(photo: Luigi Favaro with Cathy Polan)
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has named Luigi Favaro as its next CEO.
Favaro, currently VP of partnerships for OREA, will take the helm after 17 years with the association. Favaro will begin as CEO on Sept. 2.
“I am honoured and proud to be the next CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association,” Favaro said at a press conference Friday announcing his new role. “I look forward to working together to carry forward the great progress we have already made and stay focused on what matters to all of our members.”
A vision of truth and teamwork
Favaro said his leadership will be grounded in trust, transparency, and collaboration, and he plans to foster relationships with the 100,000 members, the provincial leaders, stakeholders, and 23 member boards.
He said that he has built a strong relationship with Ontario Premier Doug Ford that “goes beyond just business” and plans to continue to lobby the government on behalf of OREA’s members.
His vision for the role will be to listen to members and do what he can to help them in their businesses and lives, Favaro said.
The end of a long search
OREA president Cathy Polan admitted Friday that the search took longer than expected.
“We wanted to make sure that we took the time to make the right decision and choose a candidate that would provide the vision and direction necessary to continue elevating our association and strengthening our profession,” Polan said Friday. “(Favaro) brings nearly 20 years of experience in the real estate industry with a proven track record in leadership, strategic development, and organizational growth.”
Favaro’s impact to date
Polan said that Favaro has helped expand the organization’s strategic partnerships, oversaw the development of member board support programs, and launched key association initiatives that she says enhanced member satisfaction.
Interim CEO Sonia Richards, who stepped in when Tim Hudak resigned last summer, said Friday that Favaro has been a pillar of the organization for as long as she can remember.
Eric Stober has over 10 years experience as a journalist and writer at publications big and small, including Global News, Toronto Life, Post City Magazine, Greencamp.com, the Toronto Star and The Grid.