After eight years, Latter & Blum Inc. President Richard “Rick” Haase is leaving his position at the New Orleans-based powerhouse. Haase will leave the post on Feb. 15.
“[Latter & Blum] is well-positioned for new leadership to take it into its very bright future,” said Haase in a statement. “[Chairman and CEO] Bob Merrick and I have been a very good team and accomplished a great deal together over the last eight years. The company has grown dramatically in size and scope during that period.”
Haase has been a central figure in the growth of Latter & Blum, ranked No. 28 in RISMedia’s 2017 Power Broker Survey for transactions. In 2015, the firm acquired Houston Realty Associates—increasing its marketshare in Greater Houston—and, more recently, acquired Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate in Lafayette, La.
Of his departure, Haase explains that “our industry and consumer preferences are transforming at an alarming rate. Most of today’s traditional companies are trying to adapt to stay relevant, while startups, usually technology-aided, are gaining traction in their bid to win marketshare. Overcoming the challenges and maximizing the opportunities created by this disruptive innovation requires strong leadership, a clear strategic vision and the ability to successfully implement, and can be greatly accelerated via profitable partnerships.”
Haase began at Latter & Blum as president of its Residential division. Prior to that, he was general manager of Prudential Gardner Realtors Inc., now GARDNER REALTORS®.
Haase is active in many organizations, including the Business Council of New Orleans & the River Region, Greater New Orleans Inc., the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation, and United Way of Southeast Louisiana. As chairman of the Board of Trustees of United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Haase was heavily involved in Latter & Blum’s efforts to provide relief in Hurricane Harvey’s wake.
Additionally, Haase was a featured speaker at RISMedia’s 2017 Real Estate CEO Exchange, where he discussed evolving models in real estate.
“If this is where the puck is going, we want to go to school on it and understand it really well before it reaches a tipping point,” Haase told attendees. “There’s more than one way to run a railroad. The question is: Are we moving fast enough?”
Haase can be reached at rhaase@ix.netcom.com.
Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s online news editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at sdevita@rismedia.com.For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.
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