Stellar MLS has announced the official appointment of Shayne Fairley, a longtime leader within the organization, as Chief Executive Officer. For more than two decades, Fairley has been a driving force behind the growth and evolution of Stellar MLS.
In July 2025, Stellar MLS announced Fairley would be the successor to the then CEO, Merri Jo Cowen, who will now continue to serve in a strategic advisory role while also transitioning to a full-time leadership role at Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), the organization’s global MLS advisory subsidiary.
“Shayne possesses a deep understanding of Stellar MLS and a leadership style rooted in trust, innovation, and service, which will serve him well as he steps into the role of CEO,” said Cowen. “Over the last few months, as we have been preparing for this transition, he has proven to be the best person for the job. I have every confidence that he will build on our strong foundation and continue to lead the organization forward.”
After joining Stellar MLS in May 2005, Fairley advanced through the MLS via roles in training, compliance, data services and operations, according to a release. This progression gave him a firsthand understanding of the organization and its various stakeholders. Since being named Chief Operations Officer in 2017, he has led strategic operational growth, championed customer-focused initiatives and played a central role in elevating Stellar MLS’s national and global presence.
Stellar stated that Fairley has been instrumental in shaping its vision and advancing its mission to deliver innovative solutions and trusted, standardized data to more than 80,000 customers across Orlando, Tampa, and other areas of Florida, as well as Puerto Rico. Under his leadership, Stellar MLS will continue to expand customer value, set new benchmarks for MLS excellence, and invest in tools that ensure seamless, equitable access to its products and services.
Fairley is also well involved in the MLS industry. He was also elected to the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) Board of Directors for 2026, and serves on the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Board of Directors.
“I am excited about the next stage of Stellar MLS’s successful journey, and I look forward to continuing to focus on the priorities we have held for many years: putting our customers first, advancing innovation, and continuing to lead the MLS forward as we help shape the future of real estate in the markets we serve,” said Fairley. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Merri Jo for more than 17 years. She leads with vision and heart, and that balance of strategy and genuine care is something I intend to carry forward. My focus will be on delivering exceptional value to our brokers while continuing to position Stellar MLS to lead as the industry evolves.”
For more information, visit https://www.stellarmls.com/.
