Michael Miedler, president and chief executive officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. (Image courtesy Century 21)

The turning of the calendar to 2019 has brought two more changes at the top of major real estate firms, with president Glen Scott leaving Edmonton-based Katz Group Real Estate, and Century 21 Real Estate LLC announcing the resignation of president and CEO Nick Bailey.

In Edmonton, Scott leaves Katz Group Real Estate after four years of leading the build-out of ICE District, a massive project which has helped rejuvenate the Alberta capital’s downtown core. In a release Tuesday, Katz Group (KGRE), in collaboration with Oilers Entertainment Group, said it “is moving into a new phase of business with a focus on operations and the activation of ICE District.”

Scott’s role ended on Dec. 31. Jürgen Schreiber, Katz Group’s senior managing director and CEO, will oversee KGRE moving forward, with support from Brad Gilewich, managing director and COO of Katz Group, and Bob Nicholson, vice-chair and CEO of Oilers Entertainment Group.

The rest of KGRE’s existing senior management group remains in place, the company said: senior vice-president of finance Alim Kassam; senior vice-president of property management Hilary Lumme; and senior vice-president of development and construction Fabio Guarducci.

“Katz Group thanks Glen for his valuable contribution over the past four years and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” said Schreiber in the release. “Glen was instrumental in bringing the ICE District vision to reality and laid a solid foundation for its future success. We are excited to have reached this point in ICE District’s development and look forward to bringing the project to life.”

Scott is a lawyer who spent more than two decades with Brownlee LLP in Calgary, focusing on municipal government and real estate-related sectors, before taking the Katz Group position. He has also been appointed Queen’s Counsel.

ICE District Properties, a joint venture between KGRE and Edmonton-based ONE Properties, is working toward completion of Phase 1 construction and occupancy. Remaining projects in the first phase include the JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District and Legends Private Residences, full build-out of Stantec Tower, ICE District Plaza and Block BG development.

Bailey steps down at Century 21

Bailey’s decision to step down at Century 21 as of Jan. 11 means Michael Miedler will become president and CEO for the global real estate brand. Miedler brings more than 20 years of residential and commercial real estate experience to his new role, virtually all of it with Century 21.

Most recently, he has been the company’s chief growth officer.

Bailey will serve as an advisor to the company until March 1 to allow for a smooth transition.

“We are grateful for the unique mix of experience and industry insights that Nick brought to Century 21 Real Estate during his leadership,” said John Peyton, president and chief executive officer of Century 21 owner Realogy Franchise Group, in a prepared statement. “I would like to thank Nick for his vision and tenacity, which have strongly positioned the Century 21 brand as well as our brokers and agents for the future.”

“I have had an amazing journey within this industry, and I am so proud of the countless ‘thank yous’ I have received for my focus on growth, technology, C21 Gives and the bold and successful rebrand of the Century 21 brand,” said Bailey in the statement.

He cited family reasons for stepping down.

Miedler has held several positions within Century 21. He was senior vice-president for six years during which he oversaw the franchise sales team, brand development and market share strategy in the U.S., advising new and existing real estate businesses on growth strategies, business planning and transaction structuring.

In March 2018, Miedler was promoted to CGO, continuing to manage the franchise sales team and lending his expertise to capturing share in emerging and diverse markets.

Among his accomplishments are achieving a three-fold increase in the average annual franchise sales, and closing some of the largest deals in the history of the brand.

Century 21 has approximately 127,000 independent sales professionals in approximately 9,400 offices spanning 80 countries and territories. 

Lea Ray to lead Street Capital board

Street Capital Group Inc. (SCB-T), which operates primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary Street Capital Bank of Canada, has named Lea Ray as chair of its board of directors. Ray, who had been chair of the audit committee, succeeds the retiring Allan Silber.

Ray joined Street Capital’s board in 2015. She is a chartered professional accountant and seasoned board director, holding an Institute of Corporate Directors certification. Her financial career began with PricewaterhouseCoopers and she is a former executive, vice-president corporate finance of Warner Bros. Entertainment Canada Inc., where she was employed for 19 years.

Street Capital Group offers residential mortgage loans through its offices in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.