Douglas Elliman Taps Sotheby’s Vet As Chief Strategy Officer

Douglas Elliman is adding a chief strategy officer to its suite of executives.

The firm appointed Wendy Purvey, previously a consultant with its Florida team, to the new post, the company announced on Wednesday. Under her new position, Purvey is charged with, among other duties, overseeing recruitment and retention efforts and helping to review mergers and acquisition opportunities.

Purvey began working with Elliman more than a year ago, when she was brought on by the head of the brokerage’s Florida operations, Jay Parker, to consult with the brokerage as it sought to expand its footprint on the state’s west coast.

“This is really the company right now that has the most opportunity to be the luxury real estate company in the U.S.,” said Purvey, pointing to recent news about the consolidation of other luxury residential brands. “Our momentum is so strong.”

Before joining Elliman, Purvey was the president and chief operations officer at Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty in San Diego and Orange County, California. She also served as chief marketing officer with Sotheby’s International Realty for 12 years, starting in the early 2000s.

News of the role comes just a day after Elliman added a new chief technology officer, Chris Reyes, who joined the firm from Brown Harris Stevens. Liebowitz said Reyes and Purvey are the first in an anticipated string of new hires on the horizon, including other executives and agents.

“We have no debt and a lot of cash, and we want to use that money to grow the business,” Liebowitz said, including building out a “recruiting machine” and onboarding platform.

Liebowitz described Purvey’s role as touching “every piece” of the business and touted the “institutional knowledge” she’s bringing to the company after roughly 30 years in the industry.

“We’re putting a big foundation under this house,” Liebowitz said. “The business is not going to be surrounded by superstars and some high-profile leaders.”

The firm’s focus on recruitment follows the departures of a number of top agents, including Noble Black, who left the company in September to join the Corcoran Group.

“I’ve worked with agents my entire career. I know what makes them tick,” Purvey said. “This is going to be the place where I make a difference.”