E
rik Carlson, CEO of RE/MAX Holdings, took the helm in November 2023 amidst a tumultuous time for the company. The Sitzer/Burnett verdict and $55 million settlement had taken a significant bite out of profits, causing many agents to leave. However, Carlson saw this as an opportunity to lead the company through adversity. "In times of chaos, I'd rather run into the fire than run away from it," he said.

    Carlson's background in overcoming challenges at Dish Network prepared him for this role. He emphasized focusing on what can be controlled and planning around uncontrollable events. Meeting RE/MAX founder Dave Linegar sealed his decision to join the company, as he admired Linegar's entrepreneurial spirit and legacy.

    Despite recent settlements and rule changes, Carlson expects more legal turbulence in the industry. Agents still feel uncertain about how new policies will affect their work. "In times of change, you want to know where the sidelines are," Carlson said, noting it may take a year for clarity to emerge.

    RE/MAX's North Star is to be the best in real estate, and Carlson is driven to make that happen. He believes RE/MAX serves as an industry bellwether, with its success reflecting the overall health of the market. "If I can help the industry do better by having RE/MAX do better, we're focused on getting back to growth and doing great things again."

    For other brokerage leaders in 2025, Carlson advises focusing on people and culture. "It always starts with people for me," he said. "With a strong culture and the right vision, team, and motivation, you can accomplish almost anything."