“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,”
Fairley
said
in
a
statement.
“My
focus
will
be
on
delivering
exceptional
value
to
our
brokers
while
continuing
to
position
Stellar
MLS
to
lead
as
the
industry
evolves.”

Prior
to
assuming
his
new
role
as
CEO,
Fairley
served
as
the
MLS’s
chief
operations
officer.
Fairley
has
been
a
member
of
Stellar
MLS’s
leadership
team
for
nearly
two
decades,
joining
the
MLS
in
2005
and
has
served
as
COO
since
2017. 
He
is
also
a
member
of
the
board
of
directors
at
both
the


Council
of
MLSs
(CMLS)
and
the


Real
Estate
Standards
Organization
(RESO).

“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,”
Cowen
said
in
a
statement.
“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.”

Cowen
joined
Stellar
MLS
in
2008.
It
was
under
her
guidance
that
the
MLS
not
only
navigated
the
Great
Recession,
but
grew
to
become
the
largest
MLS
in
Florida
and

Puerto
Rico.
She
also
played
a
role
in
the
MLS’s
2019
rebranding
efforts. 

In
comments
to
HousingWire,
Cowen
said,
“My
time
as
CEO
at
Stellar
MLS
has
been
a
growth
journey.
Watching
our
MLS
grow
from
35,000
to
80,000
over
the
years
has
been
incredible.
Mostly
though,
it
has
been
the
opportunity
and
honor
to
work
closely
with
amazing
volunteer
leaders
and
my
peers
nationally.”

“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,”
Fairley
said.  

Despite
stepping
down
as
CEO
of
Stellar
MLS,
Cowen
will
remain
the
CEO
of
Universal
Consulting
Opportunities,
a
subsidiary
of
Stellar
MLS
launched
in
2024
and
focused
on
building
and
scaling
MLSs
worldwide. 

“I’m
beyond
excited
to
continue
my
role
in
leading
our
subsidiary
UCO,”
Cowen
said.
“We
are
taking
the
MLS
concept
globally
and
it’s
a
whole
new
world.
Extending
our
reach
across
the
globe
to
share
our
expertise
and
bring
the
version
of
the
MLS
that
works
in
each
region
is
a
joy
and
a
challenge.
I
love
a
good
challenge
and
the
opportunity
to
meet
leaders
across
the
world
that
want
to
improve
their
marketplaces
for
brokers,
agents
,and
consumers!”

Last
summer,
Cowen
said,
“Serving
as
CEO
of
Stellar

MLS
has
been
one
of
the
greatest
honors
of
my
career.
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.
Now,
I’m
ready
to
step
back,
and
Shayne
is
more
than
ready
to
step
forward.”