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tellar MLS will join FIABCI Worldwide as a principal member in 2026, expanding its global advisory reach. The Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) announced its 2026 board, adding COO Shayne Fairley of Stellar MLS and CTO Jerry Legrand of APEX MLS, both elected for four‑year terms. Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS, was appointed to fill a vacancy and will serve the remainder of the term. Re‑elected members include Brad Bjelke (UtahRealEstate.com), Jeff Bosch (IRES LLC), Shelley Specchio (MIBOR Broker Listing Cooperative), and Rob Wagoner (Heartland MLS). Nicole Jensen (realMLS) chairs the board, with Justin Haag (Northwest MLS) as vice‑chair and John DiMichele (Toronto Regional Real Estate Board) continuing as past chair.
The Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) named its 2026 board, emphasizing data standards amid growing AI integration. Rebecca Jensen (Midwest Real Estate Data) remains chair, ensuring continuity as RESO oversees standards for MLSs, brokerages, associations, and vendors. The new board will guide development of the Data Dictionary and Web API standards, critical for AI systems that rely on structured, consistent data. RESO CEO Sam DeBord highlighted the board’s collaborative composition, enabling organizations of all sizes to adopt shared data frameworks without custom integrations.
Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), Stellar MLS’s global advisory arm, broadened its international presence in 2025, engaging over 30 markets and 20 new countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. UCO focused on MLS development, technology modernization, governance models, and localized education, while hosting cross‑border leadership sessions to foster collaboration. In Q4, UCO participated in the RENT conference in Paris, interacting with the European Association of Real Estate Professions (CEPI) and other industry leaders. The firm also continued its partnership with Czech tech company Igluu, presenting on MLS principles and data transparency at a regional event.
Stellar MLS’s recognition as a principal member of FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, was announced this year. The designation grants UCO and Stellar MLS a formal role in FIABCI’s global and U.S. chapters starting in 2026. CEO Merri Jo Cowen remarked that the status reflects the organization’s integrity, collaboration, and commitment to FIABCI’s mission, serving as both acknowledgment of past achievements and a foundation for future endeavors.
