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13 July 2025 July 2025 » themortgagepoint.com M O V E R S & S H A K E R S his leadership will enhance the quality of our execution, strengthen our mar- ket-leading position and drive meaning- ful, long-term value for shareholders." Founded in 2017, SmartRent is a pro- vider of smart communities solutions and smart operations solutions to the rental housing industry. SmartRent's end-to-end enterprise ecosystem powers smarter living and working in rental housing by automating operations, protecting assets, reducing energy consumption, enhancing the resident experience, and more. "SmartRent has built a strong foundation as a category leader in smart property technology, with purpose-built solutions, deep industry relationships and a dedicated team committed to solving real operational challenges," said Martell. "Having spent the past two decades lead- ing data- and technology-driven organiza- tions that support the real estate industry, I see tremendous opportunity to expand our impact and build on the company's leadership. I'm proud to partner with our talented team as we deliver game-chang- ing solutions that empower customers and redefine what's possible in property technology. With our ongoing platform enhancements and investment in custom- er success, I believe we're poised to unlock the potential of the next generation of innovation in smart home technology in the years ahead." Industry Groups ALTA NAMES NEW CEO The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has an- nounced that Chris Morton has been appointed CEO, succeeding Diane Tomb, who served in the role for the past six years. ALTA, founded in 1907, is the nation- al trade association representing more than 6,000 title insurance companies, title and settlement agents, independent abstracters, title searchers, and real estate attorneys. "As the leader of our advocacy ef- forts, Chris Morton has been the public voice of our industry in Washington," said Richard Welshons MTP, NTP, President of ALTA. "He brings the right mix of experience, vision and steady leadership to guide ALTA. We thank Diane Tomb for her years of service and wish her well in future endeavors." Morton previously served as ALTA's SVP of Public Affairs and Chief Advocacy Officer. With more than 25 years of expe- rience in the financial services sector, he has played a key role on ALTA's Executive Team, leading the association's public policy, political engagement and advocacy strategies. Morton has collaborated close- ly with ALTA leadership and industry partners to advance the title insurance industry's role in protecting homebuyers and their property rights. "I am humbled by the industry's faith and trust in me," Morton said. "Our lead- ership remains deeply committed to con- tinuing ALTA's legacy of promoting the title industry and the tens of thousands of title professionals across the country. These dedicated individuals work every day to protect the American Dream of homeownership in their communities. As we continue to tackle challenges like housing supply and affordability, I'm excited to lead an association dedicated to meaningful progress." NAR WELCOMES TWO TO ITS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM The National Associa- tion of Realtors (NAR) has announced the appointment of two distinguished communications leaders to its executive team, as Bennett Richardson has been named SVP of Marketing & Commu- nications, and Raffi Williams as VP of Communications. "Bennett and Raffi bring a powerful mix of experience, vision, and strategic insight that will sharpen NAR's voice and strengthen our communications at a pivotal time for the real estate industry," said NAR CEO Nykia Wright. "We are in- vesting in world-class talent to ensure our members, policymakers, and the public clearly understand who we are, what we stand for, and the critical role Realtors® play in helping people across America achieve the dream of homeownership." Richardson, a seasoned public affairs and media executive, brings nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and journalism. Most recently, Richardson served as General Manager and Global Head of Public Affairs at Semafor, where he led the Washington bureau and spearheaded global strategic initiatives. Prior to that, he served as Director of Policy Marketing at Google, where he led Google's market- ing and content communications to policymakers and key opinion formers in the U.S and around the world. Rich- ardson's career also includes leadership roles at POLITICO Media Group, where he served as President of Protocol and Executive Director of POLITICO Europe. He has built award-winning public affairs campaigns for Fortune 100 companies and is a recognized thought leader, having spoken at the World Economic Forum, SXSW, and Cannes Lions. Williams joins NAR with a deep background in public affairs, media strategy, and financial communications. He most recently served as VP at the Managed Funds Association, where he led media relations and signifi- cantly expanded the organization's media presence. Previously, Williams held senior communications roles at Edelman Smithfield, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), where he managed large press teams and devel- oped high-impact media strategies. A former journalist and political spokes- person, Williams has been recognized by Forbes' "30 Under 30" for Law and Policy. He has also advised C-suite executives and elected officials on crisis communications, regulatory issues, and public affairs strategy. WILLIAMS RICHARDSON