NEXA names new CEO, Kortas transitions to executive partner

NEXA Lending announced that Geri Farr has been promoted to CEO, while founder Mike Kortas will shift to the role of executive partner. Farr joined NEXA in 2025 after a career leading organizations through growth and scale, with experience across wholesale and distributed retail. The relationship between Farr and Kortas reaches back nearly two decades, when Farr managed Kortas at NOVA Home Loans. She will oversee NEXA's day-to-day operations and execution, while Kortas and other executive partners focus on growth, innovation and new business opportunities.

REMAX taps Alex Vidal as president

REMAX announced that Alex Vidal joined the brand as president. Vidal will lead REMAX and its global network of more than 145,000 agents, driving growth across all regions and developing services for brokers and agents. He most recently served as president of ERA Real Estate, where he was the first Hispanic president of a major national real estate brand. Vidal began his real estate career at age 19 and has held multiple positions including recruiting director, sales manager and sales coach at firms including Coldwell Banker Realty, ERA Real Estate, Prudential Real Estate and Keyes Real Estate.

Douglas Elliman welcomes back Jamie Gagliano as COO

Douglas Elliman Realty announced that Jamie Gagliano has returned to the firm as chief operations officer of its brokerage business, where she will oversee the company's national operations infrastructure. Most recently, she served as partner and chief operating officer for Noble Black & Partners at The Corcoran Group, roles she originated when the team was based at Douglas Elliman. Gagliano first joined Douglas Elliman in 2014 as chief operating officer for The Holly Parker Team.

Broker Action Coalition appoints Jamie Cavanaugh CEO

The Broker Action Coalition named Jamie Cavanaugh CEO. Cavanaugh, a 30-year mortgage industry veteran, will focus on amplifying the organization's voice, growing its movement and resources and building on its advocacy operation. She currently serves as CEO of reAlpha Mortgage, a position she will continue to hold while leading BAC. She succeeds Rachel Clark, who is stepping down as executive director.

Westcor Land Title names western regional underwriting counsel

Westcor Land Title Insurance Company welcomed David Dickard as western regional underwriting counsel. Dickard brings more than 40 years of experience in title insurance, underwriting, claims and operational leadership. He most recently served as senior vice president and western region underwriting counsel for First National Title Insurance Company, where he provided underwriting support for agents and company-owned offices across Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Arizona and New Mexico. Dickard also served on the inaugural Colorado Title Insurance Commission from 2015 to 2019 following his appointment by Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Dark Matter Technologies adds to leadership team

Dark Matter Technologies, a mortgage technology provider, announced it has appointed Salvatore Piccola as senior vice president of product strategy and Gil Valera as vice president of professional services. Piccola will lead product strategy and evolution across the Empower Loan Origination Solution, its built-in point of sale experience and the Exchange Partner Marketplace, while Valera will lead professional services and consulting. 

Piccola joins from PNC, where he spent nearly 24 years and most recently served as senior vice president and director of business innovation validation for home lending. Valera brings more than 20 years of professional services leadership and spent 13 years at ICE Mortgage Technology as vice president of professional services before holding positions at Infor, MicroStrategy, SAP BusinessObjects and Ernst & Young.

Mortgage Capital Trading taps director of MSR advisory

Mortgage Capital Trading, a mortgage capital markets technology provider, announced the addition of Tom Piercy as director of mortgage servicing rights advisory. Piercy brings nearly 40 years of capital markets experience in the valuation, trading and hedging of mortgage servicing rights. He joins from Rocktop Capital Advisors, where he most recently served as president.

Informed announces Daniel Sogorka as CEO

Informed, an AI-powered platform that helps lenders verify applications and detect fraud, appointed Daniel Sogorka as chief executive officer. The company has automated more than $350 billion in loan originations since its founding 10 years ago. Sogorka brings two decades of lending industry leadership, including senior roles at Black Knight/ICE, ServiceLink/FNF, Sagent and Rocket Pro. He joins with expertise in mortgage lending.