Movers & Shakers: Carole Smith leaves EWM for Compass & more

Smith, a top producer in Coral Gables, was with EWM for 25 years

O.J. and Frances McDuffie, and Carole Smith
O.J. and Frances McDuffie, and Carole Smith

UPDATED, Oct. 5, 12:25 p.m.: After 25 years with EWM Realty International, Carole Smith just joined Compass.

Smith is now vice president and director of agent strategy at Compass, according to a release. She and her six-agent team are working out of the brokerage’s Coral Gables office at 4699 Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

In 2017, Smith was the fifth-top producing agent in Coral Gables, closing deals for single-family homes and condos totaling more than $70 million. Smith was a senior vice president at EWM.

She’s one of a few top brokers in Coral Gables to join Compass recently as the firm expands. In June, Compass purchased Karen Matluck’s ICS Realty in Aventura, marking a move northward. And in August, Compass acquired Iliana and Orlando Abella’s Greater Miami Investments at 60 Aragon Avenue and opened a second office where Smith will be working out of. In 2017, veteran broker Audrey Ross also left EWM for Compass.

Compass also picked up Frances and O.J. McDuffie as luxury real estate advisers. The McDuffies, who co-founded their McDuffie Realty, are based out of Compass’ Fort Lauderdale office. O.J., who was a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins between 1993 and 2001, and Frances, formerly an agent with Century 21, are part of Compass’ sports and entertainment division and are the preferred real estate agents of the Miami Dolphins, according to a release.

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Rivergate KW Residential hired Armando Vieira as a regional manager in Florida. He left Gables Residential after 14 years to join the company. Rivergate KW also brought on Sarah Randolph as digital marketing manager and Cynthia Blanco as marketing manager for Florida and Georgia.

Steven Vanni joined Apex Capital Realty as managing director of national investments. Vanni was previously an investment adviser at Marcus & Millichap. Other brokers to join Apex in recent months include Enri Pinto, now vice president of national investments, and Jenny May, who left Metro 1 and is vice presidents of Apex’s multifamily advisory group.

El-Ad National Properties and Douglas Elliman named Senada Adžem executive director of sales for Alina Residences Boca Raton. Adžem’s team includes Scott Gerow and John Wilson. El-Ad, part of the Elad Group, launched the luxury condo project in August.

The Bainbridge Companies hired Heidi Jehlicka as senior vice president of marketing and employee development and Mark Stewart as senior vice president and chief investment officer. The firm also promoted David Nimitz to vice president of investments and finance; Brian Doppelt to senior vice president and general counsel; and Jake Wright to senior vice president of investments and finance.

Belissa Alvarez was named foundation director of the Related Group’s philanthropic foundation and the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation.

An earlier version of this story listed the incorrect title for Enri Pinto.