Sotheby’s Ellie Johnson resigns after decade at firm

Manager had presided over firm's largest sales volume office

From left: Kathy Korte and Ellie Johnson
From left: Kathy Korte and Ellie Johnson

Ellie Johnson, the longtime senior vice president and manager of the Upper East Side office of Sotheby’s International Realty, has resigned, according to a spokesperson for the firm.

Marissa Ghesquiere, the company’s former corporate counsel, is taking the reins until Sotheby’s can recruit a new senior manger, the spokesperson said.

Johnson’s reasons for leaving the residential brokerage were not immediately clear and she did not respond to a request for comment.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

“Ellie Johnson has led our Upper East Side operations for more than a decade and we are grateful for her many contributions and successes,” said Kathy Korte, CEO of Sotheby’s [TRDataCustom], in a statement. “Effective immediately, Marissa Ghesquiere has been promoted to brokerage manager of the company’s Upper East Side operations while we also begin our search to fill a newly created role of senior brokerage manager who will focus on talent, production and office growth.”

Ghesquiere had also been interim brokerage manager for Sotheby’s Hamptons operations for the past year.

Johnson had presided over Sotheby’s largest sales volume office since 2005. Its star agents at one point included Roger Erickson, Brenda Powers, Elizabeth Sample and Serena Boardman. Erickson departed the company for Elliman last year. Powers also recently did a short stint at Compass before returning to the company.