Daniel Jones

A quiet thought leader with a builder’s mind and a teacher’s heart, Daniel Jones has become one of the most respected voices in the industry. Championing a better way forward for MLSs, in 2025, he led a transformative rebrand of NCRMLS to Hive MLS. This shift was far more than aesthetic; it signaled a culture focused on the 3 Cs: Collaboration, Connectivity and Community. Under his leadership, Hive MLS expanded to serve over 19,000 professionals across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, proving that a cooperative model can thrive without forcing smaller associations to sacrifice their local identity.

Jones’ most significant technical contribution this past year was the launch of the MLS Data Exchange (MDX) in partnership with SourceRE. This vendor-neutral database is designed to provide true interoperability and front-end-of-choice, solving longstanding industry frustrations regarding fragmented data. A staunch advocate for transparency, Jones also made waves by challenging the industry’s use of “delayed marketing” terminology, pushing for higher standards of consumer trust.

“Seeing Hive evolve into a true community, just like where our name comes from, with brokers and associations feeling supported and empowered, is the most rewarding part of this journey,” says Jones, whose principled approach ensures the MLS remains an innovative, broker-first cornerstone of the real estate ecosystem.

“This nomination is proof that a broker-first, collaborative and tech-forward MLS model resonates across the industry.”