker Report for sales volume.
In 2007, Kelly joined ReeceNichols Real Estate, another affiliate of HomeServices, and was promoted to chief administrative officer of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kansas City Realty, Kansas City Title and ReeceNichols in 2013. In 2017, he joined HomeServices as senior counsel.
Burleson joined Ebby Halliday in 1958, and was appointed CEO and president in 1989. Alongside Founder Ebby Halliday, she expanded the firm to 1,700 agents in 35
offices, with over $8 billion in sales volume in 2017. Among countless honors, Burleson received RISMedia’s National Homeownership Award in 2014.
“I am pleased to welcome Chris as CEO of the Ebby Halliday Companies,” says Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO of HomeServices. “Chris understands the real estate business from all perspectives and is keenly aware of the opportunities and challenges faced every day in brokerage offices. He is the right leader to grow the company and help position the agents for even greater success.
“Mary Frances helped guide Ebby Halliday to become one of the country’s foremost real estate companies,” Peltier says. “On behalf of HomeServices, we thank Mary Frances for her years of service and her vision and leadership, which helped the Ebby Halliday Companies achieve the market-leading position they enjoy today.”
“I am proud of everyone at Ebby Halliday and what we have achieved,” says Burleson. “Honoring Ebby’s legacy of service to the client, service to the industry and service to the community has always been a top priority for me. Chris has shown himself to be a leader with impeccable business ethics, personal sincerity and a deep understanding of the real estate business—all values that align with our heritage while pointing to an exciting future. I believe that Ebby would agree that with Chris at the helm, the future of Ebby Halliday couldn’t be brighter.”
“Mary Frances and her exceptional leadership team set an incredible level of excellence for the company,” says Kelly. “I am thrilled to join this team of immensely talented agents, sales managers, employees and lending and title professionals. The opportunity to help lead this iconic company to its next level of growth and performance is both humbling and exciting.”
For more information, please visit www.ebby.com.
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