Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, announced today she will step down from her role leading the Florida-based mega MLS—which boasts a little over 80,00 subscribers—in Q1 2026.
Stellar has already named a successor in current Chief Operations Officer Shayne Fairley, who for nearly two decades has been part of the leadership team at the MLS, having first joined in 2005. Cowen will continue on as a consultant, while also leading Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), a Stellar subsidiary focused on international MLS expansion.
In 2024, UCO partnered with the National Association of Realtors® India “as an advisor to successfully launch an MLS across India,” and is focused on offering “expertise and customized solutions” to advance MLS practices globally, according to Stellar, including in Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.
“Serving as CEO of Stellar MLS has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Cowen in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of what we have built—an MLS that delivers value, innovation and integrity to real estate professionals and the consumers they serve.”
Cowen’s MLS career started in Nevada in 1983, as she moved up from part-time MLS clerk, to CEO of a small MLS. In 2008, she took the reins as CEO of My Florida Regional MLS—which rebranded as Stellar a decade later—growing the organization from around 30,000 members and leading through the upheaval of the commission lawsuits. Cowen was named a member of the 2025 RISMedia Newsmakers Hall of Fame and will be officially inducted into the prestigious group during RISMedia’s CEO & Leadership Exchange this September in Washington, D.C.
Just this month, Stellar announced a collaboration with the two largest MLSs in the country, focused on cross-country data sharing and referrals.
“Now, I’m ready to step back,” said Cowen, “and Shayne is more than ready to step forward. I truly cannot imagine leaving what we’ve built in better hands. Shayne knows Stellar MLS inside and out, and I have complete trust in his leadership and absolute confidence that he’ll take this organization to the next level.”
Fairley joined Stellar MLS in 2005 and has risen through the ranks across multiple departments, training customers and staff, guiding compliance, advancing data services and advising on operations, according to Stellar. He is also listed as the COO of UCO.
“I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Merri Jo for nearly 20 years and learned a tremendous amount by watching how she leads, both strategically and personally,” Fairley said. “She leads with vision and heart, and that blend of high-level leadership and genuine care is part of what makes Stellar successful and is something I intend to carry forward.”
Stellar MLS’s leadership transition will take place over the coming months, according to Stellar, with Cowen working closely with Fairley to ensure a “smooth and seamless handoff.” The official transition is expected to be completed by Q1 2026 and throughout this period, both leaders will continue to collaborate on strategic initiatives and ongoing projects, Stellar said.
“Our priorities remain the same—delivering exceptional value to our customers, championing innovation and helping shape the future of the real estate industry both at home and around the world,” said Fairley.
For more information, visit https://www.stellarmls.com/.
