“I have nothing but the deepest gratitude and respect for Mark and his decades of leadership within our organization,” Keller wrote.
In this new role, Willis will work to develop new leaders within the company.
“When Mark first re-joined our team, he and I talked about this role as Mark’s true calling, and I’m energized that this is finally happening,” Keller said.
According to the email, while the company looks for its next CEO, Stacie Herron, KE’s current chief legal and administrative officer will serve as interim chief operating officer.
In a statement, Willis said serving as KW CEO twice has been “the honor of [his] lifetime.”
“Now, I am excited to take on a new challenge as I transition to a new role that Gary and I have worked together for some time to create. As Chief Leadership Officer, I will focus on helping our leaders grow and achieve their highest potential,” Willis added. “We have so much more to do together, and I look forward to being a part of that journey moving forward, confident in the company’s future direction and continued growth.”
Willis left Keller Williams in 2016, but returned to the firm a viral Twitter hashtag and a legal battle resulting in a temporary restraining order. A few months later, in November 2023, Willis stepped back into the role of CEO at Keller Williams. This was then followed by him being renamed president of the company in March 2024 when Marc King stepped down.
