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Executive Bios

Harold E. Crye Chairman of the Board - Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

Harold E. Crye is chief executive officer and co-owner of Crye-Leike, Realtors, which he co-founded in Memphis in 1977 when he was just 31 years old. The company quickly became that city’s largest firm, expanded to become the #1 firm in Nashville and Chattanooga as well, and has since grown to be the fourth largest firm in the entire country, with 125 offices, 1,200 management and staff and 4,000 sales associates in eight states throughout the Mid-South. Crye holds a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from Arkansas State University, as well as numerous other educational distinctions, including: Leadership Memphis Alumnus, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate, Realtors Institute (GRI) and Quartermaster School, U.S. Army, Fort Lee, Virginia. He previously served as chairman of The Realty Alliance and president of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®.

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Pamela J. O'Connor President and CEO – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

For over 20 years, Pam O’Connor has managed networks which ultimately consolidated into Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. An honors graduate of the University of Tennessee, she began her career in television and later owned a public relations firm specializing in real estate and hospitality. She holds the Senior Certified Relocation Professional (SCRP) designation, has earned ERC’s President's Award, two Distinguished Service Awards and the Meritorious Service Award, and is a frequent industry speaker and author.

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Ruth Ann Pepple Network Services President/CEO - Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

Ruth Ann Pepple has been a senior manager with a series of networks since 1971 and is considered a leader in establishing business models for referral networks. A Senior Certified Relocation Professional (SCRP), Distinguished Service Award winner and Global Mobility Specialist (GMS), she has developed the international division and has represented the network at the FIABCI World Congress for the past six years. She has served on the FIABCI-USA Board of Directors and graduated from the University of Iowa.

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Paul Boomsma President – Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection®, CMO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

With over 20 years of experience in luxury real estate, Paul Boomsma has created the highly successful Luxury Portfolio program. Paul began his career marketing luxury office towers and later joined a top residential firm, later becoming National Marketing Director for a major franchise. Paul is a frequent industry speaker on the topics of raising the bar for real estate branding, agent listing presentations, synergies with the resort/second-home market, and the luxury market. He has been named one of the Most Influential People in Luxury Real Estate and has received Unique Homes’ Luxury Marketer of the Year Award.

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Robert Portale President and CEO - RELO Direct®

Bob has more than 20 years of experience in account management and business development for leading relocation management companies. An energizing leader, he is skilled in developing strategic and tactical marketing plans while focusing on bottom line results. He has served on a number of regional relocation boards of directors, including the New England Relocation Association, New Jersey Relocation Council, and Chicago’s Corporate Relocation Council.

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